Loire Valley Wine Map: Explore the Terroirs

Explore the wines of Touraine

Experience it for yourself! With over 100 tourist wineries and wine estates, go and meet passionate winemakers, chat with them and be surprised by the diversity of grape varieties and activities on offer. Leave with a few bottles to extend the pleasure at home and share your discovery. But the adventure doesn’t end there: sit down at the table of a good restaurant, open the wine list and let yourself be guided by the treasures of the terroir.

Let the wine list tell you all about Touraine

Touraine has always been a land of art de vivre. François Rabelais, who was born in this region in 1494, was already praising “good drinking and good eating”. Today, this heritage lives on in the restaurants, where every glass tells a story. Start with the reds of Chinon, which were already the pride of the author of Gargantua and Pantagruel. Then cross the Loire and discover the nuances of Cabernet Franc in Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, where the soils and climate shape unique expressions.

Then let yourself be seduced by the exceptional whites! Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire, separated by the river, offer fascinating variations around Chenin Blanc. Whether you prefer them dry, off-dry or sparkling, these wines are the perfect accompaniment to local fish and cheeses. And don’t forget the more confidential appellations such as Touraine Noble Joué and Touraine Azay-le-Rideau (rosés), Touraine Amboise (100% côt reds) or Touraine Chenonceaux, where Sauvignon Blanc reveals all its finesse.

So each sip transports you from one vineyard to another, revealing the richness of a terroir shaped by centuries. A good sommelier is above all a passionate guide: listen to his advice and let yourself be surprised by new sensations.

Gourmet addresses to explore the Touraine wine list

In the top 100 best wine lists

At the end of 2022, three Touraine establishments are among the 100 finalists in the 7th edition of the Tour des Cartes trophy, organised by Terre de Vins magazine (10,000 cards were identified, 1,000 were studied by a jury of experts and professionals).

Already an award-winner in the past, the Bistrot des Belles Caves (Tours / brasserie category) features around 1200 references on its wine list, with naturally a good place for local bottles. The same goes for:

La Roche Le Roy (Tours / gourmet restaurant category), where you can sample certain vintages from Domaine de Noiré, Charles Pain, Château Gaudrelle, Vincent Carême, François Chidaine…
Au bon Laboureur (Chenonceaux / traditional restaurant category).