Loire wine region French wine region guide: location, history, appellations, grapes & food
The Loire Valley is France's most diverse wine region, stretching along the country's longest river through the "Garden of France", famous for crisp whites, elegant reds, sparkling wines and fairytale châteaux.
More info about the Loire wine region
Geographic position
Western and central France, following the Loire for about 1,000 km from the Atlantic coast near Nantes upstream through Anjou, Saumur, Touraine and Centre-Loire (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé), with around 160,000 acres of vines.
Origin & history
Vines were planted by the Romans and spread by monks such as Saint Martin of Tours in the 4th century. During the Renaissance, French kings built their châteaux here and drank local wines. The central Loire Valley was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Main appellations & varieties
Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne), Anjou, Savennières, Saumur and Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), Chinon and Bourgueil (Cabernet Franc), Touraine, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc), plus Crémant de Loire sparkling wine.
Food specialties
Muscadet with oysters and seafood from Nantes, beurre blanc sauce with river fish, rillettes and rillons from Tours, Crottin de Chavignol and Sainte-Maure goat cheeses, and tarte Tatin, born in the Sologne.
Loire appellations
Main grape varieties of Loire
Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Sauvignon Blanc