Loire Valley wine – Wineries

300 kilometres separate the towns of Blois and Nantes. With the Loire linking them together, many terroirs and appellations live side by side (Vouvray, Bourgueil, Chinon, Saumur, Anjou, Muscadet, etc.), so forming the 3rd largest vineyard in France, with 57,000 hectares of vines. Wine-growing region par exellence, Touraine is home to around a hundred wineries near the castles of the Loire Valley.

It is often said that in France, wine is a religion; in Touraine, we are particularly religious! A short tour round the Touraine wineries gives visitors a very good idea of the full diversity of Loire Valley wines: still or sparkling, whites, reds and rosés, sec, demi-sec or sweet.

It is also a beautiful collection of portraits that awaits you: whether they are independent winegrowers or employees of a cooperative winery, they are all enthusiasts who are eager to share their knowledge: the history of their vineyard and viticulture in Loire Valley, choice of grape varieties, vine management, terroir, winemaking techniques, food and wine pairings…

Loire Valley wine - The well known french Vigneau Chevreau vineyard (Vouvray)

Loire Valley wine – Vigneau Chevreau vineyard (Vouvray)

If you wish to be accompanied in your discovery of the Loire Valley wine and its cellars, Vincent Delaby (Vinoloire) will be able to propose an excursion adapted to your desires (transport, walks in the vineyards, cellar visit, commented tasting…). Another great option: Chinon vintage tour.

Practical: hiking through the vineyards of the Chinon appellation (10 km), Montlouis-sur-Loire appellation (9 km), and Vouvray appellation (6.5 km).

Loire Valley wine: hiking and tasting in the vineyard!

Loire Valley wine: hiking and tasting in the vineyard!

Loire Valley winery - Troglodyte cellar

Loire Valley winery - Troglodyte cellar

Discovering Loire Valley wine

On the red wine side, the Cabernet Franc grape variety reigns supreme to the west of Tours for the AOCs of Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Chinon. It’s a perfect match for the soils and climate, borne out by the American and Belgian wine tourists who, during their stay in France, do not hesitate to come and push the door of our wineries.

To the east, the range of grape varieties is expanding: although Cabernet is still there (on its own or in a blend), you can also sample Gamay and Pinot Noir wines and, above all, wines produced from the Côt variety which is beginning to carve a nice place for itself under the Loire sunshine.

Loire Valley wine: map of the vineyards in Touraine, near Anjou, Saumur, Sancerre, Pouilly Fume. Red and white wines (blanc), sparkling wine...

Loire Valley wine: the vineyards in Touraine

Among the whites, wines produced from the Chenin grape variety accompany every moment of the meal: a dry Montlouis as an apéritif, a dry Vouvray with the crudités or seafood, a semi-dry Montlouis with sushi, white meat and ripe cheeses, and, of course, a sweet Vouvray for a fruit dessert. Not to mention Touraine Sauvignon and its exotic notes of citrus, the Grolleau grape variety of Azay-le-Rideau, blended or pressed rosés, blush wines (Noble-Joué)… each of the Loire Valley wineries will help you gain a better understanding of what is in your tasting glass, after having visited the vines, the barrel room and the famous troglodyte cellars.

Download the map of the whole Loire Valley vineyards

Wine tourism: something to enjoy all year round!

In Touraine, two major wine tourism events are not to be missed: Vitiloire (the great wine festival of the Loire Valley, in Tours at the beginning of June) and Echappées en Loire (walks throughout the Loire Valley vineyards, at the beginning of September).

Alongside these events, and in addition to the many open days proposed by the winegrowers, many other events punctuate the calendar: the Bourgueil wine festival (end of March) and Bourgueil à table (dinners from April to July, born from the meeting of chefs and winegrowers), the Amboise wine fair (Easter weekend and 15 August), winegrowers in Chinon (mid-April), Festivin at the cave de la Sibylle (1 May), the Vouvray wine fair (at Pentecost and on 15 August), the Biotyfoule organic wine fair in Tours (end of November).

Here are also two guest rooms linked to wine estates: the Château de Fontenay, the Clos de l’Epinay. Moreover, the owner of the Fabrique de Parcius being a sommelier, he offers you during your stay oenological initiations.

Bunch of grapes - Loire Valley wine route

Bunch of grapes - Loire Valley wine route

Loire Valley wine route - Vouvray

Loire Valley wine route - Vouvray

Also note that throughout the year, multiple wine tourism activities are offered in the estates:

"The Mag': inspirations
and magical experiences"

The royal estate of Château Gaillard