14 by the glassBouffay, Nantes
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
12 by the glassSaint-Laud, Angers
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
16 by the glassCentre-ville, Orleans
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
12 by the glassChinon, Place du General de Gaulle
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
14 by the glassSaint-Pierre, Saumur
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
Pours: Saumur brut sparkling, Saumur-Champigny, Coteaux de Saumur
13 by the glassBouffay, Nantes
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