Touraine AOC

The vineyards of Touraine trace their origins to the first century during the Gallo-Roman period, as evidenced by remains of amphora workshops discovered in Mougon, in the commune of Crouzilles. In the 4th century, Saint Martin, Bishop of Tours, is credited with developing viticulture across the Loire Valley. The official appellation was first recognized as Coteaux de Touraine in 1939, then formally adopted as AOP Touraine in 1953, with the Azay-le-Rideau denomination included from the outset. The court of the Kings of France, established at Blois and Chambord in the 15th and 16th centuries, contributed to the development of the vineyard and the growing reputation of Touraine wines internationally.

• Gallo-Roman origins confirmed by amphora workshop remains found at Crouzilles; viticulture mentioned in the Middle Ages by Gregory of Tours around the Basilica of Saint-Martin.
• The AOP Coteaux de Touraine was officially recognized in 1939; the name Touraine was formally adopted in 1953, with the Azay-le-Rideau denomination included at that time.
• The geographic denominations Amboise and Mesland were officially added in 1955; Chenonceaux and Oisly were recognized by the INAO on September 28, 2011.
• An old wine press dating from the 12th century, found at Cheillé near Azay-le-Rideau, is physical evidence of the deep winemaking heritage of the region.

The AOP Touraine geographical area covers more than 6,300 hectares, spreading across approximately 143 communes in Indre-et-Loire and Loir-et-Cher. Situated in the southwest of the Parisian basin, the vine-growing area is a slightly rolling plateau with a maximum altitude of 120 meters. The district follows the Loire river for roughly 100 kilometers from Blois in the east to Chinon and Bourgueil in the west. The AOP Touraine enjoys an oceanic climate whose influence diminishes toward the east; once past the Tours meridian, there is a much wider temperature variation between day and night, with annual rainfall of approximately 550 millimeters in the west and up to 650 millimeters in the east.

• Soils vary mainly between clay-limestone and clay-siliceous; clay-limestone soils rich in calcite impart finesse, minerality, and structure to wines, while siliceous soils favor lighter, fruitier wines.
• Tuffeau, the calcareous rock for which the Loire Valley is famous, underpins many of the better vineyard sites; two key forms exist, chalkier tuffeau blanc and softer, sandier tuffeau jaune.
• Flinty clay soils known locally as perruches are especially characteristic of Touraine-Amboise and parts of the Cher valley, giving wines their distinctive mineral personality.
• Touraine is located approximately 225 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, producing a climate that falls between maritime and continental, with warm summers and variable winters across the region.

Sauvignon Blanc is the dominant white grape at 43 percent of all Touraine plantings, and for the base Touraine AOC white wines, it is the sole permitted variety. Chenin Blanc (known locally as Pineau de la Loire) and Arbois account for much smaller shares but play important roles in sub-denominations such as Touraine-Amboise and Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau. For Touraine mousseux sparkling wines, Chardonnay may also be used. Red wines are led by Gamay at 21 percent of vineyard area, complemented by Cabernet Franc, Côt (Malbec), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, and Pineau d'Aunis.

• Touraine AOC white wines are produced from Sauvignon Blanc and develop aromas of green apple, gooseberry, white flowers, citrus fruits, exotic fruits, and sometimes stone fruits such as white peach and nectarine.
• Touraine Primeur, released in the first year after harvest, is made exclusively from Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc and is light, fruity, and fresh in character.
• Rosé wines are dry and may be made from Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, Côt, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Pineau d'Aunis, Gamay, and Grolleau.
• Sparkling wines designated Touraine Mousseux are produced by the traditional method and may include Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc for rosé versions.

Domaine Henry Marionnet, based at Domaine de la Charmoise in Soings-en-Sologne, is among the Loire Valley's most storied estates. The family has owned the domaine since 1850; it was formally established as a winery in 1921 by Kléber Marionnet, and the vineyards were replanted and expanded to nearly 60 hectares between 1967 and 1978 by Henry Marionnet. Now run by his son Jean-Sébastien, the estate is renowned for pioneering sulfur-free winemaking, using neither chemicals in the vineyard nor oak in the cellar, and for preserving rare pre-phylloxera ungrafted vines, including Romorantin plantings thought to date to the 1850s. The Touraine-Mesland denomination covers about 105 hectares in the Loir-et-Cher, while Touraine-Oisly encompasses ten communes in the heart of the Sologne, where twelve producers make 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc whites with rigorous quality controls.

• Domaine Henry Marionnet's estate heart dates to 1850; six hectares of ungrafted vines include Romorantin plantings considered potentially the oldest vines in France.
• In 1990, Marionnet's Cuvée M de Marionnet was elected Best Sauvignon in the World at the Olympiades du Vin by Gault and Millau.
• The Marionnet estate covers nearly 60 hectares, predominantly Gamay (two-thirds) and Sauvignon Blanc (one-third), grown on flinty clay soils with sand and gravel.
• Touraine-Oisly white wines, made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc, are aged on fine lees for at least six months and must pass a collegial blind tasting by a minimum of five jurors before release.

The AOC status was awarded by decree on December 24, 1939 and was modified by the decree of August 29, 2002. For the base Touraine AOC, maximum permitted yields are 60 hectoliters per hectare for reds and rosés and 65 hectoliters per hectare for whites. The five geographic denominations each carry their own stricter specifications. Touraine-Oisly, recognized in 2011, requires 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc, a maximum yield of 60 hectoliters per hectare, aging on fine lees until at least April 30 following harvest, and a mandatory collegial blind tasting by at least five jurors. Touraine-Chenonceaux reds require a blend of Côt (minimum 50 percent, maximum 65 percent) and Cabernet Franc (minimum 35 percent), with whites from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc and reds aged until at least August 31 following harvest.

• AOC Touraine base yields: 60 hl/ha for reds and rosés, 65 hl/ha for whites; Chardonnay may not exceed 20 percent of the blend for white wines.
• Touraine-Oisly: 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc, maximum 60 hl/ha, fine lees aging until at least April 30 following harvest, wood shavings prohibited, mandatory blind jury tasting.
• Touraine-Chenonceaux reds: Côt minimum 50 percent and maximum 65 percent, Cabernet Franc minimum 35 percent; reds must be aged until at least August 31 following harvest.
• Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau: approximately 60 hectares dedicated to white wines from Chenin Blanc (since 1953) and rosé from Grolleau (since 1976), covering 6 communes in Indre-et-Loire.

The Touraine region has long been called the Garden of France and was the favored residence of French kings during the Renaissance, with iconic châteaux including Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire, and Villandry. Wine and architecture are deeply intertwined here: the Touraine-Chenonceaux denomination takes its name directly from the internationally famous Château de Chenonceau, which spans the Cher river and hosts a wine tasting event every July. The proximity of the Loire's rivers served as a key trade artery for Touraine wines from the medieval period onward, while demand grew significantly in the 16th and 17th centuries as the Dutch wine trade expanded Loire Valley exports across Europe.

• Leonardo da Vinci lived at the Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise, adjacent to the royal château, from 1516 until his death in 1519.
• The presence of the Royal Court at Blois and Chambord in the 15th and 16th centuries elevated the reputation of Touraine wines at the highest levels of French society.
• The Touraine-Chenonceaux denomination is inseparable from the Château of the same name, where a wine tasting event called Wine Tasting Under the Stars is organized every July.
• The Loire Valley, encompassing Touraine, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, recognizing its outstanding cultural landscape and architectural heritage.