Centre-Loire Wine Region Guide

One of the most notable wine regions in France, Centre-Loire has an array of wines that are known for their prominence and influence. If you're travelling through the Loire Valley Wine Region, we hope you'll get a chance to sample these excellent wines! Centre-Loire produces a lot of well-known wine. A variety of different techniques are used, including old and new methods, to produce wines that are sought after across the world. Centre-Loire wines are specially made because of the region's unique methods and refined grapes. These produce a great wine that's unlike any other in France, or even around the world.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Centre-Loire Wine Region

Where is the Centre-Loire Wine Region

The Loire Valley wine region is on the river Loire, from the Muscadet region near the city of Nantes on the Atlantic coast to the region of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé just southeast of the city of Orléans in north central France.

Terrior of Centre-Loire

Centre-Loire wine region is mostly terraced onto flatland from the secondary era and slopes from the tertiary era.The windswept valleys and plains of Priorat were abandoned by the Sea 70 million years ago, though not for very long. Their soils today are made up of limestone, clay and oxides from the basalt rocks that form the mountain peaks. Winegrowers currently select just a few grape varieties for planting in the fertile soil. Although the Centre-Loire Region is very geologically diverse, the main soil types can be narrowed down to four, primarily Kimmeridgian, Portlandian, Oxfordian and Albian. The temperature here is mostly temperate with continental features and temperatures varying widely, ranging from 1 degree in the winter to 26 degrees in the summer. The annual rainfall is usually between 600 and 800 mm.

Centre-Loire Wine Characteristics 

The Centre-Loire Vineyard is one of the five wine-making regions of the Loire Valley Vineyard. Wine growing in this region benefits from an oceanic climate and occasionally gets continental influences. The Centre-Loire Vineyard mostly produces wonderful white wines, but also reds and rosés. The white wines are made from Chasselas and Chardonnay; the red ones come from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Cot. These superb wines have a mineral aroma and will keep for many years. The two most well-known wines are the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.

Food to pair with Centre-Loire Wine

1. Cheese

Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine

Sainte-Maure de Touraine is a soft cheese that is made solely with goat's milk. It comes in an unusually shaped log and it weighs around 250 grams. This cheese has been produced since the 19th century, but it was originally called Sainte-Maure, in the Tours region of France. To produce Sainte-Maure, cheese curds are drained and then salted throughout their body. This helps to make the cheese firmer and also intensifies its salty and nutty taste. It's this characteristic that makes it one of the most well-known cheeses in France." Its rind is thin and smooth, with a blue to gray fungus covering it. The interior is creamy in texture and fully white. Pair it with Centre-Loire dry white wines and light red wines for the best experience.

Le Roule

Le roule is a French fresh cheese originating from the city of Rians. The cheese is made with cow's milk, and it is hand-rolled into a log that is enriched with garlic and various herbs. Its texture is creamy, melt-in-the-mouth, and smooth! If you haven't tried it yet, you should! A roule is jam made from raspberries or blueberries, then spread on bread or used in sandwiches. You can pair it with Centre-Loire wines.

Fleur de Sologne

Fleur de Sologne is a French cheese from the Sologne region of France. It is small and shaped like a flower, made from raw milk. It's usually left to age from 10 to 15 days before consumption. The texture is soft, creamy, and dense underneath its bloomy ash-coated rind. The aromas of Fleur de Sologne are rich and complex. There is a hint of lactic acidity, goat cheese, floral notes, crushed flowers, and citrus orange. The flavors are delicate and delicate with a touch of fruity grapes in the background. It's recommended to serve it on a cheese board with Centre-Loire white wines.

2. Pithiviers

Pithiviers is a classic French pastry pie that's traditionally decorated with spiral markings coming from the center of the dish. It originated in the eponymous French town. The dish is made from puff pastry, and it can be filled with sweet or savory. Pithivier is a dessert pie and can be filled with different fruits and flavors. The sweet versions are usually served with coffee on the side. The savory versions are also commonly filled with cheese, vegetables, and meat such as boursin and AOP Roquefort. Pithiviers is characterized by its distinctive, shiny top crust, which is made using a mixture of eggwash and caramalized sugar after baking. Both varieties of Pithivier dish go perfectly with a variety of wine wines from the Centre-Loire.

Places to visit near Centre-Loire

1. ZooParc de Beauval

The ZooParc de Beauval, more commonly called Beauval Zoo or, more simply, Beauval, is a French zoological park located in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire. It features more than 35,000 animals on 40 hectares, which is one of the largest animal collections in France and in Europe.

2. Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d'Orléans

Orléans Cathedral is a historic Roman Catholic church located in the city of Orléans, France. It was initially built from 1278-1329.During the French Wars of Religion in 1568, the Palace of Versailles was partially destroyed. It underwent several renovations until 1829.

3. Cathédrale Saint-Gatien

Tours Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Tours, Indre-et-Loire, France. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Tours and the metropolitan cathedral for the Tours ecclesiastical province. The cathedral was built between 1185 and 1225, after which it became an archbishop's residence.

Frequently asked questions about Centre-Loire Wine Region