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. Its official wine route which is marketed under the
umbrella of 'La route des
vignobles' stretches a total of 800km from Nantes in the west to Sancerre in the
east.
Living here we have become more acquainted
(probably too frequently!) with the many good wines the Loire Valley has to
offer.
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
Bourgueil, Chinon,
Montlouis-sur-Loire, Sancerre, Saumur, Touraine & Vouvray
to name but a few.
There are a number of grape
varieties used throughout the region which give
rise to this vibrant diversity of wines.
Loire
Valley grape varieties
Red
Cabernet Franc
This is the long established signature
grape for the red wines of Saumur and Touraine in the
Loire Valley.The wines it produces, Chinon, Bourgueil,
St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny are lighter
than that of Bordeaux (where the grape probably originated)
wines. This is due in part to the Loire Valley's cooler
climate. These wines have gained a reputation for
refreshing, youthful wines that should be drunk early.
Gamay
The Gamay
grape is the mainstay of rosé wines of the Loire Valley
produced in Anjou and Saumur. It is also used sometimes in
the blending of red wines of those areas. There are some
wines in the region made entirely from this grape such as
‘Touraine Gamay’.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Although a popular
choice throughout the world of vintners this grape variety
is not widely used in the Loire Valley. It is added to a
number of reds to give them some 'body', plus it is used to
produce some rosés.
Pinot Noir
This grape which gives us the
popular reds of Burgandy also does well here in the Loire
Valley in the light reds of Sancerre and Cheverny.
White
Chenin Blanc
Wines with this grape are
probably the most synonymous with the Loire Valley. Its
versatile properties mean that it is found in anything from
the very dry to the sweetest of wines plus it is great for
making sparkling wines.
Appellations where this
can be found include Vouvray, Anjou, Chinon,
Montlouis-sur-Loire, Saumur and Savennieres.
Sauvignon Blanc
These grapes are
responsible
for the popular and world famous Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume
wines,
classified as “Vins du Centre”
Muscadet
This grape is grown
around the extreme western part of the Loire Valley, around
Nantes, as it proved to be the best variety to cope with
winter frosts the area is susceptible to. The wines from
these grapes are marketed under the same name,
Chardonnay
In the Loire Valley
Chardonnay grapes are used mainly as a blending grape adding
richness to sparkling wines and they are sometimes used in
Saumur and Anjou whites but only as a small percentage of
the finished blend.
The area is also second only to Champagne in the
production of sparkling wines in France but available at a fraction of the
price.
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 doesn't 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” ('Centre wines'
on map) but it does cover the Loire
Valley from the Atlantic to Orleans. Included are 69 separate
appellations with the AOC* stamp of approval with more than 7,000
wine producers.
*AOC - 'appellation d'origine controlee' which
roughly translates as ‘areas of controlled origin’
Each year when the grapes are almost ripe and
are about ready for harvesting you can enjoy a guided walk through a Loire
Valley vineyards courtesy of
https://www.vvr-valdeloire.fr/ which can be educational and fun.
Evey year you get your chance to meet
fifty winemakers of Bourgueil along boulevard Heurteloup in Tours and taste
their new vintage wines.
Wines from Bourgueil and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil plus food are on offer
during this, the fifteenth edition, of the Wine Festival of Bourgueil.
Annual Vouvray wine fair
Vouvray Wine Fair (Foire aux
vins)
Discover the wines
of Vouvray presented by a variety of local winemakers in the heart
of the troglodyte caves ‘de la Bonne Dame’ a great experience – try
not to be the nominated driver!
Visitors can also enjoy gourmet specialties to accompany the wines.
Free entry. Tasting
glass is € 3.00 on site. 10 am -7 pm
Location: Vouvray - Caves de la Bonne Dame
Vitiloire,Tours celebrates
wines of the Loire Valley May 26th and 27th 2019
Saturday from 10h to 19h - Sunday from 10h to 18h
place de la Gare - Boulevard Heurteloup - Garden Prefecture
On the occasion of Vitiloire ,
Tours, in the heart of one of the great wine regions,
welcomes nearly 150 winemakers for the weekend.
It's right in the city
centre, on the Boulevard Heurteloup , Station Square and in
the garden of the Prefecture, the public is invited to
discover the diversity and richness of the Loire wines
represented by 70 AOC.
There is also a market
and gourmet village dedicated to the gastronomy of
Touraine where you can taste the famous goat’s cheese of
Sainte-Maure, rillettes, Foie gras and even local beers.
Whether you are experts
or amateurs, come and relax, share, discuss, enjoy our wines.
Celebrating Champigny wines, the town of Saumur hosts two evenings
where thousands gather to taste the great
wines and produce of the area in a party atmosphere with live music.
