loire valley wineries to visit

Book now. The varieties grown are a mixture of local and international varieties, such as Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Taxis are abundant in the area, as are drivers or cars for hire specializing in castle day trips. There is even a fabulous little touch for parents in the form of grape juice tastings for your little ones, too! From the crisp and light whites of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fum to the rich reds of Chinon and Bourgueil, theres a Loire Valley wine to suit every palate. Pay a visit and youll have the opportunity to taste the mostly-red wines from the different estates and to see barrels and bottles of wine being aged. The Upper Loire is the geographic center of France, with a very different, warmer climate than the rest of the Loire Valley. Domaine Gitton. A visit here is a true cultural treat as well as wine tastings and vineyards tours, the chteau hosts numerous concerts, literature evenings, modern sculpture exhibitions and many other events, making it an incredibly popular destination for wine and art lovers alike. This is a must-visit region for #Winetravelers. Domaine Coirier. This is a diverse property, both in terms of soil types and the many grape varieties are grown. to the west of Vendme. You are reading The Best Loire Valley Wineries & Castles to Visit: Back To Top, things to do in the Loire Valley France, wineries near me, castles near me, wineries in the Loire Valley, castles in the Loire Valley: best French wine regions to visit. A day-visit in the city of Tours. This is made from fully ripe Chenin Blanc grapes and fermented and aged in new oak. Sancerre wines are often considered premium expressions of Sauvignon Blanc due to their complexity and balance.On the other hand, Touraine is located further west in the Loire Valley, experiencing a more maritime climate. All of these single-vineyard bottles are also aged for longer amounts of time, and released at later dates, creating a better product with extended bottle aging as well. Loire Valley Our vineyards Loire Valley Wines are in its nature Previous Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes and chateaux, the Loire Valley has a unique lifestyle and world-famous vineyards. There is a restaurant on-site, a maze with trees that are 2,000 years old, and stunning gardens. event : evt, The location is divine. You can take a tour of the cellars on foot or, for something a little different, take the bike tour and ride through the tunnels on a vintage bicycle before a well-deserved tasting. The Loire valley is home to a wide range of wines, from Muscadet in the west, through Saumur-Champigny and Chinon, to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fum in the east. Thank you. The welcoming team at Domaine Sauvte are dedicated to promoting wine tourism and showing visitors their wonderful work the winery is the result of four generations of dedication from the same family who are truly passionate about producing natural, organic wines. If you are going to Blois from the southwest, near Bordeaux, there are also high-speed trains and regular regional trains as well. Historically, it was women who took charge of the estate, a tradition that today is continued by Kathleen Van den Berghe who maintains the best practices in winemaking, which respect both the terroir and the environment. It is pretty cold in there. This Is Why The Loire Valley Has Such A Famous Reputation - TheTravel See Which Hudson Valley Restaurants Earned 2023 Wine Spectator - Patch The variety of climates and wine styles make it an exciting place for oenophiles to visit, but as it is such a vast region, it can be hard to narrow down your choice! Look out for fresh and lively ros wines and delicious fruity reds, all produced with enormous energy and enthusiasm! All this can be done of course, whilst learning about the bottle fermented Mthode Traditionnelle sparkling winemaking method and enjoying a glass or two in the process! Pierre & Bertrand Coulyis located inChinon, in the Anjou-Saumur region. 10 Best Wineries & Vineyards In Loire Valley | Loire Wine Tasting Situated on the banks of the Indre River, both are surrounded by 37 hectares of mostly chenin blanc vines. Amateur or oenophile, everyone knows the Loire Valleys reputation for producing outstanding wines. Enjoy a complete Loire Valley experience with the visit of the unique and elegant gardens of Chateau de Villandry and the Free cancellation. Sbastien Brunet is one of the rising stars and part of the next generation of dedicated producers in Vouvray. You can also opt to arrange a private and guided tour by a Loire local. With the seemingly endless size of the region, we recommend narrowing your visit to one or two regions (Lower Loire, Middle Loire, Central