Loire Valley Lockdown!
I have long wanted to talk about this region where you can get quality sparkling, whites, reds and dessert wines that don’t cost a lot of money and, if you find the right producers, make world class wines.
Wine enthusiasts and wine geeks have long looked to the Loire Valley for really good wines that don’t break the bank and age well. It’s a shame that it’s not as well known because it meet’s the local consumers’ needs of delicious tasty wines that are not too expensive
The wines are not too common in Singapore but in recent years they are popping up here and there; plus there is a key importer and distributor that really brought in a lot of the top wine producers in the Loire. But let’s start with the basics.
WHERE IS THE LOIRE VALLEY?
The Loire Valley is located in the middle of France. South of Paris and North of Bordeaux. Aside from the vineyards it is noted for its abundance of fresh produce and game; making it an amazing place to visit if you love food and wine. This is essentially where 'rillettes' were first made
The Loire Valley sits in the heart of France
Lots of old school cured meats!
Classic pork rillettes
The Loire Valley is broken up to a number of sub-regions that are too many to go into as you can see from the maps below. Each with their own style and climate, producing a different type of wine even if they may use similar grapes.
Click to expand to see the sub regions
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES USED IN LOIRE WINES?
Red wines are mainly made from CABERNET FRANC
Cabernet Franc grapes
White (sparkling, still & dessert) wine can be made from CHENIN BLANC, SAUVIGNON BLANC, MELON DE BOURGOGNE
There are a couple of other grapes used in Loire Valley wines but majority of the wines are made from the grapes above.
WHAT ARE ALL THESE GRAPES? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THEM BEFORE EXCEPT SAUVIGNON BLANC!
That’s because it’s not as well marketed and many consumers may be unfamiliar with the labels despite having some Loire wines making their way into Cold Storage
Cabernet Franc: This is also one of the permitted grapes grown in Bordeaux and are typically part of the red Bordeaux wine blend. In Bordeaux wines it’s is usually makes up a small proportion of the blend; however one of the top Bordeaux wines (Chateau Cheval Blanc) uses Cabernet Franc to a large extent.
Cabernet Franc is known for it’s herbaceous leafy notes and bright red fruits and when done right, it produces marvellous wines that have balance, finesse and elegance that’s a bit lighter than their Cabernet Sauvignon counterparts.
FUN FACT: Did you know that Cabernet Sauvignon is the unintended chance cross-breeding of Cabernet Franc (red) and Sauvignon Blanc (white) vines?
Sauvignon Blanc (white): Although New Zealand may have popularized Sauvignon Blanc, it’s the Loire that’s the true home of the Sauvignon Blanc vine. Loire style of Sauvignon Blanc tends to be less explosive in grassiness and tropical fruit flavour that you tend to get in NZ style Sauvignon Blancs.
Sauvignon Blanc grapes
The Loire Sauvignon Blanc usually comes with more mineral notes due to the chalky soils with more complexities and richness. Some limestone rich sub-regions even give it a smoky flinty flavour! Personally I prefer the Loire Sauvignon Blancs due to its overall greater complexities and depth of flavours. It’s less flashy but more complex.
Chenin Blanc (aka Pineau de la Loire): You don’t see much of Chenin as its a Loire native that did find some popularity in South Africa. It is most famously used to make long lived dessert wines and crazily delicious sparkling wines in specific Loire regions. I would urge all of you to seek out these wines.
SO MANY SUB REGIONS & GRAPE VARIETIES! HOW TO CHOOSE?
*See the bottom of the article on how to read a Loire Valley label*
Here’s a breakdown of the key regions so that you don’t get too confused and you can make more informed decisions.
Sancerre (white/red): Famous for Sauvignon Blanc white wines. They make reds too from Pinot Noir!
Pouilly Fume (white): The other Loire region famous for Sauvignon Blanc whites. This is the one with the smoky flinty aromas & flavours!
A bottle of Pouilly Fume wine
Vouvray (white): Chenin Blanc reigns supreme here and made in a variety of style from sparkling to still to dessert style wines. One of my favourite Loire regions!
Muscadet (white): Not made from Moscato grapes, the wines from the REGION of Muscadet is made from the grape: Melon de Bourgogne. It is most famously known for being one of the perfect pairings for seafood. I have brought several bottling to Chinese seafood restaurants to enjoy it with fish and even freshly steamed prawns. It brings out the natural sweetness of the prawns! The best part is that Muscadet wines are inexpensive in general.
Anjou (white/red): This region makes a wide variety of wines but most famous for the sub-sub region of Savennières; again made from Chenin Blancs, but in a very different style than those in Vouvray. They are dry, full bodied wines with good acidity that age well
Within Anjou the sub-sub region of Coteaux du Layon makes very good sweet dessert wines that can last a long time and are highly favoured among wine enthusiasts. Also made from Chenin Blanc!
The reigons of St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Chinon produce the majority of the red wines in the Loire Valley. Made from Cabernet Franc grapes they are easily the best expression of Cabernet Franc grapes. Drawing a delicious balance between the raspberry notes and leafy green undertones, these are understated wines that unreveal an unexpected complexity about them. Serve them chilled and let them air!
