Ancenis still awaiting promotion
Mention on Facebook by Eva Robineau has tipped me off that Gros Plant has been promoted to AOC from VDQS status. Apparently the promotion will date from March 2012, presumably meaning that the 2011 vintage will be entitled to be AOC. Equally it may mean that Gros Plant will have to wait for the 2012 vintage. If anyone can clarify this I would be grateful. The new AOC will be for Gros Plant and Gros Plant sur lie.
Gros Plant was one of the last remaining VDQS to be promoted to AOC. At one time the Gros Plant syndicat has decided now to attempt to apply for promotion to AC status rather for the wines to become vin de pays. This led to a considerable outcry by producers like Gilbert Bossard and the syndicat must have been forced to think again.
As far as I know this now leaves the Coteaux d'Ancenis awaiting promotion and the Vin du Thouarsais, which I believe has decided it is too small to apply for promotion to an appellation.
See here for Hervé Lalau on Gros Plant and Robert Parker.
