So, as a whole, the loire is very diverse in terms of. The loire valley is home to over 4,000 wineries that produce a dizzying array of elegant, high quality wines. Aug 15, 2014 upper loire is an unofficial name used to group together the loire valley wine districts situated upriver south and east of touraine. In my opinion this is among the most substantial ideas for me personally.
Wine spectators maps of key wine regions wine spectator. The map of the loire valley wine region will help you to locate the. This area includes such well known wine regions as saumur, vouvray, tourraine and chinon. If its french splendour, style and gastronomy you seek, the loire valley will exceed your expectations, no matter how great. Cabernet franc is even used as the red grape in sparkling wines from. Frances loire valley is like a treasure map beginning on the atlantic coast near nantes and meandering east to the hills of auvergne in the heart of france. Click on for more information on individual chateau. The loire valley has a great diversity of wines, come and visit the loire valley region. Wineries of the loire valley touring in wine country. The loire valley wine map can be visualized as a long ribbon with crisp white wines at either end, and fullerflavored wines of all types in the middle where slightly warmer climes allow full ripening of red and richly flavored white grapes.
A new chapter in the story of the loire valley wine region has opened with the redrawing of its numerous wine routes. Sancerre, coteaux du giennois, orleanais, touraine, anjousaumur, pouilly fume, pouilly sur loire, menetousalon, valencay, quincy, reuilly, chateaumeillant, saintpourcain, cotes roannaises, cotes dauvergne, cotes du forez. You will find on rue des vignerons a list of wineries open to public in this wine region. Listed as a unesco world heritage site for its landscapes and chateaux, the loire valley has a unique lifestyle and worldfamous vineyards. Loire valley wine map the loire valley is one of the most beautiful french wine regions and has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 1st century. Cab franc is the loires signature red grape, and these four appellations form the core of red wine making in the loire. Jan 17, 2014 wine folly offers an extensive collection of wine maps print and digital download. Start in paris, where art at the louvre, flaky croissants and a day trip to versailles will capture your imagination and taste buds. The main wine areas of the french wine region map are bordeaux, burgundy, languedoc, champagne, the loire valley, alsace, rhone, provence and corsica. The loire valley is the heart of france, famous for its natural beauty, magnificent chateaux and great wine. Loire valley offers huge diversity of wine styles, yet doesnt lose its focus. Chinon is probably the bestknown red wine region in the loire valley, often producing cabernet franc that can go headtohead with bordeaux stemilion. This canny new map of loire valley wine regions has been put together for the belle france website, who provide walking and cycling holidays.
Guide to the chateaux of the loire valley tripsavvy. Loire valley wine appellations the names of loire wines. Explore the appellations and wines of frances loire valley wine region. This diversity can be visualized by looking at this loire valley map. In terms of wine pairing, the loire salmon with sorrel goes well with young dry white wines from the loire valley. There are two generic designation that can be used across the whole of the loire valley. Bordeaux on the atlantic coast is among the most famous of wines. The loire valley from chalonnessur loire to sullysur loire has recently been listed as a unesco world heritage site. Sliced and baked just slightly on a crusty baguette and served with your favorite loire wine, the french paradox is revealed in all. And as modernday explorers you wont lose your way, no matter where youre heading, thanks to an interactive map and gps on your smart phone.
The valley, which is at the northern limits of french viticulture, can be cool, but the river helps. Jan 23, 2017 the loire valley is a key wine region in western france. Get to know the wines of frances loire valley vinepair. There are 20 unique regions with over 350 different grape varieties ranging from light and bubbly.
Figure out where to look to your next bottle of loire. Offical website loire valley wine vineyard wine aoc. Sep 23, 2019 in my opinion this is among the most substantial ideas for me personally. The loire valley is one of frances most diverse wine regions, both stylistically and geographically. Apr 06, 2011 cab franc is the loires signature red grape, and these four appellations form the core of red wine making in the loire. Explore loire valley, the heart of france, its history and the unique savoirfaire which defines french wines of the region. This loire valley map shows all the diversity of the third largest wine growing region in france. Good tasks, cheersmy web blog local hookup applocal hookup app. It follows the course of the loire river for hundreds of miles, past countless grandiose chateaux and through such famous wine districts as sancerre, vouvray, saumur. An interactivr map of chateaux of the loire valley. The loire valley is a truly special destination visitors are spoilt for choice with the amount of culture, natural beauty and fascinating wine heritage to explore. The chinon region is bordered on the north by the loire river and stretches south, where it straddles the vienne river.
