AOC Vouvray Discover the appellation and its winemakers

The appellation Vouvray is an iconic reference in the vineyard of the Loire valley, Known for its refined white wines, born from a historic terroir and ancestral know-how. Located near Tours, this appellation combines tradition and diversity thanks to a single grape variety, the Chenin Blanc, which gives rise to wines that are both dry and sweet, dessert or sparkling, thus exalting the richness of the Loire.

History

The history of the Vouvray vineyard begins very early, founded by the monks of the Marmoutier monastery in the 5th century. From the 13th century onwards, the grape variety Chenin (locally called "Pineau de la Loire") is considered noble and prized on the limestone slopes. By the 14th century, Vouvray wines already enjoyed a certain renown at the French royal court, which made it a prestigious wine at its table.«protected designation of origin Vouvray was officially established in 1936, consolidating the administrative recognition of this unique terroir. A significant event of the 20th century was the introduction of the traditional method of sparkling winemaking to Vouvray by Maurice Hamm, which endowed the appellation with exceptional sparkling wines, reinforcing its vital reputation for the diversity of its wines.

Terroir

Climate

The climate of the Vouvray vineyard is a skillful blend of influences oceanic et continental, offering ideal conditions for the harmonious development of Chenin. This temperate climate promotes a slow and balanced ripening of the grapes, essential for the production of both dry, expressive and fresh wines, and sweet and luscious wines with concentrated aromas.

Geology

The soils of the Vouvray vineyards rest primarily on a substrate of tuffeau, The soil is a soft, porous limestone, very characteristic of the region, combined with clay-limestone soils. This terroir gives the wines a lovely freshness, precise minerality, and an elegant structure. The calcareous nature of the soil promotes drainage and the typical aromatic expression of the wines, revealing notes of white fruit, flowers, and sometimes a touch of honey.

Grape varieties

Le Chenin It is the only grape variety permitted in the Vouvray appellation, giving rise to wines of a wide variety of styles. Dry white wines develop aromas of apple, pear, and peach with floral nuances. Sweet and dessert wines, made from grapes harvested at greater ripeness, reveal aromas of candied fruit, honey, nuts, and toast, evidence of careful winemaking and sometimes noble fermentation. Furthermore, the appellation also produces sparkling wines using the traditional method, renowned for their fine bubbles, vivacity, and aromatic complexity, available in both semi-sparkling and sparkling styles depending on the bottle pressure.