Touraine AOC
Touraine AOC
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Touraine AOC

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Touraine AOC

Touraine (French pronunciation: [tuʁɛn] ) is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the Loire Valley wine region in France that produce dry white wines and red wines rich in tannins. The AOC status was awarded by a decree of December 24, 1939 (modified by the decree of August 29, 2002). The wine-growing area extends over 5,300 hectares (13,000 acres) across the départements of Indre-et-Loire, Indre and Loir-et-Cher. Touraine AOC comprises a total of 70 communes, it is thus a "subregional" appellation covering the same area as a number of smaller local AOCs.

The white wines are made from Chenin blanc grapes (known locally as Pineau Blanc de la Loire), and from Sauvignon blanc and Arbois grapes. The white Touraine wines are dry, fairly firm, lively and full, and keep well when bottled. The sparkling wines are allowed to use the designation "Touraine mousseux" (sparkling Touraine wine), which can include a wider range of grapes, including Chardonnay.

The red wines are produced from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (known locally as Côt), Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot gris, Pineau d'Aunis and Gamay grape varieties (Gamay is used only for wines marketed in the first year after production). These wines are flavoursome and tannic in character. Touraine wines sold in the first year of production are light and fruity, as well as rustic.

The rosé wines are made from Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, Côt, Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot gris, Pineau d'Aunis, Gamay and Grolleau grape varieties. These wines are dry.

The best known designations within Touraine AOC, and separate appellations in this subregion, are:

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