Angers-Saumur: the Tour de France from a wine perspective

From the sea to the vineyards, here's the exciting program in store for cyclists on the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Granville and Angers! The cyclists will continue their immersion in France's third-largest wine region during the 4th stage, starting in Saumur. Two wonderful opportunities to "Share the Passion" of the Tour de France by combining our passions for sport and wine !

Route through the heart of the vineyards between Angers and Saumur

An irresistible urge compels us to stray from the well-defined Tour de France route and explore the vineyards between Angers and Saumur , stretching along the Loire River and the Layon and Aubance rivers. This location gives the vineyards a unique character, largely due to the atypical soil composed primarily of schist and tuffeau limestone. The vineyards also benefit from their diverse grape varieties, such as Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, which produce exceptionally rich wines.

Let's take a look at the Tour… of the Anjou - Saumur vineyards

The white jersey is awarded… to the Chenin grape variety, known and renowned for its white wines! The Chenin grape variety offers dry white wines at the beginning of the harvest and sweet and luscious wines at the end of the harvest.

The red and pink jerseys are worn… by the Cabernet Franc grape variety, very common in the Anjou and Saumur regions. The Cabernet Franc grape is also blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to offer a wide variety of wines.

The bubble jersey is back… thanks to the excellent sparkling wines produced in the region, which will perfectly complement a stage victory. Made in cellars carved into the tuffeau, the region's emblematic white stone, these wines are sure to surprise you!

Tour of the main appellations of Anjou-Saumur (Loire)

While 22 teams share the roads of the Tour de France, 32 appellations share the vineyards between Angers and Saumur. Needless to say, the two days of the stage won't be enough to discover them all!

A quick look at the map:

• On the white side : We find in particular the Savennières , very aromatic, complex, fresh and mineral dry white wines, but also the Coteaux du Layon and the Coteaux de l'Aubance , sweet white wines with a golden color and fruity and delicious aromas.
• On the red side : We can mention prestigious appellations such as Anjou-Villages Brissac, with its dark color and aromas of red fruits and licorice, or Saumur-Champigny , offering rich aromas while retaining a finesse on the palate.
• For rosé : A Cabernet d'Anjou , a soft and fruity rosé, or a Cabernet de Saumur, slightly drier than Cabernet d'Anjou, are perfect for enjoying the beautiful days of the Tour de France. Rosé d'Anjou and Rosé de Loire are also excellent choices for summer.
• On the sparkling wine front : 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 adventure! For this, the wines can count on the gastronomic specialties of the region to accompany and enhance them!

To name just a few, discover rillauds, pieces of confit pork belly; galipettes, large Paris mushrooms that are often found stuffed; fouace or fouées, small breads to be filled without moderation with rillauds or galipettes; eel boiled, a dish of eels simmered in wine and accompanied by mushrooms; or even a fricassee of poultry à l'angevine.

To finish on a sweet note, let yourself be seduced by a crémet d'Anjou, a dessert made with whipped fresh cream and beaten egg whites, served on a bed of red fruits.

Commentary on the stage : Rich and sparkling, the vineyard between Angers and Saumur is worth the Tour and the detour to appreciate the typicity and diversity of the region's wines: dry or sweet white wines , full-bodied or fruity reds , dry or soft rosés , and sparkling wines .

Quentin (Les Grappes)