Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Poorly developed schistose or schistose-sandstone soils derived from the Massif armoricain, with bedrock at less than 0.40 m depth.
- Fœhn effect from the Massif des Mauges: rainfall reduced to 650 mm/year, compared with over 800 mm on the surrounding hills.
- The Loire moderates temperatures and, during the harvest period, generates morning mists conducive to the development of noble rot.
Human factors
- As early as 1842, Chenin was identified as the founding variety: 'Le gros pineau ou Chenin is the grape variety that forms its backbone.'
- Harvesting overripe fruit through successive passes is documented as far back as 1816: 'the harvest is carried out in several rounds; the first two cuts […] consist solely of the ripest grapes.'
Product characteristics
- Floral aromas combined with fresh, dried, or candied fruit; on the palate, smoothness and freshness.
- Wines with good aging potential, revealing their full character with time.
Terroir / wine link
- The Loire moderates temperatures, channels winds that promote desiccation, and generates mists conducive to Botrytis cinerea ('noble rot').
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 18 décembre 2025
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — InterLoire