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
French frigate Loire (1796) and was forced to strike after she ran out of ammunition. Out of the 664 men, including three artillery regiments and their "Etat-Major", carried on board "Loire", 48 were killed and 75 wounded. She was also found to be carrying a large store of clothing, weapons, ammunition and tools for her troops' intended operations. "Anson" had two men killed and 13 wounded, while the "Kangaroo" appears to have suffered no casualties. HMS "Loire" was commissioned by Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland at Portsmouth in October 1802. On 27 June 1803 "Loire"s boats captured the French navy brig "Venteux" while she was