Loire Valley
Overview
The Loire Valley is the most spread out of France’s wine producing regions and produces a diverse range of wines. The area is dominated by the presence of the Loire, France’s longest and most famous river. Towards the east and west ends of the region, winemakers grow mostly dry whites. In the center, different varieties abound.
The Loire is best known in the US market for its white wines from Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Vouvray, and Muscadet, but it also produces great reds, rosés, and sweet wines. Even though there are many styles of wine produced in the Loire, most of these wines have a distinct similarity of character.
History
Like much of France, wine grapes were planted in the region long before the Romans ruled the area. Although relatively little is known about the Loire’s early viticultural history, it is widely known that the Loire River was an important commercial artery throughout history and once served as the boundary between the Duchy of Aquitaine and the Kingdom of France.
Loire Valley winemaking improved steadily enough that by the Middle Ages, wine was being exported to other parts of Western Europe and wines like Sancerre enjoyed a good reputation. Grand Chateaux were built during the Renaissance, and each had its own vineyards. During this time of great wealth, the wines of the Loire flourished. The Loire Valley’s close proximity to Paris also aided in the popularity of its wines.
Today the Loire Valley is one of Burgundy’s most important areas, the only wine region in the world to specialize in Cabernet Franc, and the world’s leading grower of Chenin Blanc.
Geography
The Loire Valley extends through the heart of France from its northwest coast to the City of Orléans which lies about 75 miles south of Paris. Most of the vineyards in the valley surround the Loire River and various tributaries such as the Cher, Sévre, and Maine.
Temperature
The Loire can easily be divided into three sub-regions. The first region, bordering the Atlantic coast, is the Pays Nantais, or Western Loire, an area that surrounds the town of Nantes. The maritime climate here is generally mild and damp although the winters can be harsh. In the center are the regions of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine which make up the Middle Loire. The climate in this area is more continental than in the Western Loire, but the rivers help to moderate the temperatures. Farther to the east are the Central Vineyards, where the climate is generally cooler.
Topography
The Loire is a sprawling wine region that extends hundreds of miles inland from the spot where the Loire river empties into the Atlantic. The topography is varied, but remains low altitude and includes valleys and gently-sloping hills that protects vineyards from often chilling winds.
Terroir
The major grape variety in the Western Loire is the crisp Muscadet (also known as Melon de Bourgogne) that performs excellently when accompanied by Fruits de Mers or other seafood dishes. The principal white grape in the Middle Loire is Chenin Blanc, which is characterized by its full flavors and naturally high acidity. Chenin Blanc makes wines that range in style from dry to sweet in both still and sparkling form. Although the Loire is best known for its white wines, the Middle Loire is also famous for its Cabernet Franc, which is made into dry red wines and rosés. The Central Vineyards to the east are home to the world-famous Sauvignon Blanc-producing regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. This cool-climate region produces crisp wines with searing acidity that are sometimes even mistaken for the wines of nearby Chablis in Burgundy.
