Coteaux du Layon

The vineyard covers approximately 1,400 hectares and produces around 40,000 hectoliters annually. The terroir consists of typical terraces of schist and sandstone from the Armorican basement, with shallow brown soils (outcropping bedrock) from the Black Anjou region. The climate is temperate oceanic and particularly dry. The demarcated areas correspond to well-exposed, windy hillsides that promote early vegetation growth (a microclimate in which Mediterranean vegetation thrives) and consistently produce overripe grapes. 

The appellation Layon hillsides product of sweet wines and sweet, made from the grape variety Chenin, with an infinitely rich aroma. It also requires manual harvesting through successive selections of overripe grapes with a high concentration of sugar, whether or not this is due to noble rot. The wines produced should be decanted and served very chilled at 8°C to allow them to evolve. They can be kept for 5 years to several decades, or even a century in the case of fine vintages. Such wines may be offered by the Pierre-Bise Castle, the Domaine des Sablonnettes or the Château de la Roulerie.

Description of the wine

It is a sweet or syrupy, fruity white wine made from Chenin blanc, known as Chenin B, which is characterized by being overripe. It has earned its place among the finest wines and its presence in haute cuisine is well deserved. It pairs perfectly with various dishes and foods such as foie gras thanks to its honey flavors. Coteaux-du-Layon white wine has very specific storage requirements. It should be stored at between 11 and 13 degrees Celsius, preferably in an aging cabinet, and should be served at eight degrees. It is also important to control the humidity in which the bottle of Coteaux-du-Layon is stored. Its sparkling color is appealing, ranging from golden to green and even coppery with age. It can be stored for five to twenty years, or even longer for the finest bottles and vintages. The price of Coteaux du Layon ranges from €10 to €40 per bottle.

Territory and climate

Produced on the banks of the Layon River, Coteaux du Layon benefits from a specific climate that gives it its unique characteristics. Located on the Armorican Massif, the geological conditions (soils rich in schist and minerals) and cool winds allow the product to overripen, which shapes the very characteristics of the wine and gives it its full flavor. The relatively mild and warm climate contrasts with the rainy winters, which contribute to the ripening of the grapes. The result is a real clash between continental and oceanic climates within the bottle. Total annual production is just over five million bottles, which are sold throughout Europe.

A little history

Coteaux du Layon is a white wine. of Anjou, in the Loire region. It has been an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) since 1950 and covers 27 neighboring communes, covering just under 1,500 hectares and bordering the Château de Châlonnes. It all began in the 17th century when the Dutch living in the area decided to buy this wine. Thanks to these exchanges and investments, the wine became known and appreciated for its true value, eventually becoming part of France's rich culinary heritage. However, the production and perpetuation of this wine were undermined during the War in the Vendée, which destroyed part of the harvests, land, and the work of many men and women. At the end of the 19th century, the vines also suffered from an infestation of phylloxera, a small but particularly devastating insect.