Loire Valley Pt 8 - Touraine

Question 1

What are the three broad areas and styles in Touraine?

Answer 1

West - Red from Cabernet Franc;
Center - White from Chenin Blanc;
East - White from Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 2

What is the climate of Touraine?

Answer 2

Transitions form Maritime to semi-Contintental.

Question 3

What are the soil types in Touraine?

Answer 3

Tuffeau;
Aubuis (Clay and Limestone);
Sedimentary (sand and gravel);
Flinty clay (Argiles a silex or Perruches).

Question 4

Where is Tuffeau mainly found in Touraine?

Answer 4

Widespread from western Touraine to Vouvray.

Question 5

Where is Aubuis mainly found in Touraine?

Answer 5

Clay and Limestone found on hillsides

Question 6

Where is Sedimentary soil mainly found in Touraine?

Answer 6

Near rivers and river terraces.

Question 7

Where is Argiles a Silex/Perruches mainly found in Touraine?

Answer 7

Vouvray, Montlouis and Eastern Touraine.

Question 8

What are the white grapes of Touraine?

Answer 8

(P) Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Romorantin is primary grape of Cour-Cheverny.
(S) Chardonnay and Orbois

Question 9

What are the Rose/Gris grapes of Touraine?

Answer 9

Grolleau Gris, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Gris.

Question 10

What are the Red grapes of Touraine?

Answer 10

(P) Cabernet Franc, Cot and Gamay;

Question 11

What is the area under vine in Touraine?

Answer 11

40,000 acres/16,000 ha and growing

Question 12

What is the % production for each style inTouraine?

Answer 12

Red 51%;
White - 27%;
Sparkling - 17%;
Rose - 5%.

Question 13

Where is Touraine AOC located?

Answer 13

It is a large area stretching more than 62 miles/100km from Blois to the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers.

Question 14

How many appellations in Touraine?

Answer 14

15 AOCs -Touraine;Touraine Noble Joue;Bourgueil;St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil;Chinon;Vouvray;Montlouis-sur-Loire;Valencay;Cheverny;Cour-Cheverny;Orleans;Orleans-Clery;Coteaux du Vendomois;Coteux de Loir;Jasnieres.

Question 15

When was Touraine AOC awarded , for which styles?

Answer 15

1939, for dry white, Rose, red; Sparkling White and Rose in 1946.
NOTE NO Sweet wines.

Question 16

Which grapes are permitted in Touraine AOC

Answer 16

White(P) Sauvignon Blanc;
Red : (P) Cabernet Franc, Cot, Gamay;

Question 17

What is the main soil type in Touraine AOC?

Answer 17

Tuffeau is most common with topsoils of sand, gravel and clay to perruches and aubuis.

Question 18

Which grapes are used for white Mousseux in Touraine AOC? Ageing?

Answer 18

Chenin Blanc primarily. Made in traditional method and spend 9 months on lees

Question 19

Which grapes are used for rose Mousseux in Touraine AOC?

Answer 19

Often Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Grolleau but may be others.

Question 20

What are still whites in Touraine AOC made from?

Answer 20

Mainly Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 21

What are still roses made from in Touraine AOC?

Answer 21

A blend of at least two authorised grapes, vinified dry - no single variety greater than 70%

Question 22

What grape is base in red wines from east of Tours?

Answer 22

Cot.

Question 23

What grape is base in red wines from west of Tours?

Answer 23

Cabernet Franc

Question 24

What “Primeur” does Touraine produce?

Answer 24

A Gamay “Primeur” plus a 100% Gamay.

Question 25

How many DGCs in Touraine AOC?

Answer 25

Five - Amboise; Azay-le-Rideau; Chenonceaux; Mesland and Oisly.

Question 26

How does Touraine AOC production differ from the rest of the Touraine Region?

Answer 26

It produces around 60% dry white against the whole region which is 27% dry white.

Question 27

Where is Touraine Noble Joue located?

Answer 27

It is within the boundary of Touraine AOC but is a separate AOC.

