How to Wine Taste in the Loire Valley

Located in central France, the Loire Valley is without a doubt one of the great wine regions of the world. Celebrated for its white wines that are revered for their sharp freshness and acidic qualities, reds wines are also produced here. But it is white wine that has given the region its world-class reputation. The region follows the river west from the Atlantic Ocean all the way east across the country and ends in the south. In three unique sections, the western, middle and upper Loire, grape varietals are cultivated to produce the special wines of these areas. Here are some valuable tips and information for planning a Loire Valley wine tasting tour.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Map of France
• Guidebook of the Loire Valley
• French dictionary

1. Start on the Atlantic coast in Western Loire where the Muscadet grape is grown

2. A dry and tart tasting wine, when choosing a Muscadet, be sure the label is marked “Sur Lie.” This means the wine has been fermented without any filtration adding to the wine’s fruity, nutty quality.

3. Visit the Middle Loire where the Chenin Blanc grape varietals are used to produce dry and sweet wines such as Vouvray, Tourraine and Chinon.

4. Check out the Middle Loire region’s red wines that are produced from the Cabernet Franc grape.

5. For a Chenin Blanc sparkling wine, look for the term “mousseux” which means foamy, on the label.

6. In the northeastern Upper Loire, try the Sancerre, probably the most famous wine of the Loire Valley. Sancerre is made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

7. Made with Pinot Noir grapes, also try the rare but satisfying Red Sancerre.