Why it matters
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 and vineyards
Where the wines begin
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.
In the cellar
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.
Wines to know
The range in view
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.