The Vendomois is a little-known wine district to the north of Touraine that is often grouped together with its more famous neighbor. It has only three appellations to its name: Coteaux du Vendomois, Coteaux du Loir and Jasnieres. Located at an average latitude of 47 degrees north, these are amongst the most northerly of France's AOCs, beaten only by Champagne and Alsace.
As a result of this northerly position – and the lack of south-facing slopes on which to ripen grapes – wines from the Vendomois are marked by high acidity and aromas driven by berry fruits, rather than anything more substantial.
The city of Vendome is at the very eastern edge of the district, making it appear somewhat lopsided on wine maps. Nantes, Angers and Tours lie rather neatly at the heart of their respective districts, further emphasising this imbalance. A more useful guide to the shape and location of the Vendemois vineyards is the path of the river Loir (not to be confused with the larger and more-famous Loire, just to the south). The Loir flows through Vendome and then west to La Fleche, 50 miles (80 km) towards the Atlantic Ocean. On either side of this – particularly on the sunnier northern (south-facing) banks – are the vines of the Vendomois appellations.
