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Centre-Val-de-Loire• Wine Travel
Best Wine Tours & Tastings in the Touraine Wine Region (Loire Valley)
04/03/2025Discover the Touraine Vineyard
Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, in Central France, the Touraine Wine Region truly is a hidden gem for all wine enthusiasts. The region is known for its visually stunning landscapes and the entire area is dotted with historic châteaux and, of course, picturesque vineyards. This combination makes it the ideal destination for wine lovers.
The region also has rich winemaking heritage that dates back to the Roman era and some of these practices are still in place today. The only difference is the modernization and innovation that have elevated wine making practices.
Touraine is celebrated for its diverse grape varieties, with Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc taking center stage. Visitors to the area can enjoy these crisp, aromatic wines in the form of intimate tastings, often paired with local cheeses. A visit is nothing short of incredible – a truly immersive experience in the art of French wine making.
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About the Touraine Wine Region, Val de Loire
Now, if I want to be accurate, the Touraine is a wine-producing area within the Val de Loire Wine Region, which is one of the largest wine regions in France. Centered around the city of Tours, the area is known for its exceptional terroir, which is the crux of French winemaking philosophy, and produces some of the best wines from Loire Valley.
Touraine can be divided into two main areas – one to the east of Tours and the other to the west. Within these distinct areas of varying soil types, there are a diverse range of wines produced from a number of different grape varieties. This variety makes Touraine an incredibly exciting region to explore, with such a diverse range of wines and styles.
Touraine has 17 different AOCs (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée or PDO in English), each showcasing unique wines that reflect the region’s diverse climates and soil types.
East of Tours
The East of Touraine is known for its rich, flint clays, flint sands, and gravel-based soils that make for the perfect environment for producing aromatic white wines. Here, the AOC Vouvray appellation is by far the most famous in the region. It is renowned for producing some stellar white wines from the Chenin Blanc grape, including dry, sweet, and sparkling styles. This really highlights the versatility of the Chenin Blanc grape.
Another famous appellation here is AOC Cheverny, which produces whites, reds, and rosés. Here, Pinot Noir is the predominant red varietal used while Gamay and Côt (the local name for Malbec) feature too. On the white front, you’ll find both Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Orbois.
Interestingly, the AOC Cour Cheverny is the only wine producing region in the world that produces white wines from a grape called Romorantin. This makes it both rare and special and certainly something worth checking out!
West of Tours
To the west of Tours, you’ll find soils composed of tufa (limestone) that make the perfect environment for producing elegant red wines made from the Cabernet Franc grape. The robust and aromatic nature of the grape gives the wines a distinctive flavor profile that has become synonymous with the region.
The two most famous appellations here are by far AOC Chinon and AOC Bourgueil. AOC Chinon produces a range of wine styles including whites, reds, and rosés, with the reds being known for both their structure and depth. AOC Bourgueil, on the other hand, focuses mainly on reds and rosés, with Cabernet Franc at the forefront and responsible for expressive and well-structured wines.
Ultimately, these two AOCs highlight the unique characteristics of the region’s soil and climate and help to really showcase the concept of terroir.
Wine Tasting in Touraine
To explore the Touraine wine region, renting a car is essential, as the areas are remote and public transport is limited. If you don’t have your own vehicle, DiscoverCars offers competitive rates for smooth rentals. Additionally, remember that wine tastings in France require reservations, so always book a day or two in advance to secure your spot and avoid disappointment. If this is your first time driving in the country, check out my best tips for renting a car in France.
A typical winery visit in Touraine begins with a guided tour, usually lasting about an hour, followed by wine tasting. Expect to spend around two hours at each winery, giving you ample time to savor the wines. In one day, you can comfortably visit 3-4 wineries.
