Wine bar and small-plates restaurant near Saint-Pierre in Saumur with strong Saumur-Champigny and sparkling Saumur focus, running weekly producer-led tastings.
The list: Saumur-Champigny-anchored Loire list of 160 references; 14 by the glass with a strong sparkling Saumur and Cremant de Loire selection; daily three-glass tasting flight
Address: 7 rue Saint-Jean, 49400 Saumur, France, Loire Valley
Wine bar adjunct to Ludovic Pouzelgues's Michelin-starred LuluRouget restaurant, majoring on aged Muscadet alongside cult Loire allocations rarely seen elsewhere in Nantes.
The list: Loire-focused list of 180 references including back-vintage Muscadet from Pierre Luneau-Papin and Domaine de la Pepiere; 13 by the glass; sommelier Aurelien Lasausses on the floor most evenings
Pours: Muscadet cru Clisson with bottle age, Anjou rouge, Quincy Sauvignon Blanc
Wine bar and bistrot on Sancerre's central square, with shaded terrace and stone vaulted room. Owner-led Sancerre pours paired with Crottin de Chavignol cheese plates.
The list: Sancerre-focused list of 80 producers including all the major flint and Kimmeridgian estates; 14 by the glass; daily comparative tasting flight of three Sancerres available
Pours: Sancerre flint-soil Sauvignon, Sancerre rouge Pinot Noir, Pouilly-Fume
Sommelier-led wine bar in central Angers with a strong Anjou-Saumur axis, pouring from independent biodynamic growers alongside classical Savennieres.
The list: Anjou and Saumur-focused list of 180 references; 18 by the glass spanning Savennieres, Coteaux du Layon, Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny; weekly somm-led tastings
Pours: Savennieres Chenin Blanc, Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc, Coteaux du Layon
Cellar-bar in Saumur old town with a Loire-only natural-leaning list, specialising in producer-direct biodynamic Anjou and Saumur estates plus small plates.
The list: Loire-only list of 220 references with a strong biodynamic Anjou-Saumur axis; 16 by the glass; Saturday natural-wine masterclass programme
Pours: Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc, Anjou Chenin Blanc, Cremant de Loire
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
Pours: Vouvray sec Chenin, Bourgueil Cabernet Franc, Montlouis-sur-Loire
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
