| The Loire River in France flows through the | | | | The Touraine Azay-le-Rideau is a small region |
| Touraine region for almost 100 kilometres | | | | totalling 45 hectares south-west of Tours |
| dotted with many amazing French chateau open | | | | stretching along the Indre valley between |
| to the public and a wonderful location for a | | | | Montbazon and the Loire river producing |
| holiday. There are 5 AOC wines (Appelations | | | | whites and roses. The roses are dainty with |
| d'origine Controlees - wines of controlled | | | | an aroma of marshmallows, lilac, almond and |
| origin and quality) awarded throughout this | | | | roses. They are lively and delightful to |
| region: Touraine, Touraine Amboise, Touraine | | | | drink in summer. The white are fresh and |
| Azay-le-Rideau, Touraine Mesland and the | | | | have floral and fruit aromas of peach apricot |
| latest being Touraine Noble-Joue awarded its | | | | and green apple with a soft mineral edge. |
| AOC status in 2001. The combination of | | | | |
| vineyards and chateau make the Touraine | | | | You must visit the spectacular Chateau du |
| region of the Loire Valley an incredible | | | | Azay-le-Rideau when in this appellation |
| destination for any wine lover and his or her | | | | region. The chateau is turreted and |
| family. | | | | surrounded by water which gives amazing |
| | | | reflections for the son et lumiere (light |
| The Touraine Amboise vineyards totalling 236 | | | | show) held in summer. |
| hectares are located between Tours and Blois | | | | |
| extending along both banks of the Loire. The | | | | Touraine Mesland is situated west of Blois, |
| reds are a wild cherry colour produced from a | | | | planted on the slopes of the Loire facing |
| blend of Gamay Noir and Cabernet and have | | | | Chateau de Chaumont, which holds a |
| scents of red fruits. Their palate is sold | | | | spectacular garden festival each summer based |
| and full. The whites produced from Chenin | | | | on a different theme each year and definitely |
| Blanc give dry, medium and sweet white wines. | | | | worth a visit especially if you have children |
| Their straw yellow colour turns gold after 3 | | | | tagging along. |
| to 4 years of cellaring. Their aroma is all | | | | |
| quince and honey and they have a supple | | | | The reds have a substantial taste and are the |
| palate because of the more continental | | | | colour of a well-ripened cherry and have |
| climate that favours late-ripening grape | | | | complex aromas of very ripe fruits and |
| varieties. The roses are light in colour | | | | prunes. The roses sparkle with salmon |
| with a bouquet of roses and lilac and are | | | | highlights. And have a fresh delicate aroma |
| refreshing to taste and suitable for early | | | | of spices and red fruits. They have a solid |
| drinking. | | | | palate making them suitable to accompany an |
| | | | entire meal. The whites carry an aroma of |
| It is delightful to combine a day of tasting | | | | pear and spices and are lively and round on |
| Touraine Amboise AOC wines with a visit to | | | | the palate. |
| Chateau Close Luc, Leonardo da Vinci's | | | | |
| chateau now a museum with working models of | | | | The appellation of Touraine Noble-Joue is |
| many of his inventions and an amazing | | | | only 25 hectares producing a characteristic |
| interactive park adored by children and | | | | rose with flower aromas of peony and hyacinth |
| Chateau Amboise which is da Vinci's final | | | | followed by notes of redcurrant, cherry and |
| resting place. | | | | ripe pear. The rose palate is round with |
| | | | flavours of morello cherry and a dash of |
| The Touraine appellation covering 5,282 | | | | cloves. |
| hectares differs depending on the terroir on | | | | |
| the slopes of the River valleys. Half the | | | | The chenin blank whites of the five Touraine |
| production is red. The Gamay and Cabernet | | | | appellations are all stray-yellow in colour |
| reds are cherry coloured. The Gamay has a | | | | can be cellared for 5 to 15 years. |
| strawberry or cherry flavour. They have a | | | | |
| dominant fruitiness with discreet tannins and | | | | As well as these five AOC wines there is also |
| should be drunk within 2 years. The Cabernet | | | | Vouvray in the Touraine and Cheverney, |
| red has a raspberry, green pepper and | | | | Cour-Cheverney just South of Blois. |
| liquorice fragrance and can be laid down for | | | | |
| 2 to 4 years because of its good tannic | | | | What better way to enjoy these clovely wines |
| support. White wines made from Sauvignon | | | | than driving through the Loire Valley |
| produced mainly in the Cher valley are straw | | | | visiting historic chateaux, maybe a hot-air |
| yellow in colour and have a floral fragrance | | | | balloon ride in the morning, gourmet lunch in |
| with a touch of gooseberry or blackcurrant | | | | village bistros, meeting wine and cheese |
| mingled with traces of spices. On the | | | | producers sampling their products and |
| palate the sauvignon whites are delicately | | | | returning at night to a friendly inviting |
| lively. The methode traditionnelle sparkling | | | | boutique chateau hotel. Don't just visit a |
| wines have mouth-filling flavours of brioche | | | | french chateau - stay in one and truly |
| and apple. | | | | experience the grandeur of living in a castle |
| | | | in France. You will be amazed. Make your |
| The must see Chateau to visit in the region | | | | next holiday a gourmet wine lovers chateau |
| of this appellation is Chateau Chenonceau | | | | holiday in the beautiful Loire Valley. If |
| which spans the River Cher. | | | | you love good wine you will not regret it. |
| | | | |