Best Wines From The Loire Valley

Do you prefer to drink white, rosé, red, sparkling, or sweet wine? If you like to drink any of these you can find world-class wine in this vast region. The best part is: The wines are cheap!

The Loire Valley is a monster region starting at the Atlantic Ocean in western France and moving east along the Loire River. Rather than bore you with trying to memorize everything, I will tell you a little bit about the region and then highlight a few specific regions that you can hunt online or ask your retailer about that will surely deliver quality juice at great prices.

The Loire Valley is known for the cleanest dialect of the French language. Like the Pacific Northwest in the U.S., the people from this area have the most pure form of their language. They are also known for the most beautiful French women. If you are looking to get laid in France, hit up the Loire! Aside from that, it is all about the wine, so here are some you can't miss:

Muscadet Sur Lie: High-acid white wines that are always cheap. They are great to drink with anything from the ocean, most famously paired with raw oysters on the half shell.

Chinon: This region makes white from chenin blanc, red from cabernet franc and a lot of tasty rosé! They are fairly inexpensive and you are guaranteed to fall in love. Try one, try 'em all.

Vouvray: Your one-stop shop for sweet, off dry, and sparkling wines. The sparkling wines are cheap and dazzling. Sweet wines are world-class. If you want something slightly sweet look for wines labeled "Demi-Sec."

Sancerre: Crisp, un-oaked, food-friendly gems. All whites are 100 percent sauvignon blanc and this region produces the best sauvignon blancs in the world. Reds are lesser known but must be pinot noir and are awesome to drink chilled in warmer months.

These wines will not disappoint! Find one that matches your likes at a comfortable price point and enjoy. Just don't forget to send me a love letter later...

A few of my favorite producers from these regions that are sure to put a smile on your face:
• 2010 Domaine de la Pepière Muscadet Sur Lie
• 2002 Olga Raffault Chinon
• 2008 Philippe Foreau Vouvray Sec
• 2010 Lucien Crochet Sancerre "Le Chene"
 

Matthew is currently working on a website that will debut in May featuring raw, real and entertaining information from the world of adult beverages for the young and under ripe millennial generation.