| The Loire River in France flows through the | | | | spans the River Cher. |
| Touraine region for almost 100 kilometres dotted | | | | The Touraine Azay-le-Rideau is a small region |
| with many amazing French chateau open to the | | | | totalling 45 hectares south-west of Tours |
| public and a wonderful location for a holiday. There | | | | stretching along the Indre valley between |
| are 5 AOC wines (Appelations d'origine Controlees | | | | Montbazon and the Loire river producing whites |
| - wines of controlled origin and quality) awarded | | | | and roses. The roses are dainty with an aroma of |
| throughout this region: Touraine, Touraine | | | | marshmallows, lilac, almond and roses. They are |
| Amboise, Touraine Azay-le-Rideau, Touraine | | | | lively and delightful to drink in summer. The white |
| Mesland and the latest being Touraine Noble-Joue | | | | are fresh and have floral and fruit aromas of |
| awarded its AOC status in 2001. The combination | | | | peach apricot and green apple with a soft mineral |
| of vineyards and chateau make the Touraine | | | | edge. |
| region of the Loire Valley an incredible destination | | | | You must visit the spectacular Chateau du |
| for any wine lover and his or her family. | | | | Azay-le-Rideau when in this appellation region. The |
| The Touraine Amboise vineyards totalling 236 | | | | chateau is turreted and surrounded by water |
| hectares are located between Tours and Blois | | | | which gives amazing reflections for the son et |
| extending along both banks of the Loire. The reds | | | | lumiere (light show) held in summer. |
| are a wild cherry colour produced from a blend of | | | | Touraine Mesland is situated west of Blois, planted |
| Gamay Noir and Cabernet and have scents of red | | | | on the slopes of the Loire facing Chateau de |
| fruits. Their palate is sold and full. The whites | | | | Chaumont, which holds a spectacular garden |
| produced from Chenin Blanc give dry, medium and | | | | festival each summer based on a different theme |
| sweet white wines. Their straw yellow colour | | | | each year and definitely worth a visit especially if |
| turns gold after 3 to 4 years of cellaring. Their | | | | you have children tagging along. |
| aroma is all quince and honey and they have a | | | | The reds have a substantial taste and are the |
| supple palate because of the more continental | | | | colour of a well-ripened cherry and have complex |
| climate that favours late-ripening grape varieties. | | | | aromas of very ripe fruits and prunes. The roses |
| The roses are light in colour with a bouquet of | | | | sparkle with salmon highlights. And have a fresh |
| roses and lilac and are refreshing to taste and | | | | delicate aroma of spices and red fruits. They |
| suitable for early drinking. | | | | have a solid palate making them suitable to |
| It is delightful to combine a day of tasting | | | | accompany an entire meal. The whites carry an |
| Touraine Amboise AOC wines with a visit to | | | | aroma of pear and spices and are lively and round |
| Chateau Close Luc, Leonardo da Vinci's chateau | | | | on the palate. |
| now a museum with working models of many of | | | | The appellation of Touraine Noble-Joue is only 25 |
| his inventions and an amazing interactive park | | | | hectares producing a characteristic rose with |
| adored by children and Chateau Amboise which is | | | | flower aromas of peony and hyacinth followed by |
| da Vinci's final resting place. | | | | notes of redcurrant, cherry and ripe pear. The |
| The Touraine appellation covering 5,282 hectares | | | | rose palate is round with flavours of morello |
| differs depending on the terroir on the slopes of | | | | cherry and a dash of cloves. |
| the River valleys. Half the production is red. The | | | | The chenin blank whites of the five Touraine |
| Gamay and Cabernet reds are cherry coloured. | | | | appellations are all stray-yellow in colour can be |
| The Gamay has a strawberry or cherry flavour. | | | | cellared for 5 to 15 years. |
| They have a dominant fruitiness with discreet | | | | As well as these five AOC wines there is also |
| tannins and should be drunk within 2 years. The | | | | Vouvray in the Touraine and Cheverney, |
| Cabernet red has a raspberry, green pepper and | | | | Cour-Cheverney just South of Blois. |
| liquorice fragrance and can be laid down for 2 to | | | | What better way to enjoy these clovely wines |
| 4 years because of its good tannic support. White | | | | than driving through the Loire Valley visiting |
| wines made from Sauvignon produced mainly in | | | | historic chateaux, maybe a hot-air balloon ride in |
| the Cher valley are straw yellow in colour and | | | | the morning, gourmet lunch in village bistros, |
| have a floral fragrance with a touch of | | | | meeting wine and cheese producers sampling their |
| gooseberry or blackcurrant mingled with traces of | | | | products and returning at night to a friendly |
| spices. On the palate the sauvignon whites are | | | | inviting boutique chateau hotel. Don't just visit a |
| delicately lively. The methode traditionnelle | | | | french chateau - stay in one and truly experience |
| sparkling wines have mouth-filling flavours of | | | | the grandeur of living in a castle in France. You will |
| brioche and apple. | | | | be amazed. Make your next holiday a gourmet |
| The must see Chateau to visit in the region of | | | | wine lovers chateau holiday in the beautiful Loire |
| this appellation is Chateau Chenonceau which | | | | Valley. If you love good wine you will not regret it. |