|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Loire
Loire Valley WinesThe Loire Valley is famous for its white wines. None of them use Chardonnay as a main grape variety. Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon are widely used. About 75% of the production is made of white wine.
Although Loire is a land of white wine, some red wines are very interesting. They are fruity and pleasant.
The Loire Valley is probably the most beautiful wine region in France and in the world.
Map of the Loire Valley
Geography, weather, main cities, population, local interests, etcWine making in the Loire Valley / History of wine in the Loire Valley
Vineyards, soil, wine production, grapes and history in the Loire ValleyWines of the Loire Valley
Specific information about 9 appellations in the Loire Valley:West side of the Loire Valley (around Nantes):
MuscadetAnjou Saumur: Anjou - Coteaux du Layon - SaumurTouraine: Touraine - Bourgueil - VouvrayEast side of the Loire Valley: Pouilly Fumé - SancerreRed Grapesin Loire Valley:Cabernet Franc
Gamay
Cabernet SauvignonWhite Grapes in Loire Valley:Pinot NoirChenin Blanc
Sauvignon
MelonLoire Wine Region Map
The Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful French wine regions
West side of the Loire Valley (around Nantes):
MuscadetAnjou Saumur:
Anjou - Coteaux du Layon - SaumurTouraine:
Touraine - Bourgueil - VouvrayEast side of the Loire Valley:
Pouilly Fumé - SancerreGeography of the Loire Valley:
The Valley of the Loire, in the Centre West of France, is often considered as the most beautiful French wine region.
The region is wide and follow the river, starting in the Auvergne and Massif Central and finishing in the Atlantic coast around Nantes city.
The Loire river is wide and deep. The landscape is quiet and undulated.
It is probably more accurate to say that the Loire Valley is made of several different regions which have one thing in common: the river.
Wine making in the Loire Valley:
The wines reflect the mood of the landscape. They are soft,
pleasant, charming and light. About three quart of the
production are white wines.
The main grapes are Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon for white wine and Cabernet Franc for red wine.
History of wine in the Loire Valley:
Vines already existed when Romans invaded the Loire Valley.
The legend says that Saint Martin was the first to make wine in the Loire region. It was in 380.
The wine production then grew fast. In both river banks, wine makers made white wine. On the hills, they went for red wine.
Such as in Burgundy, most of the vineyards belong to monasteries and monks had developed the wine production in the whole region.
The
best known terroirs in the Loire valley are:
Pouilly and Sancerre
In the eastern part of the Valley, most of the grapes used are Sauvignon Blanc , which also contributes to the superb white Bordeaux.
The delicious, dry white Pouilly-Fumé (do not confuse with the Burgundy Pouilly-Fuissé) is produced in this area. The Pouilly-Fumé has a bewitching perfume, rich aromas and a distinctive flavour.
The Sancerre is produced on the other bank of the river. The white wine is very dry, with a robust aroma, delicately lively and pure.
Touraine
Further West, in the center of the Valley, in the province of Touraine, the predominant grape-variety is Chenin Blanc. The better known wines are the Vouvray and the Montlouis. They are generally smooth, fruity and fresh.
Touraine is also the homeland of the best red Loire wines, Bourgueil and Chinon, elaborated mainly from Cabernet Franc.
Anjou - Saumur
The large Anjou-Saumur region, neighbouring the Touraine on the West, also produces a white wine from Chenin Blanc. It is a charming wine, dry with a slight smoothness.
Muscadet
The Muscadet at the far West of the valley, produces a pale white wine, dry refreshing, light and astringent. The grape-variety is also called Muscadet. The wine is at its best served fresh and young.
Other regions: Alsace - Burgundy - Bordeaux - Champagne - Provence - Cote Du Rhone - Languedoc - South West - Corsica