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<\/a>AOP Touraine : the major appellation of Loire Valley wines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The AOP Touraine is one of the most important appellations of the Loire Valley. It covers an area of more than 5,000 hectares<\/strong> of vines spread over more than 70 municipalities in the departments of Indre-et-Loire and Loir-et-Cher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also an old appellation : the Touraine AOC was recognized in 1939.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Touraine appellation<\/strong> has the particularity of being broken down into five distinct geographical sub-appellations<\/strong>, of more recent creation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n AOC or AOP?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nothing differentiates the wines which bear the AOC mention from those which bear the AOP mention! The main difference between these two appellations is that the AOC<\/strong> is a French<\/strong> label, while the AOP<\/strong> is European<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it is in the heart of the Loire Valley and its ch\u00e2teaux that the wines of Touraine have taken up residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between Chambord and Azay-le-Rideau, via Amboise, Chenonceaux and Chaumont-sur-Loire, the Touraine appellations extend as far as the eye can see along the Loire and the Cher rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today we are going to focus on two of these emblematic ch\u00e2teaux (and appellations): Amboise and Chenonceau<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And with the privilege of age, we will start with\u2026 Amboise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amboise will make your head spin right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not because of the great wine tasting experiences that you will find there. But mainly because of the extraordinary wealth of choice that the city offers in terms of touristic attractions. History, culture, architecture, gastronomy\u2026 it is all there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And all this about 150 miles South of Paris. Along with Tours, Saumur and Angers, Amboise is one of the essential stopover towns in the entire Loire Valley and its extraordinary wine route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADVERTISING<\/p>\n\n\n Partner offer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Become a winemaker for a day with Wecandoo!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Great wine workshops in \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to do, then, in Amboise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three possibilities, among others:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What’s great about Amboise is that you are in the heart of the Loire Valley. You will therefore be able to visit winery cellars which will offer many wine types to from \u2026 and several appellations. If you are heading towards Tours. Stop for a wine tasting with Laura David<\/a>, a young and enthusiastic winegrower in Lussault-sur-Loire (commune of Montlouis). And while you are in the neighbourhood, two quality winemakers you definitely want to drop by for a sip : Jacky Blot at the Domaine de la Taille aux Loups<\/a> and Fran\u00e7ois Chidaine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are heading towards Blois, you can stop in Charg\u00e9 for a visit at Plou et Fils, a family winery that is open from Monday to Saturday, even during lunch hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other side of the Loire, in Limeray, you can also stop for a tasting of Touraine Amboise wines at Bonnigal Bodet winery. These two young winegrowers learned their trade with \u2026 Fran\u00e7ois Chidaine. No doubt, they were taught well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving on to our next wine and castle stop : Chenonceaux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before helping you solve the dilemma, let’s take a spelling quiz. Is there really an “x” at the end of Chenonceau(x)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, the answer is yes \u2026 and \u2026 no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ch\u00e2teau de Chenonceau<\/em> is spelled without it. But this same Chenonceau castle is located in the village of Chenonceaux, spelled with an “x”!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We owe this incongruity to Madame Dupin<\/em>, the owner of the castle during the 18th century. A personal call. Didn’t like people confusing the (aristocratic) Ch\u00e2teau with the commoners village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of all the castles in the Loire Valley, some say that the Ch\u00e2teau de Chenonceau is the most beautiful of all. A romantic splendor with its five arches spanning over the Cher river. An undeniable architectural feat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The river Cher valley is an incredible wine region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Bl\u00e9r\u00e9 to Saint-Aignan, you are at the heart of the Touraine Chenonceaux appellation (and yes, the appellation is also spelled with an “x”).<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was in the 18th century that many vines were planted near the towns of Bl\u00e9r\u00e9, Chenonceaux, Montrichard and Th\u00e9s\u00e9e … until the region’s winegrowers obtained in 2011 the right to attach the mention Chenonceaux to the AOC Touraine. Hence the new appellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Touraine Chenonceaux covers an area of \u200b\u200bbarely 40 hectares spread over 27 villages. Less than forty winegrowers are entitled to produce wine of the appellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s not much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a reminder, Touraine Amboise amounts to 200 hectares of vines. And the Touraine “mother” appellation as a whole is more than 5,000 hectares!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are therefore on a micro-appellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for good reason. The “Touraine Chenonceaux” plots have been carefully selected. On a soil rich in flint, most of the vines are located on steep slopes, which gives the grapes good sunshine, efficient natural drainage and good ventilation (great for preventing diseases).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wines of Touraine Chenonceaux are produced in two colors: white and red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The white wines are made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, which sets them apart from their cousins \u200b\u200bfrom Touraine Amboise, which are exclusively made from Chenin Blanc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result? Expect a round, powerful wine, with good length, aromas ranging from white flowers, peaches, pears to apricots and citrus, even exotic fruits like pineapple and mango.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wine that will appeal to gourmet palates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADVERTISING<\/p>\n\n\n Partner offer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Sip the Loire’s Finest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 USA shipping only<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Amboise: a visit to be enjoyed without moderation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Which wineries near Amboise to taste wine?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Near the city center of Amboise<\/strong> (5 kms to the south), Coralie & Damien Delecheneau will open their doors at the Grange Tiphaine estate<\/a> to you for a tasting of very fine Touraine Amboise wines but also Montlouis white wines. The wines of La Grange Tiphaine<\/strong> are exceptionally subtle and are available in dry and sweet white wines. A promising winery, not to say a rising star in the Loire Valley region. Quality, the result of hard work and talent. Chauffeur : drive me there!
Also quite close from the center of Amboise, but on the other side of the Loire (North bank), another great winery cellar worth the visit at Ch\u00e2teau de Montdomaine<\/a>, a newcomer in the Loire Valley wine landscape . Located in the village of Nazelles-N\u00e9gron, this pretty little chateau produces wines from the Touraine-Amboise and Vouvray appellations. This is a young dynamic estate, managed by Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric and Louisa Plou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWine tasting in Chenonceaux: before or after visiting the castle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Welcome to Val de Cher<\/em>, in the heart of the Touraine Chenonceaux appellation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Tasting Touraine Chenonceaux wines : Thank you. That’s what your taste buds would say (if they could speak)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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