Question 28

When was Touraine Noble Joue AOC awarded for which styles and grapes?

Answer 28

Awarded 2001 for Rose wine only. Red; (P) Meunier, (S) Pinot Noir

Question 29

What is the distinctive wine produced fromTouraine Noble Joue AOC?

Answer 29

A 'vin gris' made from three Pinots -Meunier, Noir and Gris. Meunier is the backbone. Made by direct press mainly.

Question 30

What is the strict rule on using a vat that has made rose in Touraine Noble Joue?

Answer 30

It is strictly forbidden to use a vat that has been used for rose to make red wine.

Question 31

Where are the most-respected red wines of Touraine found?

Answer 31

In the western portion. Cabernet Franc based wines from Chinon,(largest red appellation in the Loire) Bourgueil and St-Nicolas-de -Bourgueil.

Question 32

What other wine is permitted in the red wines of Chinon, Bourgueil and St-Nicolas-de -Bourgueil?

Answer 32

Up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 33

When was Bourgueil AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

Answer 33

Awarded 1937 for Rose and Red only. Red: (P) Cabernet Franc; (S) Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 34

Where is Bourgueil located? What is the topography, and aspect of vineyards?

Answer 34

North of Chinon on right bank of the Loire.It has plains, hills and river terraces, facing south to maximise heat and sunlight.

Question 35

What are the soils of Bourgueil?

Answer 35

60% is gravel and sands the rest mainly tuffeau.

Question 36

How are the soils of Bourgueil used to categorise the wine?

Answer 36

Winemakers generally divide the area into two categories - 'gravel wines' and 'tuffeau wines'. Gravel wines are more light and fruity and tuffeau wines are more structured and complex.

Question 37

When was St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

Answer 37

Awarded in 1937 for Rose and Red only. Red: (P) Cabernet Franc; (S) Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 38

Where is St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC located? What is the topography, solils and aspect of vineyards?

Answer 38

It is west of Bourgueil and has similar topography and aspects. Soils have a higher % of sandy gravel. It was part of Bourgueil until the French Revolution when it was separated.

Question 39

What is the main grape in red wine from St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC?

Answer 39

Almost exclusively Cabernet Franc. Wines have the raspberry fruit typical of 'gravel wines' and a supple mouthfeel.

Question 40

Can wines of St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC be bottled as Bourgueil AOC?

Answer 40

Yes but rarely are.

Question 41

What is the main grape in rose wine from St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC?

Answer 41

Dry roses are made from the two Cabernet grapes.

Question 42

When was Chinon AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

Answer 42

Awarded in 1937 for dry white, Rose and Red. White (P) Chenin Blanc; Red (P) Cabernet Franc (S) Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 43

Why is Chinon one of the warmest growing ares in Touraine?

Answer 43

It is protected by forests to the north and west.

Question 44

What are the aspects and soils of the vineyards of Chinon?

Answer 44

Vineyards are planted on the flanks of the Vienne River facing S/SE. By the river it is gravel and sand, on the slopes tuffeau, and higher elevation flinty clay and sand.

Question 45

Which two AOCs in the centre of Touraine specialise in dry and sparkling wines?

Answer 45

Vouvray AOC and Montlouis sur Loire AOC. Vouvray produces 8 times more wine. It is the largest producer of white AOC wine in the Loire by volume (dry,off-dry and sweet) .

Question 46

When was Vouvray AOC awarded for which styles and grapes?

Answer 46

Awarded in 1936 for dry white, Semi-sweet to sweet and sparkling white. White (P) Chenin Blanc (S) Orbois. EU minimum sweetness levels apply

Question 47

What are the soils of Vouvray?

Answer 47

Aubuis and Perruches.(Clay and Limestone and Flinty Clay)

Question 48

What climatic influence is there in Vouvray?

Answer 48

Some oceanic influence which warms the soils.

Question 49

What is the most important production in Vouvray?

Answer 49

Mousseux and Petillant represent 60% of production.

