A stay at a Les Ponts de Cé campsite will undoubtedly take you along the wine trail. If there were a single word to describe the wines of the Loire Valley, it would be diversity. What a wealth of terroirs, climates and soils to be found in this region, spread out around the meandering Loire! Here's an overview of the finest appellations.
White wines: the elegance of Chenin
The Anjou vineyards are the kingdom of the Chenin grape variety. Just a few minutes from the estate, you can discover prestigious appellations such as Savennières, a dry white wine with character, or Quart de Chaume, classified as a Grand Cru. The latter, made from late harvest grapes, offers notes of honey and exotic fruits. For those who prefer a fresher taste, the Coteaux du Layon offers sweet wines balanced by a beautiful liveliness, perfect for accompanying your aperitifs on the terrace.
Red wines of the Loire Valley
When it comes to red wine,Cabernet Francgives the region its prestige. TheLoire Valley vineyardscan boast of having this prestigious grape variety among their vines.Cabernet Francproduces, for example, the SaintNicolas de Bourgueil AOP. Supple and refined, SaintNicolas de Bourgueilis highly appreciated. Made from the same grape variety as well asPineau d'Aunis,Saumur Champignyis a classic. Young and light, it pairs well with fish and grilled meats. When older and more structured,Saumur Champignygoes well with dishes served with sauce or game. Another iconic red AOC isAnjou Villages Brissac.
Grown by around thirty producers,Anjou Villages Brissacis a wine for aging that pairs well with red meat and grilled dishes. The AOCCoteaux du Vendômoisoffers a well-structured red wine that goes perfectly with a platter of charcuterie. The red version ofTouraine Mesland is also well-structured.Coteaux du Giennoisoffers high-quality wines. Made from various grape varieties such asPineau d'Aunisfor reds,Coteaux du Loir is a great choice for food and wine pairings.
Rosé wines from the Loire Valley
Cabernet d'Anjou is the best-known rosé in the Loire region, with a very substantial production of 42 million bottles. But Cabernet de saumur, grown nearby, bears little resemblance to it. While Cabernet d'Anjou is characterized by its fruity sweetness, Cabernet de Saumur is a Loire rosé that produces dry to semi-dry wines.
So you see, during your stay in Maine et Loire, you'll want to discover the wines of the Loire Valley!