Savennières

The appellation Savennières is limited to three municipalities south of Angers on the right bank of the Loire: Savennières, Bouchemaine, and La Possonnière. The excellent growing conditions were probably noticed as early as the Roman invasions. Vine cultivation developed during the era of the great abbeys, was continued by the lords and then, in the 19th century, by the Angevin bourgeoisie. The Savennières AOC was established by a decree dated December 8, 1952. The total area of the vineyard is Savennières covers approximately 124 hectares, anchored on the slopes perpendicular to the Loire, with excellent exposure. The shallow soils are composed of sandstone schist, volcanic veins (rhyolites) and aeolian sands. The mesoclimate influence of the Loire allows for the production of dry white wines of high maturity. Thus, storms most often pass over the left bank of the Loire, sparing Savennières. The wines of Savennières, exclusively white wines, are made from Chenin Blanc (or Pineau de la Loire). These wines can be aged for anywhere from five years to an indefinite period in exceptional vintages. Domaine aux Moines, Château Pierre-Bise, and Château de Varennes offer excellent wines that showcase the quality of the terroir of the Savennières. Within the Savennières appellation, there are two specific designations: La Roche-aux-Moines and La Coulée-de-Serrant. The La Coulée de Serrant terroir was planted in the 12th century (1130) by Cistercian monks and has remained a vineyard ever since. The quality of the wines from this vineyard has been recognized for a very long time and sets it apart from others. Savennières, a terroir that already enjoyed a great reputation. Maurice Constantin Weyer wrote about it, as did Alexandre Dumas, and more recently, at the beginning of the 20th century, Curnonsky, the prince of gastronomes, defined it as one of the five best white wines in France. La Roche-aux-Moines and La Coulée-de-Serrant are now the appellations of the sole Coulée de Serrant estate - Nicolas Joly.