You could ask me the same question every day and I’d probably give a different answer each time, but one of my constant favourites among wine regions is the Loire Valley. You might think that choosing a French favourite is a tad cliché but I think this is one that is often overlooked. Among the giants of Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux, the Loire Valley gets a little lost despite producing a huge number of amazing wines. Sure, there are some well-known big hitters (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé to name two) but the power of those individual brands also sometimes eclipses the region as a whole. 

Loire Valley is not only Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

Vineyards in the three sub-regions of Lower Loire, Middle Loire and Upper Loire can be influenced by the Atlantic ocean (on the western edge of the Lower Loire) and the Loire river (as well as its tributaries, of course). Frost is something to look out for here and, in certain regions, foggy mornings and sunny days encourage the growth of botrytis (noble rot) eventually producing some remarkable sweet wines (from certain vineyards in Vouvray, for example). 

The sheer longitudinal span, varied geographical and climatic influences, and a multitude of soil types means that there are a wide variety of styles grown from a number of different grapes that you don’t necessarily see as often elsewhere in France. Not just Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Chenic Blanc, but also Melon, Chasselas and Grolleau Noir among others.

Try the wine after visiting the castles 

I was really surprised to learn recently that many don’t consider the Loire Valley that compelling in terms of tourism, but some of the most beautiful Châteaux in France can be found here—Indeed, the central part of the Loire River valley has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. I’ve holidayed and driven through a number of times and stayed at a few of the absolutely stunning places the region has to offer, and it’s still somewhere that I want to re-visit and spread the word about. So consider reaching for a Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine instead of Chablis, a good Rosé d’Anjou once in a while, or a Crémant de Loire for a celebratory sparkler you can enjoy more frequently than a pricier Champagne.