Loire Valley (R) Flashcards

1
Q

Where does the Loire River start and end?

A

Originates center of country at Massif Central; ends in Atlantic Ocean

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2
Q

True or False: The Loire River is the longest river in France.

A

TRUE

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3
Q

How long is the Loire River?

A

629 miles

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4
Q

The wine regions along the Loire River’s banks are remarkable diverse with distinct __________, __________, __________, and __________.

A
  1. Micro-climates
  2. Wine Styles
  3. Grape Varieties
  4. Growing Conditions
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5
Q

Name the four major sub-regions of the Loire Valley.

A
  1. Pays Nantais
  2. Anjou-Saumur
  3. Touraine
  4. Central Vineyards
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6
Q

Pays Nantais - location?

A

Atlantic Coast

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7
Q

Pays Nantais - climate?

A

Cool and wet maritime; affected by proximity to Atlantic Ocean

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8
Q

Pay Nantais - soil?

A

Gravel and sand over schist and granite

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9
Q

Pays Nantais - grape varieties?

A

Melon de Bourgogne

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10
Q

Pays Nantais - what is important about the aging of wines here?

A

Sure Lie Aging

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11
Q

Define sur lie aging.

A

Technique of aging wine on the post-fermentation yeast cells, or “lees”.

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12
Q

How does sur lie aging impact a wine?

A

Complexity and richness (aromas too - yeast, bread dough, toast, white flowers, nuts)

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13
Q

Pays Nantais - appellations?

A
  1. Muscadet AOP

2. Muscadet-Sevre-Et-Maine AOP

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14
Q

Anjou-Saumur - location?

A

East of Pays Nantais

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15
Q

Anjou-Saumur - climate?

A

Maritime/continental (shifting as vineyard locations move inland); humid

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16
Q

Anjou-Saumur - grape varieties?

A
  1. Chenin Blanc

2. Cabernet Franc

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17
Q

Anjou-Saumur - wine styles?

A
  1. Dry Red
  2. Dry White
  3. Sweet White
  4. Sparkling (Chenin based - Saumur AOP)
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18
Q

Anjou-Saumur - number of AOP’s?

A

5

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19
Q

List the five AOP’s of Anjou-Saumur.

A
  1. Savennieres
  2. Quarts-de-Chaume
  3. Bonnezeaux
  4. Anjou-Villages
  5. Saumur
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20
Q

Anjou-villages AOP - grape varieties and styles?

A

Cabernet Franc; dry

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21
Q

Saumur AOP - grape varieties and styles?

A

Chenin Blanc (sparkling); Cabernet Franc (dry)

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22
Q

Savennieres AOP - north or south of Loire River?

A

North

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23
Q

Savennieres AOP - aspect?

A

Steep hillsides; south-facing

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24
Q

Savennieres AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

A

100% Chenin Blanc; dry

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25
Q

Bonnezeaux AOP - north or south of the Loire River?

A

South

26
Q

Bonnezeaux AOP - this AOP is located on what river bank?

A

Layon River

27
Q

Bonnezeaux AOP - climate?

A

Humid (proximity to two rivers)

28
Q

Bonnezeaux AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

A

100% Chenin Blanc; sweet

29
Q

Bonnezeaux AOP - what characters the viticultural practices here?

A

Late harvest; Botrytis-affected grapes

30
Q

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - north or south of the Loire River?

A

South

31
Q

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - this AOP is located on what river bank?

A

Layon River

32
Q

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - climate?

A

Humid (proximity to two rivers)

33
Q

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

A

100% Chenin Blanc; sweet

34
Q

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - what characters the viticultural practices here?

A

Late harvest; Botrytis-affected grapes

35
Q

Touraine - location?

A

East of Anjou-Saumur

36
Q

Touraine - climate?

A

Contintental (less maritime since it is further inland)

37
Q

Touraine - soil?

A

Tuffeau

38
Q

What is tuffeau?

A

soft limestone

39
Q

Touraine - grape varieties and wine styles?

A

Chenin Blanc (sparkling, dry, off-dry, sweet); Cabernet Franc (dry)

40
Q

Touraine - number of AOP’s?

A

3

41
Q

List the AOP’s on Touraine.

A
  1. Chinon AOP
  2. Bourgueil AOP
  3. Vouvray AOP
42
Q

Chinon AOP - location re: Loire River?

A

South

43
Q

Chinon AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

A

Cabernet Franc; dry

44
Q

Bourgueil AOP - location re: Loire River?

A

North bank of Loire River

45
Q

Bourgueil - grape varieties and wine styles?

A

Cabernet Franc; dry

46
Q

Vouvray AOP - location re: Loire River?

A

North bank Loire River

47
Q

Vouvray AOP - soil?

A

Tuffeau

48
Q

Vouvray - grape varieties and wine styles?

A

Chenin Blanc (sparkling, dry, off-dry, sweet “Moelleux”)

49
Q

What does Moelleux mean and what does it refer to?

A

Sweet, soft, tender, smooth, mellow; sweet wines

50
Q

Central Vineyards - location?

A

Center of France

51
Q

Central Vineyards - climate?

A

Continental

52
Q

Central Vineyards - soil?

A
  1. Silex (flint)
  2. Limestone
  3. Kimmeridgian Clay
53
Q

Central Vineyards - grape varietes?

A
  1. White - 100% Sauvignon Blanc

2. Red - 100% Pinot Noir

54
Q

Central Vineyards - wine styles?

A

Dry red and white

55
Q

Central Vineyards - number of AOP’s?

A

2

56
Q

List the AOP’s in the Central Vineyards of Loire Valley.

A
  1. Sancerre

2. Pouilly-Fume

57
Q

Pouilly-Fume AOP - location re: Loire River?

A

Eastern bank

58
Q

Pouilly-Fume AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

A

100% Sauvignon Blanc; dry

59
Q

Sancerre AOP - location re: Loire River?

A

West bank

60
Q

Sancerre AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

A
  1. White - 100% Sauvignon Blanc (dry)

2. Red - 100% Pinot Noir (dry)