Here’s the list of the best wineries in Touraine offering wine tours and tastings in English:
Wineries in Touraine Near Tours
- Cave de Vouvray – AOC Vouvray
- Maison Brédif (with troglodyte wine cellars) – AOC Vouvray, AOC Chinon, AOC Bourgueil
- Domaine Sylvain Gaudron – AOC Vouvray, Other
- Maison Lacheteau (wine tours and treasure hunts) – AOC Vouvray, AOC Touraine
- Domaine Mosny – AOC Vouvray, AOC Touraine, Other
- Domaine Tierry Cosme – AOC Vouvray, AOC Touraine Amboise, Other
- Château de Minière – AOC Bourgueil, Other
Wineries in Touraine Near Blois
- Domaine du Vardet – AOC Cheverny
- Domaine de Montcy – AOC Cheverny
- Caves Monmousseau – AOC Touraine, AOC Crémant de Loire
Wineries in Touraine Near Amboise
- Caves Ambacia (troglodyte wine cellars) – AOC Vouvray, AOC Touraine Amboise, Other
- Domaine Tierry Cosme – AOC Vouvray, AOC Touraine Amboise, Other
Remember that drinking and driving is prohibited, so if you’re the designated driver, be sure to spit out the wines or rely on a non-drinker in your group. Alternatively, consider hiring a driver for the day to ensure a stress-free experience while enjoying the wines.
Best Wine Tours in Touraine
However, if you don’t want to plan your own trip, or do the driving yourself, then an organized Touraine wine tour might be the way to go.
An additional advantage of booking a guided wine tour versus doing it all yourself is that you’ll be led by an expert guide who normally holds a French wine diploma.
These Touraine wine tours offer a good view of what the Touraine wine region has to offer:
Loire Valley Wine Tour in Vouvray and Montlouis
Starting at the Tourist Office in Tours, this tour takes you east of Touraine, through both the Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire appellations. Each stop involves a guided tour, wine tasting, and local snacks, lasting around 1.5 hours. It’s a great introduction to the region, its rich wine making heritage, and the stunning landscapes – Click here to book this tour
Exclusive Wine Tasting in Cheverny and Cour Cheverny
This east Touraine wine tour is something special as not only will you visit Cheverny, but you will also get to visit the Cour Cheverny appellation. You will get to taste the wines that are dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir varieties (plus the rare Romorantin in Cour Cheverny) in an educational environment. The tours are run by sommeliers who educate you in terroir, viticultural history, and the wine making techniques – Click here to book this tour
Loire Valley Tour & Wine Tasting Vouvray, Chinon, Borgueil
This tour gives a good overview of the Touraine wine region. Departing from either Amboise or Tours, the tour leaves by means of a van to Vouvray for a guided wine tour and tasting. It’s then off to Chinon for lunch followed by some sightseeing and then a wine tasting and guided tour. The tour concludes with another tasting in Bourgueil after which guests will be dropped back in either Amboise or Tours – Click here to book this tour
Loire Valley Wineries Day Trip with Tastings
This west of Touraine tour meets at the Tourist Office in Tours, after which you will depart for Bourgueil for a visit and wine tasting. It’s then off to the lovely town of Chinon where you will have free time for lunch and a quick tour. The tour concludes with a visit and wine tasting in a winery in the Chinon appellation before heading back to the pick up point – Click here to book this tour
Sleep in the Touraine Vineyards for the Ultimate Wine Experience
One of the easiest ways to experience the region is to stay in one of the best wine hotels in the Loire Valley. From châteaux and manor houses to gîtes, each establishment shares the same taste for the art of living and offers quality services. As a couple or with friends, you will enjoy every moment: spa, gourmet restaurant, cultural discovery… not forgetting the wine tasting that makes this wine destination famous.
- Domaine des Bidaudières, a stunning sandstone country estate, a 20-min ride from Tours and Amboise
- Château de Nazelles, a 16th-century house with rustic interiors, a 10-min ride from Amboise
- Château de Rochecotte, a stunning château surrounded by vineyards, a 10-min ride from Borgueil
- Château de Perreux, an elegant château from the 1700s, a 10-min ride from Amboise