A Guide to wines of the Loire Valley
Selected Loire Valley wines
The wine appellation of Touraine
Touraine
A large and varied region, Touraine produces wines in every colour – white, rosé and red – from an extensive palette of grape varieties.
The vineyards of Touraine
Location: This appellation stretches from Anjou to the west to the Sologne region in the east. Touraine is in an area where the Loire and its tributaries meet, covering 104 communes in Indre-et-Loire and 42 in Loir-et-Cher. Most of the vineyards are located southeast of Tours, on the slopes that dominate the Cher, and between the Cher and the Loire.
Surface Area: 5,500 hectares / 13,590 acres
Soil: The soil in Touraine is highly varied, with flinty clays, clay limestone on a chalk bed, and sand on flint to the east, as well as gravel stones and sand.
Climate: An oceanic climate dominates in the west, becoming more continental as you move east. These climatic differences, combined with varied soils, determine the choice of grape variety planted (with later-ripening varieties in the west and earlier-ripening ones in the east) and therefore, the wide variety of wines produced.
Wines of AOC Touraine
Annual Production:
Grape Varieties:
Tasting notes
White: Appearance: Bright, pale straw yellow Nose: Intense aromas of honeysuckle and tropical fruits with some herbaceous notes Flavours: Refreshing and dry with fresh fruit and mineral notes and its hallmark crisp acidity
Red: Appearance: Garnet or ruby red Nose: Notes of plum, cherry and red fruit Flavours: Light to medium bodied with fresh fruit flavors, refreshing acidity and low tannins.
Rosé: Appearance: Pale salmon pink Nose: Strawberry, herbaceous notes Flavours: Fresh and fruity with lively acidity and sometimes a spicy note.
Sparkling: Appearance: Pale, bright yellow Nose: Delicate aromas of brioche, green apple and honey Flavours: Fine bubbles with persistent, fruit flavours while dry and refreshing