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Anjou & Saumur

Loire Valley

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Loire Valley appellations

The western Loire around Angers and Saumur, where Chenin Blanc reaches extraordinary heights. From the honeyed sweetness of Coteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaume to the bone-dry minerality of Savennières, this is one of the most versatile white wine regions in France. Saumur-Champigny produces the Loire’s most celebrated Cabernet Franc reds, while Muscadet offers the perfect oyster wine from the Atlantic coast.

The wines of Anjou & Saumur are made primarily from Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and other Loire Valley varieties.

19–78 m

Elevation range

dessertredrosésparklingwhite

Wine styles

8 Appellations

Avg. slope 2.7°

Vineyard Map

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Nearby Appellations

To the east Touraine & Centre

Add Anjou & Saumur to your Discoveries. When you taste one, you can tick it off.

Terroir & Character

Climate

The confluence of the Loire and its tributaries creates morning mists that promote noble rot development in autumn, while the river valleys provide protection from harsh winds. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean moderates temperatures, extending the growing season crucial for late-harvest dessert wine production.

Terroir

SchistLimestoneTuffeauGranite

The region sits on ancient Paleozoic schist and granite bedrock overlain by Mesozoic limestone formations, particularly the soft tuffeau limestone that creates extensive cave systems. This layered geology provides excellent drainage through the porous tuffeau while the underlying schist and granite create a perched water table that forces vine roots deep, accessing mineral-rich substrates that contribute to the wines' distinctive minerality.

Typical Aromas

wet limestonequinceacacia honeygreen applechamomilelanolin
Explore the aroma wheel

Notable Producers

Clos RougeardCult Saumur-Champigny, Cabernet Franc
Domaine des Roches NeuvesBiodynamic Saumur-Champigny
Richard LeroyNatural Chenin Blanc, Anjou

Grapes of Loire Valley

Cabernet Franc

Red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberrybell pepperviolet

Cabernet Franc's spiritual home, on Loire tuffeau. Raspberry, violet, pencil shavings, and a peppery herbal lift from Chinon to firmer, more tannic Bourgueil.

Chenin Blanc

White
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelemonquincehoneysuckle

The shapeshifter grape, anywhere from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Quince, pear, honeysuckle, and beeswax, with searing acidity that lets top wines age for decades.

Sauvignon Blanc

White
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
grassasparaguspassion fruitgrapefruit

Cool-climate Sauvignon at its most precise. Lemon, elderflower, and white peach over Kimmeridgian limestone, with smoky flint on Pouilly-Fumé's silex soils.

Melon de Bourgogne

White

Muscadet in Loire Valley

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
lemongreen applepearsalt

Crisp, saline whites aged on lees (sur lie) for added texture

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anjou & Saumur known for?▼
Anjou & Saumur are renowned for showcasing Chenin Blanc at its finest, producing everything from the legendary sweet wines of Coteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaume to the mineral-driven dry whites of Savennières. The region is also famous for Saumur-Champigny's elegant Cabernet Franc reds and traditional method sparkling wines from Saumur.
What does Anjou & Saumur wine taste like?▼
The Chenin Blanc wines range from bone-dry and mineral-driven in Savennières to lusciously honeyed and sweet in Coteaux du Layon, often displaying notes of quince, honey, and wet stone. Saumur-Champigny reds offer elegant Cabernet Franc with red berry fruits, herbs, and earthy minerality, while the sparkling wines are crisp and refined with fine bubbles.
What grapes are grown in Anjou & Saumur?▼
Chenin Blanc dominates the white wine production and is the star grape of the region, creating both dry and sweet wines. For reds, Cabernet Franc is the primary grape, especially in Saumur-Champigny, with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Grolleau also grown throughout the area.
What makes Anjou & Saumur different from its neighbors?▼
Anjou & Saumur stands out for its incredible versatility with Chenin Blanc, producing the full spectrum from bone-dry to dessert wines, which is unmatched elsewhere in the Loire. The region's unique combination of diverse soils and microclimates allows for both the noble rot conditions needed for sweet wines and the mineral expression perfect for dry styles.
What soil types are found in Anjou & Saumur?▼
The region features a diverse mix of schist, limestone, tuffeau (chalky limestone), and granite soils. The schist and granite provide excellent drainage and mineral complexity, while the limestone and tuffeau contribute to the wine's acidity and aging potential, with tuffeau being particularly important around Saumur.

Map data: INAO · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)