Coteaux du Layon

Coteaux du Layon Wine - Buy Wine from the Coteaux du Layon Region of France

The river Layon, that flows in a north-easterly direction across Anjou to join the Loire at Chalonnes-sur-Loire, has steep valley walls that trap morning mists coming off the water which induces botrytis cinerea or ‘Noble Rot’. This web-like fungus grows on the bunches of ripening grapes, absorbing moisture that thereby increases the ratio of grape sugars to liquid. The result of this natural phenomena is low yields of intensely sweet juice that, given favourable conditions and careful cellar management, can produce outstanding sweet wines.
Vincent Lecointre of Château la Tomaze is a 7th generation vigneron and former President of the Coteaux du Layon wine-makers association so is something of an authority on sweet Chenin Blanc; which is the only grape permitted here. Vincent’s regular bottling of Château la Tomaze is bien typique with attractive orchard fruit aromas and a clean, bright, gently-honeyed palate. His Coteaux du Layon – Rablay is a more concentrated wine from premium vine holdings 16 kilometres south of Angers. It is richer and more complex and will benefit from bottle-age. Vincent’s flagship ‘Cuvée Lys’ is a terrific example of a heavily botrytised Chenin Blanc from mature vines. It has intense candied peel aromas and a complex palate of dried fruit, nuts and minerals with a long, sweet finish and palate-cleansing acidity. It will age almost indefinitely if properly cellared.