Loire Valley

Going further west to Touraine, you will find a more moderate climate, with more influence of the ocean. The soil composes of very different soil types like clay, flint, limestone, sand and slate. In the east of this region, we find still lots of plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay and Pinot Noir, but will not reach the depth and complexity like the Sauvignon and Pinot Noir from further east in Centre. Going more west towards the cities of Tours and Chinon, we find of course the Chenin Blanc, along with the Cabernet Franc grapes. The Chenin will appear in very different forms, such sparkling, sweet wine and more complex fuller bodied, thinking of Montlouis and Vouvray. Chinon and Bourgeuil is the place to be for fruity, lighter body, but still sharp green capsicum, along with herbaceous notes Cabernet Franc. A grape variety from the Touraine region that cannot be overlooked is the Malbec grape, or locally called Cot. A very different style than its Argentinian counterpart, where it shows more fruit dominance, or from Cahors, where its shows more of a firm full-body type. Here in Touraine the Malbec grape shows its more elegant style, with higher acidity, more fresh red fruit characters and earthy aromas on the nose and palate. The appellations of Touraine:

• Jasnières
• Coteaux du Vendômois
• Coteaux du Loir
• Touraine
• Touraine-Mesland
• Cheverny; Cour-Cheverny
• Vouvray
• Touraine-Amboise
• Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil
• Montlous
• Bourgueil
• Touraine Oisly
• Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau
• Touraine Chenonceaux
• Chinon
• Haut Poitou

Entering Anjou Saumur, we will still find lots of Chenin Blanc, although with more complexity like in Savennières. The soil is still composed of very different types, but flint and slate ensure beautiful elegance and aging potential in the Chenin Blanc. This grape also stars in the well-known sparkling wine of the region: the Saumur Mousseux and the Crémant. Resulting in a large-scale production, putting it just after Champagne as sparkling producer of France. In terms of rosé, the region reaches second place after Provence, with its Rosé d’Anjou and the Cabernet d’Anjou. This last one is semi-sweet rose made of the Cabernet Franc grape. Here the different appellations are:

• Anjou Coteaux-de-la-Loire
• Savennières
• Quarts-de-Chaumes
• Quarts-de-Chaumes Grand Cru
• Coteaux du Layon
• Coteaux du Layon- Premier Cru Chaume
• Coteaux de l’Aubance
• Anjou
• Bonnezeaux
• Saumur
• Saumur-Champigny
• Coteaux du Saumur

Ending near the ocean at Pays Nantais, we find that the most important grape here is of course the Muscadet. Being so close to the ocean, the maritime climate is highly noticeable. The Muscadet rose to fame here, thanks to the aging on the lees. Here to be recognised by mentioning “Sur Lie” on the label. This more complex and rounder body additions ensure the better Muscadet wines of the region. Back in the old days, when the tradition originated, the best barrel was kept aside for own use. Soon it was noticed that the wine became softer and more complex. Now Muscadet ages the whole winter on its lees and will keep its freshness, and some will even reach the potential to age for up to ten years. Of course, the different appellations of this sub-region will mostly be concentrated around the Muscadet grape, that may or may not have the mentioning of “Sur Lie” next to the name.

• Muscadet
• Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine
• Muscadet- Coteaux de la Loire
• Muscadet Côtes de Grand-Lieu
• Fiefs Vendéens
• Coteaux d’Ancenis
• Gros Plant du Pays Nantais

Through this large number of appellations throughout the Loire Valley, we do not find an AOP for the more generic wines or Vin de Pays. All these wines you can find under an IGP (Indication Géoghrapique Protégée), for these wines the grapes can come from all over the valley.