The Loire Valley is one of the largest French wine regions and the most exciting wine area, thanks to the particular characteristics of its terroirs. Although its wine production is wide and varied, the wines of the Loire are particularly famous in their white variety based on Sauvignon de la Loire and Chenin Blanc. As for the red Loire wines, we can only include the productions based on Cabernet Franc and Gama.
It is better known for its Chateaux than for its wines; the Loire is a region that produces very good wines, very different and often with very good value for money. They are often pleasant, elegant, lively wines with a lot of freshness. The wine-growing Loire, the main appellations reviewed quickly: West of the Loire Valley, towards Nantes, we found Muscadet. Anjou-Saumur towards Angers, which includes Anjou, Coteaux du Layon.
The Loire Viticultural, The Main Appellations Quickly Reviewed
To the west of the Loire Valley, towards Nantes, we find Muscadet. Anjou-Saumur towards Angers, which includes Anjou, Coteaux du Layon et Saumur. La Touraine towards Tours, which brings together Touraine, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Chinon and Montlouis. To the east of the Loire Valley are Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre.
The main grape varieties of the Loire are Chenin, Sauvignon Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne for white wines, Cabernet Franc and Gamay for red wines.
Faced with so many appellations, how do we choose the Loire wine that we like? Some tips by type of wine:
Dry White Wines:
Dry white wines made from Chenin (Vouvray, Savennières, Montlouis, etc.) are wines marked by aromas of white flowers and ripe white fruit. They are fresh, nervous, and sensual wines with character. Buy Loire wine as they go very well with rillettes, cold meats, poultry, and dry goat cheese.
Dry white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, etc.) are characterized by aromas of citrus fruits and white flowers. On the finish, we can discover a certain minerality reminiscent of flint. These Sauvignon Blanc go well with oily fish, prawns, and dishes with aromatic herbs.
Dry white wines made from Melon de Bourgogne such as Muscadets are tasty, lively, with notes of citrus and white flowers with an iodine touch. On the palate, the Muscadets have a slight pearl that brings them great freshness. The Muscadet is perfect with a seafood platter and grilled fish.
Red Wines:
Cabernet Franc dominates, especially in Anjou, Bourgueil, Chinon and Saumur. These are very fruity wines, marked by red fruits and some spices which appreciate a light passage in barrels. The other grape varieties, often used in blending, are more fond of wines to consume young on the freshness of the fruit. Cabernet Francs go very well with meat dishes in sauce and offal with mustard or vinegar. Buy Loire wine from a trusted store.
Loire wines can be combined with countless dishes, depending on the character of the wine we are talking about. They are especially famous as accompaniments to fish dishes. Our wines are commonly called “thirst-quenching wines,” they can be drunk as water, and their common practice means that full-bodied wines are reserved for culinary occasions. These wines also do well with seafood. Sancerre is locally like to combine with the local goat’s cheese, a real specialty of the region. Also, try white wine more often with cheeses.
