French Wine Laws: Loire Valley and Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

Review: % of NYS wine is?

A

75%

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2
Q

Review: Signature Red Varietals of Long Island

A

Red Bordeaux varietals

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3
Q

Review: Signature White Grape Varietal of Oregon?

A

Pinot Gris

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4
Q

Review: WA is located west of ___

A

Cascades

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5
Q

Who and why did INAO - Institut National des Appellations D’Origne 1935(governing body) start?

A
  • A regulatory function started in 1935 to control certain aspects of grape growing and wine production in specific geographic areas
  • INAO monitors both viticultural and vinicultural practices in the AOC region
  • Started because there was wine fraud
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6
Q

AOC regulates the following: (3)

A
  1. Place of Origin (restricted geography)
  2. Grape Varieties (only specific grapes)
  3. Alcohol Content (minimum and maximum)
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7
Q

What happens when the vineyard does not follow the regulations?

A

AOC has the authority to declassify the wine which leads to a decrease in profits

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8
Q

What are the following characteristics that are regulated region by region? (3)

A
  1. Maximum yields (hectoliters per hectare)
  2. When harvest may begin each year
  3. Production methods (winemaking, chaptalization etc.)

Note: This is done region by region and the local governing body has the power to declassify a producer’s wine

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9
Q

What are the wine laws known as in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal?

A

AOC in France
DOC in Italy
DO in Spain
DOC in Portugal

Wine laws can help establish authenticity and set certain standards but they can not guarantee quality.

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10
Q

What are the three/four classifications of French wine?

A
  1. Vins de France (14%)
  2. Vins de Pays/ Indication Geographique Protegee (31%)
  3. VDQs - Vins Delimites Qualite Suiperieure - removed
  4. Appellation d’Origine Controlee/ AOP (55%)
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11
Q

Vins de France

A

14%

  • Simple ordinary wines
  • No Geographic designation
  • Vintage and varietal allowed
  • Oak tea bags, chips, powdered tannin, etc. are OK
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12
Q

Vins de Pays/ Indication Geographique Protegee

A

31%

  • Country wines produced in large geographic areas
  • Made from Vinifera and Hybrids
  • No varietal restrictions
  • 85% of grapes come from a region
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13
Q

VDQs - Vins Delimites Qualite Superieure

A

No longer a classification –> removed and upped to AOC

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14
Q

Appellation d’Origine Controlee/ AOP

A

55%

  • The top quality wines produced in specific controlled places
  • Lots of regulations
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15
Q

Classification & Geography

A

Vins de Table/ France - All of France
Vins de Pays/ IGP - A section of France
AOC/AOP - A specific and proven wine region

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16
Q

Loire Valley leading producer for?

A
  • France’s leading producer of white wines (red, rose, sparkling, still, dry and sweet (too))
  • France’s 2nd leading AOC region for fine sparkling wines
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17
Q

How many AOCs are in Loire Valley?

A

63

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18
Q

Loire Valley in terms of production (acres, hectolitres, cases)

A

France’s 3rd largest region in terms of production with 172,973 acres, 2.8 million hectolitres, 32.2 million cases

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19
Q

Loire Valley White grapes (3)

A
  1. Chenin Blanc - Pineau de la Loire (cultivated in 845 AD)
  2. Melon de Bourgogne - Muscadet
  3. Sauvignon Blanc
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20
Q

AOC Districts in the Loire

A
  1. Pays Nantais
  2. Anjou
  3. Saumur
  4. Touraine
  5. East/Upper Loire
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21
Q

Loire Valley Label Regulations

A
  • Wines named after the places where the grapes are grown (villages)
  • The place dictates the grape which can
    be used
    e.g. Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Grape Varieties: 100% for most AOC
    wines except when noted as a blend
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22
Q

How many appellations are in Nantes? Names? Grape?

A

4

Muscadet, Muscadet Des Coteaux de la Loire,
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, and Muscadet de
Grandlieu (newest AOC- about 500 acres)

Grape - Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet)

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23
Q

Muscadet - Sur Lie

A

The wine is left on the “fine” lees
after vinification until it is bottled.
- adds flavor
- gives the wine more texture

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24
Q

INAO regulations specify two dates for bottling Sur Lie:

A
  1. The 1st is between March 1
    and June 30th, following the
    harvest
  2. The 2nd is between October 15 and November 30th
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25
Q

Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC “Sur Lie”, Domaine du Moulin Camus, Loire Valley 2016

A

Sight: Pale straw
Smell: citrus, lemon, grapefruit, tart, green grammy smith apple
Taste: acidic, creaminess
GV: Muscadet

great w/ oysters
Cost: $14

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26
Q

Melon de Bourgogne/ Muscadet Grape

A

Grown virtually nowhere else – produces wines of penetrating minerality and acidity, with fresh, clean, citrus flavors

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27
Q

Domaine Du Moulin Camus

A

35 year old vines

100% Muscadet

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28
Q

What is Muscadet’s appeal?

