Within France, the one region most closely associated with fine white and ros? wines is surely the Loire Valley. With over eight controlled appellations, and a relatively large expanse of land covering this wide valley, the Loire Valley is an ideal location for wineries wishing to produce large quantities of excellent quality vines for their wine production. Indeed, this region has been associated with excellent white wines for over a thousand years, with it once being the favorite wine region for the crowned heads of England, France and beyond. Today, it produces a wide range of white wines, and several ros? and red varieties also. It is also widely celebrated for being home to some of France's most lively and fruity sparkling cr?mant wines, which more than match those produced in nearby Champagne.