Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its outstanding cultural landscape and unspoilt river environment, the Loire Valley has another claim to fame. Wine. And the best way to experience the vineyards and the wines is by taking one of the best Loire Valley wine tours with a local English speaking guide and driver, where you just relax and enjoy the tour.
Some of the world’s most famous vintages come from the gently rolling slopes of this tranquil region and amongst them is Vouvray. According to a local legend, Saint Martin introduced wine making in the Loire Valley 1500 years ago, and local growers have been perfecting their art ever since.
But if you are thinking of visiting some wine producers, there are two things to bear in mind. First, you will get more from your encounter if you take an expert along with you, and secondly – or maybe it should come first – you really do not want to drive. Tasting wines is a serious business and to make the most of the experience, you need your own driver so you have no worries about being behind the wheel.
Brilliant Wine tours of the Loire Valley
Enter Ophorus, a family-run company offering small group tours to key regions of France including the Loire Valley. Whether you are arriving by train to Tours – so convenient from Paris – or travelling in your own car, their half-day tour to the Vouvray vineyards could be just what you are looking for.
Vouvray Wine Discovery is a 4-hour experience in a group of between 2 and 8 people, travelling by comfortable minibus through the glorious scenery of the Loire Valley. Your English-speaking driver/guide will meet you in front of the Tourist Office in central Tours, take you to two Vouvray wineries for tours and tastings, and then drop you back at the departure point.
The wine-producing area for AOC Vouvray lies just to the east of Tours on the north bank of the Loire in the area known as the Touraine. Vouvray wines are made from Chenin Blanc grapes and whilst always white, can be sweet or dry, still or sparkling. On this tour, there will be plenty of opportunity to discover your favourite.
And if you enjoy your half-day getting to know the wines of Vouvray, you may also want to consider a full-day tour from Ophorus, Exploring Chinon & Bougueil Vineyards. Also starting and finishing at the Tourist Office in historic Tours, this comprehensive itinerary involves visits and tastings of red, white and sparkling wines in the Chinon area.
Made from Cabernet franc grapes planted on each side of the Vienne river, Chinon red makes up most of today’s production. The first vineyards were planted here during the 4th century and during the Middle Ages, the town of Chinon became prosperous in large part thanks to the vibrant wine trade. Bottles are still aged in troglodyte caves where the temperature remains constant.
After a morning visit to a Chinon vineyard with tasting, there is free time to sample some Loire Valley specialities over lunch (at your own expense) and explore the centre of this atmospheric small town before a second winery visit in the afternoon.
Dominating the ancient streets is the Royal Fortress of Chinon built on a rocky spur at the crossroads between Anjou, Touraine and Poitou and with ramparts and defensive towers dating back more than 1000 years. Joan of Arc met the French Dauphin Charles here in 1429; Eleanor of Aquitaine was detained within these walls by her estranged husband, Henry II of England; and Henry himself died here in 1189. Discover more about the castles of the Loire Valley with an Ophorus tour – including a VIP trip by hot air balloon!
Created in 2005, Ophorus is a specialist at organising shared and private day trips to some of the most popular areas of France from Champagne to Provence, Alsace to Aquitaine. And the company name? Ophorus refers to someone who keeps open house and offers a warm welcome, an ethos that all members of the team are proud to maintain.
So if you heading to one of France’s other popular regions after your stay in the Loire Valley, why not see what tours are offered by Ophorus at your next destination – you can see all the Loire Valley Tours here: Ophorus.com
