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Lively and mellow rosés, fresh and silky white wines - Touraine Azay-Le-Rideaugently offers you its cherished Loire identity.
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The vineyard
Geographical location: The area covered by the appellation stretches gloriously across eight communes on the hillsides of the Indre and Loire rivers, not far from their meeting point. |
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Surface area: Roughly 60 ha (150 acres).
History: The vineyard of Azay-le-Rideau is almost certainly the Gallo-Roman birthplace of winegrowing in the Touraine region. It now forms a casket enclosing a wonderful jewel, the Azay Chateau, whose royal hosts gave priority to the wines of this terroir on their tables.
Types of soil: "Perruches" (clay mixed with flint), "aubuis" (clay mixed with chalk) and wind-borne sands mixed with clay.
Climate: Mild, which in certain years helps the production of sweet wines. |
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The wine
Annual production: 1,800 hl including 60% rosé
Basic yield: 55 hl/ha
Grape varieties: Rosés made from a minimum of 60% Grolleau, pure or blended with Gamay, Côt or Cabernet; whites made from 100% Chenin (sometimes made into off-dry wines).
Dominant growing practices: Density of 6,600 plants/ha. Single Guyot or fan pruning.
Tasting
Sensory characteristics: Clear, shining robe for the rosés, crystal clear for the whites.
Nose: The rosés show aromas of rose, lilac, pear, cherry, redcurrant and almond. The whites often have a mineral touch, with a dominating aroma of fresh and citrus fruits developing into quince and apricot.
Palate: The rosés are fine and elegant on the palate, while white wines are often ample.
Serving temperature: 10°C
Ageing potential: The rosés can be drunk young, unlike the whites, which can improve a great deal with age (10 years). |
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