I have long wanted to talk about this region where you can get quality sparkling, whites, reds and dessert wines that don’t cost a lot of money and, if you find the right producers, make world class wines.
That region is the LOIRE (loo-wah) VALLEY
Loire is also famous for it's castles
Loire is also famous for it's castles
Wine enthusiasts and wine geeks have long looked to the Loire Valley for really good wines that don’t break the bank and age well. It’s a shame that it’s not as well known because it meet’s the local consumers’ needs of delicious tasty wines that are not too expensive
The wines are not too common in Singapore but in recent years they are popping up here and there; plus there is a key importer and distributor that really brought in a lot of the top wine producers in the Loire. But let’s start with the basics.
WHERE IS THE LOIRE VALLEY?
The Loire Valley is located in the middle of France. South of Paris and North of Bordeaux. Aside from the vineyards it is noted for its abundance of fresh produce and game; making it an amazing place to visit if you love food and wine. This is essentially where 'rillettes' were first made
The Loire Valley sits in the heart of France
Lots of old school cured meats!
Classic pork rillettes
The Loire Valley is broken up to a number of sub-regions that are too many to go into as you can see from the maps below. Each with their own style and climate, producing a different type of wine even if they may use similar grapes.
Click to expand to see the sub regions
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES USED IN LOIRE WINES?
Red wines are mainly made from CABERNET FRANC
Cabernet Franc grapes
White (sparkling, still & dessert) wine can be made from CHENIN BLANC, SAUVIGNON BLANC, MELON DE BOURGOGNE
There are a couple of other grapes used in Loire Valley wines but majority of the wines are made from the grapes above.
WHAT ARE ALL THESE GRAPES? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THEM BEFORE EXCEPT SAUVIGNON BLANC!
That’s because it’s not as well marketed and many consumers may be unfamiliar with the labels despite having some Loire wines making their way into Cold Storage
Cabernet Franc: This is also one of the permitted grapes grown in Bordeaux and are typically part of the red Bordeaux wine blend. In Bordeaux wines it’s is usually makes up a small proportion of the blend; however one of the top Bordeaux wines (Chateau Cheval Blanc) uses Cabernet Franc to a large extent.
Cabernet Franc is known for it’s herbaceous leafy notes and bright red fruits and when done right, it produces marvellous wines that have balance, finesse and elegance that’s a bit lighter than their Cabernet Sauvignon counterparts.
FUN FACT: Did you know that Cabernet Sauvignon is the unintended chance cross-breeding of Cabernet Franc (red) and Sauvignon Blanc (white) vines?
Sauvignon Blanc (white): Although New Zealand may have popularized Sauvignon Blanc, it’s the Loire that’s the true home of the Sauvignon Blanc vine. Loire style of Sauvignon Blanc tends to be less explosive in grassiness and tropical fruit flavour that you tend to get in NZ style Sauvignon Blancs.
Sauvignon Blanc grapes
The Loire Sauvignon Blanc usually comes with more mineral notes due to the chalky soils with more complexities and richness. Some limestone rich sub-regions even give it a smoky flinty flavour! Personally I prefer the Loire Sauvignon Blancs due to its overall greater complexities and depth of flavours. It’s less flashy but more complex.
Chenin Blanc (aka Pineau de la Loire): You don’t see much of Chenin as its a Loire native that did find some popularity in South Africa. It is most famously used to make long lived dessert wines and crazily delicious sparkling wines in specific Loire regions. I would urge all of you to seek out these wines.
SO MANY SUB REGIONS & GRAPE VARIETIES! HOW TO CHOOSE?
*See the bottom of the article on how to read a Loire Valley label*
Here’s a breakdown of the key regions so that you don’t get too confused and you can make more informed decisions.
Sancerre (white/red): Famous for Sauvignon Blanc white wines. They make reds too from Pinot Noir!
Pouilly Fume (white): The other Loire region famous for Sauvignon Blanc whites. This is the one with the smoky flinty aromas & flavours!
A bottle of Pouilly Fume wine
Vouvray (white): Chenin Blanc reigns supreme here and made in a variety of style from sparkling to still to dessert style wines. One of my favourite Loire regions!
Muscadet (white): Not made from Moscato grapes, the wines from the REGION of Muscadet is made from the grape: Melon de Bourgogne. It is most famously known for being one of the perfect pairings for seafood. I have brought several bottling to Chinese seafood restaurants to enjoy it with fish and even freshly steamed prawns. It brings out the natural sweetness of the prawns! The best part is that Muscadet wines are inexpensive in general.
Anjou (white/red): This region makes a wide variety of wines but most famous for the sub-sub region of Savennières; again made from Chenin Blancs, but in a very different style than those in Vouvray. They are dry, full bodied wines with good acidity that age well
Within Anjou the sub-sub region of Coteaux du Layon makes very good sweet dessert wines that can last a long time and are highly favoured among wine enthusiasts. Also made from Chenin Blanc!
The reigons of St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Chinon produce the majority of the red wines in the Loire Valley. Made from Cabernet Franc grapes they are easily the best expression of Cabernet Franc grapes. Drawing a delicious balance between the raspberry notes and leafy green undertones, these are understated wines that unreveal an unexpected complexity about them. Serve them chilled and let them air!
