🇫🇷LOIRE VALLEYTouraine


TOURAINE IS   AOC.- 18     @Tours

  • BLANC= Chardonnay, Menu Pineau AKA=Arbois, Pineau Blanc de Loire AKA=Chenin Blanc, Romorantin, Sauvignon Blanc
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Franc AKA=Breton, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot AKA=Malbec, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Orbois, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis

GEOGRAPHY France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine

  • DEPARTMENTS– Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Sarthe
  • Sub-AOC.’s Ambois AOC., Bourgueil AOC., Cheverney AOC., Chinon AOC., Coteaux de Loir AOC.
    • Coteaux du Vendomois AOC., Jasnieres AOC., Lucay-le-Male AOC., Montlouis AOC., St. Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC., Touraine AOC., Touraine Azay-le-Rideau AOC., Touraine-Mesland AOC., Touraine Noble Joue AOC., Touraine-Oislay AOC., Vouvray AOC.

TOPOGRAPHY Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly, +Alt. 45mt.- 55mt.

SOILS Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Varennes(Alluvial Sand), Clay, Tufa, Sand, Gravel, Flint

  • Tuffeau- Yellowish, Sedimentary Rock(Mixture of Sand and Marine Fossils), Form In Turonian Era(90 Million Years Ago)

CLIMATEContinental With Maritime Influences and Micro-Climates

  • *Summers– Hot, Dry    |   *Winters– Cold, Wet

VITICULTURE  ?  ha. Planted

  • ~Etymology~ Touraine, Refers to Turonian Era, Which is When a Lot of the Land/ Soils Were Formed 90 Million Years Ago.
  • WINE HOLIDAY~ ~International Cabernet Franc Day~ (December 4th.)

GOING THERE  This Part of the Loire Valley is the Land of Chateau and Castles.

  • ~Le Chateau de Chambord Castle~  @Chambord
  • ~Le Chateau de Chenonceau Castle~
  • ~Le Chateau de Cheverny 3 Castle~  @Cour-Cheverny

**Refer to FRANCE/ Home For Detailed Information On France as a Country.



**Touraine Map Images Courtesy of Delong Maps, Purchase Maps at Delongwine.com



COTEAUX Du LOIR AOC.     @Coteaux du Loir

  • BLANC= Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc  
  • ROUGE= Pineau d’Aunis, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(North)
    • DEPARTMENT-Indre-et-Loire, North-West of Tours-City(10km.), @Hw.#A28
    • BORDERS-Coteaux du Vendomois AOC.(North-East)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling, On~Loir~River~Tributary~Loire~River~
  • VITICULTURE-ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- De Belliviere, Guindon

JASNIERES AOC.     @Ruille-Sur-Loir

  • BLANC= Chenin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Malbec, Pineau d’Aunis
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(North)
    • In Coteaux de Loire AOC.(North-East), DEPARTMENT-Sarthe
    • North of Tours-City(10km.),  COMMUNE-L’homme, Puille-Sur-Loir
    • BORDERS-Coteaux du Vendomois AOC.(North-East)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Flat/ Rolling, On~Loir~River~
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Clay-Sandstone, Clay-Silica Over Tuffeau
  • VITICULTURE- 65 ha. Planted    
  • VINICULTURE- Botrytis
    • Estate/ Producers- Belliviere, Gigou, Pascal Janvier, Roche Bleue

COTEAUX Du VENDOMOIS AOC.    @Vendome, Aze

  • BLANC= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Pineau d’Aunis, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(North)
    • DEPARTMENT-Cher, Loir, COMMUNES-(27)-
    • North-East of Tours-City(10km.), @Hw.#N157
    • BORDERS-Coteaux du Loir AOC.(South-West)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling/ Hilly/ Plateau, On~Loir~River~Tributary~Loire~River~
  • VITICULTURE- 152 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Brazilier, Le Carillon, La Cave du Vendomois(Co.-Op.), Du Four a Chaux, Henri Bourgeois, Montagne Blanche, Montrieux, Patrice Colin, Les Vignerons du Vendomois
    • Vineyards/ Lieu-Dit- Cocagne
  • VINICULTURE- White,  Rose,  Red
  • HISTORY/CULTURE-
    • 1100’s- Wine Making Culture.
    • 2001- AOC. Officially Established.

