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LOIRE VALLEY<br />
FOCUS<br />
SAINT-POURÇAIN:<br />
WINES TO DISCOVER<br />
Sometimes the obvious can be misleading. From outside the country, Saint-Pourçain<br />
may seem like a wine region that struggles to carve out a place for itself,<br />
well off the trodden path of the top appellations. But inquisitive consumers have<br />
been drawn to its charms and its reputation as a purveyor of quality products.<br />
Established in 1952, the Saint-Pourçain co-operative group has 80 members.<br />
Located in the centre of France, the region is very dynamic and works to a high<br />
standard. Stringent vineyard management, production techniques, yields,<br />
grape varieties and planting density were rewarded on 28 May 2009 when it<br />
secured Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status. The vineyards farmed by<br />
winery members account for two thirds of the appellation’s area under vine,<br />
i.e. 380 hectares, and all the growers farm sustainably. In addition to quality<br />
white wines made from Chardonnay and the local Tressalier grape variety, the<br />
reds are made from a unique blend of Gamay and Pinot noir and the wines<br />
differ significantly from one vineyard site to another. “Our wines certainly fit<br />
FRÉDÉRIC GERMAIN, DIRECTOR OF THE THE SAINT-POURÇAIN CO-OPERATIVE GROUP<br />
16 SPRING 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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