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Loire Valley Wine
The Loire Valley wine region includes the French wine regions situated along the river Loire from the Muscadet region near the city of Nantes on the Atlantic coast to the region of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé just southeast of the city of Orléans in north central France. In between are the regions of Anjou wine, Saumur, Bourgueil, Chinon, and Vouvray. The Loire Valley itself follows the river through the Loire department to the river's origins in the Cévennes but the majority of the wine production takes place in the regions noted above. The area includes 87 appellations under the ''Appellation d'origine contrôlée'' (AOC) and '' Indication Géographique Protégée'' (IGP) systems. While the majority of production in the Loire Valley is white wine from the Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc and Melon de Bourgogne grapes, there are red wines made (especially around the Chinon region) from Cabernet franc. In addition to still wines, rosé, sparkling and dessert wines are also prod ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anjou Wine
Anjou wine is produced in the Loire Valley wine region of France near the city of Angers. The wines of region are often grouped together with the wines of nearby Saumur as "Anjou-Saumur". Along with the wines produced further east in Touraine, Anjou-Saumur make what is collectively known as the "Middle Loire" (as opposed to the "Upper Loire" which includes the wine regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé).J. Robinson. ''Jancis Robinson's Wine Course'', Third Edition. Abbeville Press, 2003. pp. 180-184. . Within the Anjou wine region are several ''Appellation d'origine contrôlées'' (AOCs) responsible for a broad spectrum of wines including still red, white and rosé produced with varying levels of sweetness. Extending across the Deux-Sèvres, Maine-et-Loire and Vienne '' départements'', the generic Anjou AOC appellation and its various sub-appellations encompasses vineyards across more than 151 communes. Wine expert Tom Stevenson describes the wines of the area as being a " mi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Muscadet
Muscadet ( , , ) is a French white wine. It is made at the western end of the Loire Valley, near the city of Nantes in the Pays de la Loire region. It is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, often referred to simply as ''melon''. While most ''appellation d'origine contrôlée'' wines are named after their growing region, or in Alsace after their variety, the name ''Muscadet'' refers to an alleged characteristic of the wine produced by the melon grape variety: ''vin qui a un goût musqué'' (wine with a musk-like taste). However, according to wine expert Tom Stevenson, Muscadet wines do not have much, if any, muskiness or Muscat-like flavors or aromas. The sole variety used to produce Muscadet, Melon de Bourgogne, was initially planted in the region sometime in or before the 17th century. It became dominant after a hard freeze in 1709 killed most of the region's vines. Dutch traders, who were major actors in the French wine trade, encouraged the planting of this variet ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Appellation
An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the ingredients of a food or beverage originated, most often used for the origin of wine grapes. Restrictions other than geographical boundaries, such as what grapes may be grown, maximum grape yields, alcohol level, and other quality factors may also apply before an appellation name may legally appear on a wine bottle label. The rules that govern appellations are dependent on the country in which the wine was produced. History The tradition of wine appellation is very old. The oldest references are to be found in the Bible, where ''wine of Samaria'', ''wine of Mount Carmel, Carmel'', ''wine of Jezreel (city), Jezreel'', or ''wine of Helbon'' are mentioned. This tradition of appellation continued throughout the Antiquity and the Middle Ages, though without any officially sanctioned rules. Historically, the world's first exclusive (protected) vineyard zone was introduced in Chianti, I ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cévennes
The Cévennes ( , ; ) is a cultural region and range of mountains in south-central France, on the south-east edge of the Massif Central. It covers parts of the '' départements'' of Ardèche, Gard, Hérault and Lozère. Rich in geographical, natural, and cultural significance, portions of the region are protected within the Cévennes National Park, the Cévennes Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO), as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape. The area has been inhabited since 400,000 BCE and has numerous megaliths which were erected beginning around 2500 BCE. As an agriculturally-rich area, but not a suitable location for cities, the Cévennes developed a wide diversity of pastoral systems, including transhumance. The irrigation and road networks put in place in the early Middle Ages for these pastoral systems are still in use today. The name ''Cévennes'' comes from the Gaulish ''Cebenna''. As of 1999, there we ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley (, ), spanning , is a valley located in the middle stretch of the Loire river in central France, in both the administrative regions Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire. The area of the Loire Valley comprises about . It is referred to as the ''Cradle of the French'' and the ''Garden of France'' due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards (such as cherries), and artichoke, and asparagus fields, which line the banks of the river. Notable for its historic towns, architecture, and wines, the valley has been inhabited since the Middle Palaeolithic period. In 2000, UNESCO added the central part of the Loire River valley to its list of World Heritage Sites. Geography and climate The valley includes historic towns such as Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Montsoreau, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours. The climate is favorable most of the year, the river often acting as a line of demarcation in France's weather between the northern climate and the southern. The riv ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vouvray (wine)
