Coteaux du Cher et de l’Arnon is an IGP title covering wines that come from an area between the Cher and Arnon rivers in northern France’s Loire Valley. The cool continental climate and landscape of the area means that the IGP’s wines are distinctively Loire, but are made using different stipulations than the region’s AOC-level appellations Quincy and Reuilly.
© Wikimedia/Vincent4145
The group of communes that make up the Coteaux du Cher et de l’Arnon catchment area lie across the Cher and Indre administrative departments, about 70 miles (110km) southeast of Tours. Here, the landscape is a tapestry of arable and livestock farming, with vines occupying sunnier areas wherever south-facing slopes emerge from the otherwise flat topography.
The climate here is continental, although it is considerably warmer and drier than the more Atlantic-influenced areas to the west. Instead, vines enjoy an extended growing season, which is helped along by the limestone marl soils that absorb warmth during the day, reflecting it back on the vines at night. However, the wines still bear a significant acidity, and can struggle to ripen in cooler vintages.
Coteaux du Cher et de l’Arnon IGP white wines are based almost entirely on the local specialty, Sauvignon Blanc, although Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc are often used for blending. Red and rose wines are made from various local types of Gamay, accompanied by Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Since 2009, the Coteaux du Cher et de l’Arnon IGP has replaced the previous Vin de Pays statement on labels, as part of a wider change in French wine law. Due to poor consumer image, the Vin de Pays category has been removed in favor of Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) – its European Union equivalent.
