Loire Valley – Castles, Sauvignon & Savoir-vivre

The Loire Valley is one of France’s most beautiful and diverse wine regions—characterized by rolling hills, magnificent castles, lush gardens, and a centuries-old wine culture. Along the Loire, France’s longest river, lie not only fairytale châteaux, but also some of the country’s most exciting appellations. Here, mineral white wines, elegant red wines, and characterful rosés meet regional cuisine that thrives on freshness and down-to-earthness.

Wine culture in the Loire Valley

The winemaking tradition in the Loire dates back to ancient times, but its true heyday began in the Middle Ages, when the region became a favorite retreat for the French aristocracy. Today, the Loire Valley is considered the “Garden of France” and one of the most diverse AOP regions in Europe—with over 50 controlled designations of origin.

The wine region is divided into four main areas, which differ greatly in climate, soils and grape varieties:

  • Pays Nantais (near Nantes) – known for Muscadet and seafood pairings.

  • Anjou-Saumur – famous for Chenin Blanc, Crémant de Loire and sweet to noble sweet wines.

  • Touraine – home of Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil and many fresh white and red wines.

  • Centre-Loire – with the famous appellations Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, which are considered the world reference for Sauvignon Blanc.

Grape varieties & stylistics

The Loire is an Eldorado for varietal character – each grape variety shows its distinctive face here:

  • Sauvignon Blanc – Fresh, grassy, ​​mineral. Star in Sancerre & Pouilly-Fume.

  • Chenin Blanc – Versatile: from dry, sparkling to sweet (Vouvray, Saumur, Anjou).

  • Melon de Bourgogne – Light white wine for seafood (Muscadet).

  • Cabernet Franc – Elegant, herbal, fruity (Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur).

  • Gamay, Pinot Noir, Grolleau – For light, playful red and rosé wines.

The cuisine of the Loire: fresh, rural, seasonal

Culinary-wise, the Loire Valley is closely linked to its river: fish, goat cheese, herbs, and fresh vegetables dominate the regional cuisine. It is light, aromatic, and emphasizes the natural flavors of the ingredients—ideal for versatile wine pairing.

Typical dishes from the Loire Valley:

  • Sandre au beurre blanc – zander fillet in a classic white wine and butter sauce.

  • Rillettes de Tours – Cooked, spreadable pork, served with baguette.

  • Tarte aux chèvre & tomates – Warm goat cheese tart with ripe tomatoes and herbs.

  • Salade de lentilles vertes du Berry – Lentil salad with goat cheese and herb vinaigrette.

  • Tarte Tatin – upside-down apple pie – classic French with caramel.

Wine & Food: Loire on the plate & in the glass

The freshness and finesse of Loire wines make them ideal food pairings. A Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé shines with fish, while a Chinon or Bourgueil pairs perfectly with rillettes or poultry. Chenin Blanc demonstrates its class with goat cheese or fruity tarts, and a well-chilled Crémant de Loire is an excellent accompaniment to appetizers, aperitifs, and festive occasions.

Top 10 recipes with wine recommendations from the Loire – Enjoyment & Food pairing from the Loire Valley

Wine with dinner Rillons de Tours Anjou, country house table with rosé and baguette
Rillons de Tours (Rillauds d’Anjou)

French culinary culture – wine and food that connect Wine with food plays a central [...]

20
Aug
Wein zum Essen Filet Mignon de Porc, Landhausterrasse, Chinon, Kräuter
Filet Mignon de Porc (pork tenderloin with herbs)

French finesse – wine and food at the highest level Wine with dinner opens up [...]

20
Aug
Wine with food Ratatouille Loire, summer garden, vegetables, Sauvignon Blanc, baguette
Ratatouille Loire-style

Summer vegetable highlight – wine and food in Mediterranean harmony Wine with food is the [...]

20
Aug
Wine with food Andouillette with Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, French bistro table
Andouillette

Traditional French enjoyment – wine and food with character and depth Wine with food focuses [...]

