Loire

The History of the Loire Vineyard

The history of the Loire Valley vineyard dates back to antiquity and has undergone a rich and complex evolution over the centuries. The Romans introduced the vine around the 1st century BCE. They recognised the viticultural potential of the Loire and began planting vines along the eponymous river. During the Middle Ages, viticulture developed under the influence of monks and abbeys. During the Renaissance, Loire Valley wines continued to gain in reputation, particularly thanks to the Loire Châteaux where they were consumed by the nobility and royal courts.

The popularity of Loire Valley wines continued until the 18th century, with increased production and international distribution. However, viticulture was affected by epidemics of vine diseases, such as phylloxera at the end of the 19th century, which led to considerable losses of vineyards. In the 20th century, after the ravages of diseases and wars, viticulture in the Loire Valley was reconstituted with a greater focus on quality and diversification of wine styles.

Today, the Loire Valley is recognised for its varied range of wines, from dry and sweet whites to fruity reds and elegant sparkling wines. Age-old viticultural traditions combine with modern techniques to produce wines that reflect both the past and innovation of the region, with an emphasis on sustainable and organic practices.

The Loire Valley: Its Sub-regions and Appellations

The Loire Valley is a diverse wine region, with different sub-regions producing a variety of wines according to their terroirs, grape varieties and winemaking traditions.

There are prestigious designation such as Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé, Saumur, Vouvray, Savennières, Bourgueil, Chinon, Montlouis sur Loire ou Coteaux du Layon, but also renowned producers including: Alain Lenoir, Antoine Sanzay, Bernard Baudry, Charles Joguet, Clau de Nell, Foreau, François Cotat, Pascal Cotat, Alphonse Mellot, Vacheron, Clos Rougeard, Coulée de Serrant, Didier Dagueneau, Edmond Vatan, Gérard Boulay, Guiberteau, Huet, Jérôme Bretaudeau, Philippe Alliet, Richard Leroy, Stephane Bernaudeau, Vacheron etc.

Generally moderate, the climate of the Loire Valley is oceanic in the Nantes region and in Anjou, while a continental influence appears from Saumur to Touraine as the oceanic flows are gradually stopped by the relief of the hills giving tothe vineyards of the center a more continental climate.

The Loire and its numerous tributaries play a paramount moderating role: their buffering effect is decisive in the production of sweet and liquorous wines, in particular in Layon. In addition, it promotes the existence of a multitude of microclimates, suitable for the cultivation of the vine to which are added the differences in altitude and orientation of the hillsides. All these elements contribute to the great diversity of wines.

Main grape varieties for white wines : Chenin, Sauvignon

Main grape varieties for red wines : Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay

Auvergne Wines

The Auvergne region and its Côtes d'Auvergne wines are historically less well-known than wines from other French wine regions. However, it has been very dynamic in recent years with volcanic wines from Gamay, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other grape varieties, making it a region to watch closely. We recommend the wines of Patrick Bouju from Domaine de la Boheme.

Centre Loire Wines

This region, located less than 100km southwest of Chablis, is characterised by limestone soils and a continental climate that influence the style of the wines produced. Here are some of the most important appellations in the Centre-Loire wine region:

Sancerre: Dry white wine based on Sauvignon Blanc. Renowned for its elegance and mineral character. Micro production of Pinot Noir in red Sancerre.

Pouilly-Fumé: Dry white wine based on Sauvignon Blanc. Often characterised by mineral aromas, gunflint or even woody notes on the Blanc Fumé.

Menetou-Salon: Dry white wine or red wine.

Touraine Loire Wines

With a more oceanic climate, the Touraine wine region extends around Tours, between Saumur and Orléans, and is known for its diversity of grape varieties and wine styles, ranging from white wines to red wines, as well as rosé and sparkling wines.

For white wines:

Vouvray: Produced from the Chenin Blanc grape variety, Vouvray offers a range of styles, from dry to sweet and sparkling. The wines are characterised by their lively acidity and aromas of white fruits, citrus and honey.

Montlouis-sur-Loire: Also made from Chenin Blanc, the wines of Montlouis-sur-Loire are often dry or semi-dry, but also exist as medium-sweet.

For red wines:

Chinon: The Chinon appellation is famous for its red wines based on Cabernet Franc. These wines can be light and fruity, or more complex and structured depending on the terroir and winemaking practices.

Bourgueil and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil: Also produced from Cabernet Franc, Bourgueil offers elegant and often more fleshy red wines, with notes of red fruits and good acidity.

Touraine is renowned for its authentic and accessible wines, as well as for its variety of terroirs and grape varieties. The climate influences the fresh and balanced character of its wines.

Loire Wines from Anjou and Saumurois

The wine-growing region of Anjou and Saumur, around Angers and Saumur, is renowned for its varied production of white, red and rosé wines, as well as for its sparkling wines. But it is above all its sweet white wines and dessert wines that have shaped its reputation throughout history.

For white wines:

Anjou Blanc and Saumur Blanc: The white wines of Anjou and Saumur are made from grape varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon. They can vary in terms of style.

Savennières: Produced from the Chenin Blanc grape variety, Savennières is a dry or medium-sweet white wine characterised by its complexity, minerality and ageing potential.

Coteaux du Layon: This appellation is famous for its sweet and dessert wines made from Chenin Blanc. They offer a sweetness balanced by lively acidity.

Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux: Appellations of Coteaux du Layon producing exceptional dessert wines, often compared to the great sweet wines of Sauternes.

For red and rosé wines:

Anjou Rouge: The red wines of Anjou are produced from grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grolleau. They can be fruity and supple, or more structured depending on the grape variety and terroir.

Saumur Champigny and Saumur: Also based on Cabernet Franc, the red wines of Saumur Champigny and Saumur are often elegant and can present notes of red fruits and spices.

Rosés d'Anjou and Saumur: These appellations produce fruity rosé wines, often made from grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon (like Cabernet d'Anjou)

Loire Wines from the Pays Nantais

The Pays Nantais wine region is located at the western end of the Loire around Nantes, and it is recognised for its production of fresh and refreshing white wines due to the oceanic climate, and the terroir comprising schist, granite and clay soils. Among the flagship appellations of the Pays Nantais, we find:

Muscadet: The most well-known appellation of the region, Muscadet produces dry and light white wines from the Melon de Bourgogne grape variety. Muscadet wines are appreciated for their lively acidity, mineral character and citrus aromas.

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine: This appellation is located in the heart of the Pays Nantais and produces Muscadet wines of superior quality. The wines of Muscadet Sèvre et Maine are often aged on lees, which gives them a richer texture and more complex flavours.

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire: Another appellation producing Muscadet wines.

The Best Wines of the Loire Region: Best Producers and Great Vintages

The Loire is a region of great reputation full of gem wines and incredible producers or estates. Find below a selection of the greatest producers and the most notable vintages of the Loire region.

Legendary Estates of the Loire

The Loire Valley is full of legendary wine estates on renowned appellations that have contributed to the fame of the region. These include:

Domaine Huet: Famous for its Vouvray wines, Domaine Huet is recognised for producing Chenin Blanc wines that perfectly reflect the terroir of the region.

Domaine Didier Dagueneau: This estate is considered a pioneer in the production of exceptional Sauvignon Blanc wines in the Pouilly-Fumé region. Didier Dagueneau also produces wines in Jurançon, South West: les Jardins de Babylone

Domaine Alphonse Mellot: Established in Sancerre, this estate produces high-quality Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines, emphasising the expression of terroir.

Domaine Nicolas Joly: This estate is a leader in biodynamics in France and produces exceptional wines in the Savennières appellation and on the historic vineyard of La Coulée de Serrant.

Domaine du Clos Rougeard: This estate located in the Saumur Champigny appellation is considered one of the most prestigious wine estates in the Loire Valley and France.

Domaine Charles Joguet: This emblematic wine estate in the Chinon region is recognised for its significant contribution to the quality and reputation of Chinon wines, these red wines made from the Cabernet Franc grape variety.

Domaine Edmond Vatan: This is a legend of the Sancerre region. Edmond Vatan is strongly associated with the production of exceptional white wines from the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety, which express the unique terroir of the Sancerre region.

Domaine Stephane Bernaudeau: This estate based in Anjou produces exceptional Vin de France. To discover, his cuvées Les Nourrissons, Les Terres Blanches and Les Onglés.

Domaine Richard Leroy: Another legendary estate in Anjou produces exceptional Vin de France. To discover, his cuvée Les Noëls de Montbenault

Domaine Clos Naudin: Armand Foreau at Domaine du Clos Naudin gives Vouvray back its nobility

These estates illustrate the diversity and quality of the wines produced in the Loire Valley, and they have all contributed to establishing the reputation of the Loire region on the world wine scene.

The Greatest Loire Vintages

The Loire Valley has produced many exceptional vintages over the decades. Here are some of the most notable:

Loire White Vintages

1959: This vintage is often considered one of the greatest for Loire white wines, particularly for the sweet wines of Anjou and Coteaux du Layon.

1990: An exceptional year for dry and sweet white wines. The sweet wines of Coteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaume are particularly outstanding.

2002: A vintage marked by weather conditions favourable to noble rot, producing excellent sweet wines.

2010: A vintage that gave birth to many high-quality dry and sweet white wines, highlighting the complexity of the grape varieties and terroir.

Also: 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 are excellent vintages for dry whites and 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2011 for sweet whites.

Loire Red Vintages

2005: This is a vintage generally acclaimed for Loire red wines, particularly in the Chinon and Bourgueil appellations. The wines show a beautiful concentration and a balanced tannic structure.

2009: A warm vintage that produced ripe and fleshy red wines, with a deep expression of the grape varieties and terroir.

2015: A vintage marked by a dry and warm climate, producing high-quality red wines with a beautiful aromatic intensity.

Also noteworthy are 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2010, which are some very good vintages for red wines, notably with excellent Chinon and Bourgueil.

Finally, there are many professional reviews that taste and analyse the greatest wines of the Loire Valley for you, such as La Revue des Vin de France, Bettane et Dessauve, Robert Parker, or Burghound for Burgundy and Champagne wines. Find the highest rated wines on our dedicated page.

Order Loire Grand Crus and Old Wines Online

The Loire Valley is a complex region due to the multitude of appellations, grape varieties and producers; and while it is not always easy to find your way around to choose a wine or to know when to drink a wine at its peak, this complexity is also what makes this beautiful region great.

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