Loire Valley Wines

The entire Loire area includes numerous sub-districts, each with its own wine reputation. The most widely planted grape variety is chenin blanc.

Each stop along the Loire reveals a different personality of wines, from sweet chenin blancs to crisp Muscadets. barmalini/Shutterstock

Visiting France to learn about its wines frequently takes Americans to Burgundy or Bordeaux, the two most widely recognized and praised wine districts in all of Gaul.

And there’s no question that both districts are producers of some of the world’s greatest wines. But understanding even a sliver of either district is a complicated undertaking and best left not for a first visit.