Anjou

The Anjou AOC is reserved for still red and white wines. The vineyard is located primarily in Maine-et-Loire, south of Angers, but it also extends into a few municipalities in the Deux-Sèvres and Vienne departments. With an area of approximately 2,400 hectares, annual production can reach 135,000 hectoliters. Anjou is situated within two distinct geographical zones: to the west lies the Armorican Massif with its schist soils, and to the east, the Paris Basin with its white soils derived from Tuffeau. This exceptionally rich terroir allows for the production of a wide variety of wines, satisfying those who are constantly seeking something new. Furthermore, the vineyard’s location in the Loire Valley allows the vines to benefit from an oceanic climate as well as a microclimate, characterized by dry winds and annual precipitation of less than 600 millimeters. All the conditions are thus in place to produce high-quality wines. Regarding grape varieties, the white AOC is produced primarily from Chenin, which must account for at least 80% of the blend. The other grape varieties used—though in smaller proportions—are Chardonnay and Sauvignon. As for red Anjou, the primary grape varieties are Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. They may be blended with other secondary varieties, but these must not exceed 30% of the final blend. During the tasting, you’ll first notice that red Anjou has a very vivid, brilliant ruby color. The white variety has a pale yellow color with green highlights (which can turn golden if the grapes are very ripe). In the second phase, the reds will fill your nose with very floral notes and red fruit aromas, while the whites will offer aromas of white flowers and white fruit. On the palate, red Anjou is appreciated for its round body, structured by fine, elegant tannins, and the white will charm you with its freshness, balance between alcohol and acidity, and very fruity character. These wines can be enjoyed young (as early as March–April) but have an aging potential of 3 years. For successful food-and-wine pairings, feel free to serve your bottle of Anjou with meals featuring white or red meats, fish, or even asparagus. You’ll then be able to discover the full potential this wine has to offer!!!