Wines Touraine Maison Rousseau - L'Automnale - 2023

Viniou Reviews

Maison Rousseau’s Cuvée L'Automnale 2023 is a red wine from the Touraine appellation, nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley. This organically certified cuvée embodies the region’s signature style of producing fruit-forward, lively reds. While Touraine reds are most often crafted from Gamay, Cabernet Franc, or occasionally blends including Malbec (Côt), this wine’s label as a "Cuvée" often suggests a carefully composed blend to highlight freshness and aromatic complexity. The 2023 vintage saw a favourable growing season, fostering wines that are expressive in both aroma and palate.

Touraine resides in the central stretch of the Loire Valley, renowned for its moderate continental climate moderated by the Loire River itself, which tempers frosts and provides the vines with ideal ripening conditions. The region’s diverse terroirs, dominated by a mix of clay-limestone and sandy soils, impart both brightness and minerality to the wines. Historically, Touraine has been a melting pot for grape varieties and winemaking traditions, often celebrated for its accessible yet distinctive wines that speak of both place and craftsmanship.

With its juicy red fruit profile and underlying freshness, Cuvée L'Automnale 2023 pairs beautifully with a range of foods. The wine’s supple structure is a natural complement to regional dishes such as rillettes de Tours, grilled pork tenderloin, or duck breast with cranberry sauce. Its vibrant acidity can also provide a refreshing counterpoint to tomato-based pasta, roasted vegetables, or soft goat cheeses, notably the Sainte-Maure de Touraine, a local specialty.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this Touraine rouge at a temperature of 15-16°C. Decanting for half an hour will help reveal its fruit-driven bouquet and gentle tannins. Such care will elevate its inherent freshness and make it a delightful partner for relaxed, convivial meals.