Loire Valley Pt 9 - Centre-Loire Flashcards
Where do the AOCs of Centre-Loire lie?
They lie south of Orleans and west of Grand Auxerrois in Bourgogne
What is the climate of Centre-Loire?
It is continental with high continentality
What are the climate hazards of Centre-Loire?
Summer hail mainly but also spring frosts around Quincy, Reuilly and Pouilly-Fume.
How does annual rainfall and elevation affect the vine crops of Centre-Loire?
There is ample rainfall but it can vary from year to year. Elevation also varies (from 450 -1150 ft/120-350m). These differences aan lead to large harvest differentials.
What are the soil types in Centre-Loire?
There are 4 main types:
Caillottes;
Terres Blanches;
Silex;
Sand and Gravel.
What are Caillottes?
They are pebbles of limestone rich Portlandian Marl.
What is Terres Blanches
Clay and Limestone - Kimmeridgian marl ricj in oyster fossils.
What is Silex?
Flint (Silex) and clay with flint (Argiles a Silex)
Why did the vignerons of Centre-Loire switch grape varieties after Phylloxera?
Previously the region was planted with Chasselas but this was hard to graft after Phylloxera so the vignerons switched to Sauvignon Blanc>
What are the principal white grapes of Centre-Loire?
Sauvignon Blanc
Note Chasselas is grown and vinified in Pouilly-sur-Loire.
What are the principal rose/gris grapes of Centre-Loire?
Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Gris - but only significant inReuilly and Quincy respectively.
What are the principal red grapes of Centre-Loire?
Pinot Noir ( with Gamay in some AOCs)
How many AOCs in Centre-Loire?
Eight - Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, Chateaumeillant.
Which AOCs lie in a cluster NE of the city of Bourges?
Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon.
Which AOCs lie on the Cher River and its tributaries?
Quincy and Reuilly
When was Sancerre AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?
Awarded for Dry White 1936; for Rose and Red in 1959.
White (P); Sauvignon Blanc;
Red: (P) Pinot Noir.