Loire

Appellation in the large Loire wine-growing region in central France, it is named after the town of the same name, and includes 36 communes. On a hill above the town stands a castle built of tufa (tuff) in the 14th century, and considered to be the most beautiful castle on the Loire. It is used by the wine brotherhood „Confrérie des Chevaliers du Sacavins“ for its ceremonies and events. Saumur lies in between the appellations of Anjou (which produces very similar wines) and Touraine. The vineyard area totals 2.800 hectares, the vineyards are located on slopes above the Loire and Thouet rivers. The red wines and white wines may be produced under either the Saumur or also under the Anjou appellation, although this option does not reply in reverse. The white wines vary from dry to sweet, and are made from Chenin Blanc (minimum of 80%), Chardonnay (maximum of 20%) and Sauvignon Blanc, the red wines are dry, and are made from Cabernet Franc, with the permitted addition of smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pineau d´Aunis. Rosé wines must use the AC Anjou Rosé. However, if they are made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, then the AC Cabernet de Saumur applies. Saumur ist he centre of sparkling wine production on the Loire, and is the second-largest region in France for the production of sparkling wine after Champagne. There is a confusing variety of AC’s for sparkling wines. White sparkling wines are made mainly from Chenin Blanc, while the rosé sparkling wines are made mainly from the Cabernet varieties. They are produced under the AC´s Saumur, Saumur Mousseux, Saumur Pétillant or Saumur d´Origine. The AC Saumur-Champigny applies only to red wine, and is named after the commune of the same name. The vineyard area totals around 1.500 hectares, spread over 9 communes. The red wine is made mainly from Cabernet Franc (known here as Breton), it is sometimes described as the „Beaujolais of the Loire“. The AC Coteaux de Saumur is rarely used, it applies to mainly off-dry white wines made from Chenin Blanc. Important producers for the whole region include Bouvet Ladubay, Domaine de Filliatreau, Gratien & Meyer#Gratien, Château du Hureau, Domaine Langlois-Château, Domaine Legrand, Domaine Nerleux, Domaine de la Petite Chapelle, Domaine des Roches Neuves, Domaine de Sain-Just, Les Vignerons de Saumur and Château de Villeneuve.