The characteristics of red wines from the Saumur Champigny AOC ? Fruity, balanced, easy going, soon finished !

The wines of Saumur Champigny are 100% red only. They come in two styles: light and fruity, with fine and velvety tannins, or more rich and complex, ready for ageing. The appellation (aka AOC or AOP) was created in 1957, and today brings together more than 130 winegrowers spread over a vineyard of 1,550 hectares.

At the geological level, the vines of the Saumur Champigny wine region are planted on soils mainly composed of tufa chalk and clay-sandy sediments from the Turonian era. Historically, the Saumur-Champigny vineyard dates back a thousand years. The vines were planted in the second half of the 11th century by the monks of Saint-Florent on the hillside which overlooks the Loire between Saumur and Montsoreau. If at that time it was white wine that dominated, since the 17th century and the introduction of Cabernet Franc, Saumur Champigny is now a country of red wines only.

Saumur Champigny : The appellation

Located in the Maine-et-Loire department, the Saumur Champigny AOC appellation extends upstream from the town of Saumur down the southern banks of the Loire river. In addition to Saumur, the eight towns where Saumur Champigny AOC is produced are: Chacé, Montsoreau, Parnay, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Souzay-Champigny, Turquant and Varrains. These villages host approximately 130 wine producers whose vineyards cover just over 1,500 hectares. The Saumur Champigny AOC (aka AOP) is located at the heart of the Loire Valley wine regions, not far from the areas of Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. All within a 20-30 minute drive.

Villages of the Saumur Champigny appellation

Chacé, Montsoreau, Parnay, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Souzay-Champigny, Turquant, Varrains

Saumur Champigny : The wines

Red wines

The characteristics of AOC Saumur Champigny wines? They are produced mainly from Cabernet Franc grapes. Red wines of Saumur Champigny reveal aromas of red and black fruits when young (raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, etc.). As they age, AOC Saumur Champigny wines take on spicy, even floral and smoky notes. Red wines from Saumur Champigny will marry perfectly with grilled flank steak, lamb skewers or even fish (for a slightly younger, less tannic Saumur Champigny bottle).

Grape varieties used for Saumur Champigny wines

The Saumur Champigny AOC is aloud to produce its wines from 3 grape varieties. In fact, the vast majority only uses Cabernet Franc.

Saumur Champigny : The wineries

The Saumur Champigny appellation comprises around 130 winegrowers and wine estates. Many also own vines in the neighboring Saumur wine region, which produces red and white wines. After a wine tasting in Saumur Champigny land, the town of Saumur is worth a visit, along with Fontevraud Abbey, both being very close by.