WINE TRIPS IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

A peek at Loire Valley appellations and wines

Stretching from the Atlantic coast near Nantes, eastward through the central part of France to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, the region is renowned for having two distinct climates (ocean and continental influences) and a variety of wine styles. There are five key sub-regions: Nantes (where the main grape variety is Melon de Bourgogne, producing light, crisp, dry whites), Anjou-Saumur (with Chenin Blanc the signature grape for whites, and Cabernet Franc for typically light, fresh, and aromatic reds), Touraine (known for its exceptional Chenin Blanc and Chinon wines), Central Loire (Sancerre, famous for its crisp, mineral Sauvignon Blancs, and Pouilly-Fumé, noted for the smoky character of its wines) and Côteaux du Layon and Bonnezeaux (rich, honeyed, and complex sweet wines with great ageing potential).

Experience a Loire Valley bill of fare

Loire Valley wines are extremely versatile when it comes to pairing. With oysters and shellfish, Muscadet is a perfect choice. Cabernet Franc wines are ideal with Mediterranean dishes, grilled meats and charcuterie – rillettes de Tours, for example. You can’t go wrong when you pair Sauvignon Blanc with fresh vegetables or a Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese. Chenin Blanc wines that range from dry to sweet go well with an assortment of foods such as poultry, cheese or spicy dishes. And for dessert, try the local nougat de Touraine with a glass of Anjou Côteaux.

Loire Valley tour highlights

The central part of the Loire Valley has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. That and the rest of the Loire Valley’s diversity including its historic towns, architecture, wines and terroir make it a fascinating region for wine enthusiasts to visit and explore.

Getting to the Loire Valley

By plane: You can of course fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle airport then take a train or drive. There are also three airports in the Loire Valley with connections to and from destinations in the rest of Europe. Tours Loire Valley Airport (flights from London Stansted and Dublin), Nantes Airport (the largest with flights to and from the UK and continental Europe) and the smaller Poitiers Airport with flights to and from London and Dublin.

By train: From the Charles de Gaulle airport, there are high-speed (TGV) trains to either Angers St Laud or Tours Saint Pierres-des-Corps stations, where you can take local trains or hire a car. You can also catch a train from stations in central Paris.

By car: You can drive yourself or hire a car and head for the region’s wine country and any of its charming towns and villages (Anjou, Nantes, Chinon, Angers, Sancerre, etc.) in the surrounding area.