Loire

This is a regional appellation of around 12.000 hectares of vineyards located in the western section (left bank) of the large Loire wine-growing region in France. It includes around 200 communes situated all around the city of Angers. The wines from this area were highly rated in medieval times, at that stage the white wines dominated. The much smaller Saumur appellation lies in the east of the area, the very similar wines from there can also be marketed as Anjou (but not vice-versa). There is a large number of sub-appellations. Dry to sweet rosé wines destined for early drinking dominate the production, and make up around half the total. These are sold as AC Rosé d´Anjou (or Anjou Rosé) and made mainly from Grolleau (known here as Groslot), blended with portions of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d´Aunis, Gamay and Malbec. An additional rosé is produced as AC Cabernet d´Anjou and made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Red, white and rosé wines are produced under the AC Anjou. The white wine is a blend, made from Chenin Blanc (minimum 80%), Chardonnay (maximum 20%) and Sauvignon Blanc. The red wine is made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d´Aunis. An additional red wine. Made from the Gamay grape, is made as AC Anjou Gamay. An AC that is very rarely used is that of Anjou Coteaux de la Loire, to the west of the city of Angers, which is used for white wines made from Chenin Blanc. The AC Anjou-Villages is used for red wines made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The commune of Brissac, as well as nine other communes in ist immediate vicinity were excluded from this in 1986, and the own AC Anjou-Villages-Brissac was created for them. White and rosé sparkling and perlé wines are produced under the AC´s Anjou Mousseux and Anjou Pétillant. The white versions are made from Chenin Blanc (minimum 60%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Gamay, Grolleau and Pineau d´Aunis, while the rosé versions are made from the same varieties, with the exception of Chenin Blanc. Well-known producers in the overall area include Château de Tigné, Château Pierre Bise, Château la Varière, Domaine de Bablut, Domaine de Gatines, Domaine Ogereau, Domaine Philippe Delesvaux and Domaine Richou. The following appellations are enclaves in the greater Anjou area : Bonnezeaux, Coteaux de l´Aubance, Coteaux du Layon, Quarts de Chaume and Savennières (the last one has two special vineyard sites which have their own AC´s).