France

Loire Valley

Central and western France, along the Loire river from Sancerre in the east to Nantes at the Atlantic.

Cool and maritime in the west, continental in the east; the freshness suits crisp, aromatic whites.

The Loire Valley, the 'garden of France', grows more distinct white-wine styles than any other region on earth. Its signature grapes - Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Muscadet - all express their chalky origins with piercing clarity.

It is also the source of the world's greatest Cabernet Franc (Chinon, Saumur-Champigny) and a remarkable range of sparkling wines and sweet Chenin dessert wines.

For the buyer, the Loire offers phenomenal value, drinkability and a spectrum of styles unmatched anywhere - a perfect region for exploration.

Terroir & Soil

Chalk for Sancerre, tuffeau limestone in Touraine, schist and sand near the coast.

What to Expect from the Wines

  • · The Loire is the garden of France, producing some of the world's most refreshing and honest wines.
  • · Sancerre and Pouilly-FumĂ© are the benchmark Sauvignon Blancs; Chenin Blanc in Anjou and Vouvray spans dry to lusciously sweet.
  • · Muscadet is the great seafood white - saline, leesy, and unbeatable with oysters.

Remarkable Bottles from Loire Valley

All wines →
white

Didier Dagueneau Silex

Loire Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Didier Dagueneau Silex is an white wine from France, in the Loire Valley region (Central and western France, along the Loire river from Sancerre in the east to Nantes at the Atlantic.), made principally from Sauvignon Blanc. The legendary flint-soil Sancerre that redefined high-end Sauvignon Blanc — smoky, precise, age-worthy.

$90–$160 est. retail

white

Domaine Huet Le Mont Vouvray

Loire Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Domaine Huet Le Mont Vouvray is an white wine from France, in the Loire Valley region (Central and western France, along the Loire river from Sancerre in the east to Nantes at the Atlantic.), made principally from Chenin Blanc. Biodynamic Vouvray from the Haute-Loire's most famous estate — Chenin Blanc of extraordinary longevity.

$60–$120 est. retail

white

Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Loire Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc is an white wine from France, in the Loire Valley region (Central and western France, along the Loire river from Sancerre in the east to Nantes at the Atlantic.), made principally from Sauvignon Blanc. a house-style Loire Valley sauvignon blanc that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

white

Loire Valley Chenin Blanc

Loire Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Loire Valley Chenin Blanc is an white wine from France, in the Loire Valley region (Central and western France, along the Loire river from Sancerre in the east to Nantes at the Atlantic.), made principally from Chenin Blanc. a house-style Loire Valley chenin blanc that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

white

Loire Valley Melon de Bourgogne

Loire Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Loire Valley Melon de Bourgogne is an white wine from France, in the Loire Valley region (Central and western France, along the Loire river from Sancerre in the east to Nantes at the Atlantic.), made principally from Melon de Bourgogne. a house-style Loire Valley melon de bourgogne that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

red

Loire Valley Cabernet Franc

Loire Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Loire Valley Cabernet Franc is an red wine from France, in the Loire Valley region (Central and western France, along the Loire river from Sancerre in the east to Nantes at the Atlantic.), made principally from Cabernet Franc. a house-style Loire Valley cabernet franc that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Food Pairing

  • · Muscadet is the classic oyster wine; Sancerre pairs with goat cheese, particularly Crottin.
  • · Chenin's acidity pairs with seafood, salads and white meat.
  • · Chinon Cabernet Franc loves grilled salmon, roast chicken and charcuterie.

Buying from Loire Valley

  • › Chenin Blanc is the Loire's genius: from bone-dry (Savennières) to off-dry (Vouvray) to legendary sweet (Bonnezeaux, Quarts de Chaume).
  • › Cabernet Franc from Chinon is juicy, leafy and food-friendly - a perfect introduction to red Loire.
  • › Muscadet Sur Lie offers unbeatable mineral quality with seafood.