Touraine AOC
Encyclopedia
Touraine is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
(AOC) in the Loire Valley wine region
in France
that produce dry, white wines and red wines rich in tannins. The AOC status was awarded by a decree of December 24, 1939 (modified by the decree of August 29, 2002). The wine-growing area extends over 5300 hectares (13,096.6 acre) departments of Indre-et-Loire
, Indre
and Loir-et-Cher
and comprises a total of 70 communes and it is thus a "subregional" appellation covering the same area as a number of local AOCs.
and Arbois
grapes. The wines made from Sauvignon grapes are dry and lively with characteristic blackcurrant aromas. The white Touraine wines are dry, fairly firm, lively and full, and keep well when bottled. The sparkling wines are allowed to use the designation "Touraine mousseux" (sparkling Touraine wine). Up to 20% of Chardonnay
grapes may be included in the mixture of varieties grown.
The red wines are produced from Cabernet Franc
, Cabernet Sauvignon
, Côt
, Pinot Noir
, Pinot Meunier
, Pinot Gris
, Pineau d'Aunis
and Gamay
grape varieties (Gamay is used only for wines marketed in the first year after production). These wines are flavoursome and tannic in character. Touraine wines sold in the first year or production are light and fruity, as well as rustic.
The rosé wines are made from Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, Côt, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Pineau d'Aunis, Gamay and Grolleau
grape varieties. These wines are dry in character.
Touraine: this is the appellation known simply as "Touraine" and covering the entire subregion. Its land borders the Loire
river, stretching from the Sologne
region to the borders of Vienne
and Anjou
. The wine officially designated "Touraine primeur " (Touraine wine marketed in the first year after production) is made exclusively from the Gamay
Noir à Jus Blanc grape variety.
Touraine Mesland: the small village of Mesland
, which lies between Amboise
and Blois
, gives its name to red, rosé and white wines of considerable finesse produced from Gamay
grapes, and to white wines produced from Chenin grapes.
Touraine Azay-le-Rideau: located in the wine-growing area surrounding the Château of Azay-le-Rideau
, this village gives its name to white wines produced from Chenin grapes and to rosé wines produced from Chenin, Gamay
and Grolleau
grapes.
Montlouis: located only a few kilometres to the east of Tours
, Montlouis-sur-Loire
shares its name with white wines that are less well known outside of the Touraine region and are all made from Chenin grapes. The Montlouis-sur-Loire
(or "Montlouis") wine-growing area was originally part of the Vouvray region, but lay on the left bank of the Loire
on somewhat different soil. It was in 1938 that Montlouis-sur-Loire
became an AOC (quality-controlled designation of origin) wine with an appellation that was independent from that of Vouvray. In parallel with the Vouvray wines, some Montlouis wines are semi-sparkling or sparkling.
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
(AOC) in the Loire Valley wine region
Loire Valley (wine)
The Loire Valley wine region includes the French wine regions situated along the Loire River 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...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
that produce dry, white wines and red wines rich in tannins. The AOC status was awarded by a decree of December 24, 1939 (modified by the decree of August 29, 2002). The wine-growing area extends over 5300 hectares (13,096.6 acre) departments of Indre-et-Loire
Indre-et-Loire
Indre-et-Loire is a department in west-central France named after the Indre and the Loire rivers.-History:Indre-et-Loire is one of the original 83 départements created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...
, Indre
Indre
Indre is a department in the center of France named after the river Indre. The inhabitants of the department are called Indriens.-History:Indre is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
and Loir-et-Cher
Loir-et-Cher
Loir-et-Cher is a département in north-central France named after the rivers Loir and Cher.-History:Loir-et-Cher is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Orléanais and...
and comprises a total of 70 communes and it is thus a "subregional" appellation covering the same area as a number of local AOCs.
Grape varieties
The white wines are made from Chenin grapes (known locally as Pineau Blanc de la Loire), and from SauvignonSauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
and Arbois
Arbois
Arbois is a commune in the Jura department in Franche-Comté in eastern France. The Cuisance River passes through the town, which has some pretty streets lined with ancient houses...
grapes. The wines made from Sauvignon grapes are dry and lively with characteristic blackcurrant aromas. The white Touraine wines are dry, fairly firm, lively and full, and keep well when bottled. The sparkling wines are allowed to use the designation "Touraine mousseux" (sparkling Touraine wine). Up to 20% of Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
grapes may be included in the mixture of varieties grown.
The red wines are produced from Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
, Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
, Côt
COT
-Beds:* A camp bed, a simple, temporary and portable bed* A baby's infant bed* See cot side for beds with raised sides-Transportation:* Car of Tomorrow, a new car design by NASCAR* Cottingley railway station, National Rail station code COT...
, Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
, Pinot Meunier
Pinot meunier
Pinot Meunier, , also known as Meunier or Black Riesling, is a variety of black wine grape most noted for being one of the three main grapes used in the production of champagne...
, Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris
Pinot gris is a white wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. Thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot noir grape, it normally has a grayish-blue fruit, accounting for its name but the grape can have a brownish pink to black and even white appearance...
