Savennières AOC is a still white wine from Chenin Blanc grapes grown in three communes, one of which is Savennières, in the Anjou region of the Loire Valley, France. The wine can be dry, demi-sec, moelleux, or doux. The Savennières region lies just southwest of Angers on the north bank of the Loire, in the Maine-et-Loire department. Winegrowing dates to the Romans. In the 11th century the first shipments of wine began to be sent to England under the Plantagenets. Related appellations are Savennières Roche-aux-Moines AOC and Savennières Coulée de Serrant AOC.

Communes: Bouchemaine. | La Possonnière. | Savennières.

Vineyard area: Around 150ha.

Vintages: 2011 ‘Printemps très chaud and sec. Débourrement très précoce, pousse rapide and continue. Floraison avec 2 semaines d’avance. Vendange 100 jours à partir de la fleur. Pas de précipitation en juin. La végétation fatigue un peu. Juillet froid and sec puis précipitations. Véraison en aout, temps frais and humide. September and octobre magnifiques,’ (Source: Domaine Mosse).

Wine style: Andrew Jefford (2006, p.55) speaks of an ‘astonishing chewy depth and inner fire that Chenin Blanc only ever seems to acquire in Savennières, together with the palpable tannin that is another feature of this white AOC when it is vinified from truly ripe fruit.’

Wineries

Certified Biodynamic | Château de la Roche aux Moines. | Domaine Mosse.

Bibliography

Andrew Jefford, The New France (Mitchell Beazley, 2006 revised edition).

Oxford Companion to Wine 4th edition ed. Jancis Robinson MW and Julia Harding MW (Oxford University Press, 2015).

Oz Clarke, Oz Clarke Wine A-Z (Pavilion, 2015), p.236.

Tom Stevenson, The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia 5th Edition (Dorling Kindersley, 2011).