A

Delicacy and steely vigor

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29
Q

What food pairing recommendations goes well with Muscadet

A

Many seafood dishes
Light poultry preparations
pasta dishes

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30
Q

Loire Valley’s History

A
  • The medieval knights build fortresses
  • The kings of the 15th & 16th centuries
    built pleasure castles
  • The nobility of the 17th & 18th centuries built elegant châteaux
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31
Q

What to know about Loire Valley tourism?

A
- The Loire Valley in west
central France covers 350
scenic miles east to west. 
- Endless variety of food: fresh fish, shellfish, some of the best cheese, meats, and game
- Very good white wines and
decent reds.
32
Q

AOC Districts in the Upper Loire (Eastern)

A

Upper Loire (Eastern)

  • Sancerre
  • Pouilly-Fume
  • Reuilly
  • Quincy

Grapes - Sauvignon Blanc & Pinor Noir

33
Q

Sancerre (wines, export)

A

80% White and 20% Rose/Red

40% Exported

34
Q

Sauvignon Blanc Sancerre AOC, Chateau de Sancerre, Loire Valley 2015

A

Sight: pale straw color with water rim
Smell: bell pepper, herbaceous, underripe citrus
Taste: Acidic, Bell pepper, grassy
GV: Sauvignon Blanc

Cost: $27
Paired: Seared scallop

35
Q

Sauvignon Blanc in Cool colimates

A
  • Grassy
  • Herbaceous
  • Vegetal- bell pepper
  • Green olive
  • Gun metal pow
  • Grapefruit
  • Gooseberry
36
Q

Chateau De Sancerre

A
  • only castle in Sancerre
  • Winery founded in 1919 by Louis- Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle
  • 100% Sauvignon Blanc
  • Stainless steel fermentation
  • On fermentation lees for a minimum of 6
37
Q

Food matches with Sauvignon Blanc

A
  • Seafood
  • Grilled light fish
  • Goat Cheese
38
Q

Label terms

A
  • Vielles Vignes old vines - no legal definition

Production statements:

Mis en bouteille a la propriete
Mis en bouteille au Domaine
Mis en bouteille par

39
Q

Sparkling wines from the Loire

A
  • Made by the Methode Traditionnelle just like Champagne but with local grapes ( Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc)
  • Cremant de Loire
  • Saumur Brut
  • Montlouis sur Loire
  • Anjou Mousseux, Touraine Mousseux
  • Vouvray
40
Q

Only in the Loire Valley of France, does ____ show its glorious potential

A

Chenin Blanc

41
Q

Styles of Chenin Blanc (4)

A
  • Sec - dry
  • Demi sec/Tendre - off dry (slightly sweet)
  • Moelleux - semi sweet
  • Doux (liquoreux) - sweet
42
Q

Anjou: Dry wines

A
  • Savennieres
  • Saumur

Grapes - Chenin Blanc

43
Q

Popular wines in Savennieres

A
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Acreage 358
  • Has two sub-appellations:
    Roche-aux-Moines & Coulée-de-Serrant
  • Pre-dominantly dry with some off-dry and sparkling allowed
44
Q

Popular wines in Anjou: Sweet wines

A
  • Coteaux du Layon ($45 -$65 500ml)
  • Bonnezeaux
  • Quarts de Chaume (Grand Cru 2011)

Grapes - Chenin Blanc

45
Q

Popular wines in Touraine

A
  • Chinon – Cabernet Franc
  • Bourgueil– Cabernet Franc
  • Cheverny – Sauvignon Blanc
  • Vouvray – Chenin Blanc
46
Q

Popular wines in Vouvray:

A
  • White and sparkling
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Dry, off-dry, and sweet
  • Top soil of siliceous-clay and limestone
    clay over tuffeau
47
Q

Chenin Blanc Vouvray AOC “Classic” Marc Bredif, Loire Valley 2015

A

Sight: Pale straw
Smell: Honeydew melon, honey
Taste: honey, a bit more fruity, blossomed in mouth, tropic
GV: Chenin Blanc

Cost: $20

48
Q

Marc Bredif

A
  • Hand harvested
  • Pneumatic pressed
  • Free run juice
  • Fermented over 2 months
  • 9 months on lees
49
Q

Chenin Blanc Varietal Characteristics

A

Fruity, Melon, Peach, Apple, Citrus

Late Harvest Chenin Blanc:
Honey, tropical fruits, apricot, quince, orange and lemon zest

50
Q

Loire Valley Red Grapes

A
  1. Cabernet Franc
  2. Grolleau
  3. Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc
  4. Pinot Noir
51
Q

Rose - Methods of Production

A
  1. Maceration
  2. Bleeding/ Saignee
  3. White + Red
52
Q

Alsace has a wide range of __ grape varieties. What status do they have?

