Savennières French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
Savennières is a small, revered Loire Valley appellation producing some of the world's greatest dry Chenin Blanc: intense, mineral, long-lived white wines with remarkable depth.
More info about Savennières
Geographic position
Western France, in the Maine-et-Loire department, on steep slopes along the north bank of the Loire about 15 km southwest of Angers, around the villages of Savennières, Bouchemaine and La Possonnière, in the Anjou region.
Origin & history
Monks from Angers planted vines here in the 12th century, and the wines were favoured by the Dukes of Anjou and later by Louis XIV. Savennières became an AOC in 1952. Two famous single vineyards have their own appellations: Coulée de Serrant, a monopole of the Joly family and a pioneer of biodynamics, and La Roche aux Moines.
Wines & grape varieties
White wine only, from 100% Chenin Blanc, mostly dry. Expect quince, bitter orange, chamomile, beeswax, honey and a flinty, saline minerality, with high acidity that lets the best wines age for 20 years or more.
Climate & soil
Mild oceanic climate. South-facing slopes of blue schist, sandstone and volcanic rocks with little topsoil.
Wine region: Loire
Grape varieties: Chenin Blanc