Saumur-Champigny
The Saumur-Champigny appellation prides itself on its “open-minded” wines. But what exactly does that mean? First and foremost, extensive terroirs. The appellation stretches along the left bank of the Loire around the town of Saumur and the villages of Montsoreau, Turquant, Parnay, Souzay-Champigny, Dampierre-sur-Loire, Varrains, Chacé and Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg. The plots of vines lie on limestone-rich soils – in fact, tufa stone is everywhere. This layer of yellowish-white chalk absorbs both winter rain and summer heat. The rock then releases this water and warmth just when the vines need them. Above this tufa subsoil are layers of limestone, clay and gravel.
The vines grown on these terroirs produce some astonishing wines. In terms of grape varieties, the appellation authorises only Cabernet Franc – or Breton – Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis – or Chenin Noir. The wines are dense, full-bodied and elegant, with supple tannins and notes of red and black fruit, and even green pepper. They can be laid down for ten years or more. In keeping with their terroir, they are aged in tufa stone cellars. The 130 winegrowers scattered across the 1,500 hectares of Saumur-Champigny vineyards deliver around 11 million bottles a year. Among them, Clos Rougeard has raised the appellation to the pinnacle of fame. Other estates helping to uphold this reputation include Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain), Antoine Sanzay, Château Yvonne and Château de Villeneuve.
