All about Touraine
The Touraine PDO is characterized by a diversity of grape varieties, soils and landscapes, and a diversity of wines produced. The appellation includes 5 complementary geographical denominations: Touraine-Mesland, Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau, Touraine-Amboise, Touraine-Chenonceaux and Touraine-Oisly.
Key figures
Here's the Touraine PDO identity card:
5k
Ha+450
Producers220k
hl Average production143
Municipalities5
Geographical names60%
White
Origins
History
The Touraine appellation was created in 1939 under the name "Coteaux de Touraine". In 1953, it became the PDO "Touraine", and the name "Azay-le-Rideau" was born. The geographical names "Amboise" and "Mesland" appeared in 1955. The geographical denominations "Chenonceaux" and "Oisly" were born in 2011.
| 1939 | Creation of the Touraine appellation under the name "Coteaux de Touraine" | At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Touraine geographical area had gradually been built up by integrating wine-growing sectors with good quality potential. On December 24, 1939, the AOC "Coteaux de Touraine" was recognized by decree for still wines. It was recognized in October 1946 for sparkling wines. |
| 1953 | Final adoption of the appellation "Touraine" | In 1953, the AOC "Touraine" was definitively adopted (decree of February 23, 1953), with the possibility, for a small sector in the Indre valley, of adding the name "Azay-le-Rideau". |
| 1955 | Birth of the "Amboise" and "Mesland" | The geographical denominations "Amboise" and "Mesland" appeared in 1955. In these two areas, the grape varieties remained traditional, notably with Chenin. |
| 2011 | Birth of the "Chenonceaux" and "Oisly" | In 2011, the geographical denominations "Chenonceaux" and "Oisly" were born, rewarding the quality work carried out since the late 1970s by producers in the Cher valley and Sologne wine regions. |
Presentation
The Touraine PDO vineyard is a Loire vineyard located southwest of the Paris Basin and southeast of Tours. Most of the vineyard lies between the Loire and Cher rivers, and on the slopes overlooking the Cher. The Touraine appellation covers 143 communes in 2 départements: Indre-et-Loire and Loir-et-Cher. Emblematic châteaux are located in the Touraine appellation area: Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Azay-le-Rideau.
.Soil and climate
Because of its size, the Touraine PDO geographical area features a diversity of soils conducive to varied terroirs, enabling the production of wines with specific tones: - Aubuis: stony, limestone-clay soils derived from limestone
- Perruches: soils developed on flinty clay, generally on slopes
- Bournais: soils on plateaus and low-lying areas, loamy
- Perrucheous Bournais: soils derived from flint clay, mixed with Miocene sands
- Mesotrophic sands: warm, deep, sandy soils
- So-called "Sologne" sands: sandy soils on Sologne plateaus
- Colluvium: deep soils in small valleys
The Touraine PDO enjoys an oceanic climate. Annual rainfall is around 550 millimeters in the west, rising to 650 millimeters in the east.
Cultivation methods
The Touraine PDO's strategy is forward-looking, to adapt to climate change and integrate societal expectations into the appellation's cultivation methods. The choice of farming practices in our appellation is dictated by the quality of the wines and the sustainability of the vineyard.
At present, many Touraine PDO estates have environmental certification (HVE, Organic Agriculture, Terra-Vitis...). The Touraine PDO has set itself a target of 100% of estates committed to an environmental certification or label by 2030.
Among the key actions undertaken by the Touraine PDO, the ban on total chemical weeding is a strong marker of the appellation's commitment to preserving biodiversity.
Terroir and wines
In Touraine PDO, we're not talking about one terroir, but a diversity of terroirs that the expertise of our winemakers sublimates over the vintages. This wealth of terroirs is unique and offers a formidable playground for producers to produce wines with specific and distinct tonalities. The match between natural factors (soils, climate...), grape varieties and winemaking practices allows us to fully grasp the notion of Touraine PDO Terroir and wine typicity.
The natural factors are mainly the following: Soil diversity: The appellation extends over a vast area encompassing a diversity of soils conducive to varied terroirs. These different soil compositions give Touraine PDO wines unique characteristics in terms of minerality, freshness and aromatic complexity. Oceanic climate: The oceanic climate, influenced by the Loire and its tributaries, provides ideal conditions for ripening grapes. Mild temperatures and generous sunshine favor good aromatic development, while cool nights preserve the wines' natural acidity. Influence of the river : The Loire and its tributaries create a microclimate favorable to viticulture. The presence of water also brings a certain coolness and humidity, which is appreciated by the vines.