Jasnières

Terroir and Climate

The geographical area of "Jasnières," located on the climatic boundary for cultivating the Chenin Blanc grape – a noble grape of the "Val de Loire" – as well as being a late-ripening variety, presents privileged natural conditions on its south-facing slope. These conditions translate into the wines, giving them an original aromatic expression and remarkable balance.
The unique expression of these wines requires optimal management of vine vigor and production potential, which is achieved through rigorous vineyard management and careful pruning.
Following local practices, the delimited vineyard area for grape harvesting only includes parcels with soils that exhibit good hydric and thermal behavior.
Cited since the 16th century by royalty and scholars, the wines of Jasnières gained public recognition in the second half of the 19th century and still hold a special place in the production of northern white wines in the Loire Valley.

The History of AOC Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir

According to oral tradition, the establishment of the Saint-Lézin monastery in Marçon during the Middle Ages played a role in the development of vineyards in the Loir Valley.
In the heart of this valley, winemakers quickly identified the distinctive slope of Jasnières where the Chenin Blanc grape, planted at the northern extreme of its growing area, produces original wines. Numerous cellars, dug and used for winemaking, contributed to favorable conditions for vinification and aging of Jasnières wines.

In the 16th century, white wines from the Loir region were frequently mentioned. For example, Rabelais in his work "Pantagruel" noted that the town of La Chartre, located in the heart of the Loir Valley and at the foot of the Jasnières slope, was bustling with wine merchants. Ronsard celebrated the wines of the Loir, and Henri IV, riding between La Flèche and Vendôme, discovered the wines of Jasnières and requested them to be served at the royal Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Later, Dutch brokers, up until the late 19th century, sourced white wines from the Loir and Jasnières, shipping them to the northern European countries that particularly appreciated white wines produced in the Loire Valley with the Chenin Blanc grape. The Loir River played a significant role, as its connection with the larger Loire allowed goods and wines produced in Sarthe to be exported.
In his study "Etude des vignobles de France" (1876), Jules Guyot noted that "the climate of Sarthe belongs to the temperate zone where sweet fruits acquire their maximum finesse; grapes are delicious, and the produced wines are remarkable."
It was during the 19th century that the white wines of Jasnières gained significant popularity among a wider audience, especially with vintages like 1837, 1870, and 1893 that left a lasting impression. Curnonsky, a prominent gastronomic critic of the early 20th century known as the "prince of gastronomes," declared that "Three times per century, Jasnières is the greatest of all white wines in the world."

In 1937, the Jasnières appellation was one of the first to be recognized for different categories of wines.

Exceptional Food and Wine Pairings

AOC wines from the Loir Valley are served at prestigious tables, by Michelin-starred chefs, in the most renowned establishments, and enjoy a good reputation.
These are white wines with excellent aging potential: up to 20 years or more.
AOC Coteaux du Loir Blanc & Jasnières white wines are generally dry, and in such cases, the term "dry" must be included on the label.
They often exhibit fruity and floral aromas in their youth. Mineral notes and acidity are more prominent in Jasnières, while Coteaux du Loir wines tend to have a rounder profile in terms of sugar and acidity balance. They possess aging potential that becomes more pronounced with time. When they contain fermentable sugars, their complexity and aging potential are usually greater, sometimes reaching several decades. More exuberant notes of exotic fruits or gentler notes of dried fruits are not uncommon and often reveal themselves over time.