The wines of the Loire Valley

The vineyard of Nantes is the stronghold of Muscadet, the first Loire wine to gain a certain renown. This white wine, very dry, firm and slightly iodized, is particularly suitable for shellfish and other crustaceans. The most perfumed and most alive come from Sèvre-et-Maine, east of Nantes. Muscadet is traditionally bottled on lees, giving more structure and fragrance to the wine.

The vineyard of Anjou-Saumur is located in the extension of the Pays Nantais. The wide variety of soils and the many microclimates make it possible to produce any style of wine.
The grape variety for white wines is chenin, and produces both dry and aromatic wines, such as Anjou and Savennières, as well as great sweet wines. Some estates are doing well in the Coteaux du Layon and Coteaux de l'Aubance appellations. The majority grape of the red wines in this region is Cabernet Franc: Saumur-Champigny is one of the most refreshing expressions of this grape on a land dominated by the tuffeau.

The vineyards of Touraine split into two: to the west of Tours, Cabernet-Franc reigns supreme with the appellation Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil. Influenced by the Atlantic, it gives vigorous wines with a fruity raspberry and pleasant freshness. To the east, Chenin expresses itself wonderfully well. Although more acid than in Anjou, it develops a honeyed taste the best vintages.
An appellation like Vouvray can improve for many years.

The vineyard of the Center-Loire is the cradle of the finest Sauvignons, the most complex of France, to see the world. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are the best representatives of this variety. Here, the soils have a high proportion of flint which gives the wines mineral notes (flint). Appellations such as Reuilly, Quincy and Mentou-salon offer a lighter, fruity style, ideal for a lunch in the sun.