Valençay

The geographical area of the Valençay AOC comprises fourteen municipalities in the north of the Indre department and one municipality in the Loir-et-Cher department: Selles-sur-Cher. Valençay has been an AOC since November 2003. The Valençay appellation area, covering approximately 140 hectares, is centered around the Gâtine forest and the small town of Valençay, whose castle, built in the 16th century and later owned by the Prince de Talleyrand, played an important role in local history. The defined terroir extends mainly along the edges of plateaus and hillsides, on Senonian and Eocene formations bordering the streams of northern Boischaut in Berry. Flinty clay dominates.

Valençay red wines are made from Gamay noir à jus blanc, while Côt, Cabernet and Pinot noir are tending to be replanted. White wines are produced from Sauvignon and Arbois, while Chardonnay is rarer and more recent.

Red Valençay, which accounts for two-thirds of production, has long been sold under the name of the grape variety. They are evolving towards a blended wine and are capable of aging for three years. Gamay dominates with its fruitiness, to which Pinot Noir, Côt, and sometimes Cabernet add structure and character. Valençay white wine is mainly made from Sauvignon, whose terroir expresses its qualities well. The characteristics of the Valençay appellation are admirably reflected in the wines offered by Domaine Albane and Bertrand Minchin.