Montlouis-sur-Loire

For centuries, the white Pineau produced on both sides of the Loire, in Montlouis-sur-Loire and Vouvray, was called "vin de Vouvray". It wasn't until the creation of the Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée that Montlouis, aware of its originality, took on its independence and became a communal appellation, by decree of December 6, 1938. The Montlouis-sur-Loire appellation extends upstream from Tours, on the interfluve of the Loire and Cher rivers, where the two valleys meet, on a promontory sloping south-east. It is spread over 3 communes.

At the top of the promontory, the soil of Montlouis-sur-Loire is composed of clays topped by sands blown in from the Loire and Cher rivers, and coarse elements of flint and chalk. The tuffeau (Turonian chalk) is always within reach of the roots. Bordered by natural geographical boundaries (the Loire to the north, the Cher to the south and the Amboise forest massif to the east), Montlouis-sur-Loire enjoys particularly mild climatic conditions: oceanic influences penetrate through the two wide-open valleys, favoring over-ripening of the grapes and producing dry, highly mature white wines. The production of soft (semi-dry) or sweet wines depends on climatic variability: the vintage effect is decisive.

Planted on some 370 hectares, Montlouis-sur-Loire vines produce around 15,000 hectolitres a year, of which 45% are still wines and 55% fine bubbles. Montlouis-sur-Loire wines are made from Chenin Blanc (Pineau de la Loire) grapes. Sparkling and sparkling wines have a deep, luminous straw-yellow color, while mature sweet wines are golden with amber highlights. Always flattering in their youth (white flowers, verbena, citrus and brioche for the fine bubbles), Montlouis wines evolve on notes of almond, quince, honey and wax, with a marked minerality. Depending on their mellowness, Montlouis-sur-Loire wines are soft, full-bodied or opulent, but always with great freshness. Dry whites are rich and racy. Montlouis-sur-Loire wines have a great aptitude for ageing, with very delicate evolutions during the first decade and a gradual blossoming. These qualities are fully reflected in the products offered by Domaine de la Taille aux Loups, Domaine François Chidaine and Domaine du Rocher des Violettes.