Tours wine bar in a 15th-century half-timbered townhouse near Place Plumereau, with a Touraine-anchored list focused on independent Vouvray and Montlouis producers.
The list: Touraine-focused list of 200 references; 15 by the glass; pairs Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon and Bourgueil with small plates; monthly producer evenings
Address: 20 rue de la Monnaie, 37000 Tours, France, Loire Valley
Nantes wine bar in the Bouffay quarter championing the Pays Nantais, with all the Muscadet crus and a deep selection of independent Anjou and Coteaux d'Ancenis growers.
The list: Pays Nantais-anchored list of 250 references; 17 by the glass with rotating focus on cru Muscadet (Clisson, Gorges, Le Pallet); natural wine evenings on Wednesdays
Pours: Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine cru, Muscadet sur lie, Anjou Chenin Blanc
Bottle shop and cellar bar combining a 300-strong Loire-leaning selection with Touraine cheese and rillettes boards, open late and popular with Tours sommeliers.
The list: Loire-anchored list of 300 references; 12 by the glass; bottle shop and bar with no corkage; standing-room counter and pavement tables
Pours: Chinon Cabernet Franc, Vouvray demi-sec, Cremant de Loire
Oyster and wine bar on Nantes' Place du Bouffay showcasing Muscadet's coastal heritage, with sur-lie Muscadet, Gros Plant Folle Blanche and Atlantic-Loire appellations.
The list: Loire and Atlantic seafood pairing list with 180 references; 14 by the glass leaning heavily on Muscadet sur lie; oyster bar runs daily
Pours: Muscadet sur lie, Gros Plant du Pays Nantais, Fiefs Vendeens
Natural wine bar in Angers's Saint-Laud quarter with a Loire-only list, highlighting biodynamic Anjou growers (Mosse, La Sansonniere) and natural Chenin specialists.
The list: Natural-wine-focused Loire list of 200 references with a biodynamic Anjou backbone; 12 by the glass rotating weekly; producer evenings every fortnight
Pours: Coteaux du Layon sweet, Anjou Cabernet Franc, Savennieres dry Chenin
Orleans wine bar specialising in the Centre Loire appellations of Cheverny, Cour-Cheverny, Orleanais and Orleans-Clery alongside Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume.
The list: Loire Valley-wide list with 220 references; 16 by the glass; particular strength on Orleanais and Cheverny appellations rarely showcased elsewhere
Pours: Cheverny Sauvignon-Chardonnay, Orleans-Clery Cabernet Franc, Pouilly-Fume
Chinon wine bar named after the most famous parcel in the appellation, focused exclusively on Cabernet Franc terroirs across Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil.
The list: Chinon and Bourgueil specialist list of 90 references; 12 by the glass; weekly comparative Cabernet Franc tasting across Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
Pours: Chinon old-vine Cabernet Franc, Bourgueil tuf-soil Cabernet Franc, Chinon rose
