Loire Valley wines

A camping holiday in Maine et Loire will undoubtedly take you along the wine trail. If I had to use just one word to describe the wines of the Loire Valley, it would be diversity. What a wealth of terroirs, climates and soils to be found in this region, which winds its way around the meandering Loire! Here's an overview of the finest appellations.

The vineyards of the Loire Valley produce famous white wines. The village of Pouilly sur Loire produces two renowned AOC wines: pouilly sur loire and pouilly fumé. The best-known is pouilly fumé, best drunk young. AOC coteaux du vendômois is a dry, fruity white. The AOC quart de chaume refers to a custom from the Middle Ages whereby peasants ceded a quarter of their harvest to their suzerain. Quart de chaume has been classified as a grand cru since 2014. More confidential, Touraine Mesland is a floral white with a silky mouthfeel. Coteaux du Giennois is made from Sauvignon grapes. As for coteaux du loir, it comes in dry or sweet white. The coteaux de saumur, made from chenin grapes, are harvested at full maturity. Lively and unctuous, coteaux de saumur can be kept for 10 to 15 years.

When it comes to red wines, Cabernet Franc is the region's finest. The vineyards of the Loire Valley are proud to include this prestigious grape variety. For example, Cabernet Franc produces the AOP Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil. Supple and fine, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueilis highly appreciated. Made from the same grape and pineau d'aunis, saumur champigny is a classic. Young and light, it goes well with fish and grilled meats. When older and more structured, saumur champigny marries harmoniously with dishes in sauce or game. Another emblematic red AOC:Anjou Villages Brissac. Grown by some thirty producers,Anjou villages brissac is a wine for laying down that goes well with red meats and grilled meats. With a fine plate of charcuterie, AOC coteaux du vendômois offers a well-structured red. Structured, too, is the red version of Touraine Mesland. The coteaux du giennois offers top-quality wines. Made from a variety of grape varieties, such as pineau d'aunis in red, coteaux du loir also features prominently in food and wine pairings.

Cabernet d'Anjou is the best-known rosé in the Loire region, with a very substantial production of 42 million bottles. But Cabernet de saumur, grown nearby, bears little resemblance to it. While Cabernet d'Anjou is characterized by its fruity sweetness, Cabernet de Saumur is a Loire rosé that produces dry to semi-dry wines.

So you see, during your stay in Maine et Loire, you'll want to discover the wines of the Loire Valley!

Find out more about Anjou wines.