Loire, Upper Loire) within the Loire Valley, or taking the time to make two trips! Best French Wine Regions to Consider Visiting This Year, 10 Important Facts About the Loire Valley Wine Region, Beautiful Luxury Wine Hotels & Vineyard Resorts to Stay at Around the World, The Most Beautiful Castles to Consider Visiting in Europe, Best Wineries in Tuscany, Hotels & Vineyard Resorts 2023, 10 Best Bordeaux Wine Tours & Wine Tastings for 2023, Tenerife 7-Day Itinerary: Wine Tours, Volcanos, Surfing & Beaches, Top 20 Things to Do When Visiting Luxor Egypt in 2023, Best North Fork Wineries, Tours, Hotels & Restaurants, 15 Best Tuscany Wine Tours & Wine Tastings for 2023. If youre like us at Winetraveler, were constantly seeking out the best wine and best producers when were visiting a region. Discover the unique selection of wines at a free tasting with the winegrower himself! We visited in July, 2021 and got the owner Pascal as our tour guide. Chteau de Chenonceau is in Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire. This year's awards program recognized 3,505 Among tasting around 30 wines from the Coteaux du Vendmois we recently tasted, Domaine Colins older (2015) Pineau dAunis was the standout. The Chteau de Blois is also in the middle of town and is very much a recommended stop. Book now. Discover the fabulous maze of galleries where over two million bottles mature. Winery with two cellars, one for red wines and one for the special Pauline Cuvee. Along the 1,000-km of the Loire Valley wine route you will be gifted with unforgettable sights and warm encounters with the wine-makers of the . Most of the vines are chenin blanc with some cabernet franc which are used in reds and ross. There are a multitude of varied soil types across the entire region, each has an impact on the terroir and end-product of the wines. Le Domaine des Vallettesis a family-owned estate inBourgueilin the Anjou-Saumur region. 5. Olga Raffault is also organic and everything is harvested by hand. Some of these can be customized and/or include castle stops. Arthur was super helpful! I found out about this winery through Wine Enthusiast (they have top rated Vouvray wines). Worth a trip to Saumur to tour this winery. If you enjoyed this guide, consider joining the Facebook Group to interact with other Winetravelers and for wine travel inspiration around the world. I imagine there isn't a wrong time to visit the Loire Valley, but it does get cold in the winter and busy around harvest in August/September. December 6th January 6th is a particularly renowned time to visit for floral enthusiasts. Explore the majestic cellars of Domaine Marc Brdif. Attractions. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Wonderfull wine tasting expereince, beutiful vineyards, friendly staff! 5 Rue de la Gaudetterie, 41100 Thor-la-Rochette, France. The exhibition continues in the adjacent building, telling . Shutterstock Chateau de Saumur, Loire Valley, France Etched as a significant part of the history of France, the Loire Valley is synonymous with sophistication and splendor. We were able to tasting some delicious Cab Francs! The key white grape varieties areMelon de BourgogneandChenin Blanc. Perhaps most unique is their and the regions/AOCs focus on Pineau dAunis. Very modern, beautiful tasting room. Enjoy our free Food & Wine Travel Guide. Discover magnificent Loire Castles in 1 day. Spanning more than 800 sq km (over 300 sq miles), the vast Loire Valley sits in the northern and central parts of France. After the tour, we were offered a tasting of their wines. If you decide to visit wineries in Loire Valley by car, there are several motorways that you can chose. The wine tasting is free and our young wine host/ expert did a great job, very enthousiastically she explained in perfect English what we were tasting. Wineries in Loire Valley are easily accessible by different means of transportation. With Nantes along the Loire River, and with access to the Atlantic Ocean, this created a natural export hub to other parts of Europe. Their wines can be found in 80 countries around the world. RELATED: 10 Important Facts About the Loire Valley Wine Region. A floral workshop is on display in every room in the castle, the floral designers prepare for 3 months for this event every year! We stayed in Blois, located directly on the Loire River, and situated along some of the major roads along the river as well. You can even take a guided tour with Bertrand Couly himself! 