Loire (The Wine Lover's Touring Guides Series)

I am using this book to plan an upcoming trip, so I haven't had a chance to check the book's recommendations, but I have been to this region before.I have purchased 4 or 5 other books to research the Loire Valley and this is the most useful. It doesn't contain much information about the chateaux in the region (generally repeated in all the other books). What it does have is some really useful photographs that help to give a sense of what the different towns are like, detailed and nuanced recommendations of places to stay and places to eat, and a guide to a few hundred or so vineyards.I strongly recommend this book to anyone at all interested in wine, who also wants information about some of the towns and villages too small to end up in the regular tourist guides.

Hubrecht Duijker knows Loire Valley and its wines better than many of us who live in this beautiful region of France. His knowledge of local treasures goes from hidden villages such as Martigné-Briand to Gérard Depardieu's castle in Tigné or Louis Métaireau and his "vignerons d'art". He will tell you where, in Mouzillon, you can picnic on this splendid small gallo-roman bridge or advise you on "restaurant de la vallée" in Clisson, an impressive place where to enjoy Muscadet wine. The author was appointed "Officier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole" by the French Government. Just to tell how authorative this "wine lover's touring guide" can be. Whether you plan to visit our region by car, riding a bicycle or a horse, you will love this book... even if you do not like wine that much!

Hugh Johnson has a knack for giving very down to earth descriptions of the small villages, and the various chateaux to visit if you're into wine. He also lets you know the quaint places to stay in hidden away places, and where to stay away from so you can enjoy your experience in the wine country