Loire Valley Pt 9 - Centre-Loire Flashcards

1
Q

Where do the AOCs of Centre-Loire lie?

A

They lie south of Orleans and west of Grand Auxerrois in Bourgogne

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2
Q

What is the climate of Centre-Loire?

A

It is continental with high continentality

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3
Q

What are the climate hazards of Centre-Loire?

A

Summer hail mainly but also spring frosts around Quincy, Reuilly and Pouilly-Fume.

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4
Q

How does annual rainfall and elevation affect the vine crops of Centre-Loire?

A

There is ample rainfall but it can vary from year to year. Elevation also varies (from 450 -1150 ft/120-350m). These differences can lead to large harvest differentials.

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5
Q

What are the soil types in Centre-Loire?

A

There are 4 main types:
Caillottes;
Terres Blanches;
Silex;
Sand and Gravel.

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6
Q

What are Caillottes?

A

They are pebbles of limestone rich Portlandian Marl.

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7
Q

What is Terres Blanches

A

Clay and Limestone - Kimmeridgian marl rich in oyster fossils.

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8
Q

What is Silex?

A

Flint (Silex) and clay with flint (Argiles a Silex)

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9
Q

Why did the vignerons of Centre-Loire switch grape varieties after Phylloxera?

A

Previously the region was planted with Chasselas but this was hard to graft after Phylloxera so the vignerons switched to Sauvignon Blanc.

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10
Q

What are the principal white grapes of Centre-Loire?

A

Sauvignon Blanc
Note Chasselas is grown and vinified in Pouilly-sur-Loire.

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11
Q

What are the principal rose/gris grapes of Centre-Loire?

A

Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Gris - but only significant in Reuilly and Quincy respectively.

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12
Q

What are the principal red grapes of Centre-Loire?

A

Pinot Noir ( with Gamay in some AOCs)

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13
Q

How many AOCs in Centre-Loire?

A

Eight - Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, Chateaumeillant.

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14
Q

Which AOCs lie in a cluster NE of the city of Bourges?

A

Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon.

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15
Q

Which AOCs lie on the Cher River and its tributaries?

A

Quincy and Reuilly

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16
Q

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

A

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

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17
Q

How much of Sancerre production is white?

A

82% Dry white.

18
Q

How many soil types in Sancerre AOC? What kind of wines are they said to express?

A

Three:
Argiles a Silex - (gunflint);
Caillottes - (perfumed with maturing quickly);
Terres Blanches - (Powerful and Age-worthy)

19
Q

What is the topography of Sancerre?

A

It is much higher in elevation than surrounding area. There is high rainfall, mostly outside growing season, but steep slopes provide excellent drainage.

20
Q

When was Pouilly-Fume AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

A

Awarded in 1937 for dry white form Sauvignon Blanc only.

21
Q

Where is Pouilly-Fume located?

A

On the right bank of the Loire facing Sancerre.

22
Q

What is Sauvignon Blanc known as in Pouilly-Fume and why?

A

It is known as Blanc-Fume. Fume means smoked and is a reference to the gunflint aromas found in wines produced from flinty-clay soils.

23
Q

What are the soils of Pouilly-Fume?

A

There are 4 types:
Argiles a Silex;
Caillottes;
Terres Blanches;
Sand.

24
Q

How do vignerons utilise grapes grown on the four soil types of Pouilly-Fume?

A

They create blends but also wines from the single soil types or single plots.

25
Q

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

A

Awarded 1937 for dry white from CHASSELAS.

26
Q

When was Menetou-Salon AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?

A

Awarded 1959 for dry white, rose and red.
White: (P) Sauvignon Blanc;
Red: (P) Pinot Noir.

27
Q

Why is Menetou-Salon regarded as the sister of Sancerre AOC?

A

It shares the same terroir and grapes. However it is flatter than Sancerre and exposed to cold SW winds and additional risk of frost. Wines dont have the same complexity.

28
Q

How many villages in Menetou-Salon AOC?

A

Ten villages which can add name to label if grapes 100% sourced from the village.

29
Q

When was Quincy AOC awarded, which styles and grapes?

A

Awarded 1936 for Dry White.
White:(P) Sauvignon Blanc
Rose/Gris: (S) Sauvignon Gris.

30
Q

Where is Quincy located?

A

It is east of Bourges along the left bank of the River Cher.

31
Q

Why did the vineyards of Quincy languish in late-19th early 20th Century?

A

After phylloxera the vignerons rebuilt quality wines but they could not sustain momentum after WW2. Younger generations moved to cities to find work.

32
Q

Since when has there been a renaissance in Quincy?

A

Since the 1980’s.

33
Q

Where are vineyards planted in Quincy?

A

On plateaus near the Cher River on sands and gravels.

34
Q

When was Reuilly AOC awarded, which styles and grapes?

A

Awarded in 1937 for Dry white, rose and Red.
White: (P) Sauvignon Blanc;
Rose/Gris: Pinot Gris;
Red:(P) Pinot Noir.

35
Q

Why is Reuilly first to harvest in Center-Loire?

A

It has a dry mesoclimate.

36
Q

Which method is used for Rose in the Reuilly AOC?

A

Direct press or Saignee but roses are pale either way. Made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

37
Q

What are the two lesser known AOCs of Centre-Loire?

A

Coteaux du Giennois and Chateaumeillant.

38
Q

What is the main wine styles of Coteaux du Giennois?

A

Whites which are minerally with bracing acidity.
Reds and roses which are Pinot Noir dominant.

39
Q

What is the main wine styles of Chateaumeillant?

A

Gamay dominant reds and roses.

40
Q

Why is Chateaumeillant location of note?

A

It is the most central AOC in France.
It is also the smallest and most southerly in the Centre-Loire