At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Home
- Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent near Saumur
- Focus
- Sparkling wine, with many Loire appellations in the portfolio
- Core grape
- Chenin Blanc
- Signature wine
- Crémant de Loire Brut Réserve
- Still wine
- Clos Saint-Florent Saumur Blanc
The Producer
Extensive cellars and an attractive tasting room sit at Langlois's Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent facility near Saumur. Langlois-Chateau focuses primarily on sparkling wine, while its portfolio also includes many Loire appellations.
Chenin Blanc sits at the centre of the Langlois style. The house's main sparkling wine is Crémant de Loire Brut Réserve, alongside still wines such as Clos Saint-Florent Saumur Blanc. The range includes sparkling production and a still Saumur expression.
Place
Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent is near Saumur, and both places appear in the range. Crémant de Loire names the sparkling appellation on Brut Réserve, while Saumur Blanc names the still category carried by Clos Saint-Florent.
Langlois has expanded its portfolio to include many Loire appellations, but sparkling wine remains the main focus. The labels therefore move from a regional sparkling appellation to a still Saumur wine within the same Loire setting.
Story
The Bollinger Group acquired a majority stake in Langlois in 1973, bringing Champagne production expertise to the Loire. Michel Villedey of the Bollinger family served as General Manager from 1974 to 2008, a period in which the maison grew rapidly.
The sparkling focus remained central while the portfolio expanded to include many Loire appellations. Langlois now combines the Crémant de Loire range with still wines from the Saumur appellation.
Vineyards And Cellar
Langlois uses 160 kilograms of grapes to produce 100 litres of must, compared with the legal minimum of 150 kilograms. Must is the pressed grape liquid that becomes the base for fermentation, so the ratio sets a clear house rule for pressing.
At pressing, Langlois separates the first and second taille, the two portions of the press. Langlois is the only crémant producer in the Loire to make this separation.
All sparkling wine remains on lees for 24 months minimum, double the 12 month appellation requirement. Lees are spent yeast cells, and extended contact can soften texture and refine bubbles in sparkling wine.
The vineyard is certified under Terra Vitis. Thirty hectares are certified organic, with full conversion targeted for 2030.
Wines
Sparkling wine leads the range. Crémant de Loire Brut Réserve is the house's named sparkling cuvée, with a light golden colour and fine bubbles. Clos Saint-Florent Saumur Blanc is the still white, carrying Saumur Blanc on the label.
Around these two wines, Langlois has expanded into many Loire appellations. The range moves from a sparkling Crémant de Loire bottle to a still Saumur Blanc, with both styles carrying Chenin Blanc at the centre of the house's stated style.
In The Glass
Crémant de Loire Brut Réserve opens with white flowers, including linden blossom and hawthorn. Its mouthfeel is delicate, and intense freshness runs through the palate.
Clos Saint-Florent Saumur Blanc is rich and concentrated, with ripe orchard fruits balanced by racy acidity. The finish carries honeyed fruits and hazelnut, with a long close.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose Crémant de Loire Brut Réserve. It is the named sparkling cuvée, carrying Crémant de Loire on the label and receiving the house's extended lees ageing. Clos Saint-Florent occupies the still Saumur Blanc side of the range. Lees are spent yeast cells, and extended contact can soften texture and refine bubbles in sparkling wine.
Anecdote
In 1885, Édouard Langlois, a young winemaker and wine merchant, and his wife Jeanne Chateau bought the former Maison Delandes near Saumur. They established their domaine in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent and created the name Domaine Langlois-Chateau. Édouard brought his work as a winemaker and wine merchant into the new house, while Jeanne's name joined his on the domaine. The maison later focused primarily on sparkling wine, and its portfolio expanded to many Loire appellations. Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent remains the home of Langlois-Chateau.
Final Word
Langlois-Chateau keeps Crémant de Loire at the centre, with Chenin Blanc, extended lees ageing and a Saumur still white shaping the Loire range.
Sources
1. https://www.langlois-cremantdeloire.fr/en/the-maison/a-history-of-excellence/ 2. https://www.the-buyer.net/people/maison-langlois-loire-cremant 3. https://mentzendorff.co.uk/blog/portfolio-item/langlois/ 4. https://www.thewinedoctor.com/loire/langloischateau.shtml 5. https://www.langlois-cremantdeloire.fr/en/vins/brut-reserve/ 6. https://www.obrienswine.ie/products/clos-st-florent-blanc-saumur-blanc