Loire Valley Flashcards

1
Q

What are the four sub-regions of the Loire?

A

Nantais - Anjou Saumur - Touraine - Central Vineyards

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2
Q

Name the IGP that covers the Loire

A

Val de Loire

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3
Q

Climate of the Loire?

A

Overall Cool
Maritime in the Nantais - Atlantic Ocean
Continental going inland

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4
Q

What’s the climate like in Anjou?

A

Anjou has proximity to the Atlantic Ocean but the climate is slightly warmer and drier than might be expected as the region is protected by the Mauges Hills.
(Some vineyards benefit also from warm stony soils.)

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5
Q

What’s the climate and main soil type of Touraine?

A

Touraine is inland and has a cooler and wetter climate

Clay soils

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6
Q

In Loire, Sauvignon Blanc is mostly grown in ..

A

Touraine

Central Vineyards

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7
Q

Why would a winemaker encourage MLF with Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire?

A

Vintage variation
The vineyards lie at the northern limit for the production of the grape varieties grown, and variations
in the weather patterns from year to year can mean that vintages differ widely. Most likely to be encouraged in cooler vintages in order to lower the acidity of the wines.

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8
Q

Describe best vineyard locations in the Loire

A

Vineyards of the Loire Valley lie along the river for reflected light and heat.
South facing, mid-slopes receive sunlight best

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9
Q

Name main grape varieties of the Loire

A

Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Melon Blanc
Cabernet Franc

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10
Q

What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé?

A

Chalky Well-drained Stony

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11
Q

Where does the majority of Sauvignon Blanc come from in the Loire?

A

Touraine

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12
Q

Name the region that uses varietal label for white wines in Loire

A

Touraine

“Sauvignon de Touraine”

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13
Q

Describe wines of Touraine appelation?

A

Generic appellation that covers whole Touraine region
Usually made from Sauvignon Blanc in a simple fruity style
Have less concentration than those from more prestigious appellations

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14
Q

What is a particular issue related to the weather in Loire?

A

Vintage variation

Fungal disease caused by rain

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15
Q

What is the “IGP” that covers the Loire?

A

Val de Loire

unlike most other French regions there is no regional generic appellation for the whole of the Loire

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16
Q

Describe Val de Loire wines

A

Typically straightforward
Fresh
Light body
Simple fruit flavours.

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17
Q

Which area of the Loire has the smallest production area?

A

The Central Vineyards area has by far the smallest production of the four sub-regions in Loire

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18
Q

What are the most prestigious appellations for Sauvignon Blanc wines in Loire?

A

Sancerre

Pouilly-Fume

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19
Q

What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé like?

A

Very chalky

Well-drained stony soil

20
Q

Name main grape varieties of Central Vineyards

A

Sauvignon Blanc

21
Q

Name main grape varieties of Touraine

A

Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Franc
Gamay

22
Q

Name main grape varieties of Anjou-Saumur

A
Chenin Blanc (sparkling in Saumur, dry in Anjou)
Cabernet Franc (Saumur)
Gamay (Anjou)
23
Q

Name main grape varieties of Nantais

A

Melon Blanc

24
Q

Name two prestigious appelations from Central Vineyards of Loire Valley

A

Pouilly-Fumé

Sancerre

25
Q

Describe Pouilly-Fumé wine from Central Vineyards of Loire Valley

A
Dry
High Acidity
Green Apple
Wet stones
Subtle Smoky Notes
26
Q

Name general winemaking techniques in Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blancs

A

Gentle pressing (pneumatic)
Ferment in stainless steel for fresh and fruity wines
Some ferment and mature in old oak vessels and on lees for broader texture. Only a few use new oak
MLF encouraged on cool vintage to reduce acidity.

27
Q

What is the difference btw Sauvignon Blancs from Sancerre and Menetou Salon?

A

Wines are made in the same style but Menetou-Salon is moderately priced

28
Q

Which AOC from Loire Valley would you offer to a customer looking for a Sauvignon Blanc that is wallet friendly but non-generic wine?
At what temperature would you serve?
Which food would you recommend for pairing?

