The Loire Valley around Angers is serious wine country that gets overshadowed by the glamour of Chinon, Sancerre, and Muscadet further along the river. The Anjou appellation covers a range of styles, but the ones worth seeking out are the dry whites from Savennières (Chenin Blanc on schist and volcanic soils, with extraordinary mineral intensity) and the red Anjou-Villages from slate-heavy plots.
Several domaines around the villages of Savennières and Rochefort-sur-Loire open for visits and direct sales without requiring appointment — useful if you do not want to plan ahead. The drive from Angers along the south bank of the Loire takes 25 to 30 minutes. The town of Rochefort-sur-Loire also has a wine cave and a walking trail through the Coteaux du Layon, where late-harvest botrytised wines are made in good years.