Loire Valley

The river banks of the Loire, the longest river in France, and its tributaries are not only famous for the prestigious castles but also for their beautiful vineyards. Due to the length of the river the vineyards enjoy considerable differences in climate and soil types and therefore produce a wide range of wines.

Loire, zoom région

LEADING PRODUCER OF WHITE WINE IN FRANCE

Famous for its mild climate and the beauty of its Renaissance castles, the Loire Valley produces a wide range of wines. These wines have in common a personality marked by freshness, vivacity and elegance. Majority of the production is white wine and in fact Loire Valley is the leading producer of white wines in France. Also red, rosé, sparkling and sweet wines are produced. All the regions appellations are located along the Loire river and its tributaries covering about fifteen departments. There is no regional generic appellation (AC) for the Loire. However the IGP Val de Loire covers the whole region.

With 63 AOC such as Saumur-Champigny, Vouvray, Anjou, Sancerre, Bourgeuil and Chinon, the vineyards of the Loire Valley are largely classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

THE MOST FAMOUS APPELLATIONS

Anjou Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Quincy Reuilly

Cabernet d'Anjou Chinon Sancerre Saumur

Coteaux du Layon Menetou-Salon Saumur-Champigny Savennières

Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Pouilly-Fumé Touraine Vouvray

Val de Loire et ses vins

A WINE REGION UNITED BY THE RIVER

Vineyards existed on the banks of the Loire before the invasion of the Gauls. The Romans invaded this region around 22 AD. According to a popular legend, it was Saint Martin and his disciples who planted the first vines around 380 AD, at the time when the Abbey of Marmoutier, near the town of Tour, was founded. The vine quickly spread but from the 13th century onwards it took refuge on the hillsides to produce wines of superior quality. If you try to imagine what the banks of the great river were like at the time, you can appreciate the immense work accomplished by the winegrowing monks. The Loire does not flow along a single appellation but rather a succession of different appellations. There is only one link between them, their superb river!

Val de Loire, sols et climats

A MOSAIC OF SOILS AND CLIMATES

The natural richness of this region appears to be due to several factors, mainly climate and soil. Mild temperatures and oceanic influence in Nantais and cool continental climate in the Central vineyards. Due to its northern location and the variations in the weather patterns, Loire Valley wines differ fom one vintage to another.

The fertile loamy and sandy plains were formed by the erosion of the valleys, by the benefit of the limestone and siliceous slopes sheltered from the hostile winds and thanks to the contribution of alluvial deposits taken from the river side.

The result is a varied geological and climatic background resulting in wines of great variety.

Vins légers, riches en sève et appétissant

THE GRAPE VARIETIES OF THE LOIRE

The Loire Valley has over 7,000 vineyards. It stretches over a thousand kilometres, and the climates, soils, traditions and grape varieties vary widely from one end of the Loire Valley to the other.

Chenin Blanc (Pineau de la Loire), the great white variety of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine. Chenin Blanc produces a variety of styles related to the degree of ripeness of the grapes during harvest. Due to its high acidity it can be vinified from bone dry to botrytised sweet wines and even to sparkling wines. The most known appellations to produce Chenin Blanc are Vouvray, Saumur, Savennières and Coteaux du Layon.

Other white grape varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, which is the only grape variety permitted for the white wines of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Quincy, Menetou-Salon and Reuilly. The grape variety for the light and crispy Muscadet is called Melon Blanc. The Muscadet wines are perfect match for seafood, especially for oysters!

The most famous black grape variety from the Loire is Cabernet Franc. It produces rosé and red wines that are fragrant, fresh and juicy. Some fuller-bodied, robust red wines with a great potential for ageing are also made, especially in Chinon. Other black varieties include Gamay, Pinot Noir and Pineau d'Aunis.