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THE LOIRE VALLEY

The Loire Valley is France’s third-largest wine-producing area with diverse climate, geography, terroir and winemaking styles dividing the area into five regions. At 50% of its production, it is the leading white wine region. Read more about those regions and wines from our Cellar Offering.

1. Pays Nantais – Producing wines since the Roman era makes for a long pedigree in Melon de Bourgogne, a.k.a. Muscadet! See Lot 1448 for a shining example from Muscadet Sèvre et Maine.
2. Anjou – While many celebrated sweet wines come from this area, our personal favourite is the off-dry Rosé d’Anjou. Check out Lot 1449 for an excellent example that you can enjoy on your patio next summer!
3. Saumur – The tuffeau limestone minerality helps to create magnificent Chenin Blanc-based sparkling wines!
4. Touraine – “The Garden of France” was the home of French nobility of the past and of Vouvray. Don’t miss Lot 1446 by Cécile Lebrun. For other Touraine samples check out Lots 1442 and 1443.
5. Centre-Loire – The centre of France brings many delights, including Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre, both bracing examples of Sauvignon Blanc that just beg for oysters! Lots 1444 and 1445 offer the mineral gun flint, gooseberry, subtle citrus flavours that pair so well with seafood and goat cheese. Yum yum!

Languedoc-Roussillon, a region with traditions

Despite some high profile exceptions, much of the Languedoc-Roussillon area is steeped in traditional winemaking practices. In many cases, new oak barrels are not even utilized. This is partly due to the means of the producers, but also due to the rich, intense fruit that the Meditteranean climate produces. The ripe fruit neither needs nor would benefit from new, small oak barrels.