{"id":3924,"date":"2017-03-09T08:30:35","date_gmt":"2017-03-09T13:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.insightvacations.com\/?p=3924"},"modified":"2024-04-05T13:04:41","modified_gmt":"2024-04-05T12:04:41","slug":"foodies-guide-loire-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/foodies-guide-loire-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"A Foodie\u2019s Guide to the Loire Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine a lush valley where fruits and vegetables have been grown for more than a thousand years, where regional wines were drunk in the courts of Louis XVI and where castles date back to the 10th<\/sup> Century \u2013 we give you the Loire Valley, also known as The Garden of France. \u00a0Spanning 174-miles along the Loire River, the Loire Valley has an abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards and artichoke fields. You\u2019ll slip into a gracious world of ch\u00e2teaux where making fine wines and preparing sumptuous meals are part of an age-old tradition. We\u2019ve put together a few tastes and experiences for a perfect journey along the Loire Valley.<\/p>\n

Winetasting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winemaking in the Loire Valley dates back to the 1st<\/sup> Century. It reached its peak in the Middle Ages when the valley was said to be the best wine region in all of France and England. \u00a0Today the majority of production is white wine from the Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne grapes. Red wines from Cabernet Franc are also produced, especially around the Chinon region, as well as ros\u00e9, sparkling and dessert wines.<\/p>\n

Your biggest challenge will be deciding which of the many wineries to visit. \u00a0Some notable options include Chateau La Cassemichere in Nantes for a tour and taste of the region\u2019s famed varietal, Muscadet. Further along in Chinon visit the Couly-Duthier winery, famous for vintages that are only served at the most prestigious tables in France.\u00a0 The Maison des Sancerre Museum of Wine in Sancerre is also well worth a visit and offers a highly-entertaining introduction to winemaking.<\/p>\n

\"Winemaking<\/a><\/p>\n

Visit the Mushroom Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mushroom farming is a fine art that requires continuous dedication, perfect temperature control and boundless passion. A visit to the mushroom museum in the village of St. Hilaure will give you a glimpse into the secret world of mushrooms. You\u2019ll embark on a fascinating tour through an underground cave and learn about the many cultivation methods of mushrooms, as well as the indigenous varietals in the Saumur region. End your tour of discovery with a mushroom-inspired lunch at the Cathedrales de la Saulaie.<\/p>\n

\"glimpse<\/a><\/p>\n

Explore Local Markets<\/strong><\/p>\n

Farmers\u2019 markets are part of everyday life in the Loire Valley with almost every town and village having its own weekly market. While browsing between stalls, you\u2019ll experience local life at its most authentic. Taste morsels of farm-to-fork goodness, meet the locals and fill your basket with the finest meats, cheeses, breads and vegetables. In summer many of the towns host evening markets complete with live music and entertainment. Join a guided walking tour of the local markets in Cour-Cheverny or simply show up at one of the many fairs. \u00a0The foods of the Loire are so famous that you\u2019ll find them at specialty food stalls in Paris.<\/p>\n

Smell the Cheese<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Loire Valley is known for a variety of cheeses, but none are as popular as its goat\u2019s cheese. During your journey you will most likely come across the following well-known varieties:\u00a0 Sainte Maure (long and cylindrical in shape), Pouligny-Saint-Pierre (shaped like a pyramid), Selles-sur-Cher (flat and round) and Crottin de Chavignol (small and cylindrical in shape). Each has a distinct taste and can of course be paired with one of the region\u2019s many delicious wines. Visit the charming town of Sancerre and head to the nearby Chevrerie la Brissauderie where you\u2019ll be introduced to Crottin de Chavignol cheese by a master cheesemaker. This style of cheese (along with Sancerra wine) is the most famous product of this area.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Indulge in something sweet<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are many sweet delights to tantalize the taste buds in the Loire Valley. Typical to the region are sabl\u00e9s biscuits. These delicate cookies come flavored with lemon, almonds or orange zest. Even though sabl\u00e9s originated in Normandy, they\u2019ve been perfected in the Loire Valley. With crumbly, sand-like textures, these sweet delights may be served with jam or dipped in chocolate. Another classic dessert choice is the Tarte Tatin. It is typically prepared by caramelizing apples in butter and sugar, topping it with pastry and baking it in the oven. Absolutely delicious!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Embark on this classic journey to\u00a0Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley<\/a><\/u> and explore the beautiful city of St-Malo, the ch\u00e2teaux of the Loire and gleaming Paris.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine a lush valley where fruits and vegetables have been grown for more than a thousand years, where regional wines were drunk in the courts of Louis XVI and where castles date back to the 10th Century \u2013 we give you the Loire Valley, also known as The Garden of France. \u00a0Spanning 174-miles along the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":3938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1166,1823],"tags":[947,946,82,945,647,252],"class_list":["post-3924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-food-drink","tag-cheese","tag-culinary","tag-france","tag-loire-valley","tag-markets","tag-wine"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Foodie\u2019s Guide to the Loire Valley - Insight Vacations<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Spanning 174-miles along the Loire River, the Loire Valley has an abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards and artichoke fields. 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