There is no river in the world that crosses so many and at the same time diverse wine growing regions in its course as the Loire. The origins of viticulture on the banks of the river are somewhat obscure, but vines were probably planted here as early as 100 AD. It is considered certain that viticulture has been practiced here since the 5th century AD. The first wine growing area is already in the estuary of the Loire on the cool and moist Atlantic coast. From here comes the Muscadet, a light, tangy and rather neutral wine from the grape variety Melon de Bourgogne.
The best Muscadets come from Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine. The addition of "sur lie" indicates that it has been on the lees for at least six months and has been racked off the lees. This makes for much more complex and sophisticated wines. Upstream is the next region of note - Savennières - and here begins the reign of the Chenin Blanc grape variety. Savennières has become famous for one of the most important and influential organic wines, "La Coulée de Serrant" by Nicolas Joly. The noble sweet wines of the Coteaux-du-Layon can also turn out excellent and enjoy an outstanding reputation.
Saumur on the middle course of the Loire is a centre for the production of the Crémant sparkling wine, here of course as Crémant de Loire. The bottles are allowed to age and rest in old tufa vaults. Still wines are also produced from the varieties Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. This also applies to the adjoining areas of Vouvray and Montlouis, where still wines and sparkling wines are produced from these same varieties. On the upper reaches of the Loire, there are two famous origins of dry white wines from the Sauvignon Blanc variety - Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre, exactly opposite each other on both sides of the river. The Sauvignons Blanc that grows here mostly on limestone and flint soils can be among the best in the world, also a little rosé and red wine is produced from the Pinot Noir variety.
The best wines from Loire Valley
France
-
-
TastingSparkling Special 2025Sparkling wine is more than just a drink; it is emotion in liquid form. When the cork pops and the first bubbles rise in the glass, a ritual...
-
TastingThe best holiday wines of 2022Im zehnten und letzten Falstaff Magazin des Jahres 2022 haben wir Ihnen eine bunte Palette von 100 Weinen aus aller Welt präsentiert, die pr...
-
TastingShortlist Switzerland 04/2022Weine aus aller Welt - aktuell im Handel. Woche für Woche bekommt die Falstaff-Wein-Redaktion Flaschenpost von Weinhändlern, die neue Produk...
-
TastingShortlist Switzerland 02/2022Die Falstaff-Weinredaktion bekommt regelmäßig Flaschenpost von Händlern, die neue Weine aus aller Welt präsentieren. Darunter finden sich W...
-
TastingGlobal Chenin Blanc Trophy 2022Chenin Blanc is one of the most underrated white grapes out there, often overlooked in favour of better-known white grapes, but we urge you...
-
TastingFalstaff International Pink Power Rosé Wines Feature Summer 2022From the palest blush via mauve, fuschia and coral all the way to transluscent carmine, rosé wines are a real force to be reckoned with. Fal...
-
TastingSparkling Special 2021 - Crémant AOP / Vin pétillant AOC18.11.2021, Falstaff Sparkling Special 2021, Gerhild Burkard
-
TastingFalstaff International Global Pinot Noir Feature12.11.2021, Falstaff Magazine International No. 1/2021, Anne Krebiehl MW
-
TastingAldi Nord Tasting 07/2021ALDI Nord führt zahlreiche Spitzenprodukte in seinem Sortiment. Und mit den Weinen von Günther Jauch hat der Discounter sogar zwei echte Pro...
-
TastingALDI SÜD wine tasting 6/2021Ein genussvoller Spätsommer bei ALDI SÜD In den sommerlichen Erinnerungen der vergangenen Monate schwelgen und den Spätsommer mit den ausgez...
