The Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful French wine regions and has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 1st century. In the High Middle Ages, the wines of the Loire Valley were the most esteemed wines in England and France, even more prized than those from Bordeaux.[3]
The Loire Valley is often divided into three sections.
The western Loire This coastal area, the "Pays de Nantes" is the home of Muscadet. The Melon de Bourgogne grape makes a "neutral" wine. In cool years it can be rather tart. The better Muscadets come from Sèvre-et- Maine to the east of the city of Nantes. When choosing a Muscadet, perhaps the most important thing to look out for on the label is the term "Sur Lie". This means that the wine has been aged on its "lees", the mix of yeast cells and grape fragments that remains after fermentation. Sur Lie wines are bottled directly off the lees without filtration and have added fruitiness, a nutty quality and sometimes a little hint of sparkle on the tongue.
The middle Loire This area includes such well known wine regions as Saumur, Vouvray, Tourraine and Chinon. A whole range of wines is made in this large area, including red, white, rosé, sweet and sparkling. The great white grape of the region is the Chenin Blanc, which is used for both dry and sweet wines. The middle Loire reds deserve to be better known than they are. AC Chinon produces Cabernet Francs that are fresh with raspberry fruit and an earthy quality.
The upper Loire The greatest name of the region is undoubtedly Sancerre. This world famous wine of the region is 100% Sauvignon Blanc for white wines (the rosé and red Sancerre is made from Pinot Noir), the best of which comes from the chalky hills around the town of Sancerre. At its best, Sancerre is an incredibly vivid, pungent wine, with grassy, gooseberry aromas and plenty of acidity. Just across the river lies Pouilly-Fumé, home of very similar wines, though prices are now creeping up to similar levels. Pouilly-Fumé is said to pick up subtle, flinty flavours from Silex, the flint-rich soil of the area.
Spread out across the Loire Valley are 87 appellation under the AOC, VDQS and Vin de Pays systems. The Tasting Selection
Waitrose Les Nivières, Saumur 2012
Waitrose overall rating value is 3.8 of 5 stars.
A delicious wine from the banks of the Loire, made in close proximity to the fabulous and famous Châteaux de Saumur. A supple berry-fruit laden medium- bodied wine that is exclusive to Waitrose. Perfect with cold meats and goats’ cheese. Locally it is served very slightly chilled
Grape variety: Cabernet franc Alc Vol: 12.5% Price: £8.99
Waitrose CHINON Les Graviers 2012
Waitrose overall rating value is 5 of 5 stars. Complice de Loire is a partnership set up by two winemakers. Gérald and Franҫois-Xavier, one from Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil, the other from Chinon. through a careful selection of the soil and meticulous winemaking, they have produced a deliciously soft and fruity Chinon. This wine is made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes, which thrive on the local clay and gravel soils, and it is relatively fresh, soft and light bodied for a red wine. Ready to drink, the wine may also be cellared for 3-5 years to allow the tannins time to soften further and for more complex aromas to develop. Makes great match for poultry and grilled meat.
Grape variety: Cabernet franc Alc Vol: 12.5% Price: £10.99 Tesco
Vouvray
Made from Chenin blanc grapes near Tours in the picturesque Loire Valley. This wine is juicy and has balanced sweetness. To enjoy this wine at its best drink within one year of purchase. Store in a cool dark place. Fantastic with light fruit desserts.
Grape variety: Chenin blanc Alc Vol:11% Price:£5.99
Tesco Sancerre 2013
Sancerre is the biggest name associated with the Loire Valley and is arguably the natural home of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Made exclusively by the Fournier family, around the town of Sancerre, this is a beautifully made wine with intense citrus and gooseberry flavours that are quietly powerful.. It can be enjoyed now or carefully stored for up to 2 years from purchase. It has an International Wine & Spirit Competition Quality Award. IWSC Silver 2014 Brilliant with goats cheese
Grape variety: Sauvignon blanc Alc Vol:12.5% Price£11.99/£8.99
Wines are available from Tesco and Waitrose to enable anybody who wishes to buy any of the wines to do so easily. A wine not included in the selection tonight is a Muscadet from the Western Loire region. A relatively inexpensive wine which is particularly good with fish and seafood. Some wines are made very much to refresh rather than to impress and Muscadet fits into that category. Intentionally light, dry, brisk and supremely refreshing. A slight petillance enhances the sensation of great freshness. 12% vol. It was not included as we wanted to include the Vouvray which is a slightly sweeter wine and suitable to serve with light fruit desserts. Our selection follows the Loire from west to east. Les Nivières Saumur From vineyards planted on the south bank of the Loire around the historic castle town of Saumur, Les Nivières is made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes grown on the sand and limestone slopes of the region. Specially vinified to bring out the rich blackcurrant and spice flavours so characteristic of the delicately balanced reds of the Loire valley, this is a wine to enjoy in the full freshness of its youth. Locally it is served very slightly chilled, making it refreshing on its own or as an enticing match for game, grilled mushrooms and goat’s cheese so typical of the region. Appellation Saumur Contrôlée. CHINON Les Graviers Complice de Loire is a partnership set up by two winemakers. Gérald and Franҫois-Xavier, one from Saint- Nicolas de Bourgueil, the other from Chinon. Quality and pleasure are the essence of this duo: through a careful selection of the soil and meticulous winemaking, they have produced a deliciously soft and fruity Chinon. This wine is made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes, which thrive on the local clay and gravel soils, and it is relatively fresh, soft and light bodied for a red wine. Makes great match for poultry and grilled meat. Appellation Chinon Contrôlée. Vouvray Made from Chenin Blanc grapes grown near Tours in the picturesque Loire Valley. This wine is juicy and has a balanced sweetness. Fantastic with light fruit desserts. Store in a cool dark place. To enjoy this wine at its best, drink within 1 year of purchase. Once open drink within 2 days. Appellation d’Origine Protégée Sancerre 2013 This classic white wine has intense aromas of citrus fruits and white flowers followed by crisp, dry and refreshing flavours on the palate. Produced from Sauvignon Blanc in vineyards around the town of Sancerre. Made exclusively in the family winery by Claud Fournier. Store horizontally in a cool dark place. This wine can be enjoyed now, or carefully stored for up to 2 years from purchase. Once open drink within 2 days. It has an International Wine & Spirit Competition Quality Award. IWSC Silver 2014 Appellation Sancerre Contrôlée.