10 Red Grape Varieties in the Loire Valley

Or at least the top 3…?

How is a wine region as emblematically north as the Loire Valley capable of producing serious red wines? Despite its northerly position, the Loire Valley is a mosaic of different terroirs and climats. In areas where forests and hills protect the vineyards from cold winds, the aspects of vineyards allow for ample sunshine, and bodies of water regulate growing temperatures, we may find the perfect conditions for red grapes to ripen and transcend into brilliant and expressive wines.

Meet the 10 red grape varieties in the Loire Valley:

• the popular Cab Franc, Gamay, and Pinot Noir;

• the trendy Grolleau and Pineau d’Aunis;

• rarities like Côt and Négrette; and

• blending partners such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Meunier

… each highlighting Loire’s diversity and unique personas.

1. Cabernet Franc

For a long time, many people thought Cab Franc came from Bordeaux. But recent genetics studies are pointing to the Spanish Basque Country for its place of origin... surprise! Maybe the grape would grow better if you play Spanish music in the vineyard during nap time.
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Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, two household grape varieties, are his progenies. ⁠The local name, Breton, was given to Franc when he came to the Loire via Brittany. ⁠”Cabernet" is derived from "carbon", meaning black... a nod to its dark berries. ⁠

2. Gamay Noir

There is Gamay beyond Beaujolais, where the grape is the most known for. I am a sucker for the ones from the Upper Loire… must be something to do with the volcanos?!

3. Grolleau Noir

Meet Grolleau Noir, a dark berry that is widely planted, rather productive, and commonly used in rosé and red blends in Loire. She is little recognized, despite being the third most cultivated grape in the region.

When grown properly (yield controlled, canopy managed, yada-yada), she can produce some expressive and fresh light reds. So folks, give her the attention she deserves. In Ontario, grolleau can be found on some restaurant’s wine list. Varietal examples are rare, but do exist.

Happy treasure hunting!⁠

4. Pineau d’Aunis

Meet Pineau d'Aunis. As Loire authority Richard Kelley MW described, “once tasted, never forgotten.” This feisty lady is so quintessentially Loire, she comes from the Loire and she never wanders outside of her hometown. Our homegirl!

In the 17th Century, Pineau d'Aunis was named Chenin Noir by Odart, a French agricultural and viticultural expert, despite them being totally unrelated.

Have you ever had one that blew your mind?

5. Pinot Noir

Meet Pinot "the OG" Noir. OG (Original Grape, haha..) is appropriate, because Pinot is an ancient berry and a progenitor of many other varieties like Chardonnay, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah, just to name a few.

Her existence for over tow millenia had allowed for plenty of time to mutate. Today, there are more than 1k registered clones of Pinot. Did you know that the popular Pinot Gris (Grigio) is simply a mutation of the Pinot Grape?

In Loire, Pinot Noir comes in many lively and sometimes rustic examples. All red wines from Sancerre, Reuilly, and Menetou-Salon are 100% Pinot Noir. Charming examples can also be found in Auvergne (Upper Loire). While most Pinots are planted in the eastern stretch of Loire, some can be found in the Lower Loire, too (I KNOW!!!). Now let's go snack on a Loire Pinot and don't forget to serve it slightly chilled.

6. Négrette

A life without Négret is a life not lived.

In the Loire Valley, you may find this variety sprinkled in the red blends of the Fiefs Vendéens region just south of Le Pays Nantais. That said, varietal examples is very popular in southwestern France, where she provides a stylistic contrast to the other dark-skinned variety of the region, Tannat. 

@loirewinelady recommended a Negrette called Grenouilliere produced by Jeremie Mourat from the Vendée, and I have tasted Mourat’s “Collection Rouge 2018” which was a blend of Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, Négette, and Côt. Now cool is that?

7. Côt

Yes, Malbec grapes do exist in the Loire Valley. And yes, Malbec comes from Cahors (Southwest France).

8. Cabernet Sauvignon

This grape requires no introduction... but let’s face it, Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t the first variety that comes to mind when you think of the Loire Valley.

What is she doing here anyway?

First, Cabernet Sauvignon is the principal variety in Cabernet d’Anjou rosé.

Then, she plays a supporting role in the red blends in Anjou Village, Bourgueil, and Chinon, adding black fruits, acid, tannins, and structure to the local cuvées.

As long as she stays out of Burgundy, Cabernet is here to stay!

9. Merlot

MerNah? MerYah! Don't marginalize Merlot because she's a Loire minority, but whatever, she's kind of a big overall deal in France, no. 1 in the varietal charts!

Now back in Loire... good luck finding her, for she’s kind of a rare fella.

IGP is the way to go for 100% varietal examples, and the only AOP that allows Merlot in the blend is Haut-Poitou just south of Chinon.

10. Pinot Meunier

Pinot Meunier is a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape. This variety is characterized by a layer of white hairs on the underside of leaves that look like a dusting of flour, hence the name Meunier, French for “miller”…

In the Loire Valley, it is the principal variety rosés of Touraine Noble-Joué and the reds/rosés of Orléans. On this note, I remember tasting some Meunier rosés from the Okanagan Valley (Canada). Did the winemaker did that as a nod to Touraine-Orléans? Maybe I’ll save this question for the next time I visit.