France – the home of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne – is arguably the world’s most important wine-producing country. For centuries, it has produced wine in greater quantity – and of reportedly greater quality – than any other nation. Wine is ingrained in French culture at almost every level of society; it is the drink of both the elite and the common people, and a key symbol in Roman Catholicism, France’s majority religion.

The Loire Valley is one of France’s fairytale wine regions, filled with beautiful chateaux and renowned vineyards. The Loire has nearly 30 AOC (Appellelation d’Origine Contrôlee, or controlled designation of origin), which includes a variety of white, red, rosé, sparkling, and dessert wines. Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc are two of the well-known wines that flourish in the Loire Valley.

The Loire wine region is situated along the Loire River, running east to west, and it’s divided into three sections:
• Upper Loire – Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes
• Middle Loire – Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
• Lower Loire – Muscadet region
Appellations within the Loire Valley include Pays Nantais, Anjou, Saumur, Touraine, and Centre-Loire. A section of the Louire, between Sully-sur-Loire and Charlonnes-sur-Loire, is also UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re looking for winery suggestions, Decanter Magazine has their “top 6 wineries” in Loire, including Domaine Henri Bourgeois in Sancerre, which produces Le MD de Bourgeois that comes from the Les Monts Damnés slopes.

Our Pinot Noir originates from the Loire Valley and from one of the most renown wineries of the area. For more information on our Pinot Noir and to order our exclusive Noir now for only $19, click here

Pinot Noir pairs well with a wide range of foods—fruitier versions make a great match with salmon or other fatty fish, roasted chicken or pasta dishes; bigger, more tannic Pinots are ideal with duck and other game birds, casseroles or, of course, stews like beef bourguignon.