Loire Valley is known for its wines, especially its white wines. However, with so much variety it can be difficult to pick the right bottles. This is why we have done the research for you and present to you a list the best and most affordable supermarket and vineyard wines.
Please also check out our 3 day itinerary for the Loire valley and our French supermarket food guide.
You can find all of the wines contained in the list at E.Leclerc or at the mentioned vineyard.
Valencay Rouge 2019 – Jean-Francois Roy – €5.70
A ruby colored, light red wine with notes of pear, apple, stone fruit and balancing minerality. It is a high rated wine made in Valencay which lies in the middle of the Loire valley. This wine goes best with white meat, grilled meat and goat cheese.
Valencay Blanc 2021 – Jean-Francois Roy – €5.85
This dry and fruity white wine has citrus fruit aromas and pairs well with seafood, fish and goat cheese. It can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif. It is made out of chardonnay and sauvignon grapes. A popular French wine advisor website has rated this wine with 8.1 out of 10 stars.
Saumur-Champigny 2020 – Domaine des Champs fleuris Vieilles Vignes – €6.95
A gold medal winner that is fruity and earthy with undertones of chocolate. This red wine is made out of Cabernet Franc grapes, one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. They are grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style but can also be vinified alone as in the Loire’s Chinon. The grapes have been grown in the Saumur-Champigny region which lies west of the Loire valley close to Nantes. This wine pairs well with red meat.
Bourgueil Vieille Vignes 2018 – Domaine Dubois – €7.60
The Bourgueil is made out of 100% Cabernet Franc grapes. This red wine is complex with fruity aromas and a lot of character. It is one of the oldest wines of the Domaine Dubois. Pair it with red meats such as pork, beef or lamb or cheese and serve it at 16°C.
Chinon Cuvée Domaine 2020 – Domaine Gouron – €5.75
The Chinons are one of the most popular wines from the Loire valley. They are made out of 100% Cabernet Franc grapes that pair well with red meats and cheese and are best served at 16°C. The Chinon Cuvée Domaine from 2020 made by Domaine Gouron is of medium ruby color, has notes of bell pepper, black berry and creamy cherry chapstick.
Touraine Sauvignon 2020 – Domaine de Pierre – €5.55
Domaine de Pierre is a small vineyard situated between the north of the Loire valley and the south of the Cher valley, just between Chateau Chambord and Chenonceau. This Touraine Sauvignon is made out of Sauvignon grapes with notes of citrus fruits, white flowers and cassis. You can enjoy it as an aperitif or pair it with starters, seafood, fish or goat cheese. Serve it at 10°C.
Pierre Oisly Blanc Tourraine – €8.50
This highly rated wine is made out of Sauvignon grapes. The strict wine making regulations that Tourraine Oisly abides to, always create very fruity and aromatic wines. It has notes of honeydew melon, peach, pineapple and citrus. It offers steely minerality and good acidity- You can pair this white wine with cheese or fish and serve it at 10°C.
Les Caves du Père Auguste – €6.00
At Les Caves du Père Auguste we purchased the Chenin semi-dry “Damoiselle”. Serve it as an aperitif or alongside fish or dessert at 7°C. We also purchased a bottle of Cot “Les Marreux”, a Malbec from 2019 with strong tannins. It goes well with meat and cheeses. Both wines costed us around €6 per bottle. In most vineyards the wine tasting will be included in the price if your tasting is followed by a purchase. This was also the case at Les Caves du Père Auguste.
Chateau Gaudrelle – €6.00
At Chateau Gaudrelle we purchased the Clos le Vigneau, a dry white wine that can be served as an aperitif or alongside dessert or cheese at 10°C. It has quite a sweet taste, but not sweet enough for the Clos le Vigneau to be classified as a dessert wine. We would have loved to purchase more wines at Chateau Gaudrelle since they really produce amazing wines, but arriving by bicycle, our purchasing power was quite limited from the start unfortunately.
Christoph et Christelle Badin – €6.00
At Christoph et Christelle Badin, we purchased the Cheverny Blanc made out of Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes. It has a round texture with fruity notes and is best served with fish, seafood or dessert but can also be enjoyed as an aperitif. Serve it between 10°C and 12°C. The Cour Cheverny has exotic aromas and goes well with fish and cheese. Serve between 12°C and 14°C. La Piece de l’Aubras Rouge is made out of primarily Pinot Noir grapes mixed with Gamay and Cot. Serve it in a carafe alongside red meat or cheese.