The understated elegance of reds from the Loire Valley
Our selection of Loire Valley red wines reveals the lesser-known but fascinating side of this region, which is mainly famous for its white wines. Along the longest river in France, in a landscape dotted with Renaissance châteaux and historic vineyards, red wines of extraordinary finesse and elegance are produced, representing the antithesis of powerful, concentrated wines. Here, in a temperate climate with both oceanic and continental influences, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir find expressions of rare purity and aromatic precision. These wines are distinguished by their fresh profile, marked minerality and refined structure that favours elegance over power, faithfully reflecting the different limestone, siliceous and clayey terroirs that characterise the region.
From Cabernet Franc in Touraine to Pinot Noir in Sancerre
The heart of Loire red wine production beats in Touraine, where Cabernet Franc reigns supreme in the appellations of Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. Here, on calcareous and tufa soils, wines with unmistakable notes of raspberry, green pepper and graphite are produced, with a vibrant freshness and silky tannins that evolve beautifully over time. Continuing eastwards, in the Sancerre and Menetou-Salon area, Pinot Noir reveals a distinctive personality compared to its Burgundian cousins, with greater acidity and a more pronounced mineral character. Our collection includes both the classics of the region, from historic producers who keep centuries-old traditions alive, and the interpretations of a new generation of winemakers who, often with organic and biodynamic approaches, are taking these wines to ever higher levels of quality.
Freshness and versatility: alternative reds
Loire red wines are an ideal choice for those seeking characterful alternatives to the more famous French reds. Their natural acidic freshness, moderate alcohol content and fine tannic texture make them extremely versatile at the table, capable of elegantly accompanying white meat dishes, poultry, mushrooms and soft cheeses. In warmer vintages, the Cabernet Franc wines of Chinon and Bourgueil acquire a more substantial structure that makes them suitable for ageing, developing fascinating tertiary notes of undergrowth and spices. Our selection offers the opportunity to explore this region in all its nuances, from the most immediate and fruity labels to the most complex and profound crus, all sharing an unmistakable style where lightness never means a lack of character, but rather a discreet elegance that wins you over sip after sip.
