SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY AREA
THE VINEYARD
Geographical location
The “Champigny” denomination can be added to the Saumur appellation for the greatest red wines grown in specially defined areas around eight villages near Saumur.
Surface area : 1,400 ha
History
Under Henry 4th, Saumur was the capital of the Huguenots and from the 12th century onwards, developed as an important wine trading centre. Its name may come from the Latin campus igni or field of fire, because of the particularly hot microclimate that affects the area in the summertime.
Types of soil
The vineyard is dispersed into small islands, on limestone (chalk) hillocks with senonian and eocene outcrops. The Saumur Champigny vines occupy a remarkable position on the upper Turonian plateau and the chalk-topping plateaux.
Climate : Temperate oceanic climate.
THE WINE
