Touraine
Touraine is a huge wine area, just at the centre of the Loire Valley. It is also the place where you can find most of the famous Châteaux de la Loire.
All kind of wines are produced in Touraine.
Red wines from Touraine are predominantly made from Gamay grapes. The other place where we can find Gamay is in Beaujolais where it is the only grape used. Here in Touraine, Gamay is used with Cabernet, from Bordeaux, and Pinot Noir, from Burgundy. It means that red wine from Touraine is a great condensed french wine
However Gamay wines in Touraine do not taste that good. More and more, wine makers use Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir to bring balance to the wine.
Touraine wine information:
Name:
Appellation Touraine Controlée
Appellation Touraine Mesland Controlée
Appellation Touraine Azay le Rideau Controlée
Appellation Touraine Noble Joué Controlée
Appellation Touraine Amboise Controlée
Location:
At the heart of the Loire valley, around the city of Tours and close to the Châteaux de la Loire
Places:
Noyers sur Cher, Meusnes, Saint Georges sur Cher, Pouillé, Chatillon sur Cher, Amboise, Limeray, Cheillé
Soil:
Sand
Clay
Limestone
Size:
6,000 ha (15,000 acres)
Production:
26 million bottles
Grapes:
Red and rosé: Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Pineau
White: Chenin blanc, Sauvignon
Type of wines:
Light and fruity red wine
Light and fresh dry white wine
Medium rosé
Sparkling red, rosé and white wines
Age:
Red: 2 to 7 years
White: 1 to 4 years
Rosé: drink now and up to 2 years
Vintages(recommended) :
2003
Aromas:
Red:
Red fruits
Black fruits
Raspberry
White:
Menthol
Vanilla
Litchee
Food:
Red:
Red meat
White:
Aperitif
Cheese:
Red:
Boursin
Camembert
Chabichou du Poitou
Saint Nectaire
Valencay
White:
Maconnais
Cheddar