TOURAINE AOC.     @Tours

  • BLANC= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Franc, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(Greater)
    • DEPARTMENT-(Laps)indre-et-Loire & Loir-et-Cher & Indre
    • Multi-Appellation, Non-Contiguous(4)
  • VITICULTURE- 65 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Cellier du Beaujrdin, Chidaine, Jeol Delaunay(34ha.), Paul Buisse, Les Vins Contes(Nat.Pro.), Xavier Frissant

BOURGUEIL AOC.    @Bourgueil

  • ROUGE= Cabernet Franc AKA=Breton, Cabernet Sauvignon
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(West)
    • DEPARTMENT-Indre-et-Loire, West of Tours-City(45km.), @Hw.#A85
    • COMMUNES-(7)-Benais, Bourgueil, La Chapelle-sir-Loire, Chouze-sur-Loire, Ingrandes-de-Touraine, Restigne, Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Saint-Patrice
    • Sub-Zones/ AOC.’s-  Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling/ Hilly/ River-Bench, On~Loire~River~(North)
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Tuffeau
    • Hills Turonian Chalk/ Limestone
    • River Bench- Alluvial, Gravel, Silt, Sand, Clay
  • CLIMATE- Continental With Maritime Influence
  • VITICULTURE- 14,000 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Du Bel Air Bourgueil, Bouvet-Ladubay, De la Butte, Catherine & Pierre, De la Chanteleuserie, La Chevalerie, Chesnaies, Gauthier Pere et Fils, Guion, Lame Deslisle Boucard, Laurent Mabileau, Marc Bredif, Marchesseau, De Miniere, Nau Freres, La Noblaie, Olivier, Rochouard, Roncee, Des Vallettes, Yannick Amirault
    • Vineyards- Clos Nouveau
  • VINICULTURE- Rouge,  Rose
    • Wine Must Be 90%+ Cabernet Franc to Be Labeled Bourgueil AOC.
  • CULTURE- 1937- AOC. Officially Established
    • Monks & Monasteries ~Bourgueil Abbey~
      • Abbot Breton First Planted Cabernet Franc Here.
    • WINE HOLIDAY~ ~International Cabernet Franc Day~ (December 4th.)
    •  Bourgueil”…+PronouncedBore-guh-eee
  • SAINT-NICOLAS De BOURGUEIL AOC.     @Bourgueil
    • ROUGE= Cabernet Franc AKA=Breton, Cabernet Sauvignon
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(West)
      • DEPARTMENT-Indre-et-Loire, In Bourgueil AOC.(North-West), @Hw.#A85
    • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling
    • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Sand, Gravel, Clay, Limestone
    • VITICULTURE-  1,100 haPlanted
      • Estate/ Producers- Amirault, Clos de Quarterons, Cotelleraie, Famille Amirault-Grosbois, Frederic Mabileau, Jarnoterie, Joel Taluau, Mortier(13ha.), Lysiane et Guy Mabileau
    • VINICULTURE- Rouge,  Rose

