The longest river in France is the Loire. In central France towards the mouth of the river in the Atlantic ocean lies the Loire Valley which contains a succession of wine regions: Pouilly sur Loire, Sancerre, Touraine, Vouvray, Anjou and Saumur.

Since the areas are a bit further apart, the soil composition and the climate are different. The wines therefore also have their own character per region.

Some of the best known and best Loire wines come from producers such as Dagueneau, Clos Rougeard and Baron de Ladoucette.

The Loire also has many grape varieties: Auvernat Blanc (Chardonnay), Auvernat noir (pinot noir), Breton (Cabernet Franc), Chasselas, Malbec, Gamay, Malvoisie, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.

Chenin blanc
Like the riesling, the chenin blanc is also a versatile grape that can produce dry to very sweet wines. The grape variety is rapidly gaining popularity and is also often used in blends with other grape varieties.
Taste
When the grape is grown in cool climates, the chenin blanc wines taste fresh. They have a high acidity. The flavour elements that dominate are citrus fruit and fl oral (flowers). The chenin blanc grape is also made from sweet wine with aromas of peach, honey and toasted bread.
Other
In South Africa this grape is very much grown; there he is called 'stone'. The value for money of chenin blanc wines is good. There are very good wines to obtain at very acceptable prices.

Gamay
The gamay grape stands for the Beaujolais. From simple beaujolais first wines to beautiful cru wines. The best beaujolais cru wines can ripen for a long time. In addition to the Loire, the gamay grape is not cultivated in the rest of the world.
Taste
In gamay wines, red fruit (strawberry, raspberry) with some fl oral tones emerges and by special fermentation methods often also banana. Especially the freshness and fruitiness is characteristic of gamay wines.
Other
The more simple gamay wines are often drunk lightly chilled (14 to 16 degrees Celsius).

Loire



Top Wines from Loire

Winespect. - J. Suckling 93
Belargus
Belargus - Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Les Quarts 2020

Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Les Quarts

2020
€ 112,00 (ex Vat) € 135,52 (in Vat) more info
Winespect. - J. Suckling 93
Belargus
Belargus - Savennières Ruchères 2019

Savennières Ruchères

2019
€ 99,95 (ex Vat) € 120,94 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8.5
Belargus
Belargus - Anjou Bonnes Blanches 2020

Anjou Bonnes Blanches

2020
€ 79,95 (ex Vat) € 96,74 (in Vat) more info
Parker 95
Belargus
Belargus - Anjou Les Rouères 2018

Anjou Les Rouères

2018
€ 59,95 (ex Vat) € 72,54 (in Vat) more info
Parker 96
Belargus
Belargus - Coteaux du Layon Layon 2018

Coteaux du Layon Layon

2018
€ 49,95 (ex Vat) € 60,44 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8.5
Clos Rougeard
Clos Rougeard - Les Poyeux Saumur  Champigny 2015

Les Poyeux Saumur Champigny

2015
€ 339,00 (ex Vat) € 410,19 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8.5
Clos Rougeard
Clos Rougeard - Les Poyeux Saumur  Champigny 2016

Les Poyeux Saumur Champigny

2016
€ 279,00 (ex Vat) € 337,59 (in Vat) more info
Parker 97
Domaine du Bel Air Bourgueil
Domaine du Bel Air Bourgueil - Clos Nouveau 2017

Clos Nouveau

2017
(Magnum)
€ 192,00 (ex Vat) € 232,32 (in Vat) more info
Parker 93
Domaine Sebastien David
Domaine Sebastien David - Bourgueil Coeff   2020

Bourgueil Coeff

2020
€ 28,95 (ex Vat) € 35,03 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8.5 sale
Marc Bredif
Marc Bredif - Vouvray Collection 1955

Vouvray Collection

1955
€ 449,00 € 355,00 (ex Vat) € 429,55 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8.5
Touchais
Touchais - Coteaux du Layon 1997

Coteaux du Layon

1997
€ 48,95 (ex Vat) € 59,23 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8.5
Touchais
Touchais - Coteaux du Layon 2005

Coteaux du Layon

2005
€ 31,95 (ex Vat) € 38,66 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8.5
Touchais
Touchais - Coteaux du Layon 2006

Coteaux du Layon

2006
€ 31,95 (ex Vat) € 38,66 (in Vat) more info
Parker 93
Belargus
Belargus - Anjou Noir 2020

Anjou Noir

2020
€ 29,95 (ex Vat) € 36,24 (in Vat) more info
Parker 94
Belargus
Belargus - Ronceray 2018

Ronceray

2018
€ 39,95 (ex Vat) € 48,34 (in Vat) more info
Winespect. - J. Suckling 93
Belargus
Belargus - Savennières Les Gaudrets 2018

Savennières Les Gaudrets

2018
€ 44,95 (ex Vat) € 54,39 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8+
Clos Rougeard
Clos Rougeard - Saumur Champigny 2015

Saumur Champigny

2015
€ 239,00 (ex Vat) € 289,19 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8+
Clos Rougeard
Clos Rougeard - Saumur Champigny 2016

Saumur Champigny

2016
€ 214,00 (ex Vat) € 258,94 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8+
Francois Cotat
Francois Cotat - Les Culs de Beaujeu  2012

Les Culs de Beaujeu

2012
€ 109,95 (ex Vat) € 133,04 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8+
Marc Bredif
Marc Bredif - Vouvray Collection 1970

Vouvray Collection

1970
€ 234,00 (ex Vat) € 283,14 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8+
Serge Dagueneau
Serge Dagueneau - Pouilly Fume La Leontine  2018

Pouilly Fume La Leontine

2018
€ 49,95 (ex Vat) € 60,44 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8,25
Domaine Sebastien David
Domaine Sebastien David - St Nicolas de Bourgueil Vin d'une Oreille  2018

St Nicolas de Bourgueil Vin d'une Oreille

2018
€ 36,95 (ex Vat) € 44,71 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Francois Cotat
Francois Cotat - Chavignol Sancerre Rose 2020

Chavignol Sancerre Rose

2020
€ 59,95 (ex Vat) € 72,54 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Francois Cotat
Francois Cotat - Sancerre Caillottes 2011

Sancerre Caillottes

2011
€ 64,95 (ex Vat) € 78,59 (in Vat) more info
All wines in Loire
Loire
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