“So, the members of the appellation decided several years ago to create a special appellation for the stronger wine with a complement name ‘ Cru,’ followed by the name of the territory.” Getty Images Grapes to KnowĪ majority of Loire Valley wines are made from single varietals. “Roughly all Anjou wine growers have two kinds of Anjou Blanc: one light style and one strong style,” says Bonnin. (The INAO studies the plot’s geological soil identity and if it’s in coherence with the goal of this new appellation, they approve it.) They include Bonnin, who is in the process of creating an “Anjou Blanc Cru” appellation for winegrowers who have Chenin vines planted in this area. There are also winegrowers working with the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) to create new appellations in the Loire. Today, there are 51 AOP regions in the Loire. This system covers the grapes that may be used, the vineyards that grapes may come from and the production methods. Vintners created the Loire Valley AOP label system in 1936. Whose Wine Is It Anyway?: The Origin Stories of Three Global Grape Varieties Appellations With new AOP plantings after the phylloxera catastrophe, trade continued to intensify right through the 20 th century as the Loire regained its clout. Some varieties are resistant to this aphid, but the quality of the grapes like Chenin and Cabernet Franc diminished.” “The tiny aphid destroys the roots, so the vine dies. “The phylloxera of the vine is a tiny aphid native to America,” says Bonnin. The pest appeared in French territory in the 1860s as global travel became more widespread. In the late 19 th century, the phylloxera outbreak in France wiped out all the vineyards in the Loire Valley. Famille Bonnin / Photo Courtesy of Damille Bonnin The Loire and Phylloxera Demand further promoted trading and the development of vineyards along both sides of the riverbanks. By the Middle Ages, the vineyards were mostly in the hands of Augustine and Benedictine Catholic monks, who were vital for centuries in the growth of various Loire vineyards after the fall of the Roman empire and through the Renaissance.įrom the Middle Ages until the mid-19 th century, winemakers exported their barrels and bottles to England via the Loire, Sevre and Maine rivers. In 582 A.D., Gallo-Roman bishop Grégoire de Tours took note of the vineyards in Sancerre and Touraine and wrote about the Loire’s offerings, helping to grow the wine’s popularity. Over the years, they expanded to what is now Sancerre and Anjou. Winemaking in the Loire dates back 2,000 years to when Romans planted the first vineyards in the Pays Nantais region. Most soils you’ll find in the region are Kimmeridgian limestone, clay, sand/gravel, schist, flint, granite, gneiss (rock), chalk and tuffeau. The soil varies from region to region and has a large influence on grape varieties and vine growing practices.

“Climate is important, but type of soil means everything when it comes to the taste of the wine,” says Xavier Amirault, winemaker and owner of Domaine Amirault in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, France. The Loire doesn’t just have a wide range of climates, though. Ducks at Clos des Quarterons, Loire Valley, France / Photo Courtesy Xavier Amirault The Loire Valley’s Soils “In Saumur, our terroir is influenced by a mild oceanic-never too hot, never too cold climate-aka ‘Douceur Angevine’ with moderate thermal amplitudes,” says Nicolas Emereau, general director of Alliance Loire.Īs a result, the rosés and red wines tend to exhibit aromas of red fruits and flowers, while the whites exhibit honeyed floral notes with hints of tropical fruits. Travel east to the middle region the encompasses Anjou, Saumur and Touraine, and you’ll find yourself in a semi-maritime climate, as the area is protected by the hills of Saumur. Wines from this region tend to be dry, and fresh with citrus and mineral notes. Sign up Privacy Policyįor instance, Pays Nantais, situated on the Atlantic Ocean, has a maritime climate marked by mild autumns and winters and hot, humid summers. Thank You! We've received your email address, and soon you will start getting exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast.

Wines and more