Coteaux du Layon AC; Coteaux du Layon-Villages AC [koh-toh deu leh-YAWN]
appellations located south of Angers along the river Layon in the Anjou district of France’s Loire region. They produce only white wines (usually semisweet or sweet) from Chenin Blanc grapes. The villages appellation applies to seven villages—Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Chaume, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon, Rouchefort-sur-Loire, Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné, and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay. All may append their own name to the label if their wines have at least 1 percent more alcohol than the standard appellation (a minimum of 12 percent versus 11 percent). The grapes in this area are subject to Botrytis cinerea on occasion. When it strikes, the resulting wines can be rich, intensely sweet, and luscious. Bonnezeaux AC and Quarts de Chaume AC are two small appellations located within the Coteaux du Layon area that are noted for their superb dessert wines.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.