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Val de Loire · Vallée du Loir · Red, white and rosé

Coteaux du Loir — terroir, soils & grape varieties

In the Loir valley, around Jasnières, this small appellation gives pride of place to pineau d'Aunis, a rare, peppery red grape, and to chenin in white. Wines of character, little-known and full of personality.

Around Jasnières

The Coteaux du Loir appellation wraps around the Loir valley, in the Sarthe and Indre-et-Loire, surrounding the tiny Jasnières. Granted AOC status as early as 1948, it produces all three colours with a clear identity: pineau d'Aunis in red and rosé, chenin in white.

Terroir and Style

The plots sit on chalky, well-drained soils derived from Turonian tuffeau. Here pineau d'Aunis gives light reds and "gris" rosés with a highly recognisable peppery signature, best drunk fairly young; chenin gives taut, mineral whites capable of ageing. A niche appellation, cherished by lovers of rare grape varieties.

The grape varieties of Coteaux du Loir

Pineau d'Aunis →reds and rosés (≥ 65%) — characteristic fruit and pepper
Chenin →taut, mineral whites
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Sources: Wikipédia — Coteaux du Loir (AOC)