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Val de Loire · Poitou · White, red and rosé

Haut-Poitou — terroir, soils & grape varieties

South of the Loire valley, at the gates of Poitiers, Haut-Poitou is a limestone plateau vineyard. Here sauvignon gives aromatic dry whites, cabernet franc supple reds — honest, easy-drinking wines at gentle prices.

At the Gates of Poitiers

Haut-Poitou occupies a plateau north-west of Poitiers, around Neuville-de-Poitou, in the Vienne and Deux-Sèvres — the southern edge of the Loire basin. Long known as "Vins du Haut-Poitou", it produces all three colours across about 750 hectares.

Terroir and Style

The vineyard sits on a plateau of clay-limestone ground — the "argiles à silex" of Poitou — resting on a limestone subsoil. Here sauvignon gives dry, aromatic, fresh whites; cabernet franc, backed by gamay, gives supple, fruity reds to drink young, or more full-bodied blends with some ageing potential. Wines of pleasure, offering excellent value.

The grape varieties of Haut-Poitou

Sauvignon blanc →white — dominant (≥ 60%), vivacity and aromatics
Cabernet franc →reds (≥ 60%) — fruit and structure
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Sources: Wikipédia — Haut-Poitou (AOC)