
Loire Wine
Learn about Loire wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
Praised for its stately Renaissance-era chateaux, the picturesque Loire valley produces pleasant wines of just about every style. Just south of Paris, the appellation lies along the river of the same name and stretches from the Atlantic coast to the center of France.
The Loire can be divided into three main growing areas, from west to east: the Lower Loire, Middle Loire, and Upper/Central Loire. The Pay Nantais region of the Lower Loire—farthest west and closest to the Atlantic—has a maritime climate and focuses on the Melon de Bourgogne variety, which makes refreshing, crisp, aromatic whites.
The Middle Loire contains Anjou, Saumur and Touraine. In Anjou, Chenin Blanc produces some of, if not the most, outstanding dry and sweet wines with a sleek, mineral edge and characteristics of crisp apple, pear and honeysuckle. Cabernet Franc dominates red and rosé production here, supported often by Grolleau and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sparkling Crémant de Loire is a specialty of Saumur. Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc are common in Touraine as well, along with Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay and Malbec (known locally as Côt).
The Upper Loire, with a warm, continental climate, is Sauvignon Blanc country, home to the world-renowned appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Pinot Noir and Gamay produce bright, easy-drinking red wines here.
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Sager & Verdier Sancerre 2020Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Domaine Sylvain Bailly Sancerre Terroirs 2020Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Domaine Hubert Brochard Sancerre Tradition 2020Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Henri Bourgeois Les Baronnes Sancerre Rouge 2018Pinot Noir from Sancerre, Loire, France
- JS
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Langlois Chateau Sancerre 2020Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Domaine Salvard Cheverny Rouge 2020Other Red Blends from Touraine, Loire, France
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Louis de Grenelle Corail Saumur RoseSparkling Rosé from Touraine, Loire, France
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Domaine de Reuilly Pinot Gris 2018Pinot Gris/Grigio from Reuilly, Loire, France
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Sec 2019Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- RP
- WS
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Chereau Carre Chateau de la Chesnaie Muscadet Sevre Et Maine 2020Melon de Bourgogne from Pays Nantais, Loire, France
- WW
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Catherine & Pierre Breton Trinch! 2020Cabernet Franc from Bourgueil, Touraine, Loire, France
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Pascal Janvier Jasnieres 2020Chenin Blanc from Touraine, Loire, France
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Domaine du Nozay Sancerre 2020Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Laffourcade Savennieres 2018Chenin Blanc from Anjou, Loire, France
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Domaine Paul Buisse Touraine Sauvignon 2020Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine, Loire, France
- WW
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Premier Trie Clos du Bourg 2018Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine des Nouelles Rose d'Anjou 2020Rosé from Anjou, Loire, France
- WW
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Langlois Chateau Cremant de Loire BrutNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Loire, France
- WE
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Domaine Paul Buisse Chinon 2020Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
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Gratien & Meyer Cremant de Loire Brut RoseSparkling Rosé from Loire, France
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Domaine de Bernier Chardonnay 2020Chardonnay from Loire, France
- TP
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Domaine Vincent Careme Vouvray Spring 2019Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- W&S
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Domaine Philippe Gilbert Menetou-Salon Blanc 2019Sauvignon Blanc from Loire, France
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Le Coeur de la Reine Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2020Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine, Loire, France
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec 2020Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- RP
- WS