2 Anecdotes About Loire Wines

Here are two things you might not know about the Loire Valley.

1. The Chinon Appellation Was the Land of Rabelais

It's not uncommon for a wine appellation to be associated with a celebrity. Such is the case with Chinon (Touraine), a Loire appellation that was the home of the famous 16th-century French writer, François Rabelais. If you've studied "Gargantua," one of his most renowned works, you might have noticed the prominent role of wine. This is no coincidence, as Rabelais, a native of the region who described himself as "an excellent drinker," was also a winemaker. Today, this wine region is still linked to the great writer. Vineyards and a museum dedicated to him can be found in the village of Seuilly, just a few kilometers from Chinon, his birthplace.

2. Muscadet: Three Regional Sub-Appellations for One Grape Variety

You might have had the chance to taste a white wine from the Muscadet appellation. Located in the Pays Nantais near the river's mouth, this AOC covers a vineyard area of 9,000 hectares and is divided into three regional sub-appellations: Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, and Muscadet-Côte-de-Grandlieu. Across these 9,000 hectares, only one grape variety is grown: Muscadet, also known as Melon de Bourgogne. The appellation takes its name from this grape when the appellation was established in 1936. No other French appellation combines these three characteristics, making the AOC Muscadet truly unique.