During the sunny season, there’s nothing better than a getaway with family or friends to discover Saumur and its surroundings… Nestled in the Maine-et-Loire region, this beautiful Loire Valley town is full of exciting experiences: admiring its stunning Château, attending an equestrian performance at the prestigious Cadre Noir, cycling or boating along the royal river and, of course, enjoying the richness of local wine tourism. These three cellar tours in Saumur, each including a wine tasting, are also the perfect way to begin immersing yourself in the world of Crémants and Loire Valley wines…
1. Visiting a troglodyte cellar in Saumur: an unmissable experience
Famous around the world, the troglodyte cellars of Saumur are among the region’s greatest treasures. Their kilometres of galleries, carved into the noble tuffeau limestone, supplied the stone used to build many historic monuments, including the renowned Loire Valley châteaux.
With their darkness, ideal humidity levels and naturally constant temperature throughout the year, these cellars are also incredibly valuable for wine estates. Maison Langlois Crémant de Loire, for example, owns a remarkable site carved out during the Middle Ages, dedicated to wine production as early as 1800 and now home to the ageing of its bottles. If you are planning to discover Saumur and its must-see attractions, stopping by this cellar is a wonderful idea…
Here, the estate offers a 30-minute guided tour revealing the history and expertise behind its great French sparkling wines. After wandering among its sleeping bottles, you can enjoy a tasting of the Maison’s cuvées in its welcoming boutique or on its sunny terrace… A cellar tour perfectly suited to curious minds as well as wine lovers alike!
2. Exploring a typical Loire cellar while learning the art of wine tasting
Keen to share its passion for winemaking with all curious visitors, Maison Langlois has created another tour experience for lovers of discovery: “The Secrets of Wine”.
For one hour, a member of the team guides you through a captivating introduction to oenology and to its exceptional sparkling wines.
The first part of the experience begins inside an elegant listed 20th-century building, where you are introduced to the essentials of the wine world: terroirs and their unique characteristics, the main principles of winemaking, appellations, and Chenin Blanc — the emblematic grape variety behind Langlois Crémants de Loire.
Participants are then invited to explore the wine estate itself. You will first step into the presses, vat room and cellars of the Maison to understand how its demanding winemaking methods give birth to the finest possible Crémants. Next comes the peaceful atmosphere of its Loire cellars, before the delicious fourth and final chapter of this wine immersion: a guided tasting of several of its wines…
Discovering a cellar after a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Saumur vineyards
“What can you do in Saumur to combine nature and wine?” This question has probably crossed your mind while planning your Loire Valley wine tourism getaway. If so, Maison Langlois’ “The Vineyard by Carriage” experience, right in Saumur, is sure to charm you…
Between May and September, this bucolic escape becomes a truly unforgettable experience. At the gentle pace of the horses, you will travel through the magnificent vines of Clos Saint-Florent, where breathtaking views over the Loire River and the Château de Saumur await you. Along the way, your guide will also introduce you to the principles of organic viticulture and the estate’s commitment to protecting ecosystems.
The experience then continues back at Maison Langlois, where you will immerse yourself in the cellars where its wines patiently age: Brut Crémants de Loire, Rosé Crémants de Loire, vintage Crémants de Loire and more…
After this 1.5-hour visit, it is finally time to enjoy a tasting of these elegant Loire sparkling wines, comfortably seated in the charming courtyard of the estate… And to complete this unusual experience, why not enjoy a traditional Loire riverboat cruise? A magical way to end a day devoted to the Loire art of living…
While waiting to book one of these three cellar tours in Saumur, feel free to follow Maison Langlois on Facebook or Instagram for even more sparkling inspiration for your future Loire Valley vineyard escape…
