Loire Valley (wine) a variety of limestone with excellent drainage that is known as tuffeau which is the same material used to build many of the famous Loire Valley Châteaux. The area around Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil produces the majority of the Loire Valley's red wine based on the Cabernet franc grape—known in this areas as "Breton". The wines of the Chinon area are the softest and rich expression of the grape while the Bourgueil area produces more tannic and firm wines. The St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil area produces the lightest colored wines. In the 19th century, the wines of the Chinon area were compared favorably
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",