Appellation for red wines, rosé wines and white wines. It is named after the town of the same name on the lower Loire in western France in the department of Maine-et-Loire. It lies between the Anjou (with similar wines) and Touraine areas. Saumur is the sparkling wine centre on the Loire and the second largest sparkling wine producer after Champagne. Saumur is also a leader in the production and processing of mushrooms and also plays an important role in horticulture. Around 40% of the rose bushes produced in France come from here. Towering above the town on a hill is a tufa castle built in the 14th century and considered the most beautiful Loire castle. It is used by the wine fraternity "Confrérie des Chevaliers du Sacavins" for its ceremonies and events. The vineyards cover some 2,800 hectares of vines in 36 communes on the slopes of the Loire and its tributary the Thouet.
Saumur Blanc, Rouge and Rosé
Saumur Rouge and Saumur Rosé can also be produced under AOC designation Anjou (but not vice versa). The white wines are produced from at least 80% Chenin Blanc (here Pineau de la Loire), as well as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The best sites are considered to be those from the communes of Brézé and Turquant. The red wines are mainly made from Cabernet Franc (here called Breton) with portions of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pineau d'Aunis. The best vineyards are those in the communes of Montreuil-Bellay, Puy-Notre-Dame and Tourtenay. The Saumur Rosé is produced from the Cabernet Franc variety, of which there is also a Saumur Róse Nouveau or Saumur Rosé Primeur.
Cabernet de Saumur
The former AOC for rosé wines has now been abandoned.
Coteaux de Saumur
This AOC applies to white wines made from Chenin Blanc. The vineyards cover only 15 hectares.
Saumur-Champigny
The vineyards cover almost 1,500 hectares in nine communes. The red wine is mainly made from Cabernet Franc and is called the "Beaujolais of the Loire".
Saumur Mousseux Blanc and Rosé
This AOC applies to sparkling wines. Saumur Mousseux Blanc is produced from Chenin Blanc plus portions of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Saumur Mousseux Rosé from Cabernet varieties. The AOC Crémant de Loire is also used.
Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame
This AOC applies to red wines from the commune of Le Puy-Notre-Dame. However, the area extends far beyond the namesake commune and includes much of the Saumur area. The red wine is made from Cabernet Franc with at least 85%.
Producers
Well-known producers of the Saumur area are Bouvet-Ladubay, Domaine de Filliatreau, Gratien & Meyer, Château du Hureau, Domaine Langlois-Château, Domaine Legrand, Domaine Nerleux, Domaine de la Petite Chapelle, Domaine des Roches Neuves, Domaine de Sain-Just, Les Vignerons de Saumur, Château de Villeneuve.
By Manfred Heyde - own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
