Cabernet d'Anjou

France · AOC (PDO) · Loire Valley

Styles

Natural factors

Zone straddling the Armorican Massif (schists, 'Anjou noir') to the west and the Paris Basin (tuffeau chalk, 'Anjou blanc') to the east.
88 communes spread across 3 départements: Maine-et-Loire (68), Deux-Sèvres (11), and Vienne (9).
Poor soils with moderate water-holding capacity but good thermal behaviour, derived from very diverse geological formations.
Foehn effect: the hills of the Choletais and the Mauges block oceanic moisture, limiting rainfall to approximately 585 mm per year versus approximately 800 mm in the Choletais.
Temperate oceanic climate softened by the Loire (a thermal regulator) and a hillside exposure, summed up in the expression 'douceur angevine'. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Human factors

Following the phylloxera crisis, Cabernet franc and Cabernet sauvignon became dominant, giving rise to the emblematic rosé appellations.
In the 18th century, Dutch trade was so flourishing that the Layon was canalised to facilitate the transport of wines.

Product characteristics

Sweet to medium-sweet rosé, with a candy-pink robe and salmon highlights, aromas of small red fruits (strawberry, redcurrant), rose, and barley sugar. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
A palate balanced between freshness and roundness, with intense aromatic persistence; best enjoyed within two years.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.