Loire Region

Everything you need to know about the Loire Valley region

The Loire Valley is one of the largest and most diverse wine regions in France. Stretching from the Pays Nantais to the Centre-Loire, it offers a wide variety of wines: dry or sweet whites, light to more structured reds, rosés, and sparkling wines. This diversity is directly linked to the variety of soils, climates, and grape varieties found along the river.

A wine-growing region with diverse terroirs

The vineyards of the Loire Valley are situated on very different soils depending on the area.
In the Nantes region , the soils are primarily composed of ancient rocks such as granite, gneiss, and schist. In Anjou , the soils are mainly composed of schist, slate, and sandstone. Further east, in Touraine and the Centre-Loire region , the soils become more calcareous, with mixtures of tuffeau, clay, and sand.

The climate also varies: oceanic influence in the west, more continental climate in Touraine and the Centre-Loire. These differences explain the wide variety of wine styles produced in the region.

A vineyard structured into several zones

The Loire Valley vineyards are generally divided into four main areas:

• The Nantes region , known for its dry and fresh white wines, particularly those from the Muscadet area.

• Anjou and Saumur , which produce white, red, rosé and sparkling wines

• Touraine , with a great diversity of appellations and styles

• The Centre-Loire region , renowned for its expressive and mineral white wines

Each area has its own appellations and specific characteristics, contributing to the overall richness of the Loire Valley vineyards.

Grape varieties and appellations

The Loire is a region of great varietal diversity.
For red and rosé wines, the most common grape varieties are Cabernet Franc , Gamay and Pinot Noir .
For white wines, the main varieties are Chenin Blanc , Sauvignon Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne .

The region boasts numerous appellations, including Muscadet, Anjou, Saumur, Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Sancerre, and Pouilly-Fumé. This diversity allows for wines suited to a wide range of uses and tasting styles.

Food and wine pairings from the Loire Valley

Dry white wines from the Loire pair well with fish, seafood and goat cheeses.
Red wines, often supple and low in tannins, easily accompany charcuterie, white meats or certain stews.
Rosé and sparkling wines are suitable as an aperitif or with lighter meals.

Estates in the Loire Valley to discover

This selection highlights several areas representative of the diversity and styles of the region:

• Arnaud Lambert

• Patrick Baudouin

• Clos du Tue-Bœuf

• Domaine Amirault, Le Clos des Quarterons

These estates allow you to approach Loire wines in a simple and concrete way, through wines suitable for both discovery and regular tasting.