6. The Loire Valley Flashcards
What are the four districts of the Loire Valley (east to west)?
1) Pays Nantais (lower)
2) Anjou-Saumur (middle)
3) Touraine (middle)
4) Central Vineyards (upper)
What is the largest district with land under vine?
Anjou-Saumur
What is the main variety of Pays Nantais?
Melon/Melon de Bourgogne/Muscadet
What is the climate of Pays Nantais?
Cool maritime climate with cool springs, warm and humid summers
What are two key weather threats in Pays Nantais?
1) Frost
2) Excess rain
When does Melon bud?
Early
When does Melon ripen?
Early
What two disease pressures is Melon vulnerable to?
1) Botrytis
2) Downy mildew
Since 2018 basic Muscadet may include 10% of what variety?
Chardonnay
Is chaptalisation permitted in Pays Nantais?
Yes up to 12% abv potential alcohol
What two vessel types is Muscadet typically fermented and matured in?
1) Lrge, shallow underground glass-lined concrete
vats
2) Stainless steel
Is MLC common for Muscadet?
No
Besides adding body, sur lie has what benefit for Muscadet?
Retains freshness and CO2
What are the four Muscadet appellations?
1) Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC
2) Muscadet AOC
3) Muscadet Coteaux de la
Loire AOC
4) Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOC
What is the maximum yield for Muscadet AOC?
70 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield for all Muscadet appellations besides Muscadet AOC?
55 hL/ha
What are the conditions of a wine labelled sur lie?
Must be bottled between 1 March and 30 November of the year following harvest and in the winery
in which it was made
What is the maximum yield of the ten Muscadet cru communaux?
45 hL/ha
Why can the ten Muscadet cru communaux not be labelled sur lie?
The extended lees ageing means they’re bottled after the date required for sur lie
Name three cru communaux in Muscadet
1) Clisson
2) Gorges
3) Le Pallet
What are the principal grape varieties of the middle Loire?
1) Chenin Blanc
2) Cabernet Franc
3) Sauvignon Blanc
What is the climate of Touraine?
Continental
What Anjour-Saumur river creates the misty conditions
ideal for the spread of botrytis
River Layon
What are the soils of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine?
Clay-limestone, flint-clay, sand, gravel and
tuff with more schist and limestone in Anjou and more chalk in Touraine
What two rootstocks are used in the Loire Valley and why?
1) Fercal and Riparia Gloire de
Montpellier
2) Protect the vines from chlorosis
When does Chenin Blanc bud?
Early
Why is the amount of mechanical harvesting limited for Chenin Blanc?
It ripens unevenly, so may require multiple passes of hand-harvesting
Chenin Blanc is prone to what two disease pressures?
1) Botrytis
2) Powdery mildew
When does Cabernet Franc bud?
Early
When is Cabernet Franc prone to?
Coulure
What might Cabernet Franc be blended with in eastern Touraine?
Malbec/Cot
Besides Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc, what three other varieties are grown in the middle Loire?
1) Grolleau Noir
2) Gamay
3) Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the three regional appellations in the middle Loire?
1) Anjou AOC
2) Saumur AOC
3) Touraine AOC
What are the three regulations for Anjou AOC?
1) A maximum yield of 60 hL/ha for red or white wines
2) Anjou Blanc must have a minimum of 80
per cent Chenin Blanc
3) Anjou Rouge a minimum of 70 per cent of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the three regulations for Anjou Villages AOC?
1) Still red wine only, made entirely from Cabernet Franc and
Cabernet Sauvignon, either singly or blended
2) Maximum yield is 55 hL/ha
3) The wines can only be released in September the year after harvest
What is Coteaux du Layon AOC?
An appellation for noble rot/late harvest Chenin Blanc