A
  • A wide range of white grape varieties (90%
    white)
  • Varietal wines, all with AOC status
  • Fresh, fruit-driven, aromatic, and non-oaked wines
53
Q

Alsace has how many AOCs?

A

3

54
Q

When did viticulture begin in Alsace?

A

Viticulture began with the arrival of Caesar in 58 BC

55
Q

15th century Alsace

A

Exported over 1,000,000 hectoliters of wines a year

56
Q

What rule were Alsace wines under?

A

While under German rule, Alsace wines were blended with German wines

57
Q

Today, what is Alsace production?

A

Today it produces 18% of all AOC white wines in France

58
Q

Why is Alsace a great place to visit?

A
  • Fortresses on the hilltops of the Vosges
  • Sleepy little villages, the same as they were constructed in the Middle Ages
  • Regional food specialities you will love
59
Q

White grape varieties break down in Alsace

A

90%

Riesling - 21.8%
Gewurztraiminer 19.6%
Pinot Blanc 21.3%
Sylvaner 6.8%
Pinot Gris 15.4%
Muscat 2.3%
60
Q

Red grape varieties break down

A

10%

- Pinot Noir

61
Q

What is Alsace rainfall?

A

Lowest in France; less than 20 inches per year

62
Q

Alsace growing season

A

50 days longer than Germany - this long hang time produces very aromatic wines

  • Approved yields - highest in France
  • 80 hl/ha (5+ tons/acre)
63
Q

Alsace soil types

A

Limestone/Sand; Clay/Marlstone;

Flint/Schist/Shale/Slate

64
Q

AOC status

A

Appellation Alsace Controlee -71.5%
AOC yields of 80 hl/ha (5 tons/acre)

Appellation Cremant d’Alsace 24.6%
These sparkling wines made with local grape varieties

Alsace Grand Cru 1975/1983 3.9% of production

65
Q

Alsace Grand Cru

A
  • only 3.9% of total production
    (yields restricted to 4 tons/acre) Some
  • top producers limit yields to less than 2 tons/acre
  • 51 vineyards have been granted Grand Cru status
  • Only Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Gewurztraminer qualify for Grand Cru
66
Q

RIESLING: Varietal Characteristics

A

Fruity, apricot, peach, green

apples, floral, lemon, tropical lushness

67
Q

Riesling Herrenreben

A
  • Once belonged to nobleman Ribeaupierre
  • 1.5 hectares (3.75 acres)
  • 40 year old vines
  • 4,000 bottles produced
68
Q

What are Alsace Blended Wines?

A
  1. Gentil - Minimum 50% Riesling,
    Muscat, Pinot Gris, and/or
    Gewürztraminer
  2. Edelzwicker: a blend of white grapes of AOC Alsace without any indication of
    percentage
69
Q

Pinot Gris “Les Princes Abbes”, Domaines Schlumberger, Alsace AOC 2014

A

Sight: more golden in color
Smell: honey, grass, melon –> ripe honeydrew
Taste: ripeness, medium dry
GV: Pinot Gris

Cost: $20
Pair: fish, chicken, pork

70
Q

Pinot Gris Varietal Characteristics

A

Mango, melon, apple, pear, honey

71
Q

Domaine Schlumberger

A
  • Growers since 1610
  • Estate acquired from
    the monks “The Princes Abbés” after the French Revolution
  • Brother and sister team now
    manage the estate
72
Q

Controlled Alsace label terms

A

Varietal Label - 100% of the grape named

Vendanges Tardives - late harvest but often fermented dry

Selection de Grains Nobles - Botrytis Cinerea affected grapes ($50-$150 half bottle)

73
Q

Non-controlled label terms

A
  • Reserve
  • Personnelle
  • Cuvee
  • Special
74
Q

Gewürztraminer Domaine Zind Humbrecht, Alsace AOC 2015

A

Sight: similar to Pinot Gri, pale golden hue
Smell: roses –> more aromatic than the ones in Finger Lakes, lychee
Taste: sweet, ginger
GV: Gewürztraminer

75
Q

Gewürztraminer: Characteristic Varietal

A

Rich aromas of flowers, spices and exotic fruits rose, acacia, peppermint, clove, cinnamon, ginger

  • Grapefruit, litchi, mango, pineapple, pear, quince, honeysuckle
  • Full-bodied, well-structured and powerful
  • High alcohol, low acidity - sometimes produced slightly sweet
76
Q

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewürztraminer

A

Continuous winemaking lineage since 1620

  • 2002, Certified organic and biodynamic
  • Own 100 acres, including 4 Grand Cru vineyards

The Wine:

  • 100% Gewürztraminer
  • 8 months in 40 year-old French barrels
77
Q

Oliver Humbrecht

A
  • Winemaker at Family’s estate since 1969
  • President of Syndicat International des Vignerons en Culture Bio-Dynamique/Biodyvin (SIVCBD) since 2002
  • President of the Alsace Grand Cru Association since 2011