A

Menetou-Salon AOC from the Central Vineyards makes SB wine in same style as prestigious Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume but is more moderately priced.
Serve chilled btw 7-10 C
Fish and green salad

29
Q

State one peculiarity with Chenin Blanc and explain how this peculiarity influences the wine style.

A

It is common for grapes to reach different levels of ripenesswithin one bunch
Depending on the degree of ripeness at time of picking, the wine can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling.
Barely ripe fruit is used for sparkling wines.
Dry, medium and sweet styles of still wine reflect the use of increasingly ripe berries, including
those shrivelled in the sun or affected by noble rot .

30
Q

Name the great lands for Chenin Blanc in Loire Valley

A

Touraine

Anjou-Saumur

31
Q

Climate and soil can both have an important influence on the style of Chenin Blanc.
Compare climate, soil and resulting wines from Vouvray and Savennieres.

A

Vouvray has cool climate and clay soils
Wines tends to be light to medium in body, with fresh fruity and floral notes. It is rarely fermented or matured in new oak.
The still wines range in style from dry to lusciously sweet depending on the vintage. Also makes sparkling.
Savennieres produces full-bodied Chenin Blanc
in a dry style.
Less floral.
Concentrated from late-harvest grapes (well aireated)
Able to make complex wines with ability to evolve for decades in the bottle.

32
Q

Fungal disease can be a particular issue in Loire Valley due to high levels of rainfall.
Name one region that benefits from development of rot and one region that enables enables late-harvesting of healthy grapes for complex dry wines

A

Coteaux du Layon makes some of the most renowned sweet wines. The appellation is located in the sheltered valley of the River Layon, where noble rot develops well.
Air circulation around well-exposed vineyards of Savennieres impedes the development of noble rot, but enables late-harvested Chenin Blanc grapes to be used for full-bodied, complex dry wines with ability to evolve for decades in the bottle.

33
Q

Why is Melon Blanc suited to cool climates?

A

Ripens early

Frost-resistant

34
Q

What is the grape used in Menetou-Salon?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

35
Q

How may the problem of varying ripeness in Chenin Blanc grapes be tackled?

A

By harvesting in several passes to pick the grapes at a desired level of ripeness

36
Q

Explain how Chenin Blanc grapes can make versatile wines.

A

Chenin Blanc grapes can make dry, sweet, still or sparkling wines.
Dependng on the degree of ripeness from barely ripe fruit to grapes shrivelled in the sun or affected by noble rot.

37
Q

What is the maximum permitted alcohol for Muscadet wines?

A

12% abv

38
Q

Describe wines from the Muscadet Sevre et Maine

A
Muscadet Sevre et Maine is a highly regarded AOC in Nantais, Loire.
White dry wine from Melon Blanc grapes 
Subtle green fruit flavours
High acidity
Light body
Max alcohol permitted is 12% abv
Young wines
*All Muscadet wines are dry
*Recently fermenting in stainless stell or concrete is more common vs tradition of large old oak
39
Q

Describe how Muscadet (Sevre et Maine) Sur Lie is made

A

The wine is handled very little, to retain delicacy and freshness.
Spends the winter on its lees and is bottled in the spring following the vintage
*Lees contact gives the wines a richer texture.

40
Q

Where is Gamay mainly planted in the Loire?

In what style?

A

Touraine

Anjou

41
Q

Where can be Rosé de Loire produced?

A

Mainly Anjou-Saumur

Also Touraine

42
Q

How may Loire Rosés be vinified?

A

Direct Pressing

Short Maceration

43
Q

Which grapes are allowed for Rosé de Loire?

A

Must be 30% Caberenet Franc and/or Caberenet Sauv

44
Q

Which grapes are used for Rosé d’Anjou?

A
Predominantly Grolleau (a local high yielding black grape)
Blended with Cabernet Franc and other local varieties
45
Q

Which grapes are allowed for Cabernet d’Anjou?

A

A blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon

46
Q

Which of below wines is always dry?

a) Cabernet d’Anjou
b) Rose de Loire
c) Rose d’Anjou

A

Rose de Loire

Cabernet d’Anjou : always medium-sweet

Rose d’Anjou : less sweet