
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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Domaine Vincent Careme Vouvray Spring 2019Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- W&S
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J. de Villebois Sancerre Les Monts Damnes 2019Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
- WE
- JS
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Domaine Vincent Careme Vouvray Le Clos 2019Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- V
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Domaine Philippe Gilbert Menetou-Salon Blanc 2019Sauvignon Blanc from Loire, France
- WE
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Domaine de la Fruitiere Les Vignes Blanches 2019Other White Blends from Loire, France
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Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvee Terroir 2019Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
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Henry Natter Sancerre Rouge 2019Pinot Noir from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches 2019Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
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Domaine Michel Bregeon Muscadet Sevre Et Maine Sur Lie 2019Melon de Bourgogne from Pays Nantais, Loire, France
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Thierry Germain Saumur Blanc l'Echelier 2019Chenin Blanc from Saumur, Loire, France
- RP
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Domaine Trotereau Quincy 2019Sauvignon Blanc from Loire, France
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Lucien Crochet Croix du Roy Sancerre 2019Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Domaine Claude Branger Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Terroir Les Gras Moutons 2019Melon de Bourgogne from Pays Nantais, Loire, France
- WE
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Thierry Germain Saumur Champigny La Marginale 2019Cabernet Franc from Saumur, Loire, France
- RP