Loire Valley (wine) the AOC, VDQS and Vin de Pays systems. There are two generic designations that can be used across the whole of the Loire Valley. The "Crémant de Loire" which refers to any sparkling wine made according to the traditional method of Champagne. The "Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France" refers to any varietally labeled wine, such as Chardonnay, that is produced in the region outside of an AOC designation. Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir are the principal grapes of this region that is centered around the appellation of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. The two towns of Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire
Maine-et-Loire around: Maine-et-Loire Maine-et-Loire () is a department of the Loire Valley in west-central France, in the Pays de la Loire region. Maine-et-Loire is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. Originally it was called Mayenne-et-Loire, but its name was changed to Maine-et-Loire in 1791. It was created from most of the former province of Anjou. Its present name is drawn from the Maine and Loire Rivers, which meet within the department. Maine-et-Loire is part of the current region of Pays-de-la-Loire and is surrounded by the departments of Ille-et-Vilaine, Mayenne, Sarthe, Indre-et-Loire, Vienne,