Published 15 / 06 / 2023 Reading time: 4 min
How to visit the Roannais without exploring its vineyard and discovering the fruit of the work of the winegrowers, who shape this terroir, at the roots of the Loire? Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée since 1994, the Côte Roannaise extends over some twenty kilometres, 13 municipalities and culminates at an altitude of 500 metres. Gamay reigns supreme on these granite hillsides, and more particularly Gamay Saint-Romain, a native grape variety of this territory, which forges the identity and the wines of the appellation.
A wine route between Loire and Canal
The Roanne coast radiates over 215 hectares of vines, overlooking the Loire and leaning on the foothills of mounts of the Madeleine. Thirty passionate winegrowers, all independent, share this vineyard. They sublimate their identity grape variety, Gamay Saint-Romain. This Gamay has found a setting here to express all its finesse and aromatic complexity. You will be seduced by cuvées with a strong identity, fresh and fruity aromas. They will be able to accompany all your convivial or gastronomic meals.
For a weekend or a getaway, you can explore the wine route, a tourist route dedicated to vineyards and heritage just a stone's throw from the town of Roanne. A signposted walk in the heart of Villages of Character, estates and bocages, which you can practice by car or in “soft mode”: on foot or by bike. And for lovers of local products, you can punctuate your trip with gastronomic visits to restaurants or local artisans.
Wines from the Côte Roannaise
In a hilly countryside around charming villages, the vine expresses itself at the roots of the Loire. THE vineyard of the Côte Roannaise it is :
- 215 hectares of vines,
- 30 passionate winegrowers rich in know-how,
- 13 municipalities,
- 90 % Gamay Saint-Romain grape variety.
The calendar of events
Winemaker meetings
May to October
In the middle of the vines or around a barrel, with a glass of red wine in hand, chat with a passionate while tasting delicious local products. The time of an exclusive visit of 1h30 in the heart of the vineyard AOC Côte Roannaise, discover these women and men who transmit their taste for work and make you taste wines steeped in history. Confidences, manufacturing secrets and anecdotes will punctuate these very privileged exchanges
Montgolfiades in Côte Roannaise
June 17 & 18
A dozen pilots invite you to take place in their hot air balloons for a flight of about 1 hour above the vineyard.
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![Vol en montgolfière sur le Roannais]()
Hot air balloon flight over the Roannais © Guillaume Masseron / RT
Gourmet walk in Côte Roannaise
July 8 & 9
Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
Stroll through the vineyards of the Côte Roannaise in the company of local winegrowers and restaurateurs who concoct gourmet breaks with food and wine pairings.
Saturday July 8: The Gourmet Walk in VIP evening mode! Appointment is given for a night circuit in the Village of Character. On the program, musical and festive atmosphere with the local restaurants of the village: Side by side et At the oven of Saint-Jean.
Sunday July 9: This year, Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire welcomes the gourmet stroll with a new circuit, on the vineyard side this time! From appetizer to dessert, in 5 steps, you will enjoy a gourmet meal and wines in a warm, country atmosphere.
The wines of Côte Roannaise are the living character of the terroir in Roannais. Passionate winegrowers who are keen to make people discover their know-how all along this wine route. An exciting discovery!
