Chinon AOC gained its AOC status on 31 July 1937 and covers still wines of all three colours from the Touraine region in the Loire Valley, France. Chinon. Its red version is the Loire’s ‘most important red, at its very best at Chinon, capable of ageing many years but generally drunk young and cool,’ says Hugh Johnson (Wine Companion:1991, p.159).

Communes (18): Anché. | Avoine. | Avon-les-Roches. | Beaumont-en-Véron. | Chinon. | Cravant-lès-Coteaux. | Crouzilles. | Huismes. | L’Île-Bouchard. | Ligré. | Panzoult. | Rivière. | La Roche-Clermault. | Saint-Benoît-la-Fôret. | Savigny-en-Véron. | Sazilly. | Tavant. | Theneuil.

Vineyard area & wine production: 2002 108,609hl of red (and rosé) and 1,110hl of white from 2,200ha overall (Guide Hachette: 2004, p.942).

Wines

Chinon Blanc AOC: Chenin Blanc. Usually dry (sec), but also off-dry (sec-tendre). Described by Rabelais as a ‘vin de taffeta’ meaning as soft and silky-smooth as taffeta cloth.

Chinon Rosé AOC:

Chinon Rouge AOC: Made mainly from Cabernet Franc. ‘Light reds, raspberry fruit, fresh summer earth,’ (Oz Clarke: 2015, p.90).

Wineries

Certified organic: Domaine Bernard Baudry. | Domaine de Pallus.

No certification: Pierre-Jacques Druet.

Website: www.loirevalleywines.com