Top Vineyards in Tours
Tours : our pick of great vineyards in the area
Tours : what about the wines?
The Loire Valley offers a wide variety of quality wines thanks to its diversity of terroirs and grape varieties, ranging from dry white wines to light and fruity red wines, as well as dry rosé wines and sparkling wines.
Tours : what are the appellations (AOC/AOP)?
Many wineries own vineyards across multiple appellations (also known as PDO or Protected Designation of Origin), which always leaves a wide range of possibilities. In France, appellations are usually referred to as AOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) or AOP (Appellation of Protected Origin). The difference? None really, it lies in the fact that AOP is a newer and broader European appellation, which includes French AOCs as well as other European appellations.
The Chinon AOC mainly produces red wines, a little bit of rosé... and a very small part of white wines, but often of very high quality. The appellation was created in 1937, and regroups today more than 250 wineries spread over a vineyard of 2,300 hectares.
The characteristics of Vouvray AOC wines? The appellation produces white wines exclusively, but in the widest range of styles: dry, tender, semi-dry, sweet or sparkling white wines! The appellation was created in 1936, and today brings together more than 160 wineries spread over a vineyard of 2,250 hectares.