Where it is
The vineyards follow the Loire from near the Atlantic at Nantes up through Anjou, Saumur and Touraine to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the upper Loire, nearly 800 km upstream. Much of the central valley is a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of châteaux.
Land and climate
The climate is cool and maritime near the sea and more continental inland. The soils include limestone (tuffeau), slate, flint and clay, which gives the different subregions their character.
Grapes and wines
Muscadet, from Melon de Bourgogne, is the wine of the coast. Anjou and Saumur make Chenin Blanc in every style, dry to sweet, and sparkling; Saumur-Champigny and Chinon make Cabernet Franc reds. Vouvray is Chenin Blanc, and Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are famous Sauvignon Blancs.