1. Best Wineries In Loire Valley, France - Wine Travel His style is minimalist, yet his wines are expressive, precise, and bursting with high acidity. His father, Patrice Colin, was instrumental in putting Domaine Colin and the Coteaux du Vendmois on the map, with the AOC Coteaux du Vendmois becoming officially recognized as an AOC in 2001. See Which Hudson Valley Restaurants Earned 2023 Wine - AllSides They have 20 hectares of vines in Saint Nicholas de Bourgueil, three in Bourgueil and three in Anjou (both alternative AOCs) which are used in the production of their wines. Adrian Prieto is a freelance wine writer and winery consultant based in the Finger Lakes in Upstate, New York. First class fun - mille mercis! The wine is full-bodied and dry with mineral complexity. Kuurna: Good food but be careful with wine menu - See 312 traveler reviews, 93 candid photos, and great deals for Helsinki, Finland, at Tripadvisor. Although they do have one Chenin Blanc, their specialty is Cabernet Franc. But they are most well known for their three distinctive, site-specific Cabernet Franc bottles: Les Picasses, Les Peuilles, and Les Barnabes.. 3. Owner is welcoming and passionate about what he does. wine tastings and a visit to Chteau Soucherie, wine tours and tastings at Chteau de Minire. The winery has received over500 medals and awards, thanks to the consistently high quality of their wines. Castles Tickets. It felt like, As one of Hipcamp's mothers once wrote, Everyone has a Mother: Mother Nature. Les Caves du Pre Auguste is also close to the Chteau de Chenonceau in fact if you visit the chteau youll see vines that are cultivated by the wine-making family behind this cellar and winery. Location 87 Quai de la Loire, Rochecorbon, France Subregion: Touraine , Loire Valley Spoken Languages: Services / Facilities Reduced Mobility Access Organic Producer Restaurant Accommodation Kids Activities Pets Allowed Parking Bus Parking Visiting Hours: Monday: 10:00 - 12:30, 14:00 - 18:00 Tuesday: 10:00 - 12:30, 14:00 - 18:00 Tours generally start in the vineyard and end in the cellar where the wine is aged in oak casks but for a little extra French flair, its worth paying the extra for a picnic or boat trip. The design later influenced additional castles throughout Europe, one of the most notable being Schwerin Castle, on Lake Schwerin in Germany. After 10 min she was back to get me. In warmer years, sweet wines are produced using grapes from noble rot, in a style similar to Sauternes. The Loire Valley owes its worldwide fame to most sublime Renaissance Chteau that board the Loire river. We booked a lunch and wine tasting for a group of 40 of our friends and family while travelling together prior to our wedding nearby. Boutique wineries are run by a family, co-operatives, and private companies. For red wine, Pineau dAunis (at least 50%), with Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay authorized as additional varietals than can be used, but Pineau dAunis is the workhorse red varietal for red wine here. Cabernet Franc really comes into its own in the Loire Valley and it can vary in style from the light wines ofChinonto the medium-bodied, oak-aged reds fromBourgueil. Get here now. We will also recommend some of our favorite producers and wineries to visit when in this part of the Loire Valley. From Paris and Bordeaux, you can drive along the, Maison Laudacuis - Cave des producteurs Montlouis, Discover Top Wineries of Vouvray to Visit, The region is backed by a long history in winemaking. I highly recommend this vineyard! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But where to start? A very enjoyable tour, highly recommended! Domaine Huet is biodynamic, hand-harvested, with a mix of various soils across different vineyards. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Highly recommend a visit. She was very friendly and patient Really, it was a relaxing visit in a relaxing town. Email: info@winetourism.com. The key red grape varieties areCabernet FrancandGamay. So yes, you most certainly can and should visit wineries when in the Loire Valley. The Loire Valley sits right in the center of France, dividing north and south, so it gets relatively hot in summer (around 25C in July) and cold in winter (around 7C in January). The place is vast, with 87 wine appellations strung along the river, from Muscadet on the coast to . We made an appointment for an English speaking guide at this winery and the lovely Isabelle brought us an informative and humorous tour of the winery. It was fun walking through the cave and looking at all the carvings. Its a chance to immerse yourself in French wine culture, discover new favorite wines, and meet the passionate people who create them. The grapes grown are a mixture of local and international varieties, such as Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Quality of the welcoming, diversity of the vineyard, wines at affordable prices, visits to labeled cellars Each year, 6 million people come to visit local wineries and taste their . THE 10 BEST Loire Valley Wineries & Vineyards - Tripadvisor Caves Ambacia, Tour and Wine Tasting in Amboise, Loire Valley - Tripadvisor This winerys cellar is impressively integrated into the hillside and covered with a roof of vines. The tour is full of audio visual effects and nicely done. We really enjoyed her company and she was great fun, very informative and good natured answering all of our questions. 