Quarts de Chaume and Chaume: peace in our time?

Golden Chenin in the Layon awaiting the development of botrytis in 2005

As previously reported on Jim's Loire in June it appears that the long running conflict between Quarts de Chaume and Chaume may be at an end. The regional INAO committee has approved a demand for Quarts de Chaume to be designated Grand Cru and Chaume as a Premier Cru. The proposal will now go before the Comité National de INAO and it is thought likely that this will now be accepted.

See report below from le journal du vin

'Deux appellations d'Anjou visent le cru
Après des années de conflits (réglés par deux fois par le Conseil d’Etat), Quarts de Chaume et Chaume, deux appellations de vins blancs liquoreux d’Anjou ont décidé de faire cause commune en demandant conjointement à l’Inao la mention “grand cru”, pour la première, et “1er cru”, pour la seconde. Le Comité régional de l’Inao a validé la demande. Le dossier doit désormais être traité par une Commission nationale d’enquête, avant un vote devant le Comité national de l’Inao. 26/11/2009 © JDV - 2009 - PT'

1st September 2009: Claude and Joëlle Papin collect their Decanter regional award (DWWA) for their 2007 Quarts de Chaume

See also video starring Claude Papin, president Quarts de Chaume syndicat, talking about Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru and the hopes that having grand cru status will raise its profile.

All may be sweetness and light until the other two crus of Anjou – Bonnezeaux and Savennières – want to know why Quarts de Chaume is being given special treatment. However, I understand that Savennières is now working on a similar demand to be raised to grand cru status.

Other links to posts from the battlefront on Jim's Loire – here and here.