The Loire? It has been on our list for a while. I've done more research on the history than the cycling (geography as taught by Eleanor of Aquitaine). While the tour often goes through it, when I've looked into the routes that tour groups use (yes, I steal ideas from tour brochures), I notice a lot of "and then we'll pack your bike in a cab/our van and get you to the next starting point". For that reason, I'd suggest really doing research. My guess is that the roads might be too busy or the pretty bits are intermixed with working world bits. Or, maybe not--it just might be a really big area.

As for the wine....all of France has great wine. Speaking of the US, we only ever see a fraction of the types and varieties of wine that France and the rest of Europe produce. The best part of travelling in France is finding the local wines and cheeses. The ultimate "cost saving extravegence" is the picnic lunch--wine, cheese, and a loaf of bread. Pick the region and find the good wines; don't pick the wine and travel the region (unless, of course, it is the top place you want to go).