Cabernet Franc is the undisputed lord of Loire red wines. Covering a quarter of the vines planted in the region, ie over 16,000 hectares, it is firmly established in Anjou, Saumur and Touraine. But its taste also varies according to the appellations: more powerful in Chinon, lighter in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, more powdery in Saumur-Champigny. However, it would be a shame to ignore its many neighbors, who bring their diversity to the wines of the Loire – the region richest in grape varieties.
Let’s stay on the reds first. Gamay, the flagship variety of Beaujolais, gives birth here to many juicy and light wines. It is found everywhere: in Touraine, in the Center-Loire, to the west of Sancerre (Coteaux-du-Giennois), in Châteaumeillant and even in the Nantes vineyards (Coteaux-Ancenis and Vendée fiefs). Grolleau, which grows practically only in the Loire, gives wines overflowing with fruit in Touraine and Anjou, where it is widely used for rosé. As for pinot noir, which reigns in Burgundy, it is particularly popular in Center-Loire (sancerre, menetou-salon) and in Auvergne. Among the rarest grape varieties but worthy of interest are Pineau d’Aunis, which gives birth to peppery and tannic wines (Coteaux-du-Loir and Coteaux-du-Vendômois), with a surprisingly light color, as well as the Cot, local name of Malbec widespread in the South-West.
However, the 6,200 winegrowers and 250 wine merchants in the Loire region first make white wine. This color occupies 41.3% of the production (against 21.3% of red, the rest being divided between rosés and sparkling wines). And the most remarkable grape variety, found nowhere else in France, is certainly Chenin. A veritable sponge on the land, it makes it possible to develop, in Anjou and Touraine, dry wines with tremendous tension, but also great mellowness and syrupy wines (whether from Coteaux-du-Layon or Bonnezeaux).
Another well-known grape variety, sauvignon spreads its citrus scents in the west of Touraine and proudly represents the wines of Sancerre, Pouilly-sur-Loire (pouilly-fumé) and all of Center-Loire. Chardonnay is also there, especially for the Crémants de Loire. Finally, the Burgundy melon, which bears its name badly, is the only variety that produces the very widespread Muscadet, especially south of Nantes, ie 10,000 hectares of crystalline and iodized wine.