Dispatch from Amboise (and the Touraine AOC)

Amboise is a tiny French town situated on the banks of Loire River (about 17 miles/ km east of Tours and just a short drive (11 miles/ km) away from the awe-inspiring Château de Chenonceau.

Despite its small stature, Amboise has a lot going for it. For one, it is home to the Château du Clos Lucé, originally built by the Hugues d'Amboise (nobles of the House of Amboise) in 1471. The Château du Clos Lucé has had several famous occupants, including Leonardo da Vinci who resided in the palace for the last few years of his life. Upon his death in 1519, the great artist was laid to rest in the nearby Chapel of St Florentin. When the Chapel of St. Florentin was razed at the end of the 18^th century, Leonardo's tomb was moved to the grounds of the Château d'Amboise. (At least that is what most people believe; there are some skeptics.)

Amboise is also home to what might be the only pagoda ever built on the banks of the Loire-the pagoda of the Château de Chanteloup -and the Parc des Mini-Chateaux-a theme park where you can walk among 40 miniature renditions of the famous castles, gardens, and villas of the Loire.

Amboise is also known for its wine; most of which is bottled under the Touraine-Amboise appellation. Amboise is currently one of the five sub-zones/geographic indications that are allowed to append their name to the Touraine AOC designation-as long as the mandated, specific standards are followed. There are rumors afloat that Amboise will (someday soon) apply for a separate AOC, however, this has not yet been approved at the national level.

There have, nevertheless, been some recent changes to the rules and regulations concerning the wines of the Touraine-Amboise AOC. These include revisions to the allowed grape varieties, viticultural practices, and character of the finished wine. The most substantive of these changes concern the allowed grape varieties, as follows:

• Varietal composition of red wines: Must be 100% Côt. They take Côt seriously in Amboise and consider it a specific (and historical) local variation of Malbec. Though previously allowed, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay are no longer permitted to be used in the red wines of the Touraine-Amboise AOC.
• Varietal composition of rosé wines: May be produced using any proportion of Côt and/or Gamay. Though previously allowed, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are no longer permitted to be used in the rosé wines of the Touraine-Amboise AOC.

Touraine-Amboise AOC white wines are required to be 100% Chenin Blanc (this standard has not changed).

Note: For the serious wine students in our audience: the other four subzones of the Touraine AOC are as follows: Mesland, Azay-le-Rideau, Oisly, and Chenonceaux.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: [email protected]

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