Tours is a commune in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The city and its surroundings are very popular tourist areas. Located in the vineyards of the Loire Valley, it is surrounded by many vineyards producing renowned AOC wines.
Discover the Tourangeau Art of Living: café terraces, banks of the Loire River, flower market... Tours is a city where life is good to live and which has an admirable historical heritage. This city has marked the history of France many times from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance. The Touraine wine region is also admired for its white, red and rosé wines of rare elegance and great finesse. On this vineyard, you can find star appellations such as Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil or Montlouis ...
It is not by chance that Touraine is nicknamed the "garden of France"; it is a real garden where all kinds of fruit are grown. The region is also known for its saffron, truffles, rillettes and goat cheese. Be sure to visit the markets to discover the specialities of Touraine. In Tours, St. Gatien's Cathedral, St. Martin's Basilica and Place Plumereau are must-see places if you pass by. You will also not be able to leave the region without visiting the Loire Valley castles, which are the fruit of the city's historical imprint on the history of France. The city of Tours is not lacking beautiful places to see.
Nor is it lacking in excellent wines to taste. The wines of the Loire Valley are often made from a single grape variety: Sauvignon, Côt, Pinot Noir, Chenin, Chardonnay, or Cabernet Franc... In Tours or in the wine villages of the Touraine region, you can indulge in the pleasure of wine tasting, whether you are tempted by pink, white, or red wines.
Are you passing through Tours? Would you like to visit a winery in Tours and discover the vines and wine around this city? Book a vineyard visit or other wine tourism activities in the wine estates around Tours and meet the winegrowers.
What do you need to know about the town of Tours?
For centuries, the city of Tours was located between two hillsides in the heart of the Loire Valley. It was only in the 1960s that it began to expand until it became the largest commune in the Centre-Val de Loire region.
The city of Tours is steeped in history. In particular, it was the capital of the county of Tours. But also the first city of the silk industry and the capital of loyalty for kings Henri III and IV during the Wars of Religion.
Today, Tours is a mecca for culture and the arts. Indeed, the city is classified City of Art and History. You will find several museums and harmonic ensembles playing ancient music. Tours is also home to many comic book illustrators such as Nico Nu.
During your stay in the town, you will inevitably be seduced by its many monuments. In its old districts, discover houses and mansions with typical medieval architecture. Religious buildings, palaces, bridges and gardens are just waiting to be discovered.
Tours and the Loire Valley vineyard
Tours is located close to the Touraine vineyard which is part of the Loire Valley vineyard. The commune is on the borders of the towns of Chambray-lès-Tours and Joué-lès-Tours. These localities are known to produce the AOC Touraine-noble-joué, a rosé wine made from pinot gris, pinot noir and pinot meunier.
A visit to one of the cellars near Tours will reveal the secrets of the vinification of rosé and other wines. From harvesting to bottling, including pressing and vatting, you will learn about the different techniques used to obtain the AOCs for which the Val-de-Loire vineyards are famous.
Addresses for wine tasting near Tours
Are you tempted by a visit to wine cellars near Tours? Here are some addresses to visit.
Le Domaine du Viking
Located at 1300 Route de Monnaie in Reugny, this family estate presents its AOC white wines, dry, semi-dry, sweet and with fine bubbles. During your visit of this cellar near Tours, you can admire the vineyard where chenin and grolleau are planted. You will also explore the hand dug cellars where the grapes are processed.
By visiting this estate, you will learn about the history of the place and you will go to the winery where the winemaking processes will be explained to you. You will then proceed to the tasting of three of the estate's products.
The Vouvray Cellar
The Cave de Vouvray extends over more than 500 hectares. Currently, the vineyard is maintained by about thirty producers. On site, you will discover how each winemaker proceeds with the vinification of his products. These will then be selected by an oenologist, then sent to the Cave des Producteurs de Vouvray to be filtered and transformed into new vintages.
You will find the Cave de Vouvray at 38, rue de la Vallée Coquette in Vouvray. You will start your visit of this cellar near Tours by passing through troglodytic galleries. A booklet will be delivered to you to give you all the necessary explanations.
Finally, a tasting of wines produced near Tours will be offered to you. Three or four dry or sweet wines will give you an overview of the production of this cellar.
Tours is one of the essential stops on the Loire wine route.
Among the main towns near Tours you can find Blois, Saumur, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire et Saint-Pierre-des-Corps.
Some of these winemakers wines are available Buy wine online
