Loire - France
- Feb 5
- 5 min read
The Loire Valley is an idyllic region in central France, with rolling green hills, fields of sunflowers, ancient towns, monasteries, and impressive castles. It's the land where kings and nobility once had their country residences and enjoyed the good life. It's a rich and fertile region, where wine culture has been cultivated for centuries.
The grape varieties that thrive here are Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay for white wine, and Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, and Malbec for red wine. The Loire Valley is also the largest producer of sparkling wine, after Champagne.
It's a vast region that follows France's longest river (the Loire) from Sancerre via Touraine and Anjou-Saumur to Pays Nantais. It has both a continental and maritime climate, allowing for a wide variety of wines. From fresh and expressive Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, to delicious Chenin Blanc or sparkling wines from Vouvray and Tourraine, to fine red wines from Chinon or Bourgueil, and sweet white wines from Coteaux du Layon. They're definitely worth trying.
Visit the many castles and enjoy all the beauty that comes from this beautiful region, whether it's fine wines, delicious goat cheeses, or the tastiest fish dishes.
Saumur
Saumur is a small town and commune in the central-eastern part of the Pays de la Loire region in the Maine-et-Loire department. Situated on the Loire River, Saumur is known for its AOC wines. Primarily white (cremant/sparkling) wines are produced here from the Chenin Blanc grape, but fine rosés and reds made from the Cabernet Franc grape are also available. The castle towers high above the town, offering stunning views of the Loire. Fortunately, there are terraces everywhere where you can enjoy the delicious cremant.
Like Saumur, this AOC produces white (crémant), rosé, and red wines, although the white is made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. I visited Patrick Vauvy's Domaine Bellevue, located in Walnuts-sur-Cher. Four generations have succeeded each other at the estate, and Patrick is currently at the helm of this winery.
This estate has won the Medaille d'Or gold award for its Touraine Sauvignon Blanc for several years now. Patrick, the owner and winemaker, explained a great deal about his vineyard, soil (flint), terroir, and winemaking, as well as how he deals with issues like mold (diseases) and climate change. The distinctive soils are sandy and siliceous (the sand layer can sometimes reach a depth of 1 meter). The subsoil is limestone or clay-limestone with flint (silex), which allows for excellent water regulation at the roots, which is crucial. I had the opportunity to taste his entire range, and you can definitely taste the limestone and flint in the minerals in the wine. The entire terroir is important for the wine, but the winemaker can give it that little something extra with his style. I completely understand why he consistently wins the most prestigious awards.
Would you also like to taste a Touraine Sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley, France? Click here
Touraine - Montlouis-sur-Loire - Domaine Franck Breton
Besides the Touraine AOC, there are also six sub-zones, such as Touraine Montlouis-sur-Loire. This emphasizes the differences in grape varieties, the overall terroir, and the art of winemaking. This winery produces Montlouis natural white dry, off-dry, soft, and sparkling (brut and off-dry), as well as AOC Touraine red and rosé natural and sparkling. They also farm organically.
Chinon - Domaine Charles Joguet
This AOC is highly respected for its beautiful red wines made from the Cabernet Franc grape. They offer easy-drinking, fruity wines, as well as beautiful, powerful, and structured wines that are only released after two years of aging but can still age for 20 years or more. This is possible because the wine has beautiful fruit flavors, acidity, and good tannins.
I was fortunate enough to taste the entire range of Chinon Clos de la Dioterie, domaine Charles Joguet, which uses grapes from 70-year-old vines.
These very old vines, with a low yield (30 hl/ha), enjoy every care and attention to achieve perfect ripeness. Due to its northeasterly location, this is the last vineyard to be harvested. After harvest, the grapes are brought to the chai (winery) right next to the vineyard. A strict selection during harvesting, careful fermentation, and strict controls during winemaking take place here. Everything must be perfect is the motto. The wine is aged for 25 months, 18 of which in oak barrels (new and used). Clos de la Dioterie can age beautifully.
Vouvray - Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau
This is the most important white wine AOC in the Touraine region. It's made from the Chenin Blanc grape. The best vineyards are situated on south-facing slopes overlooking the Loire River. The clay soil is much cooler, making it harder for the grapes to fully ripen and therefore requiring plenty of sunshine.
I visited Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau in Vouvray. St. Martin's Abbey was founded in the 4th century by Marmoutier Abbey, and this abbey began planting vines in the fortress of Rougemont, the first vineyard in Central Europe. Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau granted the rights to this historic vineyard, called "Clos de Rougemont," in Vouvray on the condition that it be restored to its original state. To achieve this, only the finest vines were used.
They operate entirely biodynamically and produce dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling (cremant) wines from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes.
Sancerre - Domaine Blondelet
Sancerre AOC has a very good reputation for its wines and produces them exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes. The steep slopes, the river, and of course the unique soil of limestone, marl, and flint (silex) have a significant influence on the wine. The white wine is fresh, has rich flavors of gooseberry and grapefruit, medium alcohol, and high acidity. I visited Domaine Blondelet in the heart of Pouilly.
Michelle and Jean-Michel Masson founded DOMAINE MASSON-BLONDELET in 1975. In 1980, in the heart of the village of Pouilly, they built a three-level underground cellar for gravity-fed winemaking. Their two children, Mélanie and Pierre-François, joined them in 2000. They are the seventh generation of winemakers at the estate. I spoke with Mélanie.
Their Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are planted on slopes in the AOC's best terroirs. They face south/southeast and benefit from a microclimate created by the Loire River. They have been farming organically for over 40 years and are committed to expressing the essence of Pouilly-Fumé's three terroirs. This winery is renowned for its consistent quality and pure Sauvignon Blanc expression on this unique and preserved terroir in the Loire Valley.
Pouilly-Fumé - Maison Lispaul
The vineyards of Sancere and Pouilly-Fumé intertwine around the Loire River. Sancerre grapes are often grown at a slightly higher altitude than Pouilly-Fumé. The soil is silex/limestone, which produces a fresh Sauvignon Blanc with a very refined flavor.
The Sauvignon Blanc Pouilly-Fum é from Maison Lispaul is a crisp, fresh wine with flavors of green apple and gooseberry, and lovely acidity with mineral notes. Their vineyard is located in Pouilly-sur-Loire, but they also have vineyards in Sancerre and Menetou-Salon.
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