Beginning with the Romans planting vines in the Nante region, the winegrowing and wine industry in the Loire Valley has evolved over more than 2,000 years. Today, this appellation is the third largest wine appellation in France, producing a wide range of wines of exceptional quality.
Vineyards in the Loire Valley (Image: www.vinsvaldeloire.fr)
origin
More than two thousand years ago, the Romans planted vines in Nantes, and the reputation of the vineyards here spread: in the 1st century AD, the Roman writer Pliny the Elder wrote a description of the vineyards on the banks of the Loire. But it wasn't until the 5th century that viticulture in the Loire Valley was on track and developing rapidly. The introduction to vineyards in the Sancere and Touraine regions appeared in 582, when the Gallic-Roman historian Gregoire de Tours recorded that count of Anjou and the Catholic Church had jointly established new vineyards near chateau de Chalonnes.
Dulan appellation (Image: loirevalleywine.com)
In the centuries that followed, Augustine and Benedictine Monks were the main promoters of the development of local vineyards. The monks not only planted vines, but also used multiple channels of trade to promote the wine trade. Viticulture continued along the river during this period, stretching from Fiefs Vendeens, built in the 9th century, to Saint-Pourcain in Auvergne.
Vineyards in the Loire Valley (Image: www.pascal-jolivet.com)
rise
In the Middle Ages, the kings of France and England played an important role in spreading the reputation of the Loire and its wines. From palaces to the castles of the Loire, the Capets, plantagenets and later the House of Valois all contributed to the promotion of the Loire Valley vineyards. In 1154, the Count of Anjou ascended to the throne as the new King of England, Henry II Plantagenet, who highly admired Loire Valley wines and stipulated that only Anjou wines could enter the court for royals to enjoy, and his successors John Lackland (John I) and Henry III continued this tradition. It laid a solid foundation for the reputation of the wines of the Loire Valley.
In addition, the bourgeoisie was also a major contributor to the development of viticulture and wine industry during this period, and it was they who promoted the development of wines in angers, Saumur and Orleans and their environs.
Chinon Wines (Image: bernardbaudry.com)
In 1532, Francois I authorized wineries in the Britany region to trade internationally on the borders of Ingrandes, ushering in a new development of wine in the Loire Valley.
In addition to export trade, the Loire Valley also focuses on the introduction of new varieties. In the 16th century, Francois Rabelais, in his writings, referred to Chinon wines made from Breton (Cabernet Franc) and mentioned that the variety was native to southwestern France and later came to Chinon along the river from the Nantes region. Haberley's work also mentions Chenin Blanc and Folle Blanche, the latter being called "Gros Plant" because of its thick rhizomes.
Loire Vineyards (Image: www.pascal-jolivet.com)
At the same time, Dutch merchants in Nantes also selected suitable wines for their customers from the Loire Valley, so the viticulture and wine trade in Sevre and Maine, Layon Valleys, Saumur and Vouvray all flourished and continued until the 19th century.
setback
Overall, the 18th and 19th centuries were a difficult time for the wine industry in the Loire Valley. In 1709, the vineyards here suffered a harsh winter weather, the temperature plummeted to minus 20 degrees Celsius, the sea water along the coastline even condensed into ice, and some oak barrels burst due to the ice of the wine. However, the Melon de Bourgogne stood out at this time, bravely fending off the cold winter and producing a unique wine. Today, the wines produced from this variety are also known as "Muscadet".
Burgundy melon (Credit: Doris Schneider, Julius Kuhn-Institut)
Since then, new means of transport, especially railways, have allowed the wines of the Loire Valley to develop again and become a strong competitor to the wines of southern France. Then in the late 19th century, the Phylloxera from the United States once again destroyed most of the vineyards in the Loire Valley.
approval
After the phylloxera crisis, local wineries are paying more and more attention to improving the quality of their wines. In 1936, the Loire Valley became appellations d'Origine Controlee (AOC) appellations ( AOC ) appellations , and accordingly a number of well-known sub-appellations , which legally guaranteed the quality of the wine.
Vuffrey AOC (Image: www.vinsvaldeloire.fr)
Today, the Loire Valley is world-renowned for its architectural heritage, historic towns and chateaux, while also producing high-quality, highly sought after wines. In 2000, UNESCO listed the Loire Valley region between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire as a World Heritage Site. In the more than 2,000 years of history of the Loire Valley, human civilization and the natural environment have interacted and developed harmoniously, jointly creating a splendid culture and landscape here, including wine culture, and I believe that in the future, it can also bloom more wonderfully.