Cremant de Loire Flashcards
How many sparkling appellations does the Loire Valley have in total?
7
What percentage of Loire production does sparkling wine account for?
13% approx
Where is the centre of production for Cremant de Loire?
Saumur
Why is Saumur a centre for sparkling production?
Availability of caves suitable for ageing wine - excavated tuff rock
Where is fruit for Cremant de Loire grown?
Anjou Saumur and Touraine only - 200km stretch along the river
What effect does the river Loire have on growing conditions?
Helps to moderate the temperature
Can cause humidity & lead to fungal disease
Why are excavated tuff caves perfect for ageing wine?
Little fluctuation in temperature and humidity
What is the climate in Loire sparkling areas?
Cool, mild, maritime - influenced by the Atlantic
Regular temperatures with no extremes
Fungal disaster and untimely rain can be a problem
Describe the soil
Types in the Loire
A large region so wide range of soil including clay, limestone, sand, gravel and tuff
Anjou - schist
Touraine - clay
Soils with excessive clay are not included as too cold and lack sufficient drainage
What can be done to protect vines from high lime content in the soil?
Specific rootstocks such as Fercal protect against chlorosis
What are the main grape varieties used for Cremant de Loire?
Main varieties of the region - Chenin blanc, Cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, grolleau
What grape is not permitted in cremant de Loire and why?
Sauvignon Blanc - aromatic profile not well suited to traditional method
What is the maximum yield for Cremant de Loire?
74 HL/ha
Why is the pneumatic press favoured in Cremant de Loire?
Creates high quality juice with low phenolics
What are the requirements for Prestige de Loire?
White only using Chenin, Cab Franc, Chardonnay and Pinot
Minimum 24 months on lees
Vintage
Brut
Producers must achieve a set of environmental standards within 5 years of starting to produce