1 Rue des Caillis, 37420 Savigny-en-Vron, France. The Loire Valley is a truly special destination visitors are spoilt for choice with the amount of culture, natural beauty and fascinating wine heritage to explore! Visit these top wineries in Loire Valley and prepare to be impressed by the artisanship and excellence of its wines. Wineries in Loire Valley are always open for guests and share their wines and winemaking history. Ironically, Francis I maintained his primary residence at two other castles, Chteau de Blois, and Chteau dAmboise. You can taste the fruit of their combined labour at the cellar where there are daily tours at set times some in English. Helsinki. Loire Valley Wine Guide | Wine Folly The Loire Valley contains severaldistinctive wine regions and appellations, each with its own characteristic grapes and style of wines. Tickets can be booked online! Although they make a few other wines, from other grapes other than Melon de Bourgogne/Melon B, Chteau du Clray is undoubtedly one of the preeminent ambassadors for Muscadet and the region as a whole. The Loire Valley, often referred to as the Garden of France, is famous not only for its historic castles but also its extensive vineyards. The train stop in Blois is Blois-Chambord. From Paris, there are many trains daily and they consistently are around an hour and half. Where to stay in the Loire Valley - Travel Blog - France Just For You Chteau de Chaumont-sur-Loire, 41150 Chaumont-sur-Loire, France. Wonderful tasting, warm and knowledgeable staff. We know that in the face of so much choice, finding the best wineries to visit in the Loire Valley can seem a little challenging, so not only have we shortlisted our favourite wineries for you, weve also thrown in a quick bonus guide to the grapes of the Loire dont say that we arent good to you! 13 Rue de la Croix Buise, 37210 Vouvray, France. Why wife and I had a pleasant introduction to the wines of Chateau Gaudrelle yesterday. The winery opens every day of the year between 11am and 5pm, and guests can choose from a wide range of wine experiences, including classic wine tastings, guided or self-guided tours of the vineyards, and even cycling wine tours if you are feeling athletic! Most notably, the English-style gardens are a perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon. Construction was started in 1519 on Chteau de Chambord by the King of France, Francis I. You can also take shuttle buses from Blois to some of the Loires castles. Lovely place for a glass of wine - Vin-Vin - Tripadvisor The wine cellars themselves span an astounding 100 miles, weaving underground as the magic grows atop. There are two other Chteaus with Chaumont in the title. You can freely roam about to check out all the cows and even the nursery with cute baby cows! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Along the 'royal' Loire River and its tributaries - the Thouet, the Aubance and the Layon - the Loire Valley's two emblematic grape varieties, Chenin and Cabernet Franc, flourish on soils of schist and tufa limestone. Muscadet Sancerre Pouilly-Fum Anjou-Saumur Chinon AOC The Loire Valley Region is Best Known for its Fruity-style White Wine Loire Valley Wine Quality is Regulated by France The Loire Valley is Well Known for its Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc Production is Also Fantastic window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { For white wine, Chardonnay is permitted and can comprise 20% of white wines, but Chenin Blanc is the star here. Vouvrayis also famous for its Chenin Blanc, where it is used to make dry and sparkling wines in cooler vintages. Castles Tickets. Today, Chteau de Chambord is a massive estate, consisting of forests (with downloadable hiking trails), gardens rivaling Versailles Palace, guided tours in multiple languages, self-guided tours, and a entire headset set-up for a virtual reality film documenting a journey from Italy to Chambord. 10. Table Of Contents Discover Some of the Best Loire Valley Wineries and Castles to Visit Overview of the Loire Valley Wine Region Coteaux du Vendmois Getting to and Around the Loire Valley Tips For Navigating Blois Military Museum's Manege, Helsinki - Tripadvisor Additionally, the Loire River was key to transporting wine long before railways and modern transportation existed. