Loire

Communal appellation with a total vineyard area of around 1.200 hectares, located in the extreme west of the Touraine region in France, named after the city of the same name, the Changeon river, which flows into the Loire, runs through the area. The vineyards have soils of sandstone, gravel and sand, and lie on the right bank of the Loire. Practically the entire area is planted with Cabernet Franc (known here as Breton). The red wines produced here are tannic and have a long maturation potential. They must consist of a minimum of 90% of Cabernet Franc, while Cabernet Sauivgnon may be blended in for the balance. They are considered to be the best red wines of the Loire region. Small amounts of a rosé are also produced, but the white wines are not classified as AC. The commune of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the north-west of the area is entitled to an own appellation. Well-known producers in the area as a whole include Amirault, Hubert Audebert, Billet, Jacky Blot, Domaine Breton, Caslot, Max Cognard, Domaine Delaunay, Domaine Druet, Paul Gambier, Pascal Lorieux, Domaine des Mailloches, Jean-Paul Malibeau and Clos des Quarterons.