Loire Valley wine

Stretching nearly 500 miles along the Loire River, the Loire Valley is one of France’s most famous and respected wine regions. This picture postcard region, home to sprawling vineyards, impressive fruit orchards and regal châteaux, is celebrated for its pristine white wines, notably those from Muscadet grapes and Sancerre.

But it doesn’t stop there. The Loire Valley also boasts premium Cabernet Franc reds, luscious sweet wines as well as sparkling wines.

Its four subregions – Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine and the Central Vineyards – each with a cool climate and wide range of soils, create distinctive, high-quality wines.

The history of winemaking in the Loire Valley stretches back 2,000 years.

It’s believed that the Romans introduced the first vineyards during the 1st century AD. Fast forward to the 11th century, and the Loire Valley had already carved out a name for itself thanks to the skill of its winemakers and ease of travel along the Loire River.

Fun fact: King Henry II of England (1154) only allowed the Loire’s Anjou wines to be served at court. A tradition continued by King Henry III.

Today, the Loire Valley proudly stands shoulder to shoulder with other iconic French wine regions such as Bordeaux and Champagne. In 2000, the Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire was classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Loire Valley, known as the 'Garden of France', is divided into four distinct wine regions, each producing different styles of wines. These regions are:

• Pays Nantais: The region closest to the Atlantic coast of Brittany is named after the nearby city of Nantes. The vineyards in this area are best known for Muscadet, a dry, crisp white wine made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. The wine is typically aged on its lees ("sur lie") to add complexity and creaminess.
• Anjou-Saumur: Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur is known for its diverse range of wine styles. In Anjou, the emphasis is on Chenin Blanc, producing wines ranging from dry to sweet, as well as rosé wines. Saumur is renowned for its high-quality sparkling wines, Crémant de Loire, and red wines predominantly made from Cabernet Franc. You might have heard of the region’s famous appellations such as Savennières (known for dry white wines) and Coteaux du Layon (known for sweet white wines).
• Touraine: This region, named after the city of Tours, is best known for its aromatic Sauvignon Blanc wines, as well as red wines from Chinon and Bourgueil, made from Cabernet Franc. Vouvray, an amazingly versatile wine that can be dry, sweet, or sparkling, is also produced here from Chenin Blanc.
• Central Vineyards: Despite its name, the Central Vineyards are actually located in the easternmost part of the Loire Valley. This region includes the famous appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, which produce some of the world's most celebrated Sauvignon Blanc wines, known for their minerality and bright acidity.

Both red and white grape varieties are grown in the Loire Valley. Some of the key varieties include:

• Chenin Blanc: Chenin Blanc is a white grape widely planted throughout the Vouvray, Savennières and Anjou appellations. Known as Plant d’Anjou in the Loire Valley, this grape makes wines in various styles, from bone dry to lusciously sweet, with autumnal flavours of baked apples, beeswax and dried flowers. Try with creamy cheeses, roasted poultry or seafood dishes such as scallops.
• Sauvignon Blanc: This white grape variety makes crisp, mineral white wines with ripe green fruit, grass and blossom flavours. It’s the star of the eastern Loire Valley, especially the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé appellations. It pairs well with various dishes, such as goat cheese salads, grilled asparagus or fresh oysters.
• Cabernet Franc: This cool-climate-loving grape produces light-to-medium-bodied red wines with tangy acidity. Also known as Breton and thriving in areas with limestone soil, such as Touraine and Saumur, Loire Valley Cabernet Franc wines are packed with flavours of juicy red fruit, cedar and green herbs. Go for grilled lamb, roasted vegetables or mushroom risotto with a glass of Cabernet Franc.
• Melon de Bourgogne: Found growing in the western regions of the Loire Valley, Melon de Bourgogne is also known by a more familiar name – Muscadet. This white grape produces bone-dry, acidic wines with citrus flavours – a more subtle option for wine lovers. Fresh seafood, especially oysters, or light salads with vinaigrette are a good choice as a food pairing.
• Gamay: Originally from the neighbouring Burgundy region, Gamay has deep roots in the Loire Valley. Like Pinot Noir, this red grape variety produced light-to-medium red wines with medium-high acidity and raspberry, blackcurrant and violet flavours. It goes well with charcuterie boards, grilled chicken or berry-based desserts.

Producing some of the world's finest red and white wines, the Loire Valley offers something magical for wine lovers. But the best wines are often known by their appellation name, so it can be a bit confusing to know where to start – especially when facing a restaurant wine list – so we’ve put together a quick cheat sheet:

• Sancerre – known for its exceptional, world-leading Sauvignon Blanc wines.
• Touraine – another great source of Sauvignon Blanc, especially for value-hunters.
• Muscadet – makes super lean white wines loved for their slight sea salt tang, thanks to vineyards close to the sea.
• Anjou rosé – also known as Rosé d’Anjou, these wines are light and super fruity, leaning towards off-dry in style.
• Savennières – considered to be the best dry Chenin Blanc in the world, this Grand Cru style region is unique in that most vineyards pass from mother to daughter.
• Coteaux du Layon sweet wines – rich and honeyed dessert wines made from “noble rot” Chenin Blanc grapes.
• Crémant de Loire – high-quality sparkling wines made using a similar method to Champagne.
• Saumur sparkling – another elite sparkling wine region of the Loire, again using traditional Champagne methods.
• Saumur reds – known for beautiful, super-juicy, easy-drinking Cabernet Franc wines that are often good value, too.  

If you’re looking for where to start exploring the Loire, we’d recommend choosing a bottle from this list.