CHINON AOC.     @Chinon

  • BLANC= Chenin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(West)
    • DEPARTMENT-Indre-et-Loire, BORDERS-Bourgueil AOC.(North)
    • COMMUNES-(26)-Anche, Avon-les-Roches, Beaumont-en-Veron, Briancon, Chezelet, Chinon, Cravant-les-Coteaux, Crouzilles, Huismes, Ligre, L’ile-Bouchard, Panzoult, La Roche-Clermault, Riviere, Savigny-en-Veron, Sazilly, Tavant
    • Sub-Zones- Left Bank, Right Bank
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly, On Veron Plain
    • On~Vienne~River~Tributary~Loire~River~(South)
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Limestone, Gravel, Scree, Flint
    • Banks- Varennes(Alluvial Sand, Clay),  Slopes- Tuffeau(Soft-Limestone)
  • CLIMATE- MaritimeWith Continental Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 5,801 ha./ 2,347 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Baudry-Dutour, Beausejour, Bernard Baudry, Bonneliere(30ha.), Charles Joguet, Couly-Dutheil, Charles Pain, Fabrice Gasnier, Le Grand Bouqueteau, Grosbois(9ha.), Noblaie, Olga Raffault, Philippe Alliet, Wilfrid Rousse
    • Vineyards-(Right Banks of Vienne River) Les Barnabes, Les Battereaux, Beauregard, Bel Air, Bois d’Arcon, Bouchardiere, Les Chesnaise, Le Chene Vert, Champ Chenin, Clos de l’Echo, Clos Guillot, Clos del’Olive, Clos Turpenay, Coteaux du Vieux Bourg, La Galipe, Les Galippes, Les Galuches, Les Gresilles, Haute Olive, Isore, Moulins de Beau Puys, Moulin a Tan, De la Noblaie, De Noire, De Pallus, Le Pressoir, Les Peuilles, Le Petit Bouqueteau, Les Picasses, Le Puy Gallant, Le Puy Livet, Le Puy Rigault, La Roche d’Honneur, Les Rosiers, La Semellerie, Sonnay
    • Vineyards-(Left Banks of Vienne River) La Bois Joubert, Le Bois Piquet, Clos de la Cure, Clos de La Croix Marie, Les Corneulles, La Dioterie, La Folie, Le Hegronniere, La Paradis, Saut-au-Loups, Les Varennes du Grand Clos
  • VINICULTURE- Blanc,  Rouge,  Rose
    • Wine Must Be +90% Cabernet Franc to Be Labeled AOC.
  • CULTURE- Chinon+PronouncedShe-nohn
    • 1937- AOC. Officially Established.
    • UNESCO WOLRD HERITAGE~ ~Chinon~ ~Exceptional Cultural Landscape~
    • WINE HOLIDAY~ ~International Cabernet Franc Day~ (December 4th.)
    • WINNER Worlds Best~ DtheV.com Awards France’s Best AOC. (5th. Place)
      • **Refer to WINE CULTURE/ Derek’s Top 6 List For Detailed Information.
  • GOING THERE-
    • Monks & Monasteries ~Fontevraud-l’Abbay~
    • Cultural Obligations ~Forteresse Royale de Chinon~

TOURAINE AZAY-Le-RIDEAU AOC.      @Azay-le-Rideau

  • BLANC= Pineau de la Loire AKA=Chenin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot AKA=Malbec, Gamay, Grolleau
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(Central)
    • In Touraine AOC.,  DEPARTMENT– Indre-et-Loire
    • COMMUNES-Artannes-sur-Indre, Azay-le-Rideau, Cheille, Lignieres-de-Touraine, Riverennes, Sache, Thilouze, Valleres
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 45mt.- 55mt.
    • On~L’Indre~River~Tributary~Loire~River~
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Limestone, Aubius(Yellow Chalk), Tuffeau
  • VITICULTURE- 115 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- L’Aulee, La Cour, Marie-Thibault-Cabrit, Nicolas Paget, Pascal Pibaleau, La Roche
  • VINICULTURE- Blanc,  Rose,  Rouge,  Cremant de Loire
  • CULTURE- 1953- AOC. Officially Esteblished

TOURAINE NOBLE JOUE AOC.     @

  • BLANC= Pinot Gris
  • ROUGE= Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(Central)
    • In Touraine AOC., DEPARTMENT– Indre-et-Loire, North of Chinon-City(    km.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling, On~Indre/ Cher~Rivers~(Between)
  • VITICULTURE- ?  haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Remi Cosson, Vincent Dupuy

