Loire Valley Vineyards
See more Wine Regions. See best of Loire Valley in France.
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Famous for it’s glorious chateaux and churches, charming villages, cuisine and scenery, the Loire also has a long tradition of producing excellent wines. Beginning at the Massif Central Mountains and running along on either side of the Loire River as it meanders across France and empties into the Atlantic, wine grapes have been cultivated here since around 400AD. At the northern edge of suitable wine growing country, the Loire’s summers are mild rather than hot and each year the concern is that the grapes won’t ripen enough, but this slow ripening adds to the crispness of the flavours commonly tasted in Loire Valley wines. The main problem with touring wineries in the Loire Valley is it’s size, there are more than 70 different sub-regions or appellations producing a huge variety of wine from red to white, still to sparkling and dry to sweet. As a rule the best places for vineyards are on the south facing slopes common on the Loire’s left bank. The best Musadets are found around Nantes and the western Loire, the best Sauvignon Blanc grapes for the Pouilly Fumes and Sancerres on the eastern side, and Anjours and Saumurs near their namesake towns. What most Loire wines do share is a fresh flavour which suits drinking rather than keeping. A good way to experience a large portion of what the Loire has to offer is to travel between Angers and Sancerre. By taking the smaller back roads you get the best of the countryside and don’t miss out on any of the important vineyards. There are a range of ways to see the Loire, by bicycle, hot air balloon, boat or by walking. Either way be prepared to get off the tourist routes to drink and eat the most interesting local flavours.
4 / 5
Review by editor ‘Excerpt from 'Days of Wine and Poses'’By Kate Mikhail for The Observer First published April 23, 2000 ...The British have a bad ... Read more » Review by press. ‘La Grande Maison, Best Loire B & B with Wine Tours’We spent three nights with Sue and Micaela in their fascinating B & B, an historic wine manager's house with caves, near Saumur in the Loire Valley. ... Read more »
5 / 5
Review by member ‘Best for a range of flavours’The Loire has an excellent range of wines and flavours. If you’re not sure what you like you’ll be able to taste a range here from the crispest of the crisp ... Read more »
5 / 5
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Photo by flickr user Joe Shlabotnik
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