Loire Valley, France
So we made it to the most celebrated nation in the world for wine, France! There are so many regions in France that it was hard to choose where to go. But, we ended up landing in the land of castles, the Loire Valley. (3 months was not nearly enough to explore them all!) In the appellation alone, there are around 300 castles ranging from more discrete, polished versions, like Chateau de Gaillard, to easily recognizable staples with stunning architecture, like Chateau de Chenenceaux. These beautiful castles were coupled perfectly with fascinating white wines and red wines that are full of layers, complexity, and balanced elegance
Being here during the winter pruning season, we learned fast that the French winemakers have a special connection with their vineyards. They believe that to understand the entirety of your wines, you must start with your vines. Winemakers speak often about soil, microclimates and grapevine clones, to portray a holistic view of what happens from vineyard to bottle. The Loire is very special in that sense. As you travel the region, you will find this point of view materialize. In the vineyards, different pruning styles and vineyard management techniques cover the Loire landscape transitioning from one region to the next.
Looking from above, the region can be split into 4 separate sections, each specializing in a different grape variety and showcasing different soil types. The region extends to about 400km to the east in the city of Nantes, all the way to the west in Sancerre. Below, we describe and separate the regions in a little more detail:
Nantes is home to the Muscadet wines, made with the Melon Blanc grape, with zesty aromas and creamy mouthfeel. These wines can be aged on lees giving them a unique textual layer.
Anjou-Saumur and Chinon are Cabernet Franc land, a paradise for the lovers of the variety. You can find unending styles of this grape, from young and lively to deep and structured.
Touraine is where Chenin Blanc really thrives on clay and silex soils. The appellations of Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire make highly acidic, crisp wines with a back bone that allows them to age for years.
Sancerre’s Sauvignon Blancs are well known all over the world and you will need to pay a pretty penny for the best cuvées. Multilayers, freshness and finesse are what you should expect from Sauvignon Blanc wines found on chalky and stony soils.
These limitations when it comes to grape variety might seem a bit too harsh, but it is actually one of the reasons why the region is so exciting. Just like the intense dedication to the vineyards, winemakers have the same zeal in the winery. You will find them perfecting their vision in imaginative ways to be different from one another. So, you will find all sorts of techniques, wine styles and detailed information as to why the terroir and their wine is unique.
This one was surely a great region for us to explore and to get in touch with our farmer side!
