Loire Valley, France

The Loire Valley is one of my favorite areas from which to source wines that win over guests to French wine. Loire wines are perhaps less rustic and more finessed than wines from Bordeaux or the Rhone Valley. The white wines produced here are made of Sauvignon Blanc, in renown locales like Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Quincy. Chenin Blanc is used to make the wines of Vouvray. Melon de Bourgogne is used to produce the white wine known as Muscadet. Cabernet Franc is used to make the elegant reds of Bourgeuil and Chinon, and Pinot Noir is used in the production of Sancerre Rouge and Reuilly, and many lovely rosé wines. The wines are perhaps less rustic than other French wines because of their relative light oak ageing, and subtle finessed style.

Loire Valley reds are soft enough to show to guests who have trouble with harsh tannin, they are light to medium bodied, in general, and show bright fruity aromas and flavors. Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir produced in this relatively cool climate do not have aggressive extraction of tannic acids.

In June of 2022 I will be going to the Loire Valley and following the river towards Champagne, before finishing my trip in Alsace. I will have the opportunity to share site specific content from the trip. Sign up for a free subscription so I can share the photos, videos, and stories of the experience.