Quarts de Chaume is hoping to gain final approval to be classed as the Loire Valley's first Grand Cru.

The application from the enclave of the Coteaux du Layon appellation has been approved by the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (INAO), which sets the strict guidelines for how French vineyards can label their wines.

Only final ministerial approval is now needed for the proposal, and the Loire will finally have its first Grand Cru region.

Two previous applications by the area to obtain Cru status have been rejected, after protestations from leading Anjou producer Domaine des Baumard.

Claude Papin, president of the Syndicat Quarts de Chaume, told Decanter that this is a highly important development, which will open the door to creating Crus throughout the Loire Valley.

"Quarts de Chaume [Grand Cru] recognises our conviction [that] the typicite [authenticity] of our wines should come from a respect for the terroir and the climate of each vintage and not from winemaking techniques," he added.

At the same INAO meeting which saw the Quarts de Chaume proposal approved, the creation of Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Chaume.

Strict rules will apply for wines that wish to carry either of these names, including no chaptalisation and yields of 20 hectolitres per hectare for Quarts de Chaume, and 25 hectolitres per hectare for Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Chaume.

According to wine critic Fred Tasker, writing for Macon.com, wines from the Loire Valley are experiencing a growth in popularity, as drinkers look for exciting bottles outside of Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Marie Olivier, wine consultant for the Loire producer Domaines Rollan de By, says the Loire vines benefit from the presence of a substance called tufa.

"Tufa is a mixture of limestone and chalk. The white wines get their mineral qualities from it," Ms Olivier explained.

"Our red grapes relate to the Loire's cool weather. They like it cold and humid."