VOUVRAY AOC.     @Vouvray

  • BLANC= Pineau de la Loire AKA=Chenin Blanc, Arbois
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Franc
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(Central)
    • DEPARTMENT– Indre-et-Loire, Extends From Eastern Edge of Tours to the Breanne River
    • COMMUNES-(8)-Chancay, Noizay, Parcay-Meslay, Reugny, Rochecorbon,  St. Radegonde-Touraine, Vernon-sur-Brenne, Vouvay
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling, On-Brenne~River~Tributary~Loire~River~(North)
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary
    • Hillsides- Turonian Chalk
    • Valley Floor- Perruche(Flint, Clay), Aubuis(Chalk, Clay)
  • CLIMATE- Maritime With Continental Influences
  • VITICULTURE-  ? haPlanted
  • VINICULTURE- Dry-Sweet(Sec, Demi-Sec),    Botrytis,  Sparkling
    • Estate/ Producers- Barton & Guestier, Bougrier, Catherine & Pierre Breton, Clos Gaimont, Huet, Lacheteau, Montfort, Saget La Perriere, Tania & Vincent Careme, Viking, Vigneau-Chevreau, Vaufuget
  • CULTURE- Vouvray+PronouncedVoo-vrey
  • CREMANT De VOUVRAY AOC.     @Vouvray
    • BLANC= Chenin Blanc
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley, Touraine
    • VINICULTURE- SPARKLING…Method/ Traditional
      • Estate/ Producers- Champalou, De Chanceny, Jaillance, Moncontour, Vigneau-Chevreau

MONTLOUIS AOC.     @Montlouis

  • BLANC= Pineau de La Loire AKA=Chenin Blanc
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(Central)
    • DEPARTMENT– Indre-et-Loire,  East of Tours-City(2 km.)
    • CITIES-Lussault sur Loire, Montlouis sur Loire, St Martin leBeau
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Flat/ RollingOn~Cher~River/ Loire~River~(South)
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Gravel Top-Soil, Over Tuffeau, Sand Silex Stones, Limestone
  • CLIMATE- Maritime With Continental Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 455 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Flamand, Francois Chidaine, La Grange Tiphaine, Liards, Lise & Bertrand Jousset, Le Rocher, Stephane Cossais(Nat.Pro.)
    • Vineyards- Borderies
  • VINICULTURE- Still(Dry to Sweet),  Botrytis,  Sparkling
  • CULTURE- Montlouis+PronouncedMon-loo-wee
  • CREMANT De MONTOUIS AOC.     @Montouis
    • BLANC= Pineau de La Loire AKA=Chenin Blanc
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley, SUB-REGION-Touraine
    • VINICULTURE- SPARKLING…METHOD/ Traditional
      • Estate/ Producers- Francois Chidaine, Lise & Bertrand
  • PETILLANT MONTLOUIS AOC.      @Moutlouis
    • BLANC= Pineau de La Loire AKA=Chenin Blanc
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire, SUB-REGION– Touraine
    • VINICULTURE- SPARKLING…Methode Ancestrale(Petillant Naturel)
      • Estate/ Producers-

TOURAINE-AMBOIS AOC.     @Amboise

  • BLANC= Chenin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(Central)
    • DEPARTMENTS-Indre-et-Loire, BORDERS: Vouvray AOC.(West)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling/ Hilly, On~Loire~River~
  • VITICULTURE- 220 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Closerie Chanteloup, Dutertre

TOURAINE-MESLAND AOC.     @

  • BLANC= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Gamay, Cot AKA=Malbec, Cabernet Franc
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(North-East)
    • In Touraine AOC., DEPARTMENT-Loir-et-Cher
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling, On~Loire~River~(Right Bank)
  • VITICULTURE- 90 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers-

