Loire Valley (wine) has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 1st century. In the High Middle Ages, the wines of the Loire Valley were the most esteemed wines in England and France, even more prized than those from Bordeaux. Archaeological evidence suggest that the Romans planted the first vineyards in the Loire Valley during their settlement of Gaul in the 1st century AD. By the 5th century, the flourishing viticulture of the area was noted in a publication by the poet Sidonius Apollinaris. In his work the "History of the Franks", Bishop Gregory of Tours wrote of the frequent plundering
French frigate Loire (1796) of the bay, forcing the French ships to flee to the north. Pressing on sail in pursuit, Newman ordered "Révolutionaire" to focus on "Sémillante" whilst he pursued "Loire" in , accompanied by the brig under Commander Edward Brace. "Loire" and "Sémillante" separated to divide their pursuers; "Mermaid" and "Kangaroo" lost track of "Loire" in the early evening, and "Sémillante" evaded "Révolutionaire" after dark. "Mermaid" and "Kangaroo" eventually found "Loire" on 17 October, but after an inconclusive fight that left the British unable to pursue, "Loire" broke off the engagement and escaped. The next day "Loire" again engaged "Kangaroo" and "Anson",