The Loire accounts for some forty different French appellations. The dry whites are better known, including oyster wine Muscadet on the Atlantic coast around Nantes, as well as prestigious Sancerre, some 200 miles due south of Paris.

Between the two lie the large vineyards of Anjou, Saumur, Chinon, Bourgeuil and Touraine where there are outstanding dessert wines as well as delicious reds. Cabernet franc for the reds ; sauvignon and especially chenin blanc for the whites