TOURAINE-CHENONCEAUX AOC.     @Montrichard

  • BLANC= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
  • ROUGE= Gamay, Cot AKA=Malbec, Cabernet Franc
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(South-East)
    • In Touraine AOC., DEPARTMENT-Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, @Hw.#85
    • CITIES-Blere, Montrichard, Saint-Aignay
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling, On~Cher~River~
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Limestone, Perruches(Flint/Stony Soil)
  • VITICULTURE-haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Bougrier, Echardieres
  • GOING THERE- Cultural Obligations” ~Le Chateau de Chenonceau Castle~  

CHEVERNEY AOC.     @Blois

  • BLANC= Sauvignon Blanc(60%-85%), Chardonnay, Menu Pineau AKA=Arbois, Pineau Blanc de Loire AKA=Chenin Blanc, Romorantin
  • ROUGE= Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cot AKA=Malbec, Cabernet Franc
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(East)
    • DEPARTMENET-Loir-et Cher,  Sub-Zones/ AOC’s- Cour-Cheverny AOC.
    • COMMUNES-(24)-Canne-sur-Beuvron, Cellettes, Cheverny, Chitenay, Cormeray, Cour-Cheverny, Feings, Fougeres-sur-Bievre, Fresnes, Huisseau-sur-Cosson, Maslives, Monthou, Les-Montils, Montlivault, Mont-Pres-Chambord, Muides, Ouchamps, Saint-Claude-de-Diray, Saint-Dye, Saint-Laurent-Nouan, Sambin, Seur, Tour-en-Sologne, Vineuil
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling/ Hilly/ Terraces, On~Loire~River~(South)
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Sand, Clay, Gravel, Limestone, Perruches(Flint/Stony Soil)
  • VITICULTURE- 536 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Benoit Daridan, Herve Villemade(Nat.Pro.), Philippe Tessier, Salvard
  • VINICULTURE- Blanc,  Rose/ Pineau d’Aunis, Rouge
    • +BLENDED/ Gamay & Pinot Noir
  • GOING THERE-
    • Cultural Obligations ~Le Chateau de Chambord Castle~  @Chambord
  • COUR-CHEVERNY AOC.     @Cour-Cheverny
    • BLANC= Romorantin, Sauvignon Blanc
    • ROUGE= Gamay, Cot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir
    • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(East)
      • DEPARTMENET-Loir-et Cher,  In Cheverny AOC.(Central)
    • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling/ Hilly, On~Loire~River~
    • VITICULTURE- 49 haPlanted
      • Estate/ Producers- Henri Marionet(Planted/ 1850)
    • GOING THERE-
      • Cultural Obligations ~Le Chateau de Cheverny Castle~  @Cour-Cheverny

LUCAY-Le-MALE AOC.    @Lucay-le-Male

  • BLANC= Sauvignon Blanc
  • ROUGE= Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(East)
    • DEPARTMENTS-Indre-et-Loire
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling
  • VITICULTURE- 536 haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers-

TOURAINE-OISLY AOC.    @

  • BLANC= Sauvignon Blanc
  • ROUGE= Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(East-Central), SUB-REGION-Touraine(East)
    • DEPARTMENT– Indre-et-Loire
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling
  • VITICULTURE-  haPlanted
    • Estate/ Producers- Marce

CREMANT De LOIRE     @Loire

  • BLANC= Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
  • ROUGE= Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamey, Pineau d’Aunis, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(Greater)
  • VINICULTURE- SPARKLING…Method/ Traditionelle(+AGED/+1 Year, On Lees)
    • Cremant de Loire Can Be Produced From the Entire Region, From 13 Different Grapes From Any Area From Muscadet to Sancerre.

Indication Geographique Protegee of Loire

  • BIANC= Any White Grapes Varieties Approved For Production In Loire Valley.
  • ROUGE= Any Red Grapes Varieties Approved For Production In Loire Valley.
  • VITICULTURE– LabeledVal de Loire” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to AOC.

VAL De LOIRE IGP.    @Loire

  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Loire Valley(Greater)


**Refer to BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.