Weekly Saturday Tasting

Loire Valley Wines

Saturday, March 1st
1:00 - 3:00

One of our favorite regions of France for delicious yet affordable wines is the Loire Valley. A key region of western France, it follows the course of the Loire river on its long journey through the heart of France, from the inland hills of Auvergne to the plains on the French Atlantic coast near Nantes. Diversity is a key strength of the region, with wine styles that range from the light, tart Muscadet to the voluptuous and rich whites of Vouvray, the mineral driven Sauvignon Blancs of Touranine, Pouilly Fume, and Sancerre to the juicy, tannic reds of Chinon and Saumur. The agricultural prowess of the area has nicknamed it Le Jardin de France, or the garden of France. The larger majority of wine production is of white wines, with Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne leading the charge. Loire reds are of increasingly high quality, and of increasing importance as consumer preferences continue to move toward red wines. Although they offer less stylistic diversity than the whites, a light-bodied fruity Gamay is nevertheless quite different from a spicy, tannic Cabernet Franc. Our tasting this weekend will focus on these five important grapes, and span the sprawling Loire Valley from the Atlantic inwards. 

Jo Landron 'Amphiboite' Muscadet
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, France, 2022

Just Fiou Sauvignon Blanc
Val de Loire VDP, France , 2023

F. Chidaine Touraine Rouge
Touraine, France, 2021

Frédéric Mabileau 'Les Racines'
Bourgueil, France, 2020