White wines
White wines
What are the different types of white wine?
The Loire is a region where white wine is king. Each bottle invites you to discover generous, authentic flavors.
The white wines of the Loire are a symphony in four movements: dry, semi-dry, sweet and syrupy. All thanks to an alchemy between emblematic varieties - Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne - and unique terroirs that tell their own story.
- The dry ones, like Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, play the freshness and vivacity card.
- Half-dry wines with measured sweetness, like Vouvray, oscillate elegantly between tenderness and acidity.
Sweet and syrupy wines, dessert stars (but not only!), reveal bewitching notes of candied fruit, honey and spices. Think Coteaux du Layon or Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, distinguished by sweet, gourmand notes developed through late harvesting. Velvet on your palate!
In the Loire, we like to surprise. Each bottle is a promise of diversity and pleasure. Let your desires guide you!
Sweet or syrupy? A sweet dilemma!
If you confuse the terms mellow and sweet, you're not alone! The difference lies in the amount of residual sugar:
- Sweet white wine: their moderate sweetness (12 to 45 g/l) is ideal for balancing sweet and savory dishes.
- Sweet white wine: they reveal a richer aromatic intensity, thanks to a more generous residual sugar content.
In the Loire Valley, sweet and syrupy wines are mainly made from Chenin Blanc. Their unspoken secret? A natural phenomenon called noble rot (yes, it's chic despite the name!).
The result: complex, seductive wines for laying down, like Bonnezeaux or Coteaux de l'Aubance.
The nuggets to savor:
- Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru: a masterpiece of elegance and complexity.
- Coteaux du Layon: for perfectly balanced sweetness.
- Coteaux d'Ancenis (Malvoisie) : the well-kept secret of Nantais, perfect for gourmet aperitifs. Bonnezeaux : for incomparable depth and aromatic richness.
- Vouvray: a perfect balance of tenderness and freshness, ideal for long ageing.
- Coteaux de l'Aubance:a beautiful alliance between gourmandise and minerality, a reflection of its schistose terroir.
- Coteaux de Saumur: an exquisite creaminess that retains a seductive freshness.
What are the special characteristics of Loire white wines?
To choose a Loire white wine is to plunge into a rich palette of terroirs. Crossed by the river and its tributaries, the region enjoys ideal conditions for producing white wines with varied profiles, suitable for all occasions.
Envy of a lively, fresh wine? Try a Muscadet or a Sauvignon de Touraine. In need of roundness? An Anjou or a Vouvray will meet your expectations.
Hesitating between several Loire white wines? The winemakers are the best guides to help you discover their treasures! Visit the cellars for tastings with the masters of their craft.
More than perfect harmony, infinitely combinable
The magic of Loire white wines is that they know how to invite themselves to every table: from light aperitifs to gourmet desserts, every wine profile has its allies in the kitchen.
Here are a few ideas for enhancing your meals:
With a lively, aromatic dry white wine
These wines are the perfect companions for delicate, iodized flavors. Their tangy freshness enhances seafood, grilled or steamed fish, and even vegetarian dishes.
Pairing ideas:
- Fresh oysters with a Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine: a mineral and saline encounter.
- Pretty comforting with a raclette or lighter with a salmon tartare with a Touraine Sauvignon, all liveliness and aroma.
- A vegetarian dish, such as asparagus risotto or leek quiche, sublimated by a Gros-Plant du Pays Nantais, lively and lemony.
With a rich, complex dry white wine
These structured, generous white wines adore white meats in sauce, fine fish (such as sea bass or turbot), and even dishes spiced up with mild spices.
Pairing ideas:
- Sushi with a full-bodied, intense Savennières.
- Creamed chicken with mushrooms served with a dry Vouvray, which plays on the balance between intensity and liveliness.
- A pan-fried scallops with hazelnut butter, with a Touraine-Chenonceaux: the roundness of the wine sublimates the delicacy of the dish.
With a fresh, elegant white wine
Light, floral or fruity, these wines work wonders with lightly spiced dishes or herbaceous notes. They're also perfect with smoked fish and Asian cuisine.
Pairing ideas:
- Gravlax salmon paired with a Coteaux du Vendômois, which unfurls its refined aromas of honey and lime blossom.
- Spring rolls or pad thai accompanied by a Haut-Poitou, with floral and exotic notes.
- Fresh goat's cheeses, such as a Sainte-Maure de Touraine, sublimated by a Anjou blancwith subtle aromas of honey and apricot.
Chicken tenders with a Jasnières with floral aromas and a fresh finish on the palate
With an off-dry or mellow white wine
These wines with their gourmet sweetness go wonderfully with sweet and savory dishes, blue-veined cheeses, and, of course, fruity desserts.
Pairing ideas:
- A lamb tagine with apricots or pork with caramel, accompanied by a Coteaux du Layon. The sweetness of the dish echoes the softness of the wine.
- Foie gras (semi-cooked or pan-fried), paired with a mellow Vouvray: a timeless classic.
A tarte tatin or exotic fruit salad sublimated by a Coteaux de Saumur, which blends liveliness and roundness.
With a sweet white wine
Sweet wines, true nectars, are made for exceptional dishes and refined desserts. Foie gras and exotic sweet-savory cuisine are a perfect match.
Pairing ideas:
- A bruschetta of blue-veined cheeses such as gorgonzola with pears and hazelnut slivers, accompanied by a Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, a wine of incomparable aromatic richness.Chic and uninhibited!
- Desserts with candied fruits, such as a mango-passion log or a clafoutis, sublimated by a Bonnezeaux.
- A citrus-flavored glazed duck, enhanced by a wine with notes of honey and spices, such as a Coteaux de l'Aubance.
Loire white wines like to play the chameleon. Their diversity means there's an ideal companion for every dish. Why not think outside the box? Dare unexpected pairings and let your greed do the talking!
Why drink chilled white wine?
Serving white wine chilled ensures that it reveals all its freshness and fruity aromas. A wine that's too warm can lose all its sparkle. The right temperature? Between 8°C and 12°C for light wines, and 6°C to 8°C for young, fruity whites. At this temperature, minerality and acidity shine through, offering a perfect balance.
How long can white wine be kept?
It all depends on the wine! Young whites should be enjoyed within 1 to 3 years. More structured wines? 3 to 5 years, sometimes up to 20 years for grands crus. A word of advice: store them in a cool, horizontal, dark place. Ideally in a cellar without too much humidity at 12/14 degrees.
White or red: what are the technical differences?
Contrary to popular belief, a white wine can also be made from red grapes! It all comes down to vinification: for a white, the juice is separated from the skins before fermentation. The result: no tannins or color. Rosés, on the other hand, don't come from a red/white blend, but from a specific vinification (bleeding, maceration or pressing).
.What are the best grape varieties for white wine?
The Loire Valley is a unique breeding ground for white grape varieties. The Chenin Blanc, a regional emblem, seduces with its versatility: dry wines, exceptional sweet wines or fine bubbles. The Melon de Bourgogne, signature of Muscadet, enchants with its lemony freshness.
In Touraine, the Sauvignon Blanc reveals floral and exotic aromas, while the well-established Chardonnay stands out in Crémants de Loire for its balance and complexity. Folle Blanche (Gros Plant), the jewel of Pays Nantais, brings vivacity and lightness, ideal for accompanying aperitifs and oysters.
Other grape varieties such as Malvoisie(Pinot Gris), Chasselas, Grolleau Gris or Sauvignon Gris enrich this diversity, offering unique and captivating wines. The Loire is the promise of a white wine for every moment.