All about Vouvray
The appellation area opens at the eastern limits of the Touraine conurbation and extends over 7 communes on the right bank of the Loire and along its tributaries, the Brenne and the Cisse.
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Origins
History
The development of the vineyard is attributed to Saint Martin, who established the famous Marmoutier abbey and, according to legend, introduced grape varieties and a pruning method still in use today. Balzac left his mark on Vouvray by setting the action of his novel "L'illustre Godissart" here, so much so that the bust of this imaginary travelling clerk still adorns a square in the town...
Presentation
The Bonnezeaux appellation area is located on a small part of a single commune on the right bank of the Layon: Thouarcé, on 3 south-facing hillsides. The vineyard covers 120 hectares in the commune of Thouarcé (Maine-et-Loire department) on the right bank of the Layon.
The Bonnezeaux grape is 100% Chenin and can benefit from the action of Botrytis cinerea.
- Color: White
- Style: Liquorous and mellow
- Varietal: Chenin
- Aroma: Acacia, verbena, orange peel, candied fruit, caramel, exotic fruit, spices
Soil and climate
On the edge of confluent valleys, the soils warm up rapidly under the oceanic influence, which is weakening at this level as the Loire penetrates to the heart of the vineyard. Sunny autumns favor over-ripening and even noble rot. Obtaining soft (semi-dry), sweet or syrupy wines depends on climatic variability: the vintage effect is decisive. In addition, we produce great dry Vouvray wines every year.
.Cultivation methods
Basic yield: 52 hl/ha for still wines, 65 hl/ha for fi nes bulles.
Dominant growing practices: Density of 6,600 vines/ha.
Fan pruning, necessarily short.