Loire valley

The Loire Valley is often referred to as the ‘garden of France’ and considered one of most diverse regions in the country. Catering to a wide range of wine styles, from spritzy whites to elegant reds, the region boasts unique terroirs and a rich tradition all of its own.

France’s second-biggest wine region straddles the final 600 kilometres of the River Loire. Its 70,000 hectares of vineyard are divided into four distinct areas – Centre-Loire; Touraine; Anjou-Saumur; and, closest to the Atlantic, Pays Nantais. 

Diverse range of grapes

The region’s most important grapes are white varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne (also referred to as Muscadet), and reds Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay. Sauvignon Blancs from the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé appellations are particularly well known for their tangy, floral fruit character, with predominantly calcareous marl and flint soils helping to add distinctive smoky, mineral notes to these wines. Cabernet Franc is the main red in Touraine and Anjou-Saumur, producing opaque, long-lived wines with characteristic notes of pencil shavings. Its white counterpart Chenin Blanc, often referred to locally as Pineau de Loire, comes in a rich and varied palette of styles ranging from dry to sweet – often with a lick of botrytis. Wines from Chenin Blanc shine best after being left in the cellar for years or even decades. The Pays Nantais area at the western end of the Loire Valley is home to Melon de Bourgogne, a relation of Chardonnay responsible for a fresh, light white wine mainly known as Muscadet – the ideal accompaniment to seafood and fish.

Sparkling wine – Crémant de Loire in particular – is another strong point. Traditional-method fizz from the Loire Valley often give champagnes a run for their money.

Varied soils, varied wines

Diverse soils are an additional hallmark of the Loire Valley, with limestone, slate, tuffeau and gravel just some of the terrain influencing the character of the wines. Complex geology contributes to a wide range of styles, although wine from the Loire is frequently the epitome of fresh, light and delicate due to the relatively northern location.

A history dating back to antiquity

It was the Romans who first made wine in the Loire Valley over 2,000 years ago. Centuries later, the Loire was the capital of the French kings and their noble courts, whose arrival brought about a renaissance in viticulture. Exports burgeoned in the mid-19th century until the advent of phylloxera. The region eventually recovered in the 20th century, and many of its wines today count among the best in the world. With over 85 appellations, the Loire Valley is one of France’s biggest and most multifaceted wine regions.