Loire Valley Wine Region Guide

Travel Guide to Loire Valley Wine Region

From the Atlantic Coast to the Centre Region, Loire Valley extends to more than 800 kilometres. Having a great diversity of microclimates and terroirs, the wine producers in the region produce many different wines. However, most of the wines produced in the appellation area, are made with a single grape variety.

Check out wine tastings & tours in Loire Valley wine region!

Discover Loire Valley Wine Region

Loire Valley Wine region is famous for its world-class wines. 52% of the wine production is for white wines, 26% concerns red wines, 16% for rosé wines, and 6% for sparkling wines. Also, the region is the second producing region of rosé wines of the appellation in France.

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Discover Loire Valley Wine Route

Lots of vineyards offer tours and tastings and it is famous for its wine route. The wine route of Loire Valley, which is the longest wine route gives you the possibility to discover the great diversity of the wine region and its vineyards listed on the UNESCO Heritage List as an outstanding cultural landscape. Don't forget to explore its historic towns with fairytale châteaux.

With approximately 1000 km of coastline, the Loire is France’s tallest river. When it comes to vineyards, this is one of the most famous rivers. It's also the river that has the most vineyards close by. Here you can find a wide variety of wines to suit all tastes. You can choose to buy wine with high fruit acidity, dry, sweet, etc. Read more about the amazing Loire Valley Wine Route and taste local wines!

Loire Valley Wine Region Map

More than 2000 years of history

Planted more than 2000 years ago, the vineyard around Nantes is the oldest in the Loire Valley wine region. In fact, the Romans were the first to grow vines in this area. Then, the 5th century was the beginning of the Loire Valley viticulture whose trade was facilitated through the Loire river. Over the years, the wine region increased its visibility thanks to the French and English crowned heads who encouraged people to discover these lovely wines.

From the devastation to the renowned

The freezing winter of 1709 caused a considerable loss for the vineyards of the Loire Valley. In addition to this, the French Revolution and the phylloxera crisis had devastating effects on the vineyard. After these events, winegrowers from the Loire Valley rebuilt the vineyard and decided to focus on quality production. It is the birth of the well-known appellations of the wine region.

Full of diversity- Five Wine Regions of Loire Valley

Loire Valley wine region has great diversity and it is further divided into several distinct areas, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and styles.

Pays Nantais and Fiefs Vendéens region

Close to the Atlantic Ocean, the wine region of Nantes is the beginning of the Loire river. It extends over 15.000 hectares and comprises different types of grape varieties. This region is renowned for the appellation Muscadet, a dry white wine made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape variety, which gives unique aromas to Muscadet wines. It is great to pair with seafood.

Moreover, the appellation Fiefs Vendéens is a great success thanks to winemakers who make exceptional wines.

Anjou-Saumur region

Prodigious land of sweet and dry white wines and authentic red wines, Anjou-Saumur wine region offers a diversity of soils and microclimates. Extending over 20.000 hectares, the vineyard comprises four main grape varieties.

These typical wines owe their uniqueness to the limestone-clay, tuffeau, and sandy soils.

Touraine region

Touraine wine region represents 12.000 hectares in the most diversified wine region of France, Loire Valley. Just like Anjou-Saumur wine region, Touraine wine region offers fine white and red wines. Besides prestigious red wine appellations such as Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil, and Chinon whose Rabelais praised merits in the 16th century, It is also famous for Vouvray and Cheverny white wine appellations.

Orléanais - Centre Loire region

Located south of the Paris Basin, this region comprises around 6.000 hectares of vineyard extended from Orléans to the foothills of the Massif Central.

The region is mostly known for the appellations Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Quincy, Reuilly, and Menetou-Salon. In fact, the diversity of limestone soils in the Centre Loire region gives fine and aromatic wines. Furthermore, the semi-continental climate with microclimatic variations is ideal for the grape variety Pinot Noir which gives surprising red wines.

Auvergne region

The wine region of Auvergne is the smallest of the Loire Valley, it extends over 2.000 hectares.

Moreover, it is part of the French vineyards dating from the Gallo-Roman era. Indeed, the Romans were the first ones to plant the vineyard of this appellation.

Regarding wines, the production includes white, rosé, and remarkable red wines. The grape variety Gamay, which composes these red wines, brings these specific characteristics to these.

Where you can taste Loire Valley wines

Alpha Loire

Domaines Alpha Loire is a production and trading winery anchored in the central regions of the Loire Valley and renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc, from Sancerre to Vouvray-Montlouis, Cheverny and Touraine. 

The Wineries in Loire Valley offer a diversity of experiences. Visit them and taste their remarkable typical wines!

Explore Historic Cities of Loire Valley Wine Region

Loire Valley wine region is full of secrets just waiting to be discovered. Do not hesitate to get lost among the castles, vineyards, old towns, and all these fabulous historical monuments thanks to the many experiences that will be offered to you.

