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There’s a new free map and guide available from InterLoire (the official wine body for the region) to the vineyards of the Loire Valley available to download and in English:-

The light glistening on the river and its tributaries is a wonderful sight. The cellars carved into white limestone, magical châteaux, magnificent gardens, hillsides covered in vines ; hundreds of sights that still hold the memory of kings, queens, princes and artists like Rabelais, Ronsard, Balzac, Leonardo da Vinci, and Joachim du Bellay… The Loire vineyards offer charm, grace and surprise around every corner. It is a region for good living, a valley of abundance, a source of flavourful wines and generous aromas,and we would like to share all that with you.

This wine region (which does not include other appellations which are nevertheless close to the River Loire such as Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Quincy, Menetou-Salon etc - these are all classified as “Vins du Centre” ) does cover the Loire from the Atlantic to Orleans and includes 68 separate appellations and has more than 7,000 wine producers making it France’s third most important vineyard.

For each winemaker there is a comprehensive entry - e.g. for one of our favourites, the Domaine Leduc-Frouin in Anjou:-

Domaine Leduc-Frouin
The Leduc-Frouin estate invites you to discover its wines in a guided tasting session. Guided tours upon request. Groups: tours and wine tastings, reservations necessary for meals.
Monday - Friday: 9 am -12 pm / 2 pm - 6 pm, Saturday: 2 pm - 6 pm, and mornings by appointment only.
AOC Anjou Blanc ; Anjou Gamay ; Anjou Rouge ; Anjou Villages ; Cabernet d’Anjou ; Coteaux du Layon ; Rosé d’Anjou ; Rosé de Loire ; Saumur Brut.
Antoine et Nathalie LEDUC La Seigneurie – Sousigné
T:02 41 59 42 83
info@leduc-frouin.com
www.leduc-frouin.com

This is an invaluable guide to wine touring in the region, which does offer many delights for the wine and food enthusiast and others.

Download the map and guide
For more on Domaine Leduc-Frouin see www.frenchduck.co.uk

France has always been a good camping destination - the French themselves enjoy “le camping” and the autoroutes heading south are testament to what seems like a mass exodus of Dutch caravans every summer seeking the warmer climes of the Midi or Provence.
On a recent visit to Domaine Octavie at Oisly (41 Loir-et-Cher, Centre) we discovered a special scheme for motor-caravab (motorhomes?, RVs?, camping cars) called France Passion. In return for a small annual subscription (about £22) you get a map and guide to thousands of farms and vineyards across France where you can park up for the night free of charge.
You need to be self-contained for water, electric etc, as these locations are not campsites with all the amenities - often just a water tap and a bin for the rubbish.
Limited to just a couple of vans, the scheme offers the chance to stay in idyllic, peaceful surroundings - at Octavie this was amidst the vines!
And being effectively the winemaker or farmer’s guest, it is only polite to offer to taste the produce - be it wine, fruit, vegetables, honey, foie gras, snails, olives, even ostrich!
I have heard the French complain that many northern europeans visit their region only to be too self-contained - bringing their home with them and keeping themselves to themselves - but this scheme offers the chance to meet the French on their own turf and find out something about the life of a farmer or winemaker.
For more info on the scheme see www.france-passion.co.uk

We always enjoy visiting Domaine Octavie, where Madame Isabelle provides a warm welcome - their Touraine Sauvignon AC is always excellent - this part of France is ideal for producing top quality Sauvignon Blanc - the region includes Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, Quincy etc.
We were also impressed with the Touraine Gamay AC, which had a remarkable depth of flavour and structure - ideal to accompany a grilled lamb steak (tranche de gigot. Another testament to the changing climate methinks - as Loire valley Gamay could never have reached such a level of intensity 10 years or so ago.
Domaine Octavie, Oisly, 41 Loir-et-Cher

Isabelle & Noe Rouballay own and run this charming small domaine in southern Touraine on a plateau between the Loire and Cher rivers at Oisly SEE MAP

This family run domaine is totally focussed on producing quality wines. They adhere to the TERRA VITIS approach, which whilst not truly organic, is a system which minimises the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, with a view to ensuring that the soil and “terroir” remain healthy and productive for future harvests and generations. Two-thirds of their production is for white wines (i.e. Sauvignon)

The Loire Valley is often over-looked for good quality wines, but this is changing as some of the better winemakers are really concentrating on good quality, small yields and careful vinification. The climate here is more influenced by the continent rather than the Atlantic Ocean compared to the rest of the Loire Valley, and hence is often a little warmer and drier.
Sauvignon Blanc is the star grape variety in this region, but very good reds are also produced.
TOURAINE SAUVIGNON AC - Domaine Octavie
The combination of soil and climate make this region especially good for Sauvignon Blanc. Being cooler than wine regions further south means that good crisp, full-flavoured Sauvignon can be made, but without excessive acidity which can sometimes spoil these wines. (The area is close to the classic Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé areas, which arguably produce the best northern hemisphere Sauvignons, albeit at a price.) This wine from Domaine Octavie is delightful - dry, fresh, clean flavours with well-balanced acidity. On the nose it is quite complex and aromatic - grassy, gooseberry tones.

TOURAINE AC Cuvee Fragrance, Domaine Octavie
Despite a relatively cool climate, the region (and this domaine) can also produce good reds, which tend to be less tannic than wines from further south in France. As always it is a matter of choosing the right grape varieties which have the potential to produce wonderful wines.
This cuvée is a very successful blend of Gamay (immediate and accessible fruitiness), Cabernet Franc (the red Loire grape - raspberry, earthy tones) and Cot (also known as Auxerrois or Malbec) which brings body and structure to the wine. Skilled blending by Noe Rouballay yields a lovely fruity, classy red with lots of upfront fruit, yet satisfyingly long in the mouth. Great with cold meats, pasta etc.
CONTACT -
Isabelle & Noe Rouballay, Domaine Octavie, 41700 OISLY SEE MAP
TÉL : 02.54.79.54.57 FAX : 02.54.79.65.20
www.domaineoctavie.com

Amboise (37, Indre et Loire, Loire Valley) in the Touraine celebrates in annual wine festival in the imposing surroundings of the Chateau d’Amboise 15-17 April 2006.

The relevant appellation is Touraine Amboise AC, situated between Tours and Blois on the Loire, and includes still and sparkling whites made from Chenin blanc, rose and red wines made from Cabernet Franc and Gamay.

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