19
Aug
Wein zum Essen Chèvre Frais aus der Loire, Gartentisch mit Sancerre, Käseplatte
Chèvre Frais

Wine and food in perfect harmony – tender goat’s cheese as a moment of enjoyment [...]

19
Aug
Wein zum Essen Quiche Lorraine, französischer Landhaus-Gartentisch mit Rosé und Kräutern
Quiche Lorraine

French bistro classic reinterpreted – wine and food celebrated Wine with food is the heart [...]

19
Aug
Wein zum Essen Beuchelle à la tourangelle mit Vouvray und Bistro-Flair
Beuchelle à la tourangelle

French classics rediscovered – wine and food as a harmonious experience Wine with food means [...]

18
Aug
Wein zum Essen Tarte Tatin mit Vouvray und französischem Gartentisch
Tarte Tatin

French dessert art – wine and food at the highest level Wine with food inspires [...]

18
Aug
Wein zum Essen Rillettes de Tours, französisches Gartentisch-Picknick – Touraine Rouge
Rillettes de Tours

French country cuisine meets aromatic accompaniments – wine and food with style Wine with food [...]

18
Aug

Latest food recommendations for wines from the Loire

Wine with the meal: Creamy sopa de castanhas chestnut soup served with a glass of Douro Branco Reserva white wine.
Sopa de castanhas (chestnut soup)

An autumnal classic with a velvety texture Wine with food is a passion that comes [...]

06
Jan
Wine with a meal of grilled snoek, apricot glaze and a glass of Chenin Blanc on a terrace in the Swartland.
Grilled snoek (cape mackerel with apricot glaze)

South African tradition meets elegant finesse Today, our search for the perfect wine to accompany [...]

04
Jan
Wine with food: Fluffy curd cheese pancakes with fruity apricot roast and a glass of Muskateller wine from the Wachau.
Curd cheese pancakes with roasted apricots

A fluffy dessert highlight of Alpine pastry cuisine The perfect wine with food also enhances [...]

30
Dec
Wine with food: Two kinds of salmon with tartare and confit fillet and a glass of Crémant de Loire in the sunny bistro.
Two kinds of salmon: tartare & confit

A play of textures between cool freshness and warm enamel The perfect wine with food [...]

26
Dec
Wine with your meal Tuna tataki with sesame crust and a glass of cool Mosel Riesling in a sushi bar
Tuna tataki with sesame seeds & soy-citrus dressing

Asian finesse meets precise German wine culture Wine with food is an art form that [...]

25
Dec
Wine with the meal: Beef tartare with egg yolk and brioche alongside a bottle of Sancerre Rouge.
Beef tartare with capers, egg yolk & brioche

A purist masterpiece of meat cuisine The classic beef tartare is the epitome of pure [...]

17
Dec
Wine with food: Hearty beef roulades with bacon and mustard, perfectly harmonized with a mature Tempranillo Rioja Reserva.
Beef roulades with bacon, mustard & red wine sauce

Hearty classics: the perfect harmony of wine and food Beef roulades are the epitome of [...]

16
Dec
Wine with food: Fondue Bourguignonne with a trio of sauces, perfectly accompanied by a smooth Merlot from the Colli Orientali del Friuli.
Fondue Bourguignonne with trio of sauces & baguette

Conviviality and enjoyment: the complex task for wine with food Fondue Bourguignonne, the classic meat [...]

14
Dec
Wine with food: Crispy salmon fillet in puff pastry with spinach and lemon butter, accompanied by a mineral Chablis from Burgundy.
Salmon fillet in puff pastry with spinach & lemon butter

An elegant classic: the perfect harmony of wine and food Salmon fillet in puff pastry, [...]

11
Dec
Wine with food - lamb's lettuce with goat's cheese and fresh ingredients on a beautifully laid table.
Lamb’s lettuce with apple, walnuts & fried goat’s cheese

A special combination of fresh flavors Wine with food is an art created by the [...]

