Loire Valley Pt 8 - Touraine Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three broad areas and styles in Touraine?

A

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

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2
Q

What is the climate of Touraine?

A

Transitions form Maritime to semi-Contintental.

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3
Q

What are the soil types in Touraine?

A

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

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4
Q

Where is Tuffeau mainly found in Touraine?

A

Widespread from western Touraine to Vouvray.

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5
Q

Where is Aubuis mainly found in Touraine?

A

Clay and Limestone found on hillsides

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6
Q

Where is Sedimentary soil mainly found in Touraine?

A

Near rivers and river terraces.

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7
Q

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

A

Vouvray, Montlouis and Eastern Touraine.

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8
Q

What are the white grapes of Touraine?

A

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

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9
Q

What are the Rose/Gris grapes of Touraine?

A

Grolleau Gris, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Gris.

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10
Q

What are the Red grapes of Touraine?

A

(P) Cabernet Franc, Cot and Gamay;

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11
Q

What is the area under vine in Touraine?

A

40,000 acres/16,000 ha and growing

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12
Q

What is the % production for each style inTouraine?

A

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

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13
Q

Where is Touraine AOC located?

A

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

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14
Q

How many appellations in Touraine?

A

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.

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15
Q

When was Touraine AOC awarded , for which styles?

A

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

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16
Q

Which grapes are permitted in Touraine AOC

A

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

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17
Q

What is the main soil type in Touraine AOC?

A

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

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18
Q

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

A

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

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19
Q

Which grapes are used for rose Mousseux in Touraine AOC?

A

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

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20
Q

What are still whites in Touraine AOC made from?

A

Mainly Sauvignon Blanc.

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21
Q

What are still roses made from in Touraine AOC?

A

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

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22
Q

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

A

Cot.

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23
Q

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

A

Cabernet Franc

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24
Q

What “Primeur” does Touraine produce?

A

A Gamay “Primeur” plus a 100% Gamay.

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25
Q

How many DGCs in Touraine AOC?

A

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

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26
Q

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

A

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

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27
Q

Where is Touraine Noble Joue located?

A

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

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28
Q

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

A

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

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29
Q

What is the distinctive wine produced fromTouraine Noble Joue AOC?

A

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

30
Q

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

A

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

31
Q

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

A

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

32
Q

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

A

Up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

33
Q

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

A

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

34
Q

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

A

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

35
Q

What are the soils of Bourgueil?

A

60% is gravel and sands the rest mainly tuffeau.

36
Q

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

A

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.

37
Q

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

A

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

38
Q

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

A

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.

39
Q

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

A

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

40
Q

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

A

Yes but rarely are.

41
Q

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

A

Dry roses are made from the two Cabernet grapes.

42
Q

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

A

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

43
Q

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

A

It is protected by forests to the north and west.

44
Q

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

A

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.

45
Q

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

A

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) .

46
Q

When was Vouvray AOC awarded for which styles and grapes?

A

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

47
Q

What are the soils of Vouvray?

A

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

48
Q

What climatic influence is there in Vouvray?

A

Some oceanic influence which warms the soils.

49
Q

What is the most important production in Vouvray?

A

Mousseux and Petillant represent 60% of production.

50
Q

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

A

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

51
Q

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

A

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

52
Q

Where is Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC located?

A

At the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers.

53
Q

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

A

35% certified organic and 35% Terra Vitis.

54
Q

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

A

Sparkling wines, Mousseux and Petillant.

55
Q

What are the rules for ‘Petillant Originel’ wine style?

A

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.

56
Q

What does ‘Fines Bulles’ mean in the Loire?

A

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

57
Q

Which five AOCs lie in the east of Touraine region?

A

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

58
Q

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

A

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

59
Q

Where is Valencay located? What are its soils?

A

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

60
Q

What are the main wines of Valencay?

A

White Sauvignon Blanc and red and rose from Gamay.

61
Q

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

A

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

62
Q

Why is Cheverny AOC slightly warmer?

A

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

63
Q

How much of Cheverny is organic growing?

A

25% organic and 32% Terra Vitis.

64
Q

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

A

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

65
Q

What is the main production of Cour-Cheverny AOC?

A

Mainly white Romorantin but sweeter allowed.

66
Q

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

A

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

67
Q

Where are Orleans vineyards located? What are the soils?

A

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

68
Q

What are the main wine styles of Orleans AOC?

A

White from Chardonnay and Red from Meunier.

69
Q

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

A

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

70
Q

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

A

Coteaux du Vendomois; Coteaux du Loir; Jasnieres.

71
Q

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

A

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

72
Q

What are the % production numbers for the Touraine region?

A

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