Best wines from this region
795 entries
sort by
2020 Vacheron Sancerre Les Romains
Domaine Vacheron
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
14,5%
96
2016 Henri Bourgeois Le Cotelin Sancerre
Domaine Henri Bourgeois
Sancerre,
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
13%
96
2016 Henri Bourgeois Les Côtes aux Valets
Domaine Henri Bourgeois
Sancerre,
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
13%
96
2016 Henri Bourgeois Les Ruchons Sancerre
Domaine Henri Bourgeois
Sancerre,
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
13%
96
2015 Pouilly-Fumé AOC Pur Sang
Domaine Didier Dagueneau
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
12,5%
96
1989 Vouvray AOC Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux Première Trie
Domaine Huet
Loire Valley,
France
Red Wine
96
2022 Famille Joly »Les Vieux Clos« Savenniéres AOC
Famille Joly
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Chenin Blanc
14%
95
2019 Henri Bourgeois La Demoiselle de Bourgeois
Domaine Henri Bourgeois
Pouilly fumé,
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
13%
95
2016 Coulée de Serrant AOC Clos de la Coulée de Serrant
Coulée de Serrant
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Chenin Blanc
15%
95
2016 Sancerre AOC à mi-chemin
Domaine Vincent Gaudry
Sancerre,
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
12,5%
95
2016 Sancerre AOC Pour Vous
Domaine Vincent Gaudry
Sancerre,
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
13%
95
2015 Bouvet Ogmius Saumur AOP Vintage Magnum Brut
Bouvet Ladubay
Loire Valley,
France
Sparkling Wine
Chenin Blanc
12,5%
95
2015 Sancerre AOC Chambrates
Domaine Vacheron
Sancerre,
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
13%
95
2014 Cour-Cheverny AOC Eugène Magloire
Domaine des Huards
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
13%
95
2014 Pouilly-Fumé AOC Silex
Domaine Didier Dagueneau
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
13,5%
95
2012 Sancerre AOC Clos de Beaujeu
Gérard Boulay
Sancerre,
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
13%
95
2012 Savennières-Coulée-de-Serrant AOC Clos de la Coulée de Serrant
Coulée de Serrant
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
95
2010 Volnay Premier Cru Santenots-du-Milieu AOC
Domaine des Comtes Lafon
Sancerre,
Loire Valley,
France
Red Wine
95
2008 Vouvray AOC Clos du Bourg Moelleux Première Trie
Domaine Huet
Loire Valley,
France
Red Wine
95
1997 Saumur AOC Solera
Domaine des Roches Neuves
Loire Valley,
France
White Wine
Chenin Blanc
13%
95
Wine-News
-
InterviewThe Godfather of RoséSacha Lichine shaped the world of rosé wine like no other winemaker. After purchasing Château... -
RiojaHard to find and incredibly exciting: Rioja shows its white sideAnyone who has only known Rioja as a region for red wine has been missing out. White wines and... -
TastingThe Best of White Rioja: Our HighlightsWhite Rioja demonstrates just how complex, full of character, and surprising the famous Spanish... -
WineGuests Trust People More Than AI When Choosing WineA new study shows that while digital channels are becoming increasingly important in wine... -
ChampagneBollinger Appoints Émilien Boutillat as New Cellar MasterÉmilien Boutillat has been appointed as the new Cellar Master of the Champagne house Bollinger. He... -
WineMarina Abramović Interprets Ornellaia 2023 “La Vitalità”Marina Abramović interprets Ornellaia 2023 La Vitalità through a striking series of artist labels... -
LithuaniaLe Rosé at Monte Pacis: A Celebration of Rosé Culture by the Kaunas LagoonAs rosé continues to gain recognition as one of the most versatile styles of wine, dedicated... -
SwedenFive Swedish Vineyards Made for a Summer StayGuided tours among the vines, tastings, al fresco meals and no need to nominate a designated... -
VilniusWhy Should Cider Lovers Head to Vilnius This June?Cider is having a quiet boom across the Baltics, and this June Vilnius is marking that moment with... -
LithuaniaNatural Wine Takes the Stage in Vilnius This MayOn May 23, Vilnius will host The Naturals - a new wine fair bringing together 11 local... -
Alcohol-free"Ohnerausch" opens first store with non-alcoholic drinks in ViennaLisa and Philipp Smula open their first store for non-alcoholic drinks – from bitters and proxies... -
RoséVeuve Clicquot Unveils La Grande Dame Rosé 2018With Veuve Clicquot’s new “La Grande Dame Rosé 2018,” the Champagne house celebrates 200...