A Guide to wines of the Loire Valley
Selected Loire Valley wines
The wine appellation of Reuilly
Reuilly
This is a small but important appellation, with a history going back to the 7thC when it was owned by the royal abbey of Saint-Denis (Paris) and the Dukes of Berry. Since the middle ages they have been exporters to the courts of England and Holland.
The vineyards of Reuilly
Location: 7 villages, in two departments (Indre and Cher) between the rivers Arnon and the Théols located south of the town of Vierzon.
Surface Area: 275 hectares / 700 acres
Soil: Situated in river vallys running into the Cher and from this to the Loire, the soil is a mix of sand/gravel and alkaline clay - Kimmeridgian limestone, which is also found in Champagne and Chablis, and in our part of the Loire, in Pouilly, Sancerre and Menetou-Salon.
Climate: A temperate climate with occasional maritime/oceanic influence.
Wines of AOC Reuilly
Annual Production: Approximately 16, 250 hl / 430,000 gallons, from 43 producers.
Grape Varieties: White: Sauvignon blanc, aged "sur lies". Red: Pinot noir. Rosé: Pinot noir, Pinot gris, or a blend of the two.
Tasting notes
White Appearance: Pale golden-yellow. Nose: Notes of lemon with white fruits. Flavors: Powerfull fruitiness. Ideal with poultry and goats cheese.
Red Appearance: Garnet or ruby red. Nose: Red fruits, cherry especially. Flavors:An explosion of cherry and peach, with low tannins.
Rosé Appearance: Salmon pink. Nose:Peach and apricot. Flavors: soft red / white fruit. Taste with fish, veal, rabbit or goats cheese.