The Loire Valley region is recognised for the production of some of the most famous vintages of French wine. And with over 185,000 acres of vines there is an incredible diversity within the range. As far back as the first century, wines from the Loire were even more revered than those from the famed Bordeaux region. The area is also a place of great natural beauty, with lush rolling hills and quaint villages. For an adventure loving wine buff, one of the most rewarding breaks you can have is to go camping in France, as part of a wine tasting tour of the Loire Valley.
There are many beautiful churches and monasteries to visit as well on your tour, but some people come to the Loire with the specific aim of sampling the delicious array of wine on offer – and there’s nothing wrong with that! The Loire Valley wine route can take you on a wonderful journey along the river, as you experience the many and varied vineyards which make up the landscape. Styles and vintages change markedly on the route, and the stunning locations for camping in France allow you to enjoy your beautiful surrounds to the fullest. To the French, camping holidays are an important part of life, and you will find many well situated campsites throughout the valley.
Sancerre and Pouilly Fume
The towns of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume sit on opposite sides of the Loire River about 10 miles apart. This region is commonly known as the Upper Loire and is a major source of wine production, growing and bottling the vintages of the famous Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Pouilly Fume only produces white wines, but Sancerre makes whites, reds and rosé varieties.
The charming medieval towns of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume are themselves wonderful to wander around and explore the tiny, winding cobbled lanes. There are over 300 wine houses around Sancerre alone and you can choose from a huge range of tours – be warned though, any souvenir wine you buy on your French camping holiday might prove too delicious to make it home!
Vouvray and Touraine
Known as the Middle Loire, the regions of Vouvray and Touraine are home to a diverse planting of grapes and between them produce a good mixture of reds, whites and rosés. Utilising the famous Chenin Blanc variety of grape, the wines from here are known for their delicate fruitiness. For many years Vouvray and Touraine were part of the famous race to produce an early bottling to rival the Beaujolais Nouveau, although now the competition seems to have cooled somewhat. These picturesque towns are a wonderful place to take a French camping holiday as they are situated in close proximity to many of the most stunning chateaux in the Loire.
Chinon
Also in the Middle Loire, Chinon can round out your wine tasting holiday camping in France. It produces the majority of the region’s red wines, almost exclusively using the Cabernet Franc grapes. The wines here are reputed as being elegant, fresh and a little lighter than other reds of the Loire. The charming town centre, in the heart of the Loire Valley, is a delight to visit for an afternoon stroll and there is also an impressive fortress to visit if you wish to add a little culture to your wine tour.
Author Resource:
Lorraine Waddell is the brand and advertising manager of Canvas Holidays, a leading European camping operator that provides the best selection of holidays (http://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/destinations/france-604-0.aspx ) camping in France. With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer superb camping
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