Interesting, yet understated, the Loire Valley is one of France's top wine producing regions. However, the region is often overshadowed in the roll call of France's big names by powerhouses Bordeaux and Burgundy. Some truly delicious wines can be found in the Loire Valley and the premium expressions can rank with the best wines of France. Due to its relative lack of fame, this is also a great region to look to for value.
The Loire River stretches a distance of some 250 miles, winding west from Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé in the heart of France ('La Coeur de la France') all the way to Muscadet on the Atlantic coast. Along the river valley, climatically and geologically, conditions change and allow for the identification of distinct regions, each suited to viticulture of different grape varieties and styles of wine. Red, white, rosé and sparkling wines can all be found in the Loire.
There are five major regions, each with a distinct identity. These are: The Pays Nantais - The Pays Nantais is the most westerly of the Loire regions and incorporates the Loire river mouth and Atlantic coast. Melon de Bourgogne, better known as 'Muscadet' is the predominant grape in the area and gives its name to the appellation. Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Main is the more quality focused and smaller appellation within the Pays Nantais, producing wines that are steely lean, with a fruity floral fragrance. By leaving their wines on their lees over winter ('sur lié') some producers choose to give their wines a more creamy texture. It is fitting that these wines, grown so close to the sea, are the perfect accompaniment to seafood dishes such as bream and mussels.
Anjou - Anjou is the first of the three 'Middle Loire' regions and is famous for its Chenin Blanc and red Cabernet Franc wines. Refined and elegant, with delicious softness of fruit, the Chenins can be found as dry, off-dry and sweet. Although dry Chenins are the most popular export to the UK, the sweet wines of Anjou are arguably the greatest of the Loire and Cabernet Francs from here can be full, smooth and perfumed and delicious. Rosé d'Anjou is an off-dry rosé from the area.
Saumur - Saumur is famous for its sparkling white wines, plantings for which make up the majority of production in the area. Vines are grown on chalky soils and cellared in deep 'Tufa' cellars, cut down into the bare rock. Still wines from Saumur area tend to be light, fruity and well balanced including some wonderful Chenins.
Touraine - Touraine is the largest and most varied of the Loire sub-regions and is where the influence of the Atlantic becomes less noticeable, giving the land a more continental climate. Here as you journey east up-river, Cabernet Franc and Chenin give way to Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay and Pinot Noir. The most famous areas within Touraine producing top quality wines are Vouvray, famous for (often slightly sparkling) Chenin Blanc, and the majority-red appellations of Bourgueil and Chinon. Bourgueil and Chinon both have some gravel amid their chalky soils and produce aromatic Cabernet Francs that are greatest in the world.
Centre-Loire - The vineyards of the central Loire mark the easternmost limit of production in the region. Vines are found upon the well exposed sides of the valley and include the famed appellations of Sancerrre and Pouilly Fumé, located opposite one another across the river. This is the home of Sauvignon Blanc in France and wines from these areas fetch high prices compared to the rest of the Loire. Quality reds may also be found in lesser quantities from the Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes. Small amounts of Sancerre rosé are made each year, produced from Pinot Noir and which fetch premium prices. For our Loire wine selection, please visit our website.
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