The Loire Valley

Question 1

What are the four sub-regions of the Loire Valley?

Answer 1

Central Vineyards, Tourain, Anjou-Saumur and the Nantais

Question 2

What are the two most prestigious appellations for Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 2

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Central Vineyards

Question 3

What are the SB wines like from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?

Answer 3

The wines tend to be high in acidity, hints of green apple and wet stones. Pouilly-Fumé have subtle smoky notes. These wines are not for ageing.

Question 4

Which villages/vineyards are known for particularly expressive wines?

Answer 4

Individual villages (Chavignol) and vineyards (Les Monts Damnés) both in Sancerre

Question 5

Which region also produces Sauvignon Blanc but at more moderate prices?

Answer 5

Menetou-Salon (West and Southwest of Sancerre)

Question 6

Which region produces the most Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley?

Answer 6

Touraine Region and white Touraine is made.

Labelled ‘Sauvignon de Touraine’

Question 7

Describe the style of ‘Sauvignon de Touraine’

Answer 7

Less concentrated and simple fruity style.

Question 8

What is the greatest wine variety of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur?

Answer 8

Chenin Blanc

Question 9

What are the characteristics of young Chenin Blanc wines?

Answer 9

• Flavours range from fresh apple to tropical fruit, depending on grape ripeness.
• Both dry and sweet wines can age for decades.
• With ageing, develop aromas of honey, toast and hay.
• Dry wines have a steely, smoky character
• Sweet wines apricot and citrus peel flavours of noble rot

Question 10

What is the style of wine in Vouvray?

Answer 10

• Still and sparkling Chenin Blanc
• Dry to lusciously sweet
• light to medium bodied
• fresh fruity and floral notes
• rarely fermented in oak

Question 11

What is the style of wine in Saumur?

Answer 11

Sparkling Chenin Blanc made with the traditional method

Question 12

What is the style of wine in Anjou?

Answer 12

Dry Chenin Blanc, often matured in oak

Question 13

What is the style of wine in Savennières?

Answer 13

• Produce full-bodied Chenin Blanc in a dry style
• Air circulation allows for late harvest without noble rot.
• Best wines evolve for decades

Question 14

What is the style of wine in Coteaux du Layon?

Answer 14

• renowned sweet wines
• Located in the valley of the River Layon where noble rot develops well.
• Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux are the most favoured sites.

Question 15

What is Melon Blanc also known as?

Answer 15

Muscadet or Melon de Bourgogne

Question 16

Which part of the Loire Valley is Muscadet grown?

Answer 16

Nantais

Question 17

What is the most desirable appellation for Muscadet?

What is the style of wine here?

Answer 17

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine

• Dry, medium alcohol (max permitted is 12%abv)
• Traditionally fermented in large old oak, but now stainless and concrete is more common
• High acidity, light body, subtle green fruit flavours,
• Drink young
• ‘Sur lee’ gives the wine a richer texture.

Question 18

Where is Cabernet Franc grown in the Loire Valley

Answer 18

Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Saumur and Saumur-Champigny

Question 19

What are the two styles of Cabernet Franc from the Touraine region?

Answer 19

• Sandy soils produce light fruity wines for early drinking
• South-facing slopes with limestone and clay produce fuller-bodied more tannic versions
• Wines can age in oak and the best wines can evolve in bottle for many years.

Question 20

What is the style of Cabernet Franc fromr the Saumur region?

Answer 20

Wines are lighter in body and tannin than Touraine appellation

• display juicy berry fruit and sometimes floral notes.
• drink young
• can be served chilled

Question 21

Where is rosé wine produced in the Loire Valley?

Answer 21

Anjou-Saumur, Touraine and Sancerre

Question 22

Where can Rosé de Loire be produced?

Answer 22

Anjou-Saumur and Touraine

Question 23

What is the style of Rosé de Loire?

Answer 23

Always dry and must have a minimum 30% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the blend.

Question 24

What is the style of Cabernet d’Anjou?

Answer 24

Highest quality rosé that is medium-sweet and made from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 25

What is the style of Rosé d’Anjou?

Answer 25

Less sweet and is made predominantly from Grolleau (local high yielding black grape variety), Cabernet Franc and other local varieties.

Question 26

What is the style of Sancerre Rosé?

Answer 26

must be made from Pinot Noir, pale in colour, light body and dry with delicate fruit flavours.