2010: A strong vintage across the Loire
The first major tasting of 2010 Loire wines occurred earlier this year at the Salon des Vins de Loire. Reports from the Salon have confirmed that conditions were favorable throughout the year, producing wines with great aromatic character and bright acidity.
Pays Nantais: Nature has certainly agreed with the Nantais this year. Spring brought sunny days, but without extreme temperatures, allowing even bud break and slow, even ripening of grape bunches. The temperature difference between day and night was particularly marked this year, allowing grapes to keep their fresh acidity. The rain stayed clear during the harvest, providing optimal conditions (if a little bit cold). Yields tended to be about 55 hectoliters per hectare. Fortunately, the harvest was not just plentiful, it was also of high quality: grapes reached great maturity, with the proper amount of sugar and aromas to give supple and delicate Muscadets.
Anjou and Saumur: The cold winter was a boon for the vineyards – it allowed them to stay dormant, which in turn meant that they required less treatment and care from growers in the spring. The dry summer provided the perfect amount of water stress for the vines, with a few moderate storms ensuring the grapes did not become too parched. Rains in September gave winemakers cause to worry, however, in October, an Indian Summer allowed the grapes to reach an excellent maturity level. The size of the harvest for red and rosé wines was generous, though it was a bit more restrained for the whites. The richness found in many of the Chenins will allow winemakers to produce excellent moelleux cuvees.
Touraine: The temperature this summer in Touraine was far from normal – it stayed cold until the end of June, before a hot period set in until the end of September; two rainy and cold weeks in the middle of August were the only exception. The week of the harvest, temperatures varied between 23°F in the morning at the beginning of one week to 84°F at the end of the next. Harvest was therefore quickly performed for the Chenins, though many winemakers waited until mid-October to harvest their Cabernet Franc. The yields of Cabernet Franc were about 10% lower than last year, but the grapes had a strong color with delicate tannins and an exceptional level of sugar. The Chenins maintained a strong balance between acidity and sugar, ensuring the fines bulles and tendre wines will be of exceptional quality.
The Centre-Loire: 2010 will be remembered by winemakers as a good year. After a dry summer, there was some rain at the beginning of véraison (when the grapes begin to change color). The maturation was slow. Reuilly was the first AOC to begin their harvest in mid-September. Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Menetou-Salon followed in the beginning of October, where the prolonged warmth (after a period of cold) allowed them to wait for proper ripeness. Early tastings of the wines show that the 2010 wines are aromatic, rich and well-balanced. The vintage has the potential to become a classic vintage of the Centre-Loire.