Visiting the Loire Valley, with its châteaux-dotted hillsides and storied history, is a wine pro’s dream… but you don’t need to traverse the Atlantic to discover and share the true jewels of the marquee wine region. In fact, as Pix recently pointed out, a single case of wine can provide a liquid tour of the Loire that’s second to none, without breaking the bank.
The winding appellation is unique in its diversity, because the soils, aspect, and topography change as the Loire river meanders toward the Atlantic giving each appellation a series of singular microclimates. From shale and granite soils to tuffeau and limestone, each village within the Loire is poised to create a unique vine. The result, in bottled form, is a range of wines that offers something for every drinker from vivacious sparkling wines to savory, herb-inflected reds. Though this river valley has been renowned for winemaking since the 1500s, the popularity of Loire Valley wines has been growing steadily in recent history because (for all their variety) Loire Valley wines share a trifecta of qualities modern drinkers love:
● Moderate alcohol, refreshing acidity, and minerality make them ideal food wines
● Pure expression of varietal and terroir unmasked by oak
● Excellent value
But don’t just take our word for it – Take the tour, and taste why Loire Valley Chenin Blancs, Sauvignon Blancs, and more remain cherished global benchmarks.