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The best time to explore wineries in Loire Valley is betweenApril and JuneorSeptember and October. The Loire Valley is a major tourist destination in France.Here you will find: The major white grape varieties planted by wineries in Loire Valley areSauvignon Blanc,Chenin Blanc,Muscadet(Melon). A tour of the vineyard and the cellars was followed by a wine tasting with Sebastian. However, the Loire specialises in single varietal Cab Franc wines which really make this grape come alive. You can join a 45-minute guided tour of the winery, enjoy a walk around the vineyard with an audio guide or head in to the old cellar for a free 15-minute slideshow explaining the wine-making process before tasting the still and sparkling wines produced here. The vineyard has been in her family since the 19th century, passed down through a line of women winemakers, and practices organic and biodynamic viticulture. Outdoor Wine Tours in Angers. industry in general and Loire Valley in particular, are wa Its a wonderful small winery and Jean Michel did a fabulous job of talking us through the history of the, ground to see where the wine was aged and shared so many great stories about the history of the. The Loire Valley wine region is most famous for its crisp, white wines, especially those made from the Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc grape varieties.Sancerre and Pouilly-Fum are renowned sub-regions within the Loire Valley, where Sauvignon Blanc thrives, producing wines that are aromatic, high in acidity, and feature notable mineral qualities. Where to Stay in the Loire Valley? { 400 m ( mile) from the main entrance to the estate. Wine lovers canvisit the cellars on a vintage bike and discover the underground cathedral an ensemble of 35 monumental sculptures nestled in underground galleries while learning about the bottle fermentedMthode Traditionnelle winemaking process. They may exhibit a broader range of fruit characteristics, from citrus to tropical notes, but generally lack the intensity and complexity of Sancerre wines.Despite these differences, both regions offer high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Loire Valley and showcase the versatility of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Fascinating and enjoyable tour of this very old winery. Amateur or oenophile, everyone knows the Loire Valley 's reputation for producing outstanding wines. Domaines des Sables Verts is the project from a couple who took over the estate in 2019. Domaine Marc Brdif - Winery in Loire Valley | Winetourism.com } Spring is a great time to visit the chateaux's gardens, all in full bloom. They have a few different versions of Cabernet Franc: Chaintres, Glou Glou, and Les Poyeux. I found out about this winery through Wine Enthusiast (they have top rated Vouvray wines). The caves, which are unusually spacious, are now also used as an exhibition space for resident and visiting artists. Sancerre and Touraine are two wine regions within the Loire Valley in France, known for their production of white wines, particularly from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. } Published Aug 9, 2022 Perhaps one of the main reasons tourists explore The Loire Valley is that wine-making has been part of this area for over 2000 years. ~20 minutes by car from Blois, or take a look at a variety of tour options. In Chancay, located in Touraine, between Tours and Blois, Sbastien creates beautiful expressions of chenin blanc, focused on clean, bone-dry, yet precise wines. 8. We have been coming here for years to stock up our wine cellar. Weve put together this list to give you a Cool Camping helping hand. A very enjoyable and fascinating tour of this old sparkling wine producer - as famous as Champagne in its day and equally as good - the caves are very impressive, the clever French static displays and designs inside very enjoyable and a treat are the various old fashioned ball and other games you can play just before getting back to the tasting rooms. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Orlans, Tours, and Blois all work well as a hub for exploring the area. } The soils in Touraine are quite diverse, ranging from tuffeau (a type of limestone) to gravel and sand. 1. For wine tastings and a visit to Chteau Soucherie, book with Winerist today! . Last but not least the wine! 8 of the best things to do in the Loire Valley - Lonely Planet Planning tip: Take the elevator at Le Quai, the contemporary theater, for a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding. With regard to the wines, Maison Ackerman was founded in 1811 by a Belgian, Jean-Baptiste Ackerman, who was the first person to make a sparkling Saumur wine using the method traditionelle. Discover iconic castles on this bus day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley and explore Chteau de Chambord on a self-guided tour.
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