France September 2017

Saumur
en fête
Enjoy the food and wines of this historic Loire Valley town during
the ten-day Festivini celebrations, says Sophie Gardner-Roberts
As one of the most important
wine-producing countries in
the world, France has
countless fêtes and institutions
celebrating le vin, from traditional grape
harvest festivals and quirky cork
museums to the swanky new Cité du Vin
in Bordeaux. The country has 16
appellations referring to the ‘grands
vignobles’ – Bourgogne, Loire, Bordeaux,
Rhône etc – and more than 300 AOCs
(Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée).
The Loire Valley’s main claim to fame
may be the regal châteaux that cling
majestically to the shores of the mighty
river, but if you are visiting Saumur or
nearby towns in September, be sure not
to miss Festivini. This annual gathering
celebrates the Vins de Saumur, produced
to the east of the historical region of
Anjou in an area stretching from the
town itself to Gennes, Montsoreau and
Montreuil-Bellay.
In this region, vines are cultivated over
3,000 hectares in a soil rich in white
tuffeau stone, which was used to build
some of the châteaux. The two main
grape varieties are chenin blanc, perfect
for bubbly, dry whites and, when the
grapes are left to rot, Coteaux de Saumur
sweet wines; and, for the reds, cabernet
franc, which is said to have been cultivated
in the area since the 11th century.
Festivini organises many activities in
and around Saumur that pay tribute to
the wines and the producers. From 2-10
September, you can explore the area, take
part in wine tastings and learn all there is
to know about the seven AOCs produced
PHOTOGRAPHS: DAVID DARRAULT; FRÉDÉRIC AYROULET; SOPHIE GARDNER-ROBERTS
74 FRANCE MAGAZINE www.completefrance.com