Loire wines

Explore the remarkable mosaic of Loire wines, made up of 60 appellations! With the Loire as a link, the many different terroirs make up France’s 3rd largest vineyard. In Touraine, there are almost a hundred wine cellars and estates where you can enjoy a wide range of activities and tastings!

Designations A few landmarks in Touraine

On foot, on electric scooters, via events or escape games, discover the best-known appellations: Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Chinon, Montlouis-sur-Loire and Vouvray. Along the way, you’re sure to come across the Touraine appellation, as well as Touraine-Chenonceaux, Touraine-Amboise, Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau and Touraine-Noble-Play: wines to taste, but also stories to tell. Behind each cuvée, you’ll meet passionate winegrowers who’ll tell you all about the history of their estate, how the vines are tended each season, and their best food and wine pairings…

Top 10 wineries to visit

The official website for Loire wines

Visit the Interprofession des vins de Loire website to find out all you need to know about Touraine wines, as well as those from neighbouring departments (Muscadet, Coteaux-du-Layon, Saumur Champigny…).

vinsdeloire.fr

©Vins du vignoble de la Jarnoterie à Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil|ADT Touraine - JC COUTAND

©Maison des vins de Bourgueil|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

Which Loire wine to choose? in Touraine

As well as the variety of appellations, the diversity of Loire wines also lies in the way they are produced:

still or sparkling,
white, red or rosé,
dry, semi-dry or sweet.

On the red side, discover the Cabernet Franc grape variety, which reigns supreme west of Tours in the Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Chinon AOCs. To the east, the range of grape varieties is expanding, with wines made from Gamay, Pinot Noir and also Côt, which is on the rise in the Loire Valley. On the white side, Vouvray and Montlouis wines made from Chenin go well with any meal: fine bubbles for an aperitif, a dry wine with raw vegetables or fish, a semi-dry wine for sushi, white meats and mature cheeses, and a sweet wine for a fruit dessert. Don’t hesitate to try a Touraine Sauvignon with its exotic citrus notes, and don’t forget the rosés!