All about Anjou-Villages

History

The AOC Anjou Villages produces elegant red wines from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. They are distinguished by their aromatic complexity, combining black fruits and spicy notes, and a dense tannic structure. 

The schist and clay-limestone terroir optimizes their ageing potential.

The geographical area lies at the heart of the western part of the geographical area of the "Anjou" appellation d'origine contrôlée, essentially on Precambrian and Paleozoic bedrock attached to the Armorican Massif, very locally covered by gravelly formations or by Cenomanian formations such as ostracised marls, in particular, on its eastern edge.In 2023, it encompasses the geographical areas of the "Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire", "Coteaux du Layon" and "Savennières" appellations d'origine contrôlée, as well as a number of neighboring communes. It covers a delimited area selected for the suitability of its natural environment to produce mature red wines. It thus covers the territory of 24 communes in the Maine-et-Loire department and 2 communes in the Deux-Sèvres department, to the south-east and south of the city of Angers.

The precisely delimited parcel area for grape harvesting favors parcels with good exposure and brown soils developed on schists, brown clay-gravel soils or, very locally, brown soils developed on ostracised marls. These soils are generally shallow, with a good water regime, no signs of hydromorphy and low water reserves. In the western part of the geographical area, seams of acidic (rhyolites) or basic (spilites) eruptive formations outcrop, giving rise to very stony soils. The geographical area benefits from a temperate oceanic climate, with relatively small temperature variations due to the relative proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, the role of the Loire and its tributaries as a thermal regulator, and the location of the vineyards on hillsides. As a result, the geographical area receives little rainfall, benefiting from a föhn effect, sheltered from oceanic humidity by the higher relief of the Choletais and Mauges regions. Annual rainfall is around 585 millimeters, compared with almost 800 millimeters in the Choletais region.

The combination of superficial soils with precise parcel delimitation reflecting practices, and a topography allowing excellent exposure and favoring regular water supply, has enabled the Cabernet Franc N and Cabernet Sauvignon N grape varieties to express their fullness and originality. 

These viticultural situations impose optimal management of the plant and its production potential, reflected in vine training and rigorous pruning rules.