, Pineau d'Aunis
Pineau d'Aunis
Pineau d'Aunis, also known as Chenin noir is a red wine grape variety that is grown primarily in the Loire Valley around Anjou and Touraine. A favorite of Henry Plantagenet, wine made from the grape was first exported to England in the thirteenth century. Today the grape is blended with the white...
and Gamay
Gamay
Gamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
grape varieties (Gamay is used only for wines marketed in the first year after production). These wines are flavoursome and tannic in character. Touraine wines sold in the first year or production are light and fruity, as well as rustic.
The rosé wines are made from Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, Côt, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Pineau d'Aunis, Gamay and Grolleau
Grolleau
Grolleau can mean:* Charles Grolleau - French literary scholar who co-wrote Anthologie des écrivains catholiques, prosateurs français du XVIIème siècle with Henri Brémond.* Grolleau - a hamlet in the French commune of La Jarrie...
grape varieties. These wines are dry in character.
Appellations and designation
The best known designations within Touraine AOC, and separate appellations in this subregion, are:Touraine: this is the appellation known simply as "Touraine" and covering the entire subregion. Its land borders the Loire
Loire
Loire is an administrative department in the east-central part of France occupying the River Loire's upper reaches.-History:Loire was created in 1793 when after just 3½ years the young Rhône-et-Loire department was split into two. This was a response to counter-Revolutionary activities in Lyon...
river, stretching from the Sologne
Sologne
Sologne , a region of north-central France extending over portions of the départements of Loiret, Loir-et-Cher and Cher...
region to the borders of Vienne
Vienne
Vienne is the northernmost département of the Poitou-Charentes region of France, named after the river Vienne.- Viennese history :Vienne is one of the original 83 departments, established on March 4, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Poitou,...
and Anjou
Anjou
Anjou is a former county , duchy and province centred on the city of Angers in the lower Loire Valley of western France. It corresponds largely to the present-day département of Maine-et-Loire...
. The wine officially designated "Touraine primeur " (Touraine wine marketed in the first year after production) is made exclusively from the Gamay
Gamay
Gamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
Noir à Jus Blanc grape variety.
- Touraine-Amboise: this appellation covers ten communes located on the outskirts of AmboiseAmboiseAmboise is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It lies on the banks of the Loire River, east of Tours. Today a small market town, it was once home of the French royal court...
. The red and rosé wines are produced from the grape varieties, Cabernet FrancCabernet FrancCabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
(known locally as "Breton"), Cabernet SauvignonCabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
, CôtCOT-Beds:* A camp bed, a simple, temporary and portable bed* A baby's infant bed* See cot side for beds with raised sides-Transportation:* Car of Tomorrow, a new car design by NASCAR* Cottingley railway station, National Rail station code COT...
and GamayGamayGamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
Noir, while the white wines (dry, medium-dry and medium-sweet) are made from Chenin BlancChenin BlancChenin blanc , is a white wine grape variety from the Loire valley of France. Its high acidity means it can be used to make everything from sparkling wines to well-balanced dessert wines, although it can produce very bland, neutral wines if the vine's natural vigor is not controlled...
(known locally as Pineau de la Loire).
Touraine Mesland: the small village of Mesland
Mesland
Mesland is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France....
, which lies between Amboise
Amboise
Amboise is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It lies on the banks of the Loire River, east of Tours. Today a small market town, it was once home of the French royal court...
and Blois
Blois
Blois is the capital of Loir-et-Cher department in central France, situated on the banks of the lower river Loire between Orléans and Tours.-History:...
, gives its name to red, rosé and white wines of considerable finesse produced from Gamay
Gamay
Gamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
grapes, and to white wines produced from Chenin grapes.
Touraine Azay-le-Rideau: located in the wine-growing area surrounding the Château of Azay-le-Rideau
Château of Azay-le-Rideau
The Château of Azay-le-Rideau was built from 1515 to 1527, one of the earliest French Renaissance châteaux. Built on an island in the Indre River at Azay-le-Rideau, its foundations rise straight out of the water.-History of the château:...
, this village gives its name to white wines produced from Chenin grapes and to rosé wines produced from Chenin, Gamay
Gamay
Gamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
and Grolleau
Grolleau
Grolleau can mean:* Charles Grolleau - French literary scholar who co-wrote Anthologie des écrivains catholiques, prosateurs français du XVIIème siècle with Henri Brémond.* Grolleau - a hamlet in the French commune of La Jarrie...
grapes.
- BourgueilBourgueil AOCBourgueil is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée for wine in the Loire Valley region, and produces primarily red wine from the grape variety Cabernet Franc, located in the commune of Bourgueil and surrounding communes...
: lying to the north of the Loire river, between ChinonChinonChinon is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France well known for Château de Chinon.In the Middle Ages, Chinon developed especially during the reign of Henry II . The castle was rebuilt and extended, becoming one of his favorite residences...
and SaumurSaumurSaumur is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.The historic town is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, Chinon, Bourgueil, Coteaux du Layon, etc...
