Saumur-Champigny

Grape and style

Saumur-Champigny is a red wine made from cabernet franc. Here the grape gives a fragrant, refreshing and often juicy character, with notes of raspberry, redcurrant, violets, green pepper and a light stony or graphite touch. The colour is medium to deep, the tannins supple and the acidity lively.

The style is lighter and more approachable than many other Loire reds. Some is drunk young and fresh, while other cuvées spend longer in wood and are more serious and deeper in structure.

Location and soil

The appellation lies around the town of Saumur, to the south-east of the town, on the left bank of the Loire. The vineyards lie on a gently rolling plateau and low slopes with a temperate climate that is relatively dry for the Loire.

The subsoil is tuffeau, a light, porous limestone that retains water well and gives off warmth. Many producers have their cellars in caves carved out of this rock, where a cool, stable temperature prevails. The soil combines limestone with clay and sand, which gives the wine freshness and minerality.

Classification and rules

Saumur-Champigny is an AOC in its own right for red wine only, within the larger Saumur area. Cabernet franc is the main grape; small additions of cabernet sauvignon and a few local varieties are permitted.

The name refers to the commune of Champigny and the surrounding villages. Some of the wines are labelled in the classic way without any addition; there are also more structured cuvées from old vines or special plots. Dry white and sparkling wines from the same area fall under other Saumur appellations.

Ageing and serving

Young Saumur-Champigny is best drunk within a few years to preserve the fresh fruit; better cuvées can age for one or two decades and then develop notes of dried herbs, cedar and leather. A decanter is rarely needed, at most a quarter of an hour for young, tight wines.

Serve slightly chilled, at 14 to 16 °C. The wine goes well with grilled meat, poultry, charcuterie, veal and goat’s cheese. A white wine from the same river makes a lovely contrast, such as Pouilly-Fumé, or read more about the Loire.

Producer in our range

This producer features in our Saumur-Champigny range: Clos Rougeard (Le Bourg, Les Poyeux and Le Clos).

More from the Loire

You will find more wines from the Loire under Pouilly-Fumé.