Val De Loire
The geographical area of the IGP follows the Loire river for around 350 miles (560km), reaching as far inland as the Auvergne hills in the centre of France. Each of the departments covered by the IGP has its own geographical indication under the law: wines that come exclusively from one department may say so on the label. These departments are Allier, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loire-Atlantique, Loiret, Maine-et-Loire, Nievre, Sarthe, Vendee and Vienne. Marches de Bretagne and Pays de Retz are two further geographical indicators allowed under the Val de Loire IGP.
Broadly speaking, the Val de Loire has a cool climate, although this ranges from maritime near Nantes (home to the Pays Nantais AOC appellation) to far more continental in more inland areas near the famous Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire winegrowing villages. The geography is similarly diverse, ranging from the tuffeau of Anjou to limestone and flint in Pouilly-sur-Loire, and finally, the volcanic soils of the Côtes du Forez.
Val de Loire IGP wines have a familiar array of grape varieties to draw upon – the classic Loire varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne are oft-used, as are Gamay and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are also seen in vineyards, but in smaller quantities. The majority of wines made under the IGP are single-varietal, and are labelled as such.
The Val de Loire IGP has recently been renamed as part of the phasing out of the much-maligned Vin de Pays category. While most regional denominations simply had the words "Vin de Pays" replaced with "Indication Géographique Protégée", Val de Loire's was more substantial: prior to 2009 it was known as Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France.
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£14.14
Cabernet d'Anjou - Domaine des 2 Moulins
domaine des 2 moulinsWhat a great all rounder and a wine of great class too. The wine is a pale salmon in colour with a wonderful bouquet of ripe, cooked red fruits wit...
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£13.88
Henry Brochard Les Carisannes Pinot Noir Rouge
Domaine Hubert BrochardHenry Brochard Les Carisannes Pinot Noir Rouge is a great wine, combining cherry fruit and violet aromas with a round, fresh palate of black fruit ...
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£27.22
Maison Darragon Vouvray Demi-Sec 1990
Maison DarragonAn absolutely stunning Vouvray Demi-Sec from one of the greatest vintages of the last century. I remember meeting Pierre Darragon when this wine wa...
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£11.94
Anjou Rouge - Domaine des 2 Moulins
domaine des 2 moulinsA stunning chewy red made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As soon as we tasted this we new it would be a winner yet the Loire Valley is...
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£17.59
Domaine Darragon Vouvray Heritage Demi-Sec 2019
Maison DarragonThis top class, medium-dry Vouvray shows just how good Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley can be. It is silky, luscious and well rounded with a sub...
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