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Saumur-Champigny
Saumur-Champigny is a French appellation for spectacular red wine made with Cabernet Franc around the town of Saumur in the Loire Valley. Saumur is known for its impressive castle, the Château de Saumur, built in the 10th century, destroyed in 1067 and rebuilt in the 12th century.
Saumur, though, is more than a historic town; its wines are amongst the finest in the Loire, and for red wines made with Cabernet Franc, few are on the same level. Saumur has been a significant town since the Middle Ages, as it has an ideal location for trading goods from Central France to the Atlantic Coast and abroad. Although the region’s red wines weren’t protected by law until 1957, today, Saumur Champigny is a synonym for sophisticated and food-friendly red wine, and it’s cherished by French and international wine lovers alike.
Production of Saumur-Champigny Wine
Saumur-Champigny is a French appellation for red wines made in specific vineyards within the Departments d’Indre-et-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, Deux-Sevres and de la Vienne, in Central Loire. The region’s slopes vary from 40 to 100 metres above sea level, but they all benefit from clay and calcareous soils, ideal for growing Cabernet Franc.
The appellation was created in 1957 to protect the red wines made around Saumur in an area covering 1,500 hectares of vines. The area’s vinous tradition goes back to at least the 12th century, and it now produces 74,700 hectolitres of wine thanks to the effort of at least 80 producers.
Many winemakers in the area also produce white and sparkling wine with Chenin Blanc, but they’ll most likely label their finest red with the Saumur-Champigny AOP. The wine ages in oak barrels deep into the mountain in the region’s complex tunnel system left by miners exploiting the area’s limestone tuffeau. Other appellations include Saumur AOP for red, white and rosé, Coteaux de Saumur for sweet white wine, and Saumur Mousseux AOP for sparkling wine.
Grape Varieties and Blends
Saumur-Champigny is a red wine made mainly with the appellation’s leading red grape, Cabernet Franc, with the help of the auxiliary red varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis. The auxiliary grapes can comprise 15% of the blend, although many wines in the area are 100% mono-varietal Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Franc is a noble varietal with famous offspring — Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot resulted from crossing Cabernet Franc with other varietals. The resistant grapevine ripens late and produces low yields. Although Cabernet Franc has been part of the French repertoire since the 17th century, experts believe it originates in Northern Spain — the varietal is known as Verdejilla Tinto in Aragón.
Cabernet Franc is the primary varietal in Bordeaux, but the grape feels right at home in the Loire, and along with Chinon AOP, Saumur-Champigny is the grape’s most refined version. Cabernet Franc from the Loire has higher acidity compared to those from Bordeaux, the fruit scents and flavors are tarter, and the wines are generally more rustic but more compatible with food.
Buy Saumur-Champigny Wine from Hourlier Wines
Saumur-Champigny, the red-wine appellation in Central Loire, is the source of superb but scarce wine, and although several producers call Saumur-Champigny home, not all of them export their wines to the global market.
Domaine la Bessiere Saumur Champigny
Domaine de la Bessiere is six kilometres from Saumur. The estate has produced wine in the area since 1987 and tends 15 hectares of vines — 14 planted with Cabernet Franc and the rest with Chenin. The estate’s wines age in the region’s tuffeau caves, where they gain complexity at a stable temperature.
Domaine de la Bessiere XL de la Bessière is a red wine made with Cabernet Franc from 20-year-old vines in the Domaine’s best terroirs. The wine offers tart red and black fruit and herbs on the nose over a rustic and robust palate with impressive acidity. This exemplary wine is best enjoyed with charcuterie, grilled red meat, roasted white meat and semi-hard cheese. Enjoy at 14-15°C.
FAQ
Where does Saumur-Champigny wine originate?
Saumur-Champigny covers 1,500 hectares of vines around Saumur between Angers and Tours in a plateau of tuffeau calcareous soils. The appellation overlaps other appellations in Saumur, but Saumur-Champigny AOP specialises in red wines made with Cabernet Franc.
What does Saumur-Champigny wine taste like?
Saumur-Champigny offers tart red and black fruit aromas followed by hints of peppery spiciness and herbal undertones over a dry and robust palate with angular tannins, sharp acidity and a lengthy aftertaste.
Which food groups pair well with Saumur-Champigny wine?
Saumur-Champigny pairs well with grilled red meat, hearty stews, casseroles, semi-hard and hard cheese, tomato sauces, brown sauces, roasted white meat and grilled vegetables, especially bell peppers and olives.
White and rosé Minervois are super aperitifs, perfect for outdoor dining experiences on warm summer days. On the table, they’re compatible with white fish, steamed rice, sushi, sashimi, oysters and light salads.
