The Loire Valley is a wine region that spans from the Loire River in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the south, where it borders with the Burgundy region.
The Loire Valley is a wine region that spans from the Loire River in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the south, where it borders with the Burgundy region. The Loire River is the longest river in France, an important artery for transportation of goods and supplies. For this reason, many towns settled along its banks and helped boost local economies of these areas. The river itself also played a role in influencing the area’s climate, creating microclimates that are suitable for growing grapes throughout much of the valley.
As you can see from this brief description, there is a significant amount to learn about French wines before you begin your tasting journey! Below are some handy guides for getting started on your wine learning adventure.
It’s home to world-famous wine regions such as Chinon, Saumur, Melun and Tours.
For wine connoisseurs, Loire Valley is a veritable heaven on earth. Ranging from the city of Nantes in western France all the way to Sancerre, just east of Orléans and just north of Burgundy, this region is home to world-famous wine regions such as Chinon, Saumur, Melun and Tours.
The Loire Valley’s location makes it the perfect climate for a wide range of grapes. It has long been a major trade route for goods including salt and spices moving inland from the Atlantic Ocean. As you can see on any map of France, it extends along the Loire river between two major cities: Nantes (the terminus) and Orléans. This means that there are two distinct climatic influences: one from the oceanic west and one from continental east (i.e., Burgundy).
You can also find small, neglected parts of the valley such as Chenonceaux or Azay-le-Rideau.
If you’re looking to explore the Loire Valley, you’ll find a few well-known cities that are on everyone’s itinerary. However, there are also small, neglected parts of the valley such as Chenonceaux or Azay-le-Rideau. These areas often have fewer tourists and less expensive hotels. Be sure to not only visit the big tourist attractions but also try some of the smaller towns and countryside villages that aren’t as well known.
You can taste up to 20 different types of wine from this area.
There are over 20 types of wine from the Loire Valley, and you can taste them all—the pinnacle of luxury travel. But only three types are permitted to carry the name, and those are: red, white and rosé. The most popular wine is white, followed by rosé and then red (which is unpopular because it’s produced in small quantities).
Loire wines are known for their full body, rich fruitiness and low acidity; even white wines like Sauvignon Blanc are known for their purity.
The wines are known for their full body, rich fruitiness and low acidity; even white wines like Sauvignon Blanc are known for their purity. In the case of Sancerre, these flavors really pop. We’re talking ripe apples, pears, honey and flowers—it’s a great choice if you find yourself in a French bistro (or anywhere else!). Pouilly-Fumé is another excellent option with similar characteristics that’s worth exploring. Since it’s more likely you’ll encounter Sancerre than Pouilly-Fumé on a restaurant list in America, this is probably the one to choose.
Here are 10 things you should know about Loire wines:
Loire wines are known for their full body, rich fruitiness and low acidity. The first two characteristics make them ideal paired with many different kinds of dishes, and the last makes them perfect for those who don’t like other wines because they find them too acidic—like me.
While white wines like Sauvignon Blanc are known for their purity, Chardonnay is a great alternative to Chablis or other Burgundy whites because it’s creamier and more fruity. Both are great with shellfish and fish dishes as well as chicken and mushrooms.
Loire wines are refined and elegant, but they’re also easy to enjoy.
France is a country with many great wines, and the Loire Valley produces some of the best. The Loire Valley region has three main grapes: Sémillon, Muscadelle, and Sauvignon Blanc—and there are plenty of great wines made from all of them.
But it’s not just about the grapes. Knowing which ones you like is crucial to understanding what makes a good wine in France. Most French people share a common palate, so if you don’t know the difference between one type of grape (and its different flavors) versus another one, you might get confused when sommeliers recommend something that tastes really bizarre to you.
For example, Americans are generally attracted to strong flavors: sweet reds with lots of fruit taste really well for us, but we tend to find reds with tons of soft tannins and a long finish less appealing because we can’t stand an overbearing alcohol taste on our palate. On the other hand, French people usually prefer lower-alcohol wines that aren’t overly acidic or too dry; these tend to have more subtle flavor complexities.