©Ayrolle Chinon winegrower's tart|ADT Touraine - JC COUTAND

Chinon winegrower's tart A delicious pastry tradition from the Loire Valley

Discover Chinon’s winegrower’s tart: a delicious combination of caramelised apples and red wine jam. Discover this emblematic speciality in the medieval streets of the town, where the Ayrole patisserie has been making this unique recipe for over 25 years, delighting 150 gourmets every week.

A unique Chinon speciality

Let yourself be seduced by this thincaramelised puff pastry, topped with delicately sliced apples. Using a brush, the pastry chef comes to coat this dessert with a confit of Chinon red wine with spicy notes, enhanced by a pinch of cinnamon.

The preparation requires a unique skill: after 30 minutes in the fridge, the pastry is rolled out in a special tart tin, then covered with brown sugar that will give it that characteristic crispness when it comes out of the oven. A subtle blend of 3 tablespoons of wine jam then sublimates the apples.

This tart has become a must-try on the Chinese tourist circuit, seducing thousands of visitors every year with its lightness and originality.

A dessert emblematic of the Loire Valley

A symbol of a Touraine art de vivre, the tarte vigneronne tells the story of a region where gastronomy and viticulture are delicately intertwined. This creation, the fruit of precious local expertise, carries with it the soul of the orchards and vines that shape our landscapes.

In the cobbled streets of Chinon as well as on family tables, it perpetuates a gourmet tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. More than just a pastry, it embodies the living heritage that is the pride of our region, alongside fouaces and other regional specialities.

La recette de la tarte du Vigneron, spécialité de Chinon

What to do in Chinon The must-haves

Forteresse royale de Chinon

The Richelieu Chinon greenway

CNVL Compagnie de Navigation Vienne Loire

What makes a wine tart?

Taste the perfect alliance between gastronomy and wine-growing terroir. The secret of this tart lies in its red wine concoction, patiently prepared from the finest Chinon vintages. The aromas of cabernet franc blend delicately with notes of cinnamon and preserved orange, creating a smooth jam that sublimates the apples.

Serve it warm or at room temperature to fully appreciate its flavours. The contrast between the crispy pastry and the silky coating of the confit will delight your taste buds. Tasting tip: accompany your slice with a glass of sweet Vouvray for a complete taste experience.

Caramelised apples, a local delight!

The pastry chefs’ meticulous ballet begins with the Golden apples, picked from the Touraine orchards, are delicately sliced into paper-thin strips. In a ballet orchestrated to the millimetre, the fruit dances in the pan with the butter and sugar until it takes on a golden hue.

The apples are then adorned with an amber caramel that crunches under the tooth. This age-old technique, handed down from generation to generation, reveals all the fruit’s aromas. A local know-how that transforms a simple fruit into a gourmet treasure.

La pâtisserie Ayrole

Go to 5 rue Neuve de l’Hôtel de Ville to discover the lair of this Chinon speciality. Since 1992, Maison Ayrole has been welcoming you to its shop with its mouth-watering window displays, where their artisanal creations proudly take pride of place.

The tarte du vigneron, trademark registered in 1994, comes in individual or family formats for 4, 6 or 8 people. Every week, no fewer than 150 gourmets succumb to this delicious sweet and fruity combination.

Don’t hesitate to order your tart in advance, especially at weekends when the crowds are in full swing. Take a break at this Chinese institution, open from Tuesday to Sunday, to enjoy this unique creation on the premises or to take away.

02 47 93 07 15

Your gourmet getaway in Touraine

Discover more by exploring our pages dedicated to gastronomy and get ready for a unique culinary journey.

The magic of Touraine wine

Plunge into the world of perfect pairings between Touraine wines and this delicate pastry. A Vouvray moelleux reveals all its aromatic complexity on contact with the spicy notes of the wine confit. The bubbles of a Crémant de Loire, meanwhile, provide an invigorating freshness that sublimates the silky caress of the dessert.

For an unforgettable experience, serve your tart witha glass of slightly chilled red Chinon. The red fruit aromas of the cabernet franc blend harmoniously with the wine confit, creating a symphony of flavours that will delight the finest gourmets.

The vineyards of Touraine

©Vendanges dans le vignoble de Chinon|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

Where to try it in Tours?

Discover this speciality in the heart of the Halles de Tours, where La Tarterie offers its artisanal version of the winegrower’s tart. Ordering 24 hours in advance, enjoy this delicate pastry in individual or family size, perfect for a gourmet snack.

In the Vieux Tours, La Coquinière also perpetuates this sweet tradition. An authentic address where winegrower’s tarts rub shoulders with other local specialities such as nougat de Tours. The little extra? Their sunny terrace for a sweet break right in the historic centre.