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Loire Valley winery experiences & tours

The Loire Valley is one of France's most beautiful and intriguing wine regions located in western France. It is home to the jaw-dropping chateaux of pre-revolutionary French aristocracy and 63 different wine districts that stretches along the country's longest river. The Loire Valley is the third largest appellation in the country and is significant in terms of both quantity and quality wine production.

One of the region’s primary assets is its diversity. The wines produced range from light, acidic Muscadet to sweet, honeyed Bonnezeaux, as well as sparkling Vouvray whites and rich, tannic reds from Chinon and Saumur. 

The Loire Valley has plenty of variety, and it's divided into numerous unique wine regions, each with its own varietals, appellations, and styles. The Loire has been divided into four subregions:  Lower Loire, Middle, Central and Upper Loire. 

The Loire Valley's strong suit is white wines, which make for most of the production. 

The major white grape varietals are Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Chasselas. The most famous appellations for Chenin Blanc are Anjou, Saumur, Vouvray, Savennières, and Coteaux du Layon, and most popular expressions of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc are made in the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé (Reuilly, Quincy, Touraine). 

Chasselas is less well-known than Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc, but it is an important component of the Pouilly-sur-Loire appellation in the Loire Valley. Other notable Loire Valley white grape varietals is Melon de Bourgogne, Romorantin, Folle Blanche, Pinot Gris

As consumer preferences continue to shift toward red wines, Loire reds are becoming increasingly high-quality and significant. Cabernet Franc is the most popular red grape variety, and produces peppery, earthy Medium-bodied wines. The red grape varieties in the region are Pinot Noir, Gamay and Malbec (Cot).