Because of its noteworthy architectural heritage in its historic towns, outstanding cultural landscape along the loire river, monuments to bygone eras such as the renaissance and. For six full days, i drank my way across the 170mile. In july, i had the opportunity to continue my vin education by exploring the loire valley as a french wine ambassador for atout france, the countrys tourism board see my itinerary. The loire valley wine region includes the french wine regions situated along the loire river from the muscadet region near the city of nantes on the atlantic coast to the region of sancerre and pouillyfume just southeast of the city of orleans in north central france. Loire valley guide showing the many things to do and see in this beautiful part of france,from people who live here tn the loire valley, more than just the loire river and its chateaux. The loire valley has a large number of appellations covering a huge area. The loire valley is frances most diverse wine region, producing exemplary wines in every style. A detailed wine appellation map for all classified regions in loire valley, france. Best wine tours and tastings in loire valley wineries. Pays nantais, anjousaumur, touraine and upper loire. Loire valley guide for visitors from people living here. In between are the regions of anjou, saumur, bourgueil, chinon, and vouvray. Visiting a loire valley chateau or two and enjoying the surrounding forest and wine regions has been a top tourist endeavor for decades.
Saturday august 31 and sunday september 1, 2019 get cultured with vvr. The first in an occasional series of appellations to know for 2019. Loire valley vintages might not have the prestige of bordeaux or burgundy, but thanks to the varied climate and terroir, they offer unmatched diversity. Popularity of loire valley wines with sommeliers and wine writers has been growing steadily for the last ten years because for all their variety, loire valley wines share important characteristics that make them perfect for contemporary taste.
The area of the loire valley comprises about 800 square kilometres 310 sq mi. We explain what to look for on a loire valley wine label and what it tells you about whats in the bottle. Use our loire valley map below to navigate your wine tour. Travel the loire valley wine route loire valley wines. The loire valley contains several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations and styles.
A whole range of wines is made in this large area, including red. Few regions offer such easy goto pairings, but you just cant go wrong when serving wine and food that could have grown up together. Sancerre, coteaux du giennois, orleanais, touraine, anjousaumur, pouilly. Decode the wines of the loire valley wine enthusiast. Best wineries to visit in the loire valley magazine. For folks on a tight vacation schedule, this guide is perfect for.
One reason why it is necessary to understand appellations is that unlike the new world of australia, the united states, south america and south africa, grape varieties are rarely displayed on wine labels in france. As a testament to all the region contributes to french and global culture, the loire valley between sullysurloire and chalonnessurloire was added to unesco world heritage list in 2000. The images provided here may be used by any individual for their personal education. The loire valley from chalonnessurloire to sullysurloire has recently been listed as a unesco world heritage site. Loire wines tend to exhibit a characteristic fruitiness with fresh, crisp. View or download map pdf loire valley a detailed look at the appellations along the loire river, from muscadet to chinon and vouvray to sancerre and. The loire valley is the largest french region to be recognised as a unesco world heritage site. Wine school the beauty of saumur champigny, not always appreciated. In this advanced guide well explore the wines of the loire valley of francefrom muscadet to sancerre. The loire valley wine route is a good way to get to know this great winegrowing region in all its diversity. Take part of loire valley wines moments on our loire valley wine facebook page.
In the high middle ages, the wines of the loire valley were the most esteemed wines in england and france, even more prized than those from bordeaux. The underlying purpose of the classification is to define a hierarchy to tie down the production of wines to this particular region of france. Wine map of france france, a map of its wine regions. Discover the loire valley wine routes the greatest. Contact winerist for some help in planning your dream loire wine tour, or if youre looking for some inspiration then you can find some great ideas in our article on how to. Italy is perhaps most famous for the red wines of tuscany, known most commonly as chianti, a region that produces sangiovese wine. Joan of arc led french troops to victory in the hundred years war in the loire. Tourist wine cellars along the loire valley wine route. The 16th vvr the loire valleys mustattend wine tourism event includ. Loire valleythe garden of france the 634 mile loire river spans from the central mountains of. Match grapes you know with the appellation name on your bottle. Leveraging our map of the region, we provide detailed pro. Some very famous wineries are available to welcome you and make you spend an unforgettable moment.
However might as well comment about some general activities, your website looks are ideal, the content was truly superb. Although the loire valley is home to more than 300 chateaux, this guide focuses on the best of the local chateaux, most of which are situated in a departement called loiretcher. Travel along its 1,000km wine route, which reveals historic monuments and prestigious wine districts. Poised on the crucial frontier between northern and southern france, and just a short train or autoroute ride from paris, the region was once of immense strategic importance. The loire valley wine region includes the french wine regions situated along the loire river from the muscadet region near the city of nantes on the atlantic. Some wines, like the moderately sweet rieslings of germany and the cabernet francs of the loire valley, can be both adored and. Tourist wine cellars of the loire valley wine route. The maps and diagrams on this site are the intellectual property of the society of wine educators. Wine folly offers an extensive collection of wine maps print and digital download. France, from the prestigious wines of bordeaux to the sparkling wines of champagne through the oceans of vines found in aquitaine and languedoc to the string of appellations of the rhones valley rolling down to provence, is a fruit of both tradition and entrepeneurship.
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