The Loire Valley, the ‘Jardin de la France’, what a spectacular place! The Loire Valley is one of the most complex French wine regions and one of the most varied on the planet. Its vast extension and diverse micro-climates allow grape growers and winemakers to make a unique collection of wine styles with many grapes.

The Loire is not to be underestimated; there’s a wine style for all palates and occasions, from crisp white wines perfect with seafood to robust reds to match grilled red meat. You’ll also find sweet dessert wine, sparkling wine and the prettiest rosé you’ve tried! Here’s all you need to know about the Loire Valley.

The History of the Loire Valley

The Ancient Romans discovered a suitable place to make high-quality wine in the benches around the impetuous Loire Valley. Viticulture here goes back to the 1st century! After the fall of the Roman Empire, Catholic missionaries and monks dominated winemaking throughout the Middle Ages, and the wines gained immediate recognition in the highest courts and palaces.

Cities along the Loire Valley soon became economic, political and religious centres of great importance, including Nantes, Angers, Tours and Orléans. Home to Joan of Arc, the Loire Valley became strategic during the Hundred Years War and eventually, after the French consolidation, became the summer playing ground for kings and noblemen, which explains the many palaces dotting the area. Today, the Loire Valley is a UNESCO Heritage Site.

The Terroir in the Loire Valley

The Loire River runs from the Massif Central to the Atlantic Ocean, and with its 1,006 kilometres (625 mi), it’s the longest river in France. The river has carried a wide variety of soils, now critical for growing premium wine grapes, including schist, calcareous, tuffeau and siliceous soils in the East, and sandstone, igneous rocks and granite in the West, close to the Atlantic Coast.

The weather also varies depending on the proximity to the Ocean. It’s humid and rainy around Nantes and continental around the Paris Basin. A varied climate allows for a wide range of wine styles, making the Loire Valley most interesting.

Wine Styles and Grapes in the Lore Valley

The Loire Valley is famous for its crisp, refreshingly dry white wines produced in its eastern and western ends. Muscadet is made in Pays Nantais, and it’s known as the ultimate seafood wine. On the other side, the herbal wines of Central Loire, particularly Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé, are made with Sauvignon Blanc and are beautifully mineral.

The Anjou region has various styles, but its greatest hit is the sweet Rosé d’Anjou. The central area of Saumur and Touraine are home to the Loire’s most extraordinary red wines made with Cabernet Franc and the most sophisticated wines made with Chenin Blanc, which range from lusciously sweet to dry and sparkling.

Most Important Appellations in the Loire Valley

Muscadet is a wine style made only in a few appellations in the Pays Nantais growing Melon de Bourgogne.

Rosé d’Anjou specialises in a pink wine with residual sugar made with Gamay or Grolleau. Anjou Villages Brissac AOP is dedicated to red wine production in the same area.

Chinon and Bourgueil are amongst the most respected AOC for red wine with Cabernet Franc, and the wines can be complex and age-worthy.

Coteaux du Layon is one of few appellations dedicated to producing sweet wine made with botrytized Chenin Blanc grapes.

Vouvray is a multifaceted appellation that can make sweet, dry and sparkling wine with Chenin Blanc depending on the vintage’s climatic conditions.

Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre are amongst the best-known appellations in the Loire, and they’re famous for their mineral Sauvignon Blanc, perhaps the most exciting on the planet. Winemakers in Sancerre also make elegant Pinot Noir.

What Does Loire Valley Wine Taste Like?

With so many wine styles and grapes, no Loire wine tastes the same. If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, the wines from Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé are perfect for you, and for a refreshing, uncomplicated white wine with exceptional versatility at the table, there’s nothing like Muscadet.

Red wines in the Loire Valley often display tart red fruit aromas and structured palates. These serious wines are often contemplative and age-worthy. And as for the pink, sweet and bubbly wine, expect nothing but the highest quality and the most nuanced bouquets. The Loire has a wine style for every type of wine drinker.

How to Pair Loire Valley Wine with Food?

Muscadet is the perfect wine for seafood, raw oysters, clams and light creamy sauces. The Valley’s Sauvignon Blanc has no equal when paired with goat’s cheese, also produced in the area. And these are just a few examples of the Loire Valley’s versatility at the dinner table.

Red wines complement roasts, game and steaks perfectly, and the Loire’s sweet wines are a dessert in their own right but will shine with foie gras and blue cheese. Wine pairing possibilities are endless for the Loire wine repertoire, and there’s much joy in discovering them for yourself.

Loire Valley Wine to Try

Domaine Des Clerambaults Sur Lie 2019, Muscadet Coteaux De La Loire

This astounding Muscadet is made with Melon de Bourgogne, and the wine is aged sur lie, meaning on its fine lies or yeast deposits. This gives the wine the most attractive roundness on the palate and a slight fizz. The wine’s bouquet is all about white fruit and citrus peels. Try with freshly shucked oysters.

Domaine Des Clerambaults 2019, Rosé d’Anjou

This 100% Gamay is a semi-sweet rosé with vibrant acidity and the palest cherry colour. The nose is also reminiscent of cherries, making the wine easy to enjoy and attractive on its own served chilled. Delightful with salads and fried finger food.

Christian Lauverjat Moulin Des Vrilleres Reserve Du Demon 2019, Sancerre

This beautiful Sauvignon Blanc has intense grapefruit and fresh-cut grass scents over a tight palate blessed by the loveliest acidity and mineral undertones. Although ready to enjoy, this wine will also age well for a few years. Enjoy with salmon, tuna or other oily fish.

Available at Pierre Hourlier Wines

The Loire Valley Has It All

Describing the Loire Valley and its wines is incredibly complicated; there are dozens of wine styles, all unique in their category and hundreds of talented producers making superb wine with an elite set of grapes. The Loire Valley is as beautiful to explore as it is to taste, and that’s one exciting journey! What are your favourite Loire wines?