Infographic Part 1: Six Primary White Grapes in Loire
The Loire Valley, arguably the northernmost wine region of France, is home to grapes that are especially good at surviving in cooler climates.
See also: Infographic Part 2: Six Uncommon Light-Skinned Grapes in Loire
Naturally, the indigenous grape varieties of the Loire Valley are quite comfortable with their growing environment that they thrive effortlessly. However, over the last century, brave grape varieties originating from other regions have been seen wandering into the Loire. Those who decided to plant their roots and managed to grow well in this marginal wine region have earned their rights to stay.
This two-part series will dive into the 12 white grape varieties (well, technically nine white grapes and three grey grapes) that account for over 99% of the region’s planting of light-skinned varieties.
Part 1 outlines the six primary white grape varieties in the Loire.
Part 2 will discuss the six remaining grapes.
Now, Part 1: meet the six primary white grapes using the infographic below. Each boasts an interesting story that shapes their unique personality. Enjoy!
Amongst these grapes, we should draw attention to the two Loire natives, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.
They have long been recognized by vignerons for their superior quality, and have made their way into the export market to grace the dinner tables of wine drinkers across the world.
Chenin Blanc, has gotten particularly comfortable in South Africa where planting has doubled that of France, and their plantings of Sauvignon Blanc are almost on par.
Read on for an overview of each Loire grape variety.
Six Primary White Grape Varieties in the Loire Valley
1. Melon
a.k.a. Muscadet, Melon de Bourgogne
Overview: Exiled from her Burgundian home in the 16th century, Melon was taken to the Loire Valley and had finally gained acceptance under her new name, Muscadet. Appreciated for her productivity and hardiness, planting of Melon increased for still wine and eau de vie production. In 1709, a hard freeze wiped out most of the vines in the Pays Nantais. Fortunately, Melon survived and has become the region’s dominant grape ever since.
AOC plantings in red
Loire AOCs: Muscadet, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Muscadet, Côtes de Grandlieu, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, and Fiefs Vendéens Pissottes (allowed only until 2021)
Melon loves cool climate & clay-silica soil. Early to mid ripening; small bunches and small berries.
2. Chenin Blanc
a.k.a. Plant d'Anjou, Pineau d'Anjou, Gros Pineau
Overview: Before her big break, Chenin was Plant d’Anjou... literally named after her birthplace, Anjou. In the 1500s, Denis Briçonnet, an abbot in Touraine, planted her in the Mont Chenin Monastery, where she stood out amongst the other grapes as the most suitable varietal for the local climate. News travelled fast! She was propagated across the Middle Loire and took on a new name, Chenin, after the monastery that made her the region’s rockstar.
AOC plantings in red
Loire AOCs: Anjou-Saumur-Touraine Blanc / Mousseux, Coteaux de Saumur, Savennières, Layon (all), Chinon, Vouvray, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Cheverny, Touraine + Amboise / Azay-le-Rideau / Mesland, Coteaux du Vendômois, Coteaux du Loir, Jasnières, Crémant de Loire, and Fiefs Vendeéns
Chenin is very versatile. She can easily adapt to different climates & soils. Early budding, mid ripening; large bunches and small berries.
3. Sauvignon Blanc
a.k.a. Sauvignon Fumé, Blanc Fumé
Overview: Wildling! Kind of. Sauvignon is likely derived from sauvage in French, which means ‘wild’ because – Boy! She is vigorous! Vinegrowers need to keep her canopy in check or else it would get totally out of control and the quality of the grapes would be compromised. Studies suggest that Sauvignon Blanc probably originated from Centre Loire, where she finds her most unique expression that no other place in the world can come close to mimic!
AOC plantings in red
Loire AOCs: Anjou Blanc, Saumur Mousseux, Haut-Poitou, Cheverny, Valençay, Touraine + Mousseux / Chenonceaux / Mesland / Oisly,Coteaux du Giennois, Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, and Saint-Pourcain
Sauvignon Blanc loves cool climate and sunny sites. Early to mid ripening; small and compact berries.
4. Chardonnay
Overview: Anyone who have tasted a white wine would have had a Chardonnay. Native to southern Burgundy, she took her name from a village in the Mâconnais prefecture. While she is in the Middle Loire, Chardonnay plays a supporting role, mostly as a blending partner for sparkling wines and everyday still wines. But in the Upper Loire, Chardonnay co-stars with Gamay, taking on unique expressions of the region’s high-altitude volcanic terrains.
AOC plantings in red
Loire AOCs: Anjou Blanc/Mousseux, Saumur Mousseux, Crémant de Loire, Cheverny, Touraine + Mousseux / Mesland, Coteaux du Vendômois, Orléans, Saint-Pourcain, Côtes d'Auvergne+ Boudes, and Fiefs Vendeéns
Chardonnay thrives in limestone &calcareous clay. Early budding & early ripening;thin-skinned; easy to grow.
5. Folle Blanche
a.k.a. Gros Plant
Overview: Originated from the South West of France, Folle Blanche has been the traditional grape used to make brandy in Cognac and Armagnac. Why the funny name? Well, folle means mad, which perfectly reflects her vigourous and productive nature. The savvy Dutch traders recognized these qualities and introduced her to the Lower Loire, joining Melon for eau de vie production. Today, she can still be found making zippy wines in the region!
AOC plantings in red
Loire AOC: Gros Plant du Pays Nantais(roughly the same area as Muscadet)
Early budding & early ripening. She is fertile and yields compact bunches
6. Menu Pineau
a.k.a. Arbois, Orbois, Petit Pineau
Overview: Menu Pineau (menu means small) looks like a mini version of Chenin Blanc (aka. Gros Pineau, gros means big). Being an old Loire variety, she has roamed the region for a very long time, and is likely kin to over 80 other grapes. Only a handful of Menu Pineaus remain in the Loire, where they are used as a blending partner. Fortunately, the grape is enjoying a revival, thanks to the producers who are finally giving her the attention she deserves.
**Crémant de Loire & Touraine + Mousseux are not shown on the map as they cover a vast area and varietal sighting is very rare
Loire AOCs: Vouvray, Cheverny, and Valençay
Menu Pineau loves cold winters. Mid ripening withcompact bunches and small berries. Growing cycle is slow.
