I’ll be traveling the Loire Valley by car next month, traveling from Angers in the west to as far East as Blois and I’d like to know if anyone could recommend any local wineries worth touring. I’d like to avoid the ultra-commercial and find some good local wines to taste and bring back to the States.
ChocoBN // May 6, 2010 at 9:04 pm
First, let me congratulate you on your choice! (My mom’s family is from the region, so I’m biased!)
I have good news and bad news. The good news is French wine regions are not the Napa Valley, it will be hard finding an ultra-commercial place. Most wineries are small, family-owned businesses and are very informal. Wine tasting is free in 95% of places in France, only guided tours of the cellars will sometimes have admission charges (only a few euros).
Only problem with that, and that’s the bad news, is that their are usually open in spring and summer only (until late October sometimes), but November is really off-season and most of them will either be closed or open on Saturdays only or by appointment only. So this will limit your choice.
As far as recommending one in particular, the only ones I know are in Chinon, you can find them through the tourist office website, under the Discover tab. http://www.chinon.com/
So first and foremost, get a list of all the wineries along the part of the Loire you will be visiting. There are specialized guide books on that or you can get the lists from the tourist offices online. Then look at their opening days or call to ask if you can visit.
If you want advice on what to see and do in the area (and what not to do) aside from wine-tasting or advice on accomodation I’ll be happy to help. Please visit Chinon and the nearby Fontevraud Abbey, you won’t regret it.
Katya’s right about the wine limit, it’s actually only one liter per person. I have always brought more and never had any problem though. Small wineries don’t ship abroad, only large, more commercial ones and some retail places (cavistes). I don’t know which state you are coming from and what the alcohol tax is where you live but even if you decide to bring back several bottles and go through customs, paying the taxes + custom fees will still be much cheaper than buying the same wines in the US.
katya // May 6, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I can’t recommend any wineries in that area–however be aware that you are limited to 2 bottles per person (in your checked luggage of course
) Have a great time! Try to visit some castles as well 
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