Quick Facts about Loire Valley Wine

Wine Region:

  • Loire Valley, Central France, France

Sub Areas:

  • Sancerre, Touraine, Muscadet, Vouvray, Saumur, Chinon, Anjou. Pouilly-Fumé AOC, Centre-Val de Loire, Savennières, Bourgueil, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Crémant de Loire, Pays nantais, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Coteaux du Layon,Bonnezeaux, Nantes, Orléans, Angers. Chinon AOC, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire
  • Upper Loire (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé) – Primary Garpe: Sauvignon Blanc
  • Middle Loire (Touraine, Saumur, Chinon and Vouvray) – Primary Grapes: Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
  • Lower Loire (Muscadet) – Primary Grape: Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne)

Primary Grape Varieties:

  • RED: Cabernet Franc
  • GREEN: Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne), Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Reisling, Muscadet, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris

Types of Wine:

  • Muscadet
    • Grape
      • Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne)
    • Characteristics
      • Citrus
      • Strong Mineral Tones
      • Yeast
    • Pairings
      • Light seafood, Mussels, Oysters, Prawns, Sardines, Salmon
  • Chinon
    • Grape
      • Cabernet Franc
    • Soil
      • Limestone
    • Characteristics
      • Red Fruits, Black Currents, Vanilla
      • Spice
      • Minerality
      • Crisp Acidity
      • Medium Body
    • Pairings
      • Charcuterie, Salmon
  • Sancerre
    • Grape
      • Sauvignon Blanc
    • Characteristics
      • Citrus, Gooseberry
      • Fresh Cut Grass
      • Pungent
      • Tart
      • Strong Minerality
      • High Acidity
    • Communes
      • Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly
  • Vouvray
    • Grape
      • Chenin Blanc
    • Characteristics
      • Tree Fruit, Quince
      • Can be sweet
      • Less Acidity
      • Can be aged
    • Pairings
      • Poultry, Pork, Light Seafood
  • Alsace
    • Grape
      • Reisling
    • Characteristics
      • Citrus, Light Honey
      • Floral
      • Dry
    • Pairings
      • Seafood, Poultry
  • Gewürztraminer
    • Grapes
      • Riesling, Muscadet, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris
    • Characteristics
      • Tropical Fruit, Lychee
      • Spice
      • Floral Aromas
      • Low Acidity
    • Pairings
      • Chinese, Blue Cheese, Camembert

Wineries I have Visited: