Loire Wine Tourism

We are so lucky here in the Loire valley.  A region steeped in history with beautiful architecture, miles of cycle tracks and the most diverse range of wines found anywhere in France.  

Here there is something to suit every palate. From bone dry to luscious sweet, steely white to elegant rosé, light and fruity to medium and robust red, and fabulous sparkling.  

If you’re interested in discovering the wines of the Loire valley there are lots of opportunities.

The wines of Anjou, Saumur and Touraine are all within easy reach so don’t waste the opportunity to get up close and personal with the local producers.  You can expect to find many different styles such as:

• Dry (Rosé de Loire) and medium dry rosés (Anjou Rosé, Cabernet d’Anjou)
  
• Dry whites (Saumur Blanc, Savennières, Anjou Blanc) from the Chenin Blanc grape
  
• Medium & sweet whites (Vouvray, Coteaux du Layon, Coteaux de l’Aubance) from the Chenin Blanc
  
• Light reds (Touraine Gamay and St Nicholas de Bourgueil from the Cabernet Franc) medium bodied reds (Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur Champigny) all from the Cabernet Franc
  
• Robust reds (Anjou Villages Brissac) from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
  
• Wonderful traditional method sparkling wines (Crémant de Loire, Mousseux) from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. 
  

Why not hop on your bike and cycle through the vineyards. There are miles of marked tracks that criss cross through the vineyards and you can stop along the way to taste a few wines.  

Spend a day in Saumur where you can discover the sparkling wine houses in St Hilaire St Florent, the Combier distillery in the centre of town and the rambling vineyards of Saumur Champigny.  

Drive around the beautiful hillsides of the Layon valley.  This is sweet wine country but if this isn’t your thing just hop over the river and walk around the village of Savennières, which is famous for its steely dry whites.  

If you’d like some in-depth wine tasting and accompanied winery visits then why not spend a day with Cathy & Nigel Henton at le tasting room. Just 5 minutes from Domaine de Joreau, Cathy & Nigel are English and run wine tours from their home in Cumeray.  

Tastings include wines from Nantes to Sancerre and their days are relaxed including a home-cooked 3 course candlelit lunch served in their old barrel cellar.  In the summer months they also run food and wine pairing lunches for cyclists.  

Contact: cathy@letastingroom.com or see the site for more details www.letastingroom.com