09
Dec
Wine with the meal Veal fillet in white wine cream with carrots and leeks on an elegantly laid winter table, served with Chenin Blanc Vouvray AOC in a glass.
Veal fillet in white wine cream with carrots & leek

Fine winter cuisine for wine and food With this veal fillet in white wine cream [...]

09
Dec
Wine with the meal Scallops on celeriac puree with vanilla jus, elegantly arranged fine dining plate, Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough in a glass, festively laid restaurant table.
Scallops on celeriac puree & vanilla jus

Fine seafood cuisine for wine and food With scallops on celeriac puree and vanilla jus, [...]

05
Dec
Wine with food Parsnip cappuccino with truffle oil and herb potato chips in small cups on a wintery restaurant table, Viognier AOC Condrieu in a wine glass, candlelight and fir branches.
Parsnip cappuccino with truffle oil & herb chips

Fine winter cuisine for wine and food With this parsnip cappuccino, Wein zum Essen shows [...]

05
Dec
Salmon fillet with dill sauce and caramelized fennel strips served in detail on a white porcelain plate, parsley potatoes and winter leaf salad next to it, festively laid restaurant table with candlelight, fir branches and glasses of Grüner Veltliner, snow-covered garden visible through the window in the background.
Salmon fillet with dill sauce & caramelized fennel strips

Fine fish cuisine for wine and food With this salmon fillet with dill sauce and [...]

05
Dec
Wine with food - cod with cauliflower puree and lemon butter, served with baked potatoes, vegetables and a glass of Chablis in a modern bistro ambience
Cod with cauliflower puree & lemon butter

Delicate fish dish with velvety puree and a fresh kick In this dish, wine with [...]

04
Dec
Wine with food Roasted veal liver with apple rings, mashed potatoes, Chenin Blanc Loire, bistro setting
Roasted veal liver with apple rings & mashed potatoes

Classic delicacies reinterpreted: Liver, apple & wine Wine with food opens up a whole new [...]

23
Nov
Wine with food - Pumpkin and lentil curry with coconut milk, basmati rice, naan bread and Gewürztraminer Alsace AOC
Pumpkin and lentil curry with coconut milk

Hearty pumpkin and lentil curry with an exotic flavor Wine and food find a harmonious [...]

19
Nov
Wine with food - rabbit ragout with olives and herbs of Provence on a rustic stone table with a glass of Côtes du Rhône Villages
Rabbit ragout with olives & herbs de Provence

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16
Nov
Wine with the meal Beetroot carpaccio with goat's cheese and walnuts on a Mediterranean-style table, Sauvignon Blanc from South Tyrol, wine glasses and garnishes.
Beetroot carpaccio with goat’s cheese & walnuts

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11
Nov
Wine with food Veal stew with herbs & parsnips on a French country house table
Veal stew with herbs & parsnips

Delicately braised – finely seasoned – wintery delight Wine with food shows how harmoniously wine [...]

03
Nov
Wine with food - parsnip rösti with herb quark and apple chutney on a rustic wooden table with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc
Parsnip rösti with herb quark & apple chutney

Crispy, fresh and wonderfully aromatic Wine with food means here: Freshness meets down-to-earthness. These parsnip [...]

02
Nov
Wine with your meal Franconian asparagus with butter and ham, potatoes, cress salad, Silvaner Erste Lage
Franconian asparagus with butter or ham

Seasonal indulgence: asparagus and wine Wine with food and regional asparagus are a culinary duo [...]

31
Oct
Wine with food: Blaue Zipfel with onion rings in vinegar, served in a Franconian beer garden with Müller-Thurgau and pretzels
Blaue Zipfel (sausages in vinegar broth)

Franconian classic with spice and character Wine and food from Franconia are among the most [...]

29
Oct
Wine with food - Franconian onion tart with Silvaner on a Franconian wine terrace, decorated in autumnal style
Franconian onion tart

Franconian fall cuisine in its most fragrant form Wine with food also means showcasing regional [...]

29
Oct