Loire Valley

Key Datas: 

• Location:From the Massif Central to the Atlantic coast around Nantes. The Loire wine region follows the Loire river in its valley
• Size of the vineyards:30,000 hectares
• Soil:Various: Clayey-limestone, limestone, siliceous and chalky soils
• Weather:Continental in the East of the Loire Valley. Oceanic in the West of the Valley
• White Grapes in Loire Valley:Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon, Melon
• Red Grapes in Loire Valley:Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir
• Production:over 400 million bottles
• Type of Wine: Dry white wine - Sweet white wine - Semi-dry white wine - Sparkling white wine - Fruity red wine - Rosé wine

The Loire Valley is famous for its white wines. None of them use Chardonnay as a main grape variety. Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon are widely used. About 75% of the production is made of white wine.
Although Loire is a land of white wine, some red wines are very interesting. They are fruity and pleasant.

The Loire Valley is probably the most beautiful wine region in France and in the world.
The wines of the Loire Valley reflect the mood of the landscape. They are soft, pleasant, charming and light. About three quart of the production are white wines.
The main grapes are Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon for white wine and Cabernet Franc for red wine.

Loire wine history

Vines already existed when Romans invaded the Loire Valley. The legend says that Saint Martin was the first to make wine in the Loire region. It was in 380.
The wine production then grew fast. In both river banks, wine makers made white wine.
On the hills, they went for red wine.Such as in Burgundy, most of the vineyards belong to monasteries and monks had developed the wine production in the whole region.