12 editor-picked estates growing Chardonnay in Loire Valley.
Where to taste Chardonnay in Loire Valley: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.
Le Landreau Muscadet pioneer: Guy Bossard converted to organic in 1975 and Demeter biodynamic in 1998; Fred and Claire Niger took over in 2010 and continue the legacy.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment in Le Landreau
Signature wines: ecu-granite, ecu-orthogneiss, ecu-gneiss
Tip: Granite, Orthogneiss and Gneiss are the three soil-cuvee bottlings that mapped Muscadet's terroir before Cru Communals existed.
Monmousseau-owned Saumur sparkling house founded in 1851. Kilometres of tuffeau caves at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent host the Saphir and Tresor cuvees.
Tasting: Year-round guided cellar visits and tastings in the kilometres of tuffeau caves carved into the cliff at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent
Signature wines: bouvet-saphir, bouvet-tresor-blanc, bouvet-excellence-brut-rose
Tip: Saphir is the gateway Saumur Brut; Tresor Blanc is the barrel-fermented prestige cuvee with at least 24 months on the lees.
Saumur sparkling house founded in 1811 by Jean-Baptiste Ackerman, who brought methode traditionnelle to the Loire. Tuffeau cellars at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent.
Tasting: Guided tours of the monumental tuffeau galleries (20 m high, 50 m long) with a flight of fines bulles at the end; advance booking recommended
Signature wines: ackerman-cuvee-privilege-blanc, ackerman-louis-ferdinand, ackerman-royal-brut
Tip: The Cuvee Privilege Cremant de Loire (1 star, Guide Hachette) is the value entry; Louis Ferdinand is the iconic prestige bottling.
Saumur Cremant de Loire house founded in 1885, part of the Bollinger group since 1973. Terra Vitis-certified 71-hectare estate at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent cellars
Signature wines: langlois-brut-reserve, langlois-brut-rose, langlois-cadence-extra-brut
Tip: Brut Reserve ages a minimum of 24 months on the lees, double the appellation minimum; Cadence Extra Brut spends five years on lees.
Bouvet-Ladubay troglodyte cellars in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, founded 1851. Eight kilometres of tufa galleries, methode traditionnelle production hall and tasting room.
Sparkling-wine house founded 1811 by Jean-Baptiste Ackerman, with three kilometres of tufa cellars and contemporary art alongside the riddling racks.
InterLoire tasting and information centre on the Saumur quayside, pouring a rotating selection of 50 wines from Saumur, Saumur-Champigny and Coteaux de Saumur.
Cremant de Loire specialist owned by Champagne Bollinger since 1973. Tufa galleries, riddling and disgorgement halls finish with a Quadrille and Cremant range tasting.
Family estate working old-vine Romorantin in Cour-Cheverny. Le Petit Chambord is the other essential Romorantin name alongside Domaine des Huards.
Tip: The old-vine Renaissance cuvee Cour-Cheverny is the wine to taste. Cazin's range also includes a deceptively age-worthy Cheverny rouge from Pinot Noir and Gamay.
Norguet family estate in Coteaux du Vendomois working the rare, peppery Pineau d'Aunis grape. The grape is almost unique to this small appellation north of Vendome.
Tip: Pineau d'Aunis is the Loire's spiciest red, with a finishing note that wine writers compare to white pepper or sansho. Try the rose first; the rouge takes some getting used to but is unforgettable.
Saumur Brut traditional-method sparkling from Bouvet-Ladubay's tuffeau cellars under Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent. Chenin Blanc-based with Chardonnay support, the wine is bottle-aged on lees for at least 12 months and offers a serious sub-EUR20 alternative to entry Champagne.
Tip: The Saumur tuffeau cellar tour at Bouvet-Ladubay is an atmospheric Loire cave experience worth the visit. The Brut is sold by the case directly from the cellar at competitive prices.
Cremant de Loire from Ackerman, a Saumur sparkling house founded in 1811, is a traditional-method blend dominated by Chenin Blanc with Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc support. The wine is bottle-aged on lees for at least nine months and the entry Brut sits comfortably under EUR15.
Tip: Cremant de Loire is the value sparkling category of France: bottle-fermented method at a third the price of entry Champagne. Ackerman's cellar tour in Saumur explains the tuffeau cave-ageing process well.