By Appellation

Like most French wines, Loire Valley wines are generally named for their place of origin. The words Appellation d’Origine Controllée or the initials AOC on the label guarantees the authenticity of what is in the bottle. Some of the wines are named for a general region, others are named for small villages and with more than 60 different appellations, the Loire Valley can appear quite confusing.  Below is a list of major appellations of Loire: you can click on any style or varietal below for more information.

 

Appellation Style Primary Varietal(s)
Anjou Rich Aromatic White / Earthy Red Chenin Blanc / Cabernet Franc
Anjou Coteaux de la Loire Sweet Chenin Blanc
Anjou Mousseux Sparkling Chenin Blanc
Anjou-Villages Earthy Red Cabernet Franc
Anjou-Villages Brissac Earthy Red Cabernet Franc
Bonnezeaux Sweet Chenin Blanc
Bourgueil Earthy Red / Dry Rosé Cabernet Franc
Cabernet d’Anjou Off-Dry Rosé Cabernet Franc
Cabernet de Saumur Off-Dry Rosé Cabernet Franc
Cheverny Crisp, Dry Whites Sauvignon Blanc / Romorantin
Chinon Earthy Red, Dry Rosé, Cabernet Franc / Chenin Blanc
Cour Cheverny Crisp, Dry Whites Romorantin
Coteaux d’Ancenis Sweet Chenin Blanc
Coteaux de l'Aubance Sweet Chenin Blanc
Coteaux de Saumur Sweet Chenin Blanc
Coteaux du Layon Sweet Chenin Blanc
Coteaux du Layon Villages Sweet Chenin Blanc
Coteaux du Loir Fruity Red Pineau d’Aunis
Crémant de Loire Sparkling Chenin Blanc / Cabernet Franc / Chardonnay
Jasnières Rich Aromatic White Chenin Blanc
Menetou-Salon Crisp, Dry Whites / Fruity Reds Sauvignon Blanc / Pinot Noir
Montlouis-sur-Loire Rich Aromatic White, Sweet / Sparkling Chenin Blanc
Muscadet Crisp, Dry Whites Melon de Bourgogne
Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu Crisp, Dry Whites Melon de Bourgogne
Muscadet Sevre et Maine Crisp, Dry Whites Melon de Bourgogne
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire Crisp, Dry Whites Melon de Bourgogne
Pouilly-Fumé Crisp, Dry Whites Sauvignon Blanc
Quarts de Chaume Sweet Chenin Blanc
Quincy Crisp, Dry Whites Sauvignon Blanc
Reuilly Crisp, Dry Whites, Dry Rosé, Fruity Red Sauvignon Blanc / Pinot Gris / Pinot Noir
Rosé d’Anjou Off-Dry Rosé Cabernet Franc / Grolleau
Rosé de Loire Off-Dry Rosé Cabernet Franc / Grolleau
Sancerre Crisp, Dry Whites / Dry Rosé / Fruity Red Sauvignon Blanc / Pinot Noir
Saumur Earthy Red Cabernet Franc
Saumur-Champigny Earthy Red Cabernet Franc
Saumur Blanc Rich Aromatic White Chenin Blanc / Chardonnay
Saumur Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc / Cabernet Franc / Chardonnay
Savennières Rich Aromatic White Chenin Blanc
St Nicolas de Bourgueil Earthy Red / Dry Rosé Cabernet Franc
Touraine Earthy Red Cabernet Franc
Touraine Amboise Rich Aromatic White Chenin Blanc
Touraine Azay-le Rideau Rich Aromatic White Chenin Blanc / Grolleau
Touraine Mesland Fruity Red / Rich Aromatic White Gamay / Cabernet Franc / Malbec
Touraine Mousseux Sparkling Chenin Blanc
Touraine Noble Joué Dry Rosé Chenin Blanc
Vouvray Rich Aromatic White Chenin Blanc