Touraine-Amboise AOC

Touraine-Amboise AOC sits 25 kilometres east of Tours in the Indre-et-Loire département, nestled between the larger cities of Tours and Blois. The appellation covers 10 communes on both sides of the Loire River: Amboise, Chargé, Mosnes, Cangey, Limeray, Pocé-sur-Cisse, Nazelles-Négron, Saint-Ouen-les-Vignes, Montreuil-en-Touraine, and Saint-Règle, the last of which was added in 2005. Elevations range from 55 metres on the Loire valley floor up to 105-130 metres on the plateau.

• Spans both banks of the Loire River across 10 communes
• Plateau vineyards sit at 105-130 metres; valley floor averages 55 metres
• Located within the broader Touraine AOC as a communal appellation
• Saint-Règle became the tenth commune in 2005

Three principal soil types define the appellation. Perruches, a flinty clay, and aubuis, a clay-limestone, are the dominant formations, joined by polygenetic puddingstone containing varicoloured clays and quartz grains. The climate is oceanic with continental influences, benefiting from Atlantic moderation with annual rainfall of 550-650mm. This combination of well-drained soils and a temperate climate suits both Côt and Chenin Blanc.

• Perruches (flinty clay) and aubuis (clay-limestone) are the primary soil types
• Polygenetic puddingstone with varicoloured clays and quartz also present
• Oceanic climate with continental influences and 550-650mm annual rainfall
• Atlantic influence moderates temperatures across the growing season

Red wines represent 60% of production and, under post-2023 regulations, must now be made from 100% Côt (known locally and internationally as Malbec). They display a fruity, tannic character with a silky texture. Rosé wines, accounting for 30% of production, are made from Côt, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc, and deliver fresh, fruity profiles with lively acidity. White wines are 100% Chenin Blanc (also called Pineau de la Loire) and range from dry to medium-sweet, showing fresh fruit and honey notes. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gamay noir are also grown in the appellation.

• Post-2023: reds must be 100% Côt; whites must be 100% Chenin Blanc
• Rosé uses Côt, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc
• Reds are described as fruity and tannic with a silky character
• Whites range from dry to medium-sweet with fruit and honey notes

The wines of Amboise carry a distinguished history, served at the court of King Francis I at the nearby Château d'Amboise. The appellation was first defined as part of Coteaux-de-Touraine in 1939 before being granted its own AOC status in 1954. The Commanderie des Grands Vins d'Amboise was founded in 1967 to champion the appellation's wines. Today, around 30 producers operate across the 10 communes, maintaining a tradition that spans centuries.

• Wines served at the court of Francis I at Château d'Amboise
• Part of Coteaux-de-Touraine from 1939; separate AOC granted in 1954
• Commanderie des Grands Vins d'Amboise founded 1967
• Approximately 30 producers currently active in the appellation