Menetou-Salon AOC is an appellation for still wines of all three colours from the commune of Menetou-Salon itself and nine other surrounding ones in the Cher department of the the Loire valley. Menetou-Salon is a minor rival to Sancerre in the Central Vineyards to the west.

Communal names may be appended to the Menetou-Salon label. The region lies between the town of Bourges to the south-west, and the Loire to the north-east.

Communes (10): Aubinges. | Humbligny. | Menetou-Salon. | Morogues. | Parassy. | Pigny. | Quantilly. | Saint-Céols. | Soulangis. | Vignoux-sous-les-Aix.

History: Statutes dated 1063 and 1100 show that the Seigneur of Menetou made donations to various religious orders in the region. Wzines from the Menetou-Salon region were among the most highly prized of those served by Jacques Coeur, a silversmith who took over the seigneurie of Menetou in 1450. It is said that when Agnès  Sorel, a favourite of Charles VII, came to stay at his Château, she was particularly impresses by the “Clos de la Dame” wine.

Soil: The vines are planted in upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) limestone sediment.

Climate:Temperate climate with a continental influence. Average temperatures range from -1° in winter to 26° in summer; the wide variations can be explained by a gradual reduction in oceanic influence. Spring frosts pose a danger, (1991) but tend to be rare. Average annual rainfall is 739 mm.

Wine production & vineyard area: 2002 24,038hl of which 14,650 was white (Guide Hachette: 2004, p.981).

Wines

Menetou-Salon Blanc AOC: Dry white. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Described as ‘chalky’ (Oz Clarke: 2015, p.169). 

Menetou-Salon Rosé AOC: Dry pink wine from 100% Pinot Noir.

Menetou-Salon Rouge AOC: Dry red wine from 100% Pinot Noir. Described as ‘cherry fresh’ (Oz Clarke: 2015: p.169).