VINEYARD
Right near Chambord, between the Loire and Sologne regions, Cheverny and Cour
Cheverny appellations benefit from the assets of the terroir to make fruity and floral wines
with character. The grape variety Romorantin seems to have found on these soils all its
potential of expression in order to give birth to a typical and original Cour Cheverny white
wine.
Close to Blois, the Cheverny and Cour Cheverny AOCs are located between two geological areas; to the east the Sologne with its sandy and clayey soils of the Mio-Pliocene and to the west clayey and siliceous soils of the cretaceous period.
Adjoining the Loire Valley, the appellation areas form a semi-circle to the south of Blois. Small plateaus are cut by many valleys. There are varied soils, sometimes close to the neighboring Sologne but with slopes allowing the water flow or draining soils composed either with limestone and marl of Burdigalian, or siliceous clay or shelly sand.
In the course of centuries, the vine has developed by small parcels on the most qualitative lands precisely delimited.
This discontinuity alternating different crops, natural areas and forests lead to a great biodiversity.
Many houses standing in enclosed grounds show a prestigious and dense past of the viticulture. In his book from the XVIIIth century listing the French wine-growing practices, Guyot highlights the work of the wine-growers in the Cheverny area and makes it a qualitative reference.
In the XIXth century, the wines from the region of Cheverny are regarded as crus.
Today, Cheverny gathers all the assets for a gentle discovery of this region of gastronomy, culture and history; where the protected environment, diversity of the vineyard and the richness of the terroir lend to the idleness and well-being.
Grape varieties:
Cheverny Blanc
Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Menu Pineau
Cheverny Rouge and Rose
Pinot Noir
and Gamay
Cour Cheverny (white)
Romorantin
Cheverny AOC and its expressive wines
Cheverny AOC:
Appellation of Origin Controlled decree of March 26th 1993
The production area of the AOC includes 24 villages. The annual production, around 25 000 hectoliters, is divided in roughly ; 60 % in white, 40 % in red and rosé.
Nowadays, this appellation produces fine and fruity wines sought after for their qualities which match perfectly with our time: delicate and social wines without excess.
The grape varieties:
The Cheverny wines are traditionally and necessarily blends.
For the Cheverny whites, the grape varieties are Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Menu Pineau.
Concerning the Cheverny reds and rosés, Pinot Noir and black Gamay with white juice are the main grape varieties.
The Cheverny wines:
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White wines: Lively and fine, they are blends between the Sauvignon, which expresses perfectly on this terroir releasing all of these powerful aromas (cassis and licorice hints) and Chardonnay which brings the elegance or else Menu Pineau which gives mineral wines.
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Red wines: Fruity and delicious, a blend of Pinot Noir which brings fineness and subtlety as well as Gamay, which brings freshness and roundness.
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Rosé wines: Supple wines of which the freshness is marked by a spicy or grilled note.
Wine and food pairing:
Usually the Cheverny white wine is the ideal companion for fish, poultry, charcuteries and local goat cheese. Nonetheless, it can pair with a broccoli and blue cheese quiche, king prawns and scallop with citrus in aspic or a chicken with herbs and lemon…
The Cheverny red wine can be paired with white meats in sauce as a tandoori chicken with a yoghourt sauce for example, some fishes like tuna or grilled red meats. You can match it with carpaccio with olive oil, Provençal vegetable tians and red fruits desserts. You can serve it at the cellar temperature (around 15°C) in order to appreciate the perfume of the cherry and the cheerfulness of the wine.
Nice and thirst-quenching wine, the rosé is the ideal accompaniment for a barbecue or a clafoutis of summer vegetables.
Cheverny AOC Production*
25 680 hectolitres in total
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55,8 % white: 14 323 HL
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34,2 % red: 8 780 HL
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10 % rosé: 2 577 HL
*2015 figures
Cour Cheverny AOC and its exclusive grape variety
The AOC Cour Cheverny :
Appellation of Origin Controlled – decree of March 26th 1993
Produced by 11 villages, the appellation Cour Cheverny uses the grape variety introduced by François the 1st in 1519 and planted around the castle of Romorantin where his mother lived.
This grape variety adapts so well to the climate and soil of the region that it takes the name of Romorantin of which the appellation Cour Cheverny keeps the exclusivity.
The Romorantin grape variety:
This grape variety seems to have found on the siliceous soils all its potential of expression in order to give birth to a typical and original white wine.
he Romorantin is harvested in late ripeness and the wines are mainly dry.
The Cour Cheverny wines:
They are dry and lively and are characterized by a very good length on the palate. Pleasant during their youth when they are tasted “on the fruit”, they are particularly suitable for the ageing: the color develops golden reflections and their delicate flavors have notes of acacia and honey.
Wine and food pairing:
During its youth, the Cour Cheverny chilled (8-10°) goes perfectly with asparagus, fishes, scallops and white meats.
Aged, it will be the ideal companion for a partridge, a lobster or even a thick slice of pan-fried foie gras.
Original wine, in limited quantities, the Cour Cheverny is sought by amateurs of rare vintage wines.