Anjou (Anjou) – French wine region around the city of Angers (Angers) in the Western part of the Loire Valley.

Stylistically heterogeneous, the region produces a wide palette of red, white and rose wines: dry, sweet, sparkling, quiet. Wine General appellation of Anjou is not particularly prestigious and little-known, but there is such crowd pleasers as semi-dry rose d’anjou, a delicate Cabernet franc from Saumur (Saumur), squeaky Chenin Blanc Savenger (Savennieres), and sweet white Chenin Blanc Coteaux du Layon (Coteaux du Layon).

Anjou neatly divided into parts by the river Loire. Upstream to the East – lies the region of Touraine (Touraine). In the West the vineyards of Muscadet (Muscadet) region of the pays Nantes (Pays Nantais). The geographical boundaries of the region are approximately the same as the historical territory of the Duchy of Anjou – a province that existed before the French revolution (1789) – and almost exactly correspond to the modern Department of Maine and Loire.

The climate of Anjou is relatively moderate. The presence of the Loire river contributes, forming a slightly different meso-climatic zone.

Anjou wine

Sweet Chenin Blanc – a sort of specialty of Anjou. He is considered one of the most luxurious sweet wines of France. He’s not as famous as Sauternes, but very appreciated by connoisseurs.

The best specimens came from the area of Coteaux du Layon, especially from its small sub-zones: quart de Chaume (Quarts de Chaume) and Bonzo (Bonnezeaux). They are characterized by honey-floral aroma with hints of tropical fruit.

Sweet Chenin Blanc from Coteaux du Layon

Of the lesser-known sweet Anjou wine from the area West of the city of Angers, which is marked as Anjou Coteaux de La Loire (Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire).

Despite the attention given to sweet wines, quality dry Chenin Blanc here is also excellent. In a small area of Savenger at the Western border of Angers and its two sub-zones – the cul de Seran (Coulee de Serrant) and Roche on the Moine (Roche aux Moines) give almost the best in the world samples of dry wines from Chenin Blanc.

Dry Chenin Blanc from Savenger Roche and Muan

Developing the palette of the region, dry and sweet white wines of Anjou complement a dry, slightly spicy red based on Cabernet franc. On the labels, they are designated as the village of Anjou (Anjou Villages), and the best of them come under the sub-appellation of Brissac (Brissac Anjou Villages).

Dry Cabernet franc from Anjou villages Brissac

Anjou rose wine is represented by two main styles: sweet low acid rose d’anjou (Rose d’anjou, the former is extremely popular in the second half of the 20th century) and more structured, more clean and complex Cabernet d Anjou (Cabernet d’anjou).

Sparkling in a small amount produces a sub-appellation of Saumur (AOC Saumur mousseux): white, based on Chenin Blanc (with the addition of Chardonnay) and rosé, mostly from Cabernet franc in the blend with Groll and / or Chenin Blanc.

Of Anjou for champagne Brut technologies

Under the General appellation of Anjou (Anjou just ie) can be produced red, white and sparkling wines. But not quiet pink – they allocated to their individual sub-appellations of the rose d’anjou and Cabernet d’anjou.

Anjou Rouge (Anjou Rouge) red Anjou – relies mainly on Cabernet with a little help from Gamay (Gamay) and Pinot d Onis (Pineau d’aunis).

Anjou Blanc (Anjou Blanc) white of Anjou – usually built on Chenin Blanc, often with the addition of (20%) Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Sparkling Musso Anjou (Anjou Mousseux) are white and pink – from the same varieties that and still wines of Anjou.

The only monosortovoe common appellation is a red Anjou Gamay (Gamay Anjou), which is supposed to be 100% consist of this variety. Here, as in Mecca Gamay – Beaujolais – it can be produced in a light fruity style Nouveau (Nouveau or Primeur on the label).

Source: portal wine-searcher.com