Location and landscape
Vouvray lies on the right bank of the Loire in the region Loire; the Cisse runs through the commune. The landscape comprises slopes covered in vineyards, a plateau cut up by valleys and dry valleys, and steep limestone slopes above the Loire valley. The area of the Vouvray appellation lies mostly at between 85 and 110 metres above sea level.
Soils and climate
The geological subsoil is made up mainly of soft Turonian chalk, the tuffeau. Above that there are clayey-siliceous formations and Quaternary loess. The delimited vineyard areas have clay- and limestone-containing soils on the slopes, as well as clayey-siliceous soils on the plateau edges. The climate is oceanic in character, but is also influenced by continental factors; the Loire helps to balance temperatures. Annual rainfall is approximately 680 millimetres.
Wines and appellation
Vouvray includes white wines, sparkling wines and off-dry wines. Chenin B is the most important and prescribed grape variety; Orbois B may be planted as a supplement on no more than five percent of the vineyard area. Still wines may be made dry or matured with fermentable sugar content. Young dry wines are described with fruity and floral notes, while with ageing aromas of honey, linden blossom, quince and dried fruit may develop. Sparkling wines have a fine, light perlage; off-dry wines have a lower carbonic acid pressure and more restrained bubbles.
History and production
The appellation d’origine contrôlée Vouvray was recognised in 1936. Chenin B, locally called Pineau de la Loire, is the historic main grape variety; in the 16th century Rabelais referred to Vouvray as Pineau wine. Tuffeau cellars have been built there at least since the Roman period and are used for winemaking, the production of sparkling wine, ageing and storage. Until the end of the 19th century, the wines were transported along the Loire and marketed in Northern Europe via Dutch traders. For sparkling and off-dry wines, a second fermentation in the bottle is required. Still wines mature for at least until 15 January of the year following the harvest, sparkling and off-dry wines for at least twelve months from the tirage.