Question 50

How are Mousseux and Petillant wine made in Vouvray? Ageing?

Answer 50

Using the methode traditionelle. They must age for 12 months sur lie before release.

Question 51

When was Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC awarded for which styles and grapes?

Answer 51

Awarded in 1936 for dry white, Semi-sweet to sweet and sparkling white. White (P) Chenin Blanc. (ONLY) EU minimum sweetness levels apply.

Question 52

Where is Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC located?

Answer 52

At the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers.

Question 53

What % of vineyards are organic in Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC?

Answer 53

35% certified organic and 35% Terra Vitis.

Question 54

Which wine styles account for most of the Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC production?

Answer 54

Sparkling wines, Mousseux and Petillant.

Question 55

What are the rules for 'Petillant Originel' wine style?

Answer 55

Approved in 2017, the grapes must be hand harvested. No additions of any kind, including sugar and yeast. One fermentation with 9 months on lees and disgorgement without dosage.

Question 56

What does 'Fines Bulles' mean in the Loire?

Answer 56

It means "fine or small bubbles". In the Loire it is a colloquial term for their sparkling wines.

Question 57

Which five AOCs lie in the east of Touraine region?

Answer 57

Valencay, Cheverny, Cour-Cheverny, Orleans, Orleans-Clery

Question 58

When was Valencay AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

Answer 58

Awarded 2004 for Dry white, Rose and Red. White: (P) Sauvignon Blanc, Red: (P) Cot, Pinot noir, Gamay .

Question 59

Where is Valencay located? What are its soils?

Answer 59

On the left bank of the Cher river protected by forests from cold winds. Soils are chalk, perruches and sandy gravels.

Question 60

What are the main wines of Valencay?

Answer 60

White Sauvignon Blanc and red and rose from Gamay.

Question 61

When was Cheverny AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

Answer 61

Awarded 1993 for Dry white, Rose and Red. White: (P) Sauvignon Blanc; Red: (P) Pinot noir.

Question 62

Why is Cheverny AOC slightly warmer?

Answer 62

The vineyards are scattered among wooded areas and between three rivers. Forests give protection from the cold winds and rivers moderate temperatures.

Question 63

How much of Cheverny is organic growing?

Answer 63

25% organic and 32% Terra Vitis.

Question 64

When was Cour-Cheverny AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

Answer 64

Awarded in 1993 for Dry white, Semi-sweet and sweet white. Only grape is ROMORANTIN. Minimum sweetness: Semi-sweet 2-4.5%(@0-45g/l) Sweet : EU levels

Question 65

What is the main production of Cour-Cheverny AOC?

Answer 65

Mainly white Romorantin but sweeter allowed.

Question 66

When was Orleans AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

Answer 66

Awarded 2006 for Dry white, rose and Red. White (P) Chardonnay; Red: (P) Meunier.

Question 67

Where are Orleans vineyards located? What are the soils?

Answer 67

Zone encompasses both sides of the Loire but few planted on right bank. Soils on left bank are sandy, pebbly alluvium.

Question 68

What are the main wine styles of Orleans AOC?

Answer 68

White from Chardonnay and Red from Meunier.

Question 69

When was Orleans-Clery AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes? What are the soils?

Answer 69

Awarded 2006 for Red only from Cabernet Franc. It lies within Orleans AOC and has the same soils.

Question 70

What are the three AOCs on the banks of the Loir river?

Answer 70

Coteaux du Vendomois; Coteaux du Loir; Jasnieres.

Question 71

What is the main focus of the three AOCs on the Loir River?

Answer 71

Chenin Blanc for high acid whites; Reds and Rose are mainly Pineau d'Aunis.

Question 72

What are the % production numbers for the Touraine region?

Answer 72

Touraine AOC family- 39%; Vouvray AOC - 22%; Chinon AOC - 13%; ST-N-de-Bourgueil - 8%; Bourgueil - 7%; Cheverney - 5%; Montlouis AOC - 3%; Other - 3%.