Vouvray () is a French wine region in the Loire Valley located in the Touraine district just east of the city of Tours in the commune of Vouvray. The ''Appellation d'origine contrôlée'' (AOC) is dedicated almost exclusively to Chenin blanc; the obscure and minor grape Arbois is permitted but rarely used.T. Stevenson ''The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia'' pg 210 Dorling Kindersley 2005 Wine production in this area is highly variable and dependent on climate conditions. Cooler years promote the production of dry '' (sec)'' and sparkling Vouvray, while a warmer, more favorable vintage encourages the production of sweet '' moelleux'' or '' liquoreux'' styles produced by noble rot in a manner similar to the sweet dessert wines of Sauternes. With the naturally high acidity of Chenin blanc, Vouvrays from favorable vintages have immense aging potential. A few wines drink well into 100 years of age, but it is more common to find a well aged Vouvray peaking at the 40 year mark.Jancis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chinon Wine
Chinon () is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department, Centre-Val de Loire, France. The traditional province around Chinon, Touraine, became a favorite resort of French kings and their nobles beginning in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The Renaissance châteaux which they built new or erected on the foundations of old fortresses earned this part of the Loire Valley the nickname "The Garden of France." Chinon played an important and strategic role during the Middle Ages, serving both French and English kings. Chinon is known for its wine, castle, and historic town. Its part of the Loire Valley has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. History The historic town of Chinon is on the banks of the river Vienne about from where it joins the Loire. Settlement in Chinon dates from prehistoric times, with a pronounced importance for both French and English history in the Middle Ages. At this period rivers were the main trade routes, and the Vienn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bourgueil AOC
Bourgueil () is an ''appellation d'origine contrôlée'' (AOC) for wine in the Loire Valley wine, Loire Valley region, and produces primarily red wine from the grape variety Cabernet Franc, located in the commune of Bourgueil and surrounding communes. Bourgueil gained ''Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée'' (AOC) status when regulatory laws were passed on 31 July 1937. Climate and geography Like other wine regions in the Saumur (wine), Saumur region, Bourgueil has mostly a continental climate (wine), continental climate with some maritime (wine), maritime influences that are enhanced the further west you go in the AOC. It is situated on the right bank of the river Loire, which provides some climate moderation, to the west of Tours and on the edge of the Maine-et-Loire department. The AOC region stretches over an area of 1400 hectares, encompassing 7 communes of the Indre-et-Loire department: Restigné, Benais, Ingrandes-de-Touraine, Saint-Patrice, Chouzé-sur-Loire, La Chapelle-sur- ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Saumur Wine
Saumur () is a French wine region located in the Loire Valley. The region is noted for sparkling wines produced by the traditional method, and for red wines made primarily from Cabernet Franc. The main variety in the white wines is Chenin blanc Chenin blanc (, ; known also as Pineau de la Loire among #Synonyms, other names) is a white wine grape variety from the Loire Valley (wine), Loire Valley of France (wine), France. Its high acidity (wine), acidity means it can be used to make var .... The annual ''Grandes Tablées du Saumur-Champigny'' is a popular annual event held in early August with over 1 km of tables set up in Saumur so people can sample the local foods and wine. Appellations The following AOCs may be used for Saumur wines: * Saumur - white, red or rosé * Saumur-Champigny - red * Coteaux de Saumur - sweet white * Saumur mousseux - sparkling * Cabernet de Saumur - for the rosé wines produced before 2015 (Saumur Rosé for 2016 and after) See also * Li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlantic, North Atlantic, the French West Indies, and List of islands of France, many islands in Oceania and the Indian Ocean, giving it Exclusive economic zone of France, one of the largest discontiguous exclusive economic zones in the world. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium and Luxembourg to the north; Germany to the northeast; Switzerland to the east; Italy and Monaco to the southeast; Andorra and Spain to the south; and a maritime border with the United Kingdom to the northwest. Its metropolitan area extends from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean and from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea. Its Regions of France, eighteen integral regions—five of which are overseas—span a combined area of and hav ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Orléans
Orléans (,"Orleans" (US) and ; ) is a city in north-central France, about 120 kilometres (74 miles) southwest of Paris. It is the prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Loiret and of the Regions of France, region of Centre-Val de Loire. Orléans is located on the river Loire nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, classified as a Loire Valley, World Heritage Site, where the river curves south towards the Massif Central. In 2020, the city had 117,026 inhabitants within its municipal boundaries. Orléans is the center of Orléans Métropole that has a population of 290,346. The larger Functional area (France), metropolitan area has a population of 454,208, the 20th largest in France. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé () is an ''appellation d'origine contrôlée'' (AOC) for the dry sauvignon blanc white wine produced around Pouilly-sur-Loire, in the Nièvre département. Another white wine produced in the same area but with a different grape variety is called Pouilly-sur-Loire. Etymology Pouilly-Fumé is made purely from sauvignon blanc, a type of vine whose clusters are formed of small ovoid grapes, pressed against each other and resembling small bird eggs. At maturity, these grapes are coated with a grey bloom, the color of smoke—which explains why Pouilly winegrowers talk of "white smoke" to describe the type of vine or the wines made from it. "Fumé" also refers to the smoky bouquet (the renowned " gun flint aroma"), bestowed by the terroir vineyards of Pouilly-sur-Loire. History Antiquity The vineyards of Pouilly-Fumé date back to the fifth century. The area was a Gallo-Roman estate dating back to the early days of the Roman Empire. The name derives from the Lat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
