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1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Friday 13 August 2010

AC Touraine reforms: Alice in Wonderland


Château du Petit Thouars - currently AC but a future vin de pays? 

 A couple of days ago I wrote about a couple of 2008 Cabernets from Château du Petit Thouars (AC Touraine). The domaine is in western Touraine close to the Chinon appellation. This is traditional Cabernet Franc territory for the reds and Chenin Blanc for the whites. 

The new AC Touraine ‘reforms’ will be insisting on a minimum 50% Côt for the more structured reds. I understand from Sebastian de Petit Thouars that the producers in this part of Touraine are hoping for a derogation, so that they can continue their long tradition of making pure Cabernet Franc and still be entitled to the Touraine appellation.

Hoping for a derogation! From a new reform! Surely had these proposals been properly drawn up and thought through 100% Chenin Blanc and 100% Cabernet Franc would have been permitted at the very least in this part of Touraine. Along with neighbouring Saumur-Champigny, western Touraine including its ACs of Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil is largest producer of quality Cabernet Franc in the world. Those drawing up these reforms appear to have forgotten this.  

It looks like the producers of Eastern Touraine have royally stuffed their fellow vignerons in the west.


Cabernet Franc: the red variety of Western Touraine

2 comments:

Bob Rossi said...

As if French vignerons don't have enough problems already competing in the marketplace, the AOC authorities are trying to make their life even more difficult.

Anonymous said...

Jim

How strong is the anti-AC feeling amongst growers of cabernet franc in western Touraine?
Is there a strong enough groundswell to allow a vin de table movement to bear fruit?
Separately, how is the AC system rated in France overall? Do Touraine producers actually need the AC stamp of approval to sell their wines?
Thanks