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Loire Valley wine region
Photo: Sue Winston on Unsplash
Crisp, high-acid whites and light reds.
The benchmark for many wine styles, organized by appellation (AOC).
Notable producers in Loire Valley
- Didier Dagueneau
- Domaine Huet
- Henri Bourgeois
- Domaine Vacheron
- Coulée de Serrant
Official appellations
| Appellation | Status | Style | Grapes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sancerre (1936) Hilltop town in the eastern Loire famous for crisp, mineral Sauvignon Blanc on limestone, flint and clay. Its reds and rosés are made from Pinot Noir. | AOC | White | Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir |
Loire Valley wines to try
Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Les Baronnes
Loire Valley · Sancerre · Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp and mineral: grapefruit, gooseberry and chalky freshness.
Food: Goat's cheese, asparagus
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec
Loire Valley · Vouvray · Chenin Blanc
Dry Chenin: quince, honeyed apple and vibrant acidity.
Food: Pork with apples, river fish
Gérard Fiou Sancerre
Loire Valley · Sancerre · Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp Sancerre: grapefruit, gooseberry and flinty minerality.
Food: Goat's cheese, fish
Domaine Hubert Brochard Sancerre Le Cul de Beaujeu
Loire Valley · Sancerre · Sauvignon Blanc
From one of Sancerre's steepest slopes: intense, mineral and long.
Food: Crottin de Chavignol, scallops
de Ladoucette Pouilly-Fumé
Loire Valley · Pouilly-Fumé · Sauvignon Blanc
Classic Pouilly-Fumé: citrus, smoke and flinty freshness.
Food: Fish, asparagus
Pascal Jolivet Attitude Sauvignon Blanc
Loire Valley · Val de Loire · Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh, zesty Loire Sauvignon: citrus and green herbs.
Food: Salads, seafood
Chéreau Carré La Griffe Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie
Loire Valley · Muscadet Sèvre et Maine · Melon de Bourgogne
Lees-aged Muscadet: lemon, sea spray and gentle texture.
Food: Oysters, moules
Marc Brédif Vouvray Classic
Loire Valley · Vouvray · Chenin Blanc
Off-dry Vouvray: quince, honey and lively acidity.
Food: Pork, spicy food
Château de Villeneuve Saumur-Champigny
Loire Valley · Saumur-Champigny · Cabernet Franc
Fresh Loire Cabernet Franc: raspberry and graphite.
Food: Pork, charcuterie
Château de Ligré Chinon
Loire Valley · Chinon · Cabernet Franc
Mature Chinon: red fruit, earth and pencil shavings.
Food: Game birds, mushrooms
Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Les Perrières
Loire Valley · Bourgueil · Cabernet Franc
Organic, structured Bourgueil that ages well.
Food: Lamb, duck
Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon
Loire Valley · Coteaux du Layon · Chenin Blanc
Sweet Loire Chenin: quince, honey and acidity.
Food: Tarte Tatin, blue cheese
More wine regions in France
See Loire Valley on the wine map
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