Savennières

French commune
nomcommune=Savennières
région=Pays de la Loire
département=Maine-et-Loire
arrondissement=Angers
canton=Saint-Georges-sur-Loire
insee=49329
cp=49170
maire=Rémy Martin
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=C.A. d'Angers Loire Métropole
Pays Loire-Angers
longitude=-0.65638
latitude=47.3838
alt moy=20 m
alt mini=12 m
alt maxi=77 m
hectares=2 101
km²=21.01
sans=1,157
date-sans=1999
dens=55
nomhab=Saponariens, Saponariennes.
siteweb=
date-dens=1999

Savennières is a town and commune lying in the Maine-et-Loire "département" near the Loire River 15 km south west of Angers in France, best known for its production of highly-rated white wine.

With production predominantly centred around the Chenin blanc grape, it is famed for its particularly long-lasting dry white wine comparable to that of Vouvray.

avennières wine

"Savennières is the most underrated great white wine in the world" Robert Parker, "Decanting Robert Parker" by Eric Asimov, The New York Times March 22, 2006

The Savennières Appellation d'Origine Controlée (AOC) spreads over 3 hills of schist, located on the right (northwest) bank of the Loire river, totaling about 300 hectares, of which about half are currently in production. It is home to the Chenin blanc grape, which can be used to produce dry, off-dry, sweet and sparkling wines. The 1952 AOC decree for Savennières was revised in 1996 to give growers the choice of making dry, semi-dry, mellow or sweet wines.

The best Savennières producers are N. Joly, Domaine du Closel-Chateau des Vaults and Domaine Baumard.

N. Joly, a retired banker and biodynamic disciple produces expensive wines that have not become universally popular. This may have more to do with the challenging nature of the appellation than him.

While Savennières has its historical champions such as Curnonsky and Napoleon, chenin blanc based wines are not vogueish, with ageing they are certainly delicious and deserve more modern acclaim.

The vineyards at Closel-Chateau des Vaults cover 42 acres (17 hectares)of one of the best schist terroirs in Savennières. They practice organic agriculture (Ecocert) to produce Savennières, Anjou and Anjou-Villages. Until recently, the general manager of the estate was Michèle de Jessey, a central figure in the appellation. Madame de Jessey has become highly respected for her expertise and was the first woman in France to serve as President of an Appellation Controlée. Her daughter, Evelyne de Jessey-Pontbriand, and granddaughter, Isaure de Pontbriand, are now the fourth and fifth generation of women to manage the estate, which has been in the family for over 150 years. Their dry wines have gained an intense following amongst novices and collectors alike. [http://www.savennieres-closel.com]

ee also

*French wine

External links

* [http://www.savennieres.com/ Town website]

Domaine du Closel-Chateau des Vaults, 49170 Savennières http://www.savennieres-closel.com/