Nightlife in Tours centre

Le Petit Comptoir ★ 4.5

18 by the glassTours centre

Le Petit Comptoir is the natural-wine pivot of central Tours, with a programme heavy on Touraine and Anjou small growers. By-the-glass Cabernet Franc from Chinon and Saumur-Champigny is the house signature, with the natural-leaning Vouvray and Montlouis whites as alternatives.

The list: Sommelier-driven natural and biodynamic Loire selection; 120 bottles, 18 by-the-glass; emphasis on small Touraine and Anjou growers

Tip: Ask the sommelier for the rotating natural-Cabernet Franc flight; the menu refreshes weekly and includes growers like Roches Neuves and Antoine Sanzay.

5 place de la Resistance, 37000 Tours, France

Hotel de l'Univers bar lounge ★ 4.7

12 by the glassTours centre

Hotel de l'Univers, Tours' grand 19th-century hotel near the train station, has a wood-panelled wine lounge that serves as the city's most established evening wine-drinking address. The aged Vouvray moelleux vertical (going back to 1947 vintages in the rare-wine cellar) is the house signature.

The list: Grand-hotel wine lounge with 300 bottles; whole-Loire range; 12 by-the-glass; aged Vouvray moelleux vertical

Tip: Aged Vouvray moelleux is poured by the glass at premium prices; the 1947 and 1959 vintages have appeared in recent rotations. Book in advance for the rare-wine programme.

5 boulevard Heurteloup, 37000 Tours, France

La Vinotheque de Touraine (fortified collection) ★ 4.3

12 by the glassTours centre

La Vinotheque de Touraine is a caviste-and-tasting-bar with one of the broadest fortified and VDN selections in the region. The collection includes Pineau des Charentes (the Cognac-must blend), French vermouth and a small selection of VDNs from Roussillon and Beaumes-de-Venise.

The list: Caviste-bar with a deep Pineau des Charentes, vermouth and VDN selection alongside the main Loire range; tastings by reservation

Tip: Ask for the Pineau des Charentes flight; Cognac-region fortified is the natural spirits cross-over from a Loire visit.

47 rue Nationale, 37000 Tours, France

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