France
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley follows the river for several hundred kilometres and brings together a wide diversity of styles. To start finding your way, there’s no need to learn everything: you can simply remember that you’ll find many wines that rely on freshness, whether they’re white, red, rosé or sparkling. In the west, near the Atlantic, Muscadet is one of the easiest examples to recognize.
The territory
Where are we?
The Loire Valley crosses much of central and western France to the Atlantic. Muscadet sits at its western end, around Nantes.
In the vineyard
The climate.
Climate varies greatly along the Loire. The oceanic influence is particularly strong in the western part, where it helps preserve freshness in the wines.
What to look for
Grape varieties.
In brief
What to know.
Freshness as a common thread
Even though the region is very large, many Loire wines are distinguished by their liveliness and their ease at the table.
Much more than one style
Dry whites, light reds, sparkling wines, sweet wines: the Loire lets you explore several styles without having to change regions.
Muscadet in the west
Near Nantes and the Atlantic, Melon de Bourgogne produces dry, lively whites that pair especially well with seafood.
Producers we follow
Producers.
Marcel Martin
ValletAn accessible, widely distributed Loire brand, ideal for simply discovering a few of the region's major appellations.
Pascal et Alain Lorieux
Cravant-les-CôteauxTwo winemaker brothers from the Loire who place Cabernet Franc at the heart of fruity, balanced wines that are deeply tied to their terroirs.
To drink
Wines.
