📍 Touraine

Touraine is a historic area in the middle of the Loire Valley, France, around the city of Tours. It is the "land of castles": Chenonceau, Amboise and Azay-le-Rideau stand here, and the valley itself is on the UNESCO list. The climate is mild and oceanic, summers moderately warm, and the slopes above the river lie on limestone and clay.

Touraine makes white, red, rosé and sparkling wines. Whites from Sauvignon Blanc give fresh wines under the general Touraine appellation, while Chenin Blanc gives Vouvray, from dry to sweet and sparkling. Reds from Cabernet Franc are Chinon and Bourgueil, with blackcurrant and spice. Gamay goes into light reds, while Grolleau and Grolleau Gris go into rosés and simple wines.

Other appellations include Montlouis-sur-Loire, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny, Jasnières, Valençay and the rosé Touraine Noble Joué.

For comparison with its neighbours: upstream lie Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé with Sauvignon Blanc, downstream Anjou and Saumur, and on the Loire itself Touraine is the most central and varied part.