Bonnezeaux

Bonnezeaux, particularly well-favoured enclave for sweet white wine production within the Coteaux du layon appellation in the anjou district of the Loire. In this respect Bonnezeaux resembles quarts de chaume to the north west but, perhaps because of its greater extent (just under 100 ha/247 acres) spread across three south-facing buttes (small hills) of schist and quartz and much more exposed situation, it has not enjoyed such fame. A Bonnezeaux from a producer as reliable as Ch de Fesles can be a deep green-gold nectar at 10 to 20 years old. The wines are made exclusively from Chenin Blanc grapes grown on steep slopes near Thouarcé. These grapes should ideally be attacked by noble rot, sometimes concentrated by shrivelling on the vine, and at the very least have been picked only after several tries through the vineyard. Yields average only about 22 hl/ha. See also loire, including map.