Fine wine and spirits 2025 > Loire

 

Loire in 2025

Published: 13th December 2024

LONGER READ

 

There is perhaps no wine region in the world more exciting than the Loire Valley. The Loire has long been a passion project for our Buyers, so we are now delighted to bring you our dynamic range of diverse fine wines. We firmly believe that these wines can compete on the world stage. Follow our lead and you won’t go wrong.

 

Key developments in the Loire Valley

 

Diversity of styles

For some wine drinkers, the Loire starts and finishes with Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. And while those wines are delicious, they represent just a fraction of what’s happening in the region. The Loire has a rich cultural heritage, and there’s plenty more going on in the vineyards besides Sauvignon Blanc. This is a huge vineyard area; it would take around five hours to drive from one end of the Loire to the other. There is an enormous diversity of styles on offer as a result, and it’s heartening to see both the wine trade and, crucially, collectors, warming to the idea that there is plenty of fine wine to discover throughout the Loire.

 

Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc: local specialities

Many of the Loire’s greatest wines come from Chenin Blanc. This versatile white grape produces a broad spectrum of wines, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet; it is also a key component in Crémant de Loire, the local sparkling wine. And yet Chenin remains a relatively obscure grape for many collectors. The white wines of Domaine Belargus and Vincent Carême, to name just two, are wonderful expressions of this grape – and world-class wines in their own right. There is also a wealth of red wine produced here, which remains considerably less well known that it should be. Cabernet Franc is the key grape variety for these reds, with top examples coming from throughout the region.

 

01: Ivan Massonnat at Domaine Belargus
02: Vincent Carême makes bright and fresh Vouvrays

 

Huge improvements

This being such a large region, the nature and quality of the wines produced varies a lot. Some growers are quite content to produce large volumes of not particularly distinctive wine. As ever, our focus is on quality rather than quantity, though. There are plenty of ambitious producers working here. They have been going to great lengths recently to improve how grapes are grown and how wine is made. With the rise of next-generation vignerons like Arnaud Lambert and an influx of talent from outside, such as Domaine Belargus, the standard of winemaking is higher than ever before. This starts in the vineyard, where there is a huge uptake in organic practices; and extends into the winery, with an increased focus on cellar hygiene – something the region was not always known for in the past. The resulting wines are fresh, energetic and balanced, often with modest alcohol levels and bright, vibrant acidity.

 

Loire: what to do in 2025

 

Explore the region in full

Sadly, some collectors tar the entire region with the same brush – to their own detriment. There is sensational wine to be found in the Loire, from dry and sweet whites to red to sparkling; the Loire offers some of the greatest variety, and value for money, in all of wine. You just need to know where to look. Our Buyers have spent years seeking out the most ambitious and interesting names, cultivating relationships and coaxing out the best the region has to offer. Now is the time to start exploring the Loire. For the first time, the region has seen a sustained level of investment, which has pushed quality to new heights. Quality winemaking relies on the winemaker getting a good price for their wines, and in turn re-investing in both the vineyard and the winery to make those wines better. You can explore any of our producers safe in the knowledge that they are making absolutely standout wine.

 

03: Arnaud Lambert in his winery in Anjou
04: Domaine des Closiers has been dubbed the next Clos Rougeard

 

Our Loire offer

We’ve always got a range of Loire wines available to browse on our website, though the best time to buy these wines is upon release. Each October, we bring the latest vintages from each of our growers together in the form of our annual Loire offer. Whether you’re looking to stock up on refreshing whites or lighter reds for immediate drinking, or for more serious cases for laying down, this is the best way to go.

 

Saumur and Saumur-Champigny

If you remember just one appellation (well, two), make it Saumur and Saumur-Champigny. This is a particular focus area for us, home to some outstanding producers including Clos Rougeard, Domaine Arnaud Lambert and Domaine des Closiers. These are passionate growers and winemakers, crafting characterful, long-lived wines that offer serious value for money. Get them now; older vintages of Clos Rougeard in particular are often seriously in demand.