see larger map here......
Within the Loire Valley, France's third largest wine producer, vineyards and wine making are rooted in the very heart of its culture and heritage.
The subtle yet very demanding culture that surrounds the art of wine production here, is grounded in a landscape that offers very little in the way of favours to the vintners.
Yet their success can be measured in the number of fine wines they produce, wines from Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Saumur & Touraine. The area is also second only to Champagne in the production of sparkling wines.
Wine production here helps perpetuate a lifestyle that the region is happy to share with its tourists as well as trying to encourage a more global 'brand'.
A free map and guide are available from 'InterLoire' (the official wine body for the region) to the vineyards of the Loire Valley - available to download in English here: map and guide
This does not include some famous appellations which are very close to the river Loire such as Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Quincy – these are all classified as “Vins du Centre” but it does cover the Loire Valley from the Atlantic to Orleans. Included are 68 separate appellations with more than 7,000 wine producers.
