Appellation: Bourgueil
The vineyards of Bourgueil, on the north bank of the Loire river lies between Saumur and Tours, are planted mostly to Cabernet Franc, with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. Vines have been cultivated here since Roman times, but the founding of the Abbey of Bourgueil, in 990, marked the beginning of the development of viticulture and winemaking. The vineyards are planted on two kinds of soil: lighter, warmer soils with high percentages of sand and gravel yield supple, fruity wines that can be drunk young; and vineyards on the south-facing hillsides where the soil contains more clay and limestone yield richer, earthier wines that take longer to reach their full potential. Most of the wines are red, although there is some rosé as well. The vineyards benefit from being open to Loire, which carries the Atlantic's regulating influence inland. The slopes are south facing, with forests that protect vines from harsh north winds, creating a moderate climate for producing some of the best Cabernet Franc wines.
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Loire365 Factoid
What's In A Name?
Long before the concept of varietals had been invented (and when the same grape often had many different names), French winegrowers and wine makers had discovered that wines from one village or vineyard were very different from wines from the neighboring village or hillside. This is why French wines (including those of the Loire Valley) are identified by “appellations” or place names rather than by the grapes from which they are made. The words Appellations d’Origine Controlee, or the letters AOC on a label indicate that a wine is made in accordance with strict regulations that allow the producer to use the appellation.
