 The Loire Valley is quite a diverse wine-producing region, with many different wine styles and grape varieties in use. The region is divided into four parts from west to east: the Nantais, the Anjou, the Touraine, and the central vineyards.
The Nantais is the region closed to the Atlantic ocean. The maritime climate is temperate and damp. The soil types are mostly schist and gneiss. This region is known for its Muscadet, which is the name of the grape (a synonym for Melon de Bourgogne). The finest Muscadet usually is produced in the subregion of Sèvre et Maine, and it is also common to find the mention “sur lie” on the label, meaning that the wine aged on the lees or residue of fermentation at minimum until the first of March (and sometimes until the 15th of October). This gives the wine a slight yeastiness. Along with the other main wine produced here (Gros Plant or Folle Blanche), Muscadet is a light, crisp and fairly neutral wine without a great deal of depth. It is chiefly enjoyed in the summer with oysters.
 The Anjou is the region along the river to the east of the Nantais. It is most well known for sweet and dry whites from the Chenin Blanc grape and reds from Cabernet Franc. The Chenin Blanc produces a wine with a relatively neutral nose but great complexity and depth. Because of the variety’s high acidity, the wines are able to age gracefully for decades. Savennières is the most well-known wine (usually dry), while the Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux are the two top regions for sweet, botrytis-affected whites. Other sweet wine appellations include Coteaux du Layon, Anjou Coteaux de la Loire, Coteaux de Saumur, and Coteaux de l’Aubance. Some Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc are also produced.
Saumur Champigny is the best of the Cabernet Franc wines. Gamay and Cabernet Franc are used in Anjou Villages, and the native Grolleau and Pinot d’Aunis are often vinified as a rosé (Rosé de Loire, also produced in the Touraine, and Rosé d’Anjou).
 The Touraine is known mainly for Vouvray, the commune where Chenin Blanc is produced in dry, off-dry, sweet and sparkling styles. The same grape is produced in neighboring regions, such as Montlouis, Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir, among others.
The Touraine is also the home to Chinon, Bourgueil and St. Nicolas de Bourgueil, producing light bodied but delicious red wines. Another curiosity of the region is the Romorantin of Cour Cheverny – an ancient grape variety that is dying out.
 The Central Vineyards include Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé – the two famous areas on opposite side of the Loire producing whites from Sauvignon Blanc and reds from Pinot Noir. It is usually said that the wines of Sancerre are more floral and those of Pouilly Fumé are smokier (“fumé”) or mineral. Reuilly, Quincy, Menetou Salon and Coteaux du Giennois are less well-known regions producing the same wines. In addition, a small amount of Chasselas is grown in Pouilly-sur-Loire. .
The above wines are distinct from what is referred to as the wines of Central France, which is taken to mean the wines of the Côtes Roannaises, du Forez and d’Auvergne and the vin de St. Pourçain-sur-Sioule. These are usually reds from Gamay and whites from Chardonnay.
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Wine Regions of the World
