wines of the loire ...
Here are some interesting facts of Loire Valley wine.
- The Loire Valley produces fine wines in all styles:
White, red, rosés, sparkling, still, dry and sweet - 87 appellations controlées
- The most famous names include Sancerre, Vouvray, Muscadet Sur Lie and Chinon
- The Loire Valley is the leading region for wines sold in restaurants in France
- The Loie Valley is the second largest sparkling wines region
- The Loire Valley is the third largest AOC region
Some major grape varieties include:
- Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet)
- Chenin Blanc (Vouvray, Savennières, etc. and many sparkling wines)
- Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Quincy, and other wines of the Centre Loire)
- Cabernet Franc (Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur Champigny)
- Pinot Noir (Sancerre Rouge)
Why Loire?
- Fresh White Wines
- Elegant Red Wines
- Fine Bubbles
- Variety, Freshness, Finesse
- Affordable and accessible
- Wines for every occasion
- Wines for all seasons
- Food Friendly wines
- Great wine, no attitude
- Wines from the heart of France
So now that the facts are out of the way. how about it? Lots to chose from so where do you begin? Bike the Loire will guide you to our favorite wines as well meeting some of our favorite people who are highly knowledgable about the region and the history of the Loire. We like to follow one of our favorite web sites at http://www.loirevalleywine.com/wines.html