‘The first juices proved particularly promising’: Loire hails early 2025 harvest
The 2025 growing season put Loire growers to the test, with rapid ripening in early August forcing an unusually swift start to harvest. Yet the region now says the results justify the rush, pointing to freshness, elegance and strong potential across the appellations, with producers describing the quality as “very good”.
Loire producers have declared 2025 a promising vintage after a hot summer brought the harvest forward, with the first Chardonnay for sparkling wines picked shortly after 15 August. InterLoire described overall volumes as moderate but the organoleptic quality as “very good”, with wines expected to show elegance and expressive character.
Pierre-Jean Sauvion, president of InterLoire’s communication committee, said growers had to show “flexibility and responsiveness” throughout the season. “After two intense heatwaves, followed by rainfall at the end of July, the grapes ripened rapidly in early August. The harvest therefore began very early this year, but the first juices proved particularly promising,” he said. “The 2025 vintage fully embodies the identity of our wine-growing region: freshness and elegance, expressed through a rich organoleptic palette.’’
He added that while white varieties were picked exceptionally early, the red grapes display high quality potential, pointing to “wines that are both structured and expressive”.
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Nantes: ‘exceptional’ fruit and strong ageing potential
In the Nantes vineyards, picking began on 22 August for the first Muscadets (Melon Blanc). Growers reported excellent grape health and a strong balance between full maturity and freshness. Producers expect wines capable of ageing, with quality described as exceptional.
Anjou-Saumur: ripeness across all PDO styles
Anjou-Saumur saw record-early picking from 18 August under stable conditions. Sparklings, dry and off-dry rosés, reds, and dry and sweet whites all achieved very satisfactory ripeness. InterLoire said the region’s 2025 production “will undoubtedly be among the highest quality”.
Touraine: precise, elegant and expressive wines
Calm harvest conditions in Touraine led to high-quality fruit and early maturity. InterLoire characterised the wines as precise, elegant and expressive, calling the vintage “bright and promising”.
InterLoire represents 3,000 winegrowers, merchants and co-operatives across 42,000 hectares from the Nantes, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, Vallée du Loir and Haut-Poitou vineyards, covering 34 PDOs as well as PGI Val de Loire. Its mission spans economic management, research, collective promotion and industry coordination.
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