, the BourgueilBourgueilBourgueil is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.The inhabitants of the town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil are "Nicolaisiens St., San Nicolaisiennes."-Bourgueil wine:...
region is one of the largest wine-growing areas of Touraine. This is the Cabernet FrancCabernet FrancCabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
country, the region straddles the Touraine and AnjouAnjouAnjou is a former county , duchy and province centred on the city of Angers in the lower Loire Valley of western France. It corresponds largely to the present-day département of Maine-et-Loire...
regions. Depending on the nature of the soil, two different kinds of wine grow alongside each other within the BourgueilBourgueilBourgueil is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.The inhabitants of the town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil are "Nicolaisiens St., San Nicolaisiennes."-Bourgueil wine:...
appellation area. Wines from fine gravel soils, must be drunk when very young, while wines from calcareous tuffeau soils develop their flavours and aromas a year later. BourgueilBourgueilBourgueil is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.The inhabitants of the town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil are "Nicolaisiens St., San Nicolaisiennes."-Bourgueil wine:...
wines age well for a very long time.
- Saint-Nicolas-de-BourgueilSaint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOCSaint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil is a French wine Appellation d'origine contrôlée in the Loire valley that may be used for red or rosé wines...
: very close to the BourgueilBourgueilBourgueil is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.The inhabitants of the town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil are "Nicolaisiens St., San Nicolaisiennes."-Bourgueil wine:...
wine-growing area in terms of distance, but a world away in terms of its wines, is the village of Saint-Nicolas-de-BourgueilSaint-Nicolas-de-BourgueilSaint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.This little village is on the road of the Loire Valley, in the center of many famous castles as...
. The wines produced here are of exceptional quality and their reputation extends far beyond FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. These wines, which have very strong red fruit flavours, can be drunk in their first year, but improve with every passing year and can be kept very successfully for more than ten years.
- Chinon: these wines are often better known than the Saint-Nicolas-de-BourgueilSaint-Nicolas-de-BourgueilSaint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.This little village is on the road of the Loire Valley, in the center of many famous castles as...
wines (perhaps because the village itself is so well known), and are less fruity. The wines of ChinonChinonChinon is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France well known for Château de Chinon.In the Middle Ages, Chinon developed especially during the reign of Henry II . The castle was rebuilt and extended, becoming one of his favorite residences...
are indissolubly linked to the literary output of Rabelais (a famous French Renaissance writer), the most famous person to have sung their praises.
- Vouvray: another great name with an international reputation, dating from the time of Saint Martin of Tours himself, who is thought to have initiated wine-growing in this area. Balzac (a famous 19th century French novelist) pays tribute to this wine in his writing. Lying to the east of ToursToursTours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
and situated on the right bank of the LoireLoireLoire is an administrative department in the east-central part of France occupying the River Loire's upper reaches.-History:Loire was created in 1793 when after just 3½ years the young Rhône-et-Loire department was split into two. This was a response to counter-Revolutionary activities in Lyon...
, the VouvrayVouvrayVouvray is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.It is best known for its production of white wine, among some of the best rated in France.-References:*...
region produces white wines only. Some Vouvray wines are semi-sparkling or sparkling. In a cellar with good storage conditions, VouvrayVouvrayVouvray is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.It is best known for its production of white wine, among some of the best rated in France.-References:*...
wines can be kept for 40 years. In Touraine, in fact, it is not uncommon for VouvrayVouvrayVouvray is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.It is best known for its production of white wine, among some of the best rated in France.-References:*...
to replace Champagne at meals marking special occasions.
Montlouis: located only a few kilometres to the east of Tours
Tours
Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
, Montlouis-sur-Loire
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Montlouis-sur-Loire is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. Ancient name was Laudiacum mons under Roman Province Lugdunensis III. -See also:*Communes of the Indre-et-Loire department...
shares its name with white wines that are less well known outside of the Touraine region and are all made from Chenin grapes. The Montlouis-sur-Loire
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Montlouis-sur-Loire is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. Ancient name was Laudiacum mons under Roman Province Lugdunensis III. -See also:*Communes of the Indre-et-Loire department...
(or "Montlouis") wine-growing area was originally part of the Vouvray region, but lay on the left bank of the Loire
Loire
Loire is an administrative department in the east-central part of France occupying the River Loire's upper reaches.-History:Loire was created in 1793 when after just 3½ years the young Rhône-et-Loire department was split into two. This was a response to counter-Revolutionary activities in Lyon...
on somewhat different soil. It was in 1938 that Montlouis-sur-Loire
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Montlouis-sur-Loire is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. Ancient name was Laudiacum mons under Roman Province Lugdunensis III. -See also:*Communes of the Indre-et-Loire department...
became an AOC (quality-controlled designation of origin) wine with an appellation that was independent from that of Vouvray. In parallel with the Vouvray wines, some Montlouis wines are semi-sparkling or sparkling.