In the Loire, every sip tells a story of heritage, terroir and boundless variety –
an invitation to discover France’s most versatile and expressive wines
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Loire Wines unites 34 Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and one Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) across Nantes, Anjou-Saumur and Touraine. The Loire Valley PGI also includes Centre-Loire and Auvergne vineyards.
Loire wines are all the rage, their style defined by elegance, freshness and purity. The wine region stretches along France’s longest river, the Loire, which once connected trade routes, farmland and royal residences. Today, Loire Wines unites 34 Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and one Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) across Nantes, Anjou-Saumur and Touraine. The Loire Valley PGI also includes Centre-Loire and Auvergne vineyards.
The Loire could certainly be the ideal desert island wine region, as it’s impossible to be bored here. Every style is represented, from traditional-method sparkling wines and mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc to saline Muscadet; then there's a plethora of Chenin Blanc ranging from still to sparkling and dry to sweet. Reds, particularly Cabernet Franc, offer purity and depth, and refreshing rosé makes up a quarter of the region’s production. Those are just the headline acts – in fact, 30 Loire grape varieties contribute to a richly diverse viticultural tapestry.
Known as ‘the Garden of France’, the Loire is celebrated for its vineyards, orchards and farmland. A gastronomic world awaits, with world-class cheeses such as Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, Chavignol, Valencay and Selles-sur-Cher, as well as fresh seafood, traditional pâtés and rillettes, cave-grown mushrooms and classic desserts like tarte Tatin, all paired with Loire wine.
Scores were generated as part of a non-blind tasting, and all wines were supplied to Decanter free of charge to feature in paid-for content.
'Known as the ‘Garden of France,’ the Loire is celebrated for its vineyards, orchards, and farmland'
Soil and climate define the region’s character. Coastal influence – perceptible in Muscadet wines – shapes the Atlantic Loire, while inland vineyards experience warmer microclimates and varied soils. The contrasting soils of Anjou Noir (dark, volcanic soils of schist, slate and granite) and Anjou Blanc (lighter-coloured clay and limestone) give way to striking white tuffeau near Saumur, the home of Crémant de Loire.
Touraine vineyards feature chalk, sand and flinty clays, supporting white grapes as well as increasing plantings of red varieties.
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Photo: InterLoire
Photo: InterLoire
Photo: InterLoire
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LOIRE WINES 2025 RATINGS
Scores were generated as part of a non-blind tasting, and all wines were supplied to Decanter free of charge to feature in paid-for content.