Saumur PDO

Production area

Pays de la Loire

The Saumur protected destinations of origin refer to red, white, rosé, and sparkling (both white and rosé) Loire Valley wines. They all feature a refreshing, flexible, and delicate flavor profile that illustrates the mildness that Anjou is so famous for.

What you need to know

The capital of the Huguenots under King Henry IV of France and a key trading hub in the seventh century, Saumur is ideally located along the Loire River. The region has been famous for its white wines since the Middle Ages. The conditions in the area are especially suited to the production of sparkling wine. The hillsides produce a refreshing wine that provides a good base for a sparkling variety, the livestock caves dug directly in the tuffeau stone maintain an ideal temperature, and the Loire River makes it easy to transport bottles. In general, the region features a temperate oceanic climate, but the plots located farthest from the Loire have more continental conditions. Because the soil types also vary, each terroir has its own varietal. More late harvest wines are planted in the west, while the east features more early harvest varietals. For the PDO Saumur, Saumur Champigny, and Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame red wines, cabernet franc is the main varietal. However, cabernet sauvignon and pineau d'aunis are also used. When it comes to white wines, chenin grapes are king.

Characteristics

Smell

Whites have notes of white fruit (apple, pear) stewed, white flowers. Reds have aromas of red fruits and flowers (iris, violet). Rosés have notes of rose and peach. Sparklings have notes of white fruits, lemon balm, hazelnut and almond.

Look

Whites have a pale color with green or deep golden yellow reflections. Reds have a bright crimson color, ruby luster. Rosés have a crystalline salmon pink color. Sparkling have a clear color, gray reflections with golden nuances.

Taste

Whites are fine and harmonious, with a fresh and balanced finish. Reds are supple, expressive, with fine and velvety tannins, frank. Rosés are dry and fruity, round, with flavors of red and exotic fruits. Sparklings are elegant and fresh

How to use

Storing and serving a Saumur

5 to 15 years for white wines
5 years for red wines
2 to 3 years for sparkling wines
Rosés should be enjoyed while still young.

Preparing and serving a Saumur

60-64 °F for reds, 50 °F for whites, 46 °F for rosés, and 42-46 °F for sparkling wines.

Tasting a Saumur

It is appreciated in a stemmed glass for still wines, in a flute for sparklings.

Pair with

For red PDO Saumur wines: red or white meat, cheeses. For whites: fish, pressed-rind cheeses. For rosés: raw vegetables, charcuterie, brochettes, fried fish. For sparkling wines: festive occasions, after-dinner drinks, fish, shellfish, and white meat in a cream sauce.