The Historic City of Nantes

Full of history, Nantes is the largest city in the Loire Valley wine region. A number of monuments tell a story of striking historical events which affected Nantes. Nantes has been cited as one of the cities with the best quality of life. In addition, the city is a key economic player for France.

Whether it is the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, Les Machines de l'Île, the Cathedral or the Passage Pommeraye and Le Lieu Unique, Nantes offers a diversity of monuments and activities combining pleasure and history. With family or friends, everything is possible in this city.

Tours - The City of Art and History

In the heart of the Loire castles road, the city of Tours is the place to live well and to enjoy delicious food. Gallo-Roman city owns several food specialities paired with the finest wines.

On the historical side, Tours was the place where Kings stayed in the Renaissance. Also, in the following centuries, it was a safe place for the French Government. Actually, they found refuge in the city during the war in 1870 and the Second World War.

This part of history explains the number of castles around Tours. In addition to these incredible castles, there are many monuments to visit, like the Basilica Saint-Martin de Tours, the Cathedral Saint-Gatien, and so on.

Orléans, A Former Royal City

Orléans had an unquestionable place in the history of France. Due to its strategic location in the Loire river, the city is the closest to Paris, this position explains the importance of Orléans in French history.

From Ceasar to Joan of Arc up to now, the city has a rich past which is visible through several monuments with remarkable architecture. These are Campo Santo, Sainte-Croix Cathedral, Saint-Aignan Church, and many others.

Spend a good time with the family or friends in the lovely city center, walking in the gardens and around the streets. Visiting Orléans is an enriching experience.

The Sweetness of Living in Roanne

Roanne is the ideal place for a city break close to nature. The old city center with South-colors buildings offers a pleasant walk through its streets. The city is famous for its Gastronomy - here, you can find world world-renowned restaurants for their gourmet cuisine.

Roanne has a rich cultural heritage, surprising monuments, and lovely places to visit. The covered market of the city awakens the taste buds, Saint-Michel des Lycées Chapel is a pleasure for the eyes just like Saint-Etienne Church. These are examples, there are many other things to do to have a good time in the city of Roanne.

Find the best Loire Valley Wine Tour Guides and embark on unforgettable Guided Wine Tours in the picturesque Loire Valley.

Where to Stay in Loire Valley?

Hôtel des Sources is located in a green and quite setting, in the heart of Pougues-les-Eaux station and is ideally situated for exploring Loire Valley. It features a terrace and a garden where to relax in.

Located in Cheffes sur Sarthe, on the edge of the Sarthe River, this 18th-century property offers a big park, free bikes and a communal lounge with a fireplace. Each room is decorated with a country-style décor.  

Le Paddock Hotel is located in the Nièvre, few kilometers from the famous Magny-Cours circuit  on which you can test your driving skills. From the hotel you can easily discover the historic city of Nevers and visit the Sancerre vineyards.

In the very heart of Nevers, The Originals Boutique, Hôtel Clos Sainte Marie, offers a garden with outdoor furniture and water cascades that create an aquatic atmosphere. The hotel is situated near the train station and the attractions nearby.

Gastronomy of Loire Valley Wine Region

Nantais Cake

This delicious cake has been invented around 1820 in the City of the Dukes, Nantes. At that time the quays of Nantes receive the delights such as sugar cane, amber rum, and bourbon vanilla from the West Indies.

The recipe includes sugar, butter, flour, almond powder, eggs, and rum. This classic recipe is a safe bet as a dessert. Plus, the Nantais cake will be tastier if it is cooked the day before.

Loire Salmon With Sorrel

This legendary dish was invented by Pierre Troisgros in Roanne in the 1960s. Generally eaten from February to September, the recipe comprises fresh salmon fillet, fresh sorrel, shallots, crème fraîche, Vermouth and Sancerre wines, lemon, salt, and pepper.

Wine pair: the Loire salmon with sorrel goes well with young dry white wines from the Loire Valley. As for example, a Sancerre wine, Fiefs Vendéens Brem, Chinon or Saumur white wines.

Rillettes de Tours

A gastronomic specialty from Touraine, the Rillettes de Tours was created in the 15th century in the countryside of the region. 

The main characteristic of rillettes is that they have a golden colour with a frayed texture. In fact, this is due to the long cooking of the noble pork meat in lard. Traditionally, rillettes is flavoured with Vouvray wine and served in pots, they are savoured by being placed with a fork on a slice of bread.

The andouille of Charlieu

Dating back to several centuries, this recipe is made of pork marinated in red wine, herbs, and spices for few days. After that, the meat is put in a pork casing and parboiled then refined for several days.

They recommend it to try it oven-baked together with sliced potatoes, onions, a hint of garlic, and pepper. During the cooking time moisten the andouille with white wine.

Find out more about Loire Valley Wine Region:

• Tourisme Val de Loire
• Val de Loire
• Tourraine Loire Valley
• Vins du Val de Loire

Insider Tips about Loire Valley Wine Region

Where to eat in Loire Valley?

Where to stay in Loire Valley?

The best wine bars in Loire Valley