Orléans-Cléry
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- The most northerly vineyard in the Loire Valley, on the left bank of the Loire downstream from Orléans, spanning 5 communes.
- Soils: ancient sandy-gravelly alluvium at approximately 100 m elevation, characterized by their rapid drainage.
- Predominantly siliceous alluvium: quartz sand, feldspars, flint pebbles, sandstone, igneous rocks, and limestone derived from the Massif central. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Degraded oceanic climate with continental influences; mean annual temperature 0.7 °C lower than in the Touraine vineyards.
Human factors
- Viticulture documented from the 6th century; John Lackland purchased wines from the Orléanais in 1206 and 1215.
- Cabernet franc N, locally known as 'samoreau' or 'noir dur', has been established along the banks of the Loire since at least the early 18th century.
Product characteristics
- Bright red colour, fruity and floral nose (cherry, white flowers) with possible vegetal notes.
- Supple palate, a lively attack, and a tannic finish that rounds out with time; straightforward, fruit-forward wines to drink within 2–5 years.
Terroir / wine link
- The gravelly-sandy soils encourage deep root development and rapid soil warming, enabling ripeness in the late-ripening cabernet franc.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 26 octobre 2011, JORF 29 octobre 2011
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — InterLoire