French wine appellation to simplify its name

fter an initial request in 2017, the Loire appellation Anjou Villages Brissac has now seen its application to simplify its name complete the lengthy process. Approval from the European Union finally came on August 12, allowing the appellation to state simply Anjou Brissac. “Anjou Brissac offers us greater clarity – the name expresses both affiliation with the larger Anjou region and our location in the heart of ‘Anjou Noir’”, so called because of its schist soils. In a press statement, the appellation’s chairman Boris Brault goes on to celebrate “an historic milestone helping to simplify and strengthen visibility for the appellation”, whilst also “asserting its identity and uniqueness within the Anjou wine region”.

Recognised in 1998, the small Anjou Villages Brissac appellation covers seven villages – Brissac Loire Aubance, Denée, Les Garennes-sur-Loire, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, and Soulaines-sur Aubance. Thirty or so winegrowers farm its 60 hectares under vine, producing an average 2,300 hectolitres annually.

The two Cabernets – Franc and Sauvignon – are grown to produce either single varietals or blends, mostly age-worthy wines positioned towards the top of the Anjou wine quality hierarchy.