Angers-Saumur: The Wine Side of the Tour de France

From the sea to the vineyards, here’s the exciting route in store for cyclists on the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Granville and Angers! The cyclists will continue their journey through France’s third-largest wine-growing region during the 4th stage, which starts in Saumur.

A tour through the vineyards between Angers and Saumur

An irresistible urge compels us to stray from the well-trodden path of the Tour and turn our attention to the vineyards between Angers and Saumur, which stretch along the Loire and the Layon and Aubance rivers. This location gives the vineyards a unique character, due in particular to their unusual soil, composed mainly of schist and tuffeau. The vineyards also rely on their diverse grape varieties, such as Chenin and Cabernet Franc, to produce wines of exceptional richness.

Let’s take a tour… of the Anjou–Saumur vineyards

The white jersey goes to… the Chenin grape variety, known and renowned for its white wines! The Chenin grape variety produces dry white wines at the start of the harvest and sweet and dessert wines at the end of the harvest.

The red and pink wines are produced… from the Cabernet Franc grape variety, which is widely grown in the Anjou and Saumur regions. Cabernet Franc is also blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a wide variety of wines.

The "bubble jersey" is back… thanks to the region’s excellent sparkling wines, which are the perfect accompaniment to a stage victory. Produced in cellars carved out of tuffeau—the region’s iconic white stone—these wines are sure to surprise you!

A Tour of the Main Wine Regions of Anjou-Saumur (Loire)

While 22 teams are competing on the roads of the Tour de France, there are 32 wine appellations spread across the vineyards between Angers and Saumur. Needless to say, the two days of racing won’t be enough to discover them all!

A quick look at the menu:

• White wines: These include Savennières, dry white wines that are highly aromatic, complex, fresh, and mineral-driven, as well as Coteaux du Layon and Coteaux de l’Aubance, sweet white wines with a golden hue and rich, fruity aromas.
• Red wines: Notable examples include prestigious appellations such asAnjou-Villages Brissac, with its deep color and aromas of red fruit and licorice, and Saumur-Champigny, which offers rich aromas while maintaining a delicate palate.
• As for rosé: You can enjoy the beautiful days of the Tour de France with a Cabernet d’Anjou—a soft, fruity rosé—or a Cabernet de Saumur, which is slightly drier than the Cabernet d’Anjou. Rosé d’Anjou and Rosé de Loire also make great summer companions.
• When it comes to sparkling wines: The Tour de France promises some great victories to celebrate with a Crémant de Loire or a Saumur-Brut.

Gourmet stops between Angers and Saumur

The Tour de France is, above all, a team effort! That’s why the wines will be paired with the region’s culinary specialties to complement and enhance them!

To name just a few, discover rillauds, pieces of confit pork belly; galipettes, large button mushrooms often served stuffed; fouace or fouées, small rolls to be generously topped with rillauds or galipettes; bouilleture d’anguilles, a dish of eels simmered in wine and served with mushrooms; or even a poultry fricassee à l’angevine.

To end on a sweet note, treat yourself to a Crémet d’Anjou, a dessert made with whipped crème fraîche and beaten egg whites, served on a bed of red berries.

Highlight of the stage: Rich and vibrant, the vineyards between Angers and Saumur are well worth a visit to appreciate the distinctive character and diversity of the region’s wines: dry or sweet white wines, full-bodied or fruity reds, dry or soft rosés, and sparkling wines.