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
Chaumont-sur-Loire Chaumont-sur-Loire Chaumont-sur-Loire is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department in central France known for its historical defensive walls and its castle. The Chateau was founded by Odo 1 (973-996), Count of Blois. At each epoch of French history the Chateau has been owned, rented or visited by significant persons in French and European history. In the period between the late enlightenment and the romantic period, Germaine de Stael was resident from April to August 1810. Many famous guests visited the lively and politically active Madame de Stael including Madame Recamier, Adelbert Von Chamisso, the counts of Sabran Sala berry as