By Varietal

The Loire Valley produces definitive examples of several of the world’s most popular wines grapes, as well as some that are grown nowhere else.

Sauvignon Blanc originated in the Centre region and produces vibrant, mineraly wines that are unmatched anywhere. Unblended Cabernet Franc finds its finest, purest expression in the Touraine region. Chenin Blanc shows it’s remarkable versatility in the varied soils and climates between the cities of Anjou and Tours, making a range of wines from the austere and elegant to decadent dessert wines. Melon de Bourgogne, the specialty of the coastal Pays Nantais, makes tangy white wines that evoke the seaside where the grapes are grown. In addition, several other well known grapes, such as Pinot Noir, Malbec and Gamay are grown in the Loire. The names of the grapes rarely appear on the labels, but click on these links to find examples of your favorites or to make new discoveries.

 

As you can tell, there is no single predominant grape variety in the Loire Valley. This is in part tradition and in part because within such a large area, there are numerous soil types and micro-climates where certain grapes are more successful than others. However, within the variety, all Loire Valley grapes have certain qualities in common. All of them can ripen fully in the relatively short growing season of the Loire Valley. The mild climate also insures relatively high acidity, which gives the wines, no matter how ripe, a refreshing leanness. Thus certain grapes (the Cabernet Franc and the Chenin Blanc, for example) that may not always make first-rate wines in a warmer climate, show their best qualities in the Loire Valley.