Located a few kilometers east of Tours, Vouvray is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful wine appellations in the entire Loire.
Wonderfully showcasing the thousand and one facets of the grape variety Chenin, the vineyard indeed enjoys a rich history and varied terroirs, allowing the production of delicious dry, sweet, and sparkling white wines.
Through this article, we invite you to embark on a fabulous Loire journey and discover all the secrets of this brilliant appellation.Happy reading!
History of the Vouvray Appellation
The creation of the Vouvray vineyard is attributed to Saint Martin. Then the bishop of Tours, he decided to settle in Vouvray in 372 to enjoy more tranquility. He planted the first vines there and established the Marmoutier monastery the same year. By the end of the 4th century, about twenty monks lived in the abbey and tended to the small vineyard.
In the following centuries, the Vouvray monks continued to develop local viticulture, producing wines that gradually gained notoriety.
In the 13th century, different white grape varieties were planted in the Vouvray vineyard.The Chenin (then called "Pineau de la Loire") is already present there and considered the noblest of all. It was not until 1534 that the term "Chenin" was mentioned for the first time by the famous Rabelais. He even mentioned it in his famous novel "Gargantua".
In the 15th and 16th centuries, several French kings became enamored with the wines of the region, thus promoting their recognition among the elites as well as for export, particularly to Northern countries thanks to Dutch merchants.
Then, during the 19th century, Vouvray faced several disasters: downy mildew, powdery mildew, and phylloxera severely affected the vineyards. The latter, a small parasite similar to an aphid and imported by ship from the United States, indeed destroyed a large part of the Touraine vineyard .
Consider this: at its peak in 1888, the Touraine region covered 63,250 hectares. Phylloxera destroyed nearly half of it on its own before a solution was found. French vine stocks were then grafted onto American rootstocks, as the latter were resistant to this pest. The vineyard was gradually rebuilt, reaching 15,000 hectares by 1906.
Finally, in 1936, the Vouvray AOC was officially created. It was the first in all of Touraine.
Today, the Vouvray vineyard covers 2,300 hectares, spread across 8 communes: Vouvray, Vernou-sur-Brenne, Tours, Rochecorbon, Reugny, Parçay-Meslay, Noizay, and Chançay.
The Chenin and the wines of Vouvray
As you may have understood, Chenin is the only grape variety of the Vouvray appellation. Like many varieties, its origin remains uncertain. Nevertheless, its presence has been established in the region since the 9th century.
Today covering 9,000 hectares in the Loire, Chenin is also very present in South Africa, a country representing more than half of the world's plantations. Locally, it is called "Steen".
If you want to know everything about this fabulous variety, do not hesitate to read our article entirely dedicated to it: Chenin, the noblest white grape variety of the Loire.
Within the Vouvray appellation, Chenin allows the production of 3 types of wines :
- dry white wines,
- sweet wines (off-dry, mellow, liqueur-like),
- sparkling wines.
Dry white wines from Vouvray are lively, fresh, and express notes of citrus, quince, pear, or even white flowers. The minerality is also often noticeable during tasting. Over the years, aromas of honey and hazelnut may appear. While most cuvées of this style are made to be enjoyed in their youth, some characterful bottles can be appreciated after 10 years or more.
Off-dry wines are very popular for their indulgence. Their slight sweetness indeed gives them a very consensual character. The aromatic profile of this type of wine evolves with notes of peach, ripe quince, and apricot.
When weather conditions permit, certain vineyard plots are also capable of producing sweet and dessert wines. These cuvées, with a high sugar content, are made from grapes harvested at overripe stages. The berries are therefore harvested later than average and may be affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), a microscopic fungus that enhances their concentration of sugar, acidity, and aromas.
The texture of sweet and dessert wines is creamy and their aromatic profile is complex and intense : exotic fruits (mango, pineapple), mirabelle, butter, honey, quince, sweet spices...it is difficult not to succumb to temptation! The sweet wines of Vouvray can often improve over several decades in the cellar and thus demonstrate a beautiful aging potential. Finally, sparkling wines are also very present in the appellation. These are made according to the traditional method, the same as champagnes! However, there are some differences: the terroirs, the grape varieties, and an aging time on slats of at least 12 months compared to 15 months for a classic non-vintage champagne. Nevertheless, many producers far exceed this period, with aging on slats reaching up to 36 months.
The aromas of these fine bubbles evolve on citrus, green apple, peach, but also hazelnut, honey, or even toasted bread when the aging is extended.
Climate and terroirs of Vouvray
Located on the right bank of the Loire, the Vouvray appellation experiences a degraded oceanic climate. This climate is therefore relatively mild throughout the year, without large thermal amplitudes, although these are slightly more significant than those of vineyards closer to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Loire also greatly influences the local climate. The river is indeed an excellent thermal regulator, allowing for the creation of ideal conditions for the maturation of Chenin.
It is generally the plots closest to the Loire and maturing more quickly that allow for the creation of the delicious sweet and liqueur wines of the appellation. Conversely, the colder plots are often reserved for the production of sparkling wines. However, be careful, no generalizations! Each winemaker is the master of their land.
Finally, the terroirs here are clay-limestone: tuffeau (fine-grained limestone), black flint, clayey plateaus...numerous nuances exist and the varied topography of the plots allows for the creation of cuvées with distinct identities. Indeed, there are more than 615 clos and lieux-dits in the vineyard!
The different terroirs of the Vouvray appellation
What to eat with Vouvray wines?
Comté and dry Vouvray: a successful pairing
Looking for the best Vouvrays?
As you can see, the richness of the Vouvray appellation and its wines is quite incredible. Chenin Blanc, the hero of the region, finds here a land conducive to its flourishing and comes in all possible forms.
If you wish to start from the top with this appellation,
Of course, if you need any advice, we remain at your disposal. Cheers!
