Vouvray (wine) blanc grape, known locally as "Pineau de la Loire", is believed to have originated in the Anjou wine region sometime in the 9th century and from there eventually migrated to Vouvray. In the 16th and 17th century, Dutch merchants oversaw the plantings of many vineyards in the area to be used for wine trade with markets in London, Paris and Rotterdam. Grapes from all over Touraine were brought together in a mass blending labeled simply as "Vouvray". Wine cellars were built in the region from caves created from the excavation of tuffeau rocks used to build the Châteaux of the
Chaumont-sur-Loire Chaumont-sur-Loire Chaumont-sur-Loire is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department in central France known for its historical defensive walls and its castle. The Chateau was founded by Odo 1 (973-996), Count of Blois. At each epoch of French history the Chateau has been owned, rented or visited by significant persons in French and European history. In the period between the late enlightenment and the romantic period, Germaine de Stael was resident from April to August 1810. Many famous guests visited the lively and politically active Madame de Stael including Madame Recamier, Adelbert Von Chamisso, the counts of Sabran Sala berry as