Touraine- Loire Flashcards
Chateaumeillant- Background
While vines have been grown in Châteaumeillant since the 5th century, it was granted its AOC status in 2010. This tiny region specializes in classic Loire vin gris (rosé) and red wines.
Chateaumeillant- Vineyard
Location: The most central vineyard in France, Châteaumeillant lies in two departments, Indre and Cher. The production region covers the communes of Châteaumeillant, Reigny, Saint Maur, Vesdun in Cher and Champillet, Feusilles, Nérot, and Urciers in Indre..
Surface Area:
Red: 70 hectares / 173 acres
Rosé: 20 hectares / 49 acres
Soil: The subsoil is a metamorphized layer of sandstone, mica schist and gneiss topped by sandy and silty clay silica soils.
Climate: Due to its location in the foothills of the Massif Central, Châteaumeillant is the coolest vineyard in the Centre-Loire and has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Rainfall averages 800 mm (32 inches) throughout the year.
Chateaumeillant- Wine
Annual Production:
Red: 3,000 hl / 79,252 gallons
Rosé: 1,200 hl / 31,701 gallons
Yield:
50 hl/ha
Grape Varieties:
Red: Gamay, Pinot Noir
Rosé: Gamay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
Growing/Production Practices: Minimum planting density 5,500 vines/hectare with 8 bud simple Guyot pruning.
Chateaumeillant- Tasting Notes
Rosé
Appearance: Pale pink (also traditionally called “gris” or grey)
Nose: Fresh and fruity with notes of peach and other white fruit
Flavors: Light-bodied, fresh and lively, with well-balanced fruit flavors.
Red
Appearance: Ruby red
Nose: Ripe red berries
Flavors: Light-to-medium-bodied with bright fruit flavors complemented by fine peppery finish.
Chateaumeillant- Style and Varietal
Fruity Red and Gamay
Cheverny AOC- Appelations
CHEVERNY/COUR-CHEVERNY
Cheverny AOC- Background
Located in eastern Touraine, these appellations produce a range of wines from a variety of grapes. Cour-Cheverny is an appellation that exclusively grows the local variety Romorantin.
Cheverny AOC- Vineyard
Location: These two appellations are situated in the Loir-et-Cher region, south of Blois.
Surface Area:
Cheverny: 532 hectares / 1,315 acres
Cour-Cheverny: 48 hectares / 119 acres
Soil: The AOCs cover primarily the sand and clay soils of Sologne, but also the sand and gavel of the old terraces of the Loire, and even, in places, the limestone of Beauce.
Climate: Large forests Chambord, Cheverny, and Russy, as well as the Loire River, mediate the mostly continental the climate.
Cheverny AOC- Wine
Annual Production:
Cheverny: 25,205 hl / 665,846 gallons
Cour-Cheverny: 2,380 hl / 62,873 gallons
Yield: 60 hl/ha white in both AOC 55 hl/ha red and rosé in Cheverny 60 hl/ha red in Cour-Cheverny Grape Varieties:
Cour Cheverny:
Romorantin
Cheverny:
White: Sauvignon Blanc (60-85% of blend), Chardonnay, Menu Pineau (aka Arbois), Chenin Blanc
Red and Rosé: Pinot Noir, Gamay blended with minimum 15% Cabernet Franc or Côt (Malbec)
Growing/Production Practices: Minimum planting density 4,500 vines/hectare with large space between rows and Guyot pruning in Cheverny. In Cour-Cheverny, because Romorantin is not often replanted, vines that are 20 or more years old dominate the vineyards. Most are planted 1.5-2 meters (5-6.5 feet) apart. Three different pruning methods can be used here: Guyot, demi-baguettes or fan pruning.
Cheverny AOC- Tasting Notes
White
Appearance: Pale straw yellow
Nose: Aromatic, with floral and fresh fruit notes. Cour-Cheverny develops honey, lemon and beeswax notes with age.
Flavors: Medium-bodied, with fresh fruit and moderate acidity
Red
Appearance: Ruby red
Nose: Plums, red and black berries, some earthiness.
Flavors: Medium-bodied with supple mouth feel and berry notes and some spiciness
Rosé
Appearance: Pale salmon pink
Nose: Fresh aromas of strawberry and red fruit
Flavors: Light-bodied, dry and refreshing
Cheverny AOC- Style and Varietals
Crisp Dry White
Chardonnay
Romorantin
Sauvignon Blanc
