Loire Valley
JULY 2025
Thierry Delaunay vineyards in Touraine
France's Loire River is 625 miles long. It's the longest river in France, and the second longest in Europe. The river's source is in south central France (see the diamond on the map), closer to Beaujolais than to the Loire Valley, a 5-hour east-west stretch from Sancerre in the Central Loire to the Loire Estuary, where the river runs into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes.
The Loire Valley is known for 2 main things: gorgeous châteaux — nearly 300 of them — located along the river and amazing (primarily) white wines.
Many thanks to Wine Folly for their amazing maps!
The Loire has several distinct regions: 1) the Lower Loire near the coast, 2) the Middle Loire and the appellations of Anjou, Saumur, Chinon, Vouvray, Touraine & more, and 3) the Central Loire with limestone soils and the famous appellations of Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, and Pouilly-Fumé, known for their minerally Sauvignon Blanc. If interested, here's our full post on the Loire Valley>
Your July club features a minerally, white, oyster wine from Muscadet and a Cabernet Franc from Saumur. These wines are hard to find at this price, and they are so tasty. We are giddy!
Photo credit above & oysters below: Muscadet Vins de Nantes
Muscadet
This western most region (known as the Lower Loire) comprises vineyards around the Loire River where it runs into the Atlantic Ocean. The vineyards are at sea level, have a maritime climate (cooler and wetter than inland), and are perfect for the Melon de Bourgogne grape — a grape known for its light, fresh, citrusy minerality. But few people know the name of the grape. The wine is simply known as Muscadet (which is actually a region). It’s a world class oyster wine, and that’s what you’d enjoy it with if you were there.
Batard Langelier 2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine • Loire Valley, France • Reg $18.99 | WINE CLUB $17.99 | Mixed Case $14.39
100% Melon de Bourgogne. Vines are 10-30 years old and certified organic/biodynamic. Kind of minerally on the nose. Seashells. Stone fruit. Aged on the lees = richer-style. Add in apple-pear-citrus on the palate. Absolutely great, prickly acidity. Long, pleasantly dry finish. Terrific Muscadet. Oysters. Crustaceans. Or just sip & enjoy! Drink now to 2 years.
Saumur AOC
This wine region in the Central Loire (about 1.5 hours due east of the Lower Loire) comprises vineyards around the town of Saumur, famous for the Château de Saumur (pictured) and for two grapes: Chenin Blanc & Cabernet Franc.
In 1957, around forty winegrowers grouped together to establish the Vignerons de Saumur, a cooperative set on the top of a hill in the village of Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg. "The subsoil consists of the same tufa limestone that was used to build the famous Loire Valley castles. Cabernet Franc tends to thrive on these limestone soils." –importer's notes.
Members of the co-op pictured above.
Vignerons de Saumur 2023 Saumur Rouge • Loire Valley, France • Reg $18.99 | WINE CLUB $16.99 | Mixed Case $13.59
100% Cabernet Franc. Unbelievable that we could find this crazy-good Loire Valley red for this price.
Aromas of cranberry, cocoa, earthy notes. Super inviting nose. On the palate, you get a well-balanced, Loire Valley Cab Franc. Doesn't get smoother than this for the Loire Valley. Blackberries, black cherries, pomegranate, dark chocolate, mocha but within a very medium-bodied frame and good acidity that takes you all the way to the finish. We are delighted with this find. It will be on the shelf for sure… for as long as it lasts. Paired above with pork rillets. Drink now to 3 years.
Photo credit: Muscadet Vins de Nantes
A Note from Jens:
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Join to taste and learn about your club wines before enjoying them at home. We are 100% delighted!
You'll be able to taste the FLAGSHIP club wines as well. Our July theme is the work of Jean-Michel Dupré, an amazing Beaujolais winemaker featuring a Chardonnay (unoaked) and two Gamay (one from Morgon and the other from Régnié). Don't miss out!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).