Loire Valley

**Loire Valley** stretches along France's longest river, running west from the centre of the country toward the Atlantic coast, and is prized above all for elegant, food-friendly whites. **Wines & grapes** — It is a patchwork of styles: crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, versatile Chenin Blanc from Vouvray and Savennières (dry, sweet, and sparkling), light Cabernet Franc reds from Chinon and Bourgueil, and tangy Muscadet made from Melon de Bourgogne near the sea. **Character** — This is one of France's cooler regions, so freshness and bright acidity define the wines, along with a pronounced sense of the varied soils, from flinty limestone to schist. **Good to know** — The valley's sparkling Crémant de Loire and its long-lived sweet Chenins are among France's best-value classics.

Wines

• Alpha Blanc — Domaine de l'Ecu
• Anjou Blanc Sec — Domaine Olivier
• Arcane — Château de Fosse-Sèche
• Balade en Chenins — Le Clos Galerne
• Bangarang — Domaine Mosse
• Brut — Merceron Martin
• Chaume — Domaine du Petit Métris
• Chenin — Pas Saint Martin
• Chenin — Le Temps des Rois
• Chinon — Domaine Florent Augustin
• Chinon Clos de la Dioterie — Domaine Charles Joguet
• Chinon Les Charmes — Domaine Charles Joguet
• Chinon Les Charmes Blanc — Domaine Charles Joguet
• Chinon Les Cures — Domaine Charles Joguet
• Chinon Les Petites Roches — Charles Joguet
• Chinon Les Petites Roches Blanc — Domaine Charles Joguet
• Chinon Les Terrasses — Lambureit
• Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos — Domaine Charles Joguet
• Chinon Silènes — Domaine Charles Joguet
• Clisson — Domaine de la Vinconnière - Laurent Perraud