Loire Valley Wines
The Loire valley takes its name from the Loire river which runs just over 1000km from the Atlantic ocean right across into Burgundy. It is France’s 3rd largest wine region - n° 1 for white wines. It has a fairly cool, continental climate which means that the wines are known for having high levels of acidity - a bonus in white wines, as good acidity levels ensure the wines (when made well) will age nicely. The Loire is such a large and diverse region that it encompasses many different soil types - with a reputation for producing wines with mineral notes on the nose & palate (flint, limestone and chalky soils dominate).
Main Grape Varieties:
- Sauvignon Blanc (white wines of vineyarrd regions Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé & Touraine Sauvignon are made from this grape)
- Chenin Blanc (white wines from Saumur, Vouvray, Anjou, etc. are made from this grape)
- Cabernet Franc (red wines from Chinon, Anjou, St Nicolas, etc. are made from this grape)
- Pinot Noir (red wines from Sancerre are made from this grape)