Legend and reality : The Chevaliers des Vins d'Orléans–Cléry (the Knights of Orléans-Clery Wines) are cultivating the old traditionsOrléans-Cléry wines are vines for people with healthy appetites. During a copious meal, liquid is required to aid digestion and this liquid should neither affect the head nor the stomach. Orléans-Clery wines, with their pleasant aromas, charm the taste buds whilst refreshing the palate with tastes of traditional French orchards.

Both the tip of your tongue and your stomach will congratulate you for this enjoyable experience. And this experience is effortless, as if you were at play or watching a laughing, pretty young girl pass by, leaving you with a pleasant memory.Orléans-Cléry wines are imbued with this special spirit of wines from the Loire valley, France's renowned river artery.

The Loire instils the grape juice with a calm strength, a clarity and a natural balance only found in this region.Friends, Orléans-Cléry wines have one basic virtue…they are human! So, when you are really relaxed with your collar unbuttoned and ready to eat, and after haven sipped a glass of Auvernat wine as an aperitif, make sure that you have sufficient supplies of these delicious wines.

HISTORY

Whilst vines appeared on the banks of the Loiret in the 6th century with Saint Mesmin, the early successes of our local wines were linked to the presence of the first Capetians in the noble city.

From the outset, the wines were made from very noble Pinot grapes (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties) brought from Burgundy.Amongst the first famous drinkers, we can count Philippe Auguste, Henri l, Louis VII and Jean Sans Terre. Joan of Arc took her strength from Chécy wine and it was to take back from Falstaff the barrels of Orléans-Cléry wine that he had dishonestly acquired that our brave soldiers liberated Orléans, and by doing so, liberated France.In the 16th century, Orléans wine found royal favour and was considered the equal of wine from the Beaune region. Orléans wines were very popular in Paris and in the north of England.

Their decline came with the appearance of Phylloxera around 1900. This disease destroyed almost all of the 20,000 hectares of vines planted from Châteauneuf sur loire to Tavers and from Gidy to Pithiviers.The renaissance of Orléans-Cléry wines at the beginning of this new millennium is a fine testament to the tenacity of a few committed winegrowers, lovers of Auvernat (Chardonnay), Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Cabernet grapes.