the loire valley

The Loire Valley stretches from the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of France through to the centre of the country. Over this length (around 480 kilometres) there are several different climates, from the western maritime with its damp and frosty weather through to the continental system with warmer summers but colder winters.

Some of the regions are:

Pays Nantaise, with granite based soils which produces the crisp white Muscadet and Gros Plant wines. The grape variety for Muscadet is the Melon de Bourgogne.

Anjou Saumur, with mainly schist soil types, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignan dominated white grapes and Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignan red grapes, producing Anjou reds and rosés, Côteaux de Layon sweet wines and the Saumur reds, Saumur Champigny, etc. A lot of the reds are light and fruity, tend to be served slightly chilled and are better drunk younger.

Touraine, with a sandy gravel soil, producing Chinon, Bourgeuil and St Nicholas de Bourgeuil reds, amongst others.

Central Vineyards, a touch further south, Sauvignon dominated white grapes, with gravelly limestone soil, producing Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. The Sancerre appelation also produces some really nice reds and rosés made from Pinot noir.

The Loire had 1500+ hectares in production and 130 producers in 2005. Our partners in this area are:

Domaine de la Bregeonnette in the Muscadet region, and 

Vincent Gaudry producing biodynamic Sancerres

Domaine de la Puannerie in the Touraine, who make a fantastic Sauvignon Blanc.