anjou wines - sweet white or red

Wines of Anjou

Anjou wines are famous for their diversity and richness, with top-quality red, white and rosé wines. The Anjou region, located in the Loire Valley, boasts a unique terroir that enables the production of a wide range of wines, from dry to mellow. Whether you're a fan of intense reds, delicate whites or fruity rosés, you're sure to find an Anjou wine that's sure to please.

Discover the wines of France, read our detailed article here.

Introduction and presentation of Anjou wines

Anjou, the wine-growing region of the Loire Valley, is renowned for the diversity of its wines. From dry, fruity whites to mellow sweet wines and elegant reds, the appellations of Anjou offer a range of flavors to delight every palate. Emblematic grape varieties such as Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc express themselves here with finesse, giving rise to wines that are both typical and refined.

Find out more about the Loire Valley and its castles, read our detailed article here.

List of Anjou wine appellations

Visit Anjou wines are protected by several Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), guaranteeing the quality and authenticity of the products. Here's a complete list of the region's appellations:

  • Anjou AOC
  • Anjou-Villages AOC
  • Anjou Blanc AOC
  • Anjou Rouge AOC
  • Anjou Coteaux de la Loire AOC
  • Coteaux du Layon AOC
  • Coteaux de l'Aubance AOC
  • Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru AOC
  • Bonnezeaux AOC
  • Savennières AOC
  • Savennières Roche aux Moines AOC
  • Savennières Coulée de Serrant AOC
  • Rosé d'Anjou AOC
  • Cabernet d'Anjou AOC

The unique terroir of Anjou wines

Visit terroir of Anjou wines is extremely varied, giving rise to an impressive diversity of wines. The region benefits from soils composed of schist, sandstone, limestone and clay, which favor the cultivation of different grape varieties such as Chenin Blancthe Cabernet Franc and the Grolleau.

The main appellations by terroir :

  1. White wines Savennières, Quarts-de-Chaume, Bonnezeaux.
  2. Red wines Anjou Rouge, Anjou-Villages.
  3. Sweet and syrupy wines Coteaux du Layon, Coteaux de l'Aubance, Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru.
  4. Rosé wines Rosé d'Anjou, Cabernet d'Anjou.

Anjou's best-known wines

Among Anjou's most famous wines are :

  • Coteaux du Layon A sweet white wine made from Chenin Blanc, renowned for its candied fruit and honey aromas.
  • Savennières An elegant dry white wine made from Chenin Blanc, with mineral and floral notes.
  • Anjou Rouge A structured, fruity wine made from Cabernet Franc.
  • Rosé d'Anjou A tender, fresh, fruity rosé that goes wonderfully with aperitifs.

Differences between red, white and rosé Anjou wines

The diversity of Anjou wines to satisfy every palate. Here's an overview of the main distinctions between the different categories of wine:

Anjou red wines

The region's red wines, mainly made from the Cabernet FrancThey are often fruity, with notes of red fruit and sometimes spice. Anjou Rouge and Anjou-Villages are perfect examples. They go perfectly with grilled meats, dishes in sauce or mature cheeses.

Anjou white wines

Visit Anjou white wines are available in dry and sweet wines, often made from the grape variety Chenin Blanc. Savennières, for example, is a dry wine of great elegance, while the Coteaux du Layon and Bonnezeaux are mellow wines with complex candied fruit aromas. These white wines are perfect with seafood, fish or local goat's cheese.

Rosé wines from Anjou

Visit rosés d'Anjou are characterized by their freshness and lightness. Visit Rosé d'Anjou is sweet and fruity, while the Cabernet d'Anjou offers more intense aromas and roundness. These wines are ideal with salads, summer dishes and red fruit desserts.

Traditions and gastronomy around Anjou wines

The Anjou region is also famous for its gastronomy that goes perfectly with its wines. Here are some typical pairings between Anjou wines and regional dishes:

  • Cheeses Dry white wines such as Savennières go very well with cheeses goat's cheese, while mellow wines go wonderfully with blue cheeses.
  • Meat and charcuterie : The red wines like Anjou Rouge are perfect with grilled meats or game dishes. Rillettes and terrines, local specialties, are also delicious with red wines.
  • Traditional dishes The rosé d'Anjou goes perfectly with light dishes, such as an Anjou salad or grilled fish.

Exceptional wines and Anjou grands crus

Anjou boasts a number of exceptional wines, including Grands Crus as the Quarts-de-Chaume and the Bonnezeauxwhich are renowned for their exceptional quality. Visit Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cruproduced from Chenin Blanc, is considered one of the world's finest sweet wines, with aromas of exotic fruit and great complexity on the palate.

The great years in the history of Anjou wines

Some years have been particularly exceptional for Anjou wines, thanks to ideal climatic conditions:

  • 2010 : A memorable year, with richly aromatic, well-structured wines.
  • 2014 Excellent for white wines, with fresh, elegant notes.
  • 2017 A remarkable year for red wines, marked by fine tannins and good depth.

The best-known wineries in Anjou

Here is a list of wine estates in the Anjou region:

  • Domaine des Baumard Specialized in white wines, notably Savennières and Quarts-de-Chaume.
  • Fesles Castle Renowned for its Coteaux du Layon and Bonnezeaux wines.
  • Patrick Baudouin Estate Famous for its Anjou-Villages and Coteaux du Layon wines.
  • Domaine de la Bergerie A family estate producing a wide range of Anjou wines.
  • Château de la Roulerie Renowned for its white and sweet wines.

Frequently asked questions about Anjou wines

What are the main grape varieties used in Anjou wines?

The main grape varieties used in the production of Anjou wines are the Chenin Blanc for white and sweet wines, and the Cabernet Franc and the Grolleau for red and rosé wines.

What are the best years for Anjou wines?

The best recent years for Anjou wines include 2010, 2014and 2017with particularly favorable weather conditions.

What distinguishes Rosé d'Anjou from Cabernet d'Anjou?

Visit Rosé d'Anjou is generally lighter and fruitier, while the Cabernet d'Anjou offers a rounder structure and more complex aromas, often with a touch of sweetness.

What dishes should Anjou wines be served with?

Visit dry white wines such as Savennières are excellent with seafood and goat's cheeses, whereas the red wines are the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and charcuterie.

What are the best-known Anjou wines?

Some of the most famous wines are Coteaux du Layonthe Savennièresand theAnjou Rougeand rosés such as Cabernet d'Anjou.

Conclusion

Visit Anjou wines are the reflection of a rich and varied terroir, offering a range of wines from powerful reds to mellow whites and refreshing rosés. Whether for a tasting or to accompany a meal, Anjou wines will always delight wine lovers. To find out more about the region, consult the Anjou guide to regions and tourist sites. country.

For more details on the history of winegrowing, see this article detailed.

 

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