Anjou-Saumur Flashcards
(75 cards)
Where is the north-south line marking the transition from the old darker rocks of the Massif Armoricain (Anjou noir) to the paler and younger Jurassic rocks of the Paris Bassin (Anjou blanc)?
Slightly west of Angers (Savennières for example is in Anjou noir territory)
Where are most vineyards planted in Anjou (with the exception of Savennières)?
Most vineyards in Anjou lie on the left (south) bank of the Loire, between the towns of Angers and Saumur.
How does Anjou-Saumur, generally speaking, stands out from the other large Loire regions in terms of rainfall and cumulative temperatures?
The area has the highest cumulative temperatures and lowest rainfall of all the growing regions of the Loire.
Relative proximity from the ocean in Anjou, especially for the most westerly vineyards, has given birth to a local term to refer to the mild and comfortable conditions experienced here. What is it?
La douceur angevine
Aside from the Loire, name the 2 most important rivers that contribute to the style of wine made here in Anjou, notably responsible for its sweet styles.
Layon & Aubance
(both tributaries of the Loire river)
What is the most important category of wine produced in Anjou-Saumur in terms of numbers?
Rosé. This makes the Loire the second highest rosé-producing region in the country, behind Provence.
Cabernet d’Anjou AOP:
1. Category
2. Style
3. Authorized varieties
- Rosé
- Off-dry to sweet (min. 10 g/L RS)
- Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc (any combination of single-varietal expression)
Rosé d’Anjou AOP:
1. Category
2. Style
3. Authorized varieties
- Rosé
- Generally off-dry (less sweet than Cabernet d’Anjou at min. 7 g/L RS)
- Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Côt, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis
How does Rosé de Loire AOP differs from Rosé d’Anjou AOP and Cabernet d’Anjou AOP?
It covers a wider production area spreading across the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions.
It can be made with the same range of grapes as both other rosé AOPs of Anjou.
The major difference lies in the sweetness levels. Rosé de Loire AOP wines are always dry with the AOP dictating the maximum residual sugar content at 3 g/L.
Is there a requirement to state the sweetness level of the wines from any of the 3 main rosé AOPs of the region?
No. Statement of sweetness is not required by the relevant AOPs.
What are the categories of wine produced in generic Anjou AOP?
Red (60%), white (30%) and sparkling (10%) wines (rosés having their own AOPs)
What is the main style of wine produced today using the simple Anjou AOP?
60% of the production is Anjou Rouge and is made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis, and Grolleau intended for consumption within a couple of years (wines labeled Anjou Gamay must be 100% from the variety).
What is happening as of late with the Anjou blanc AOP that makes it interesting to follow?
At the high-end, Anjou blanc is currently undergoing a renaissance, and consumers are increasingly seeking them out. One of the reasons for this is that several new, quality-focused producers have purchased vineyard land in appellations authorized for sweet wines only, such as Coteaux du Layon or Quarts de Chaume. Any dry white produced from these sites has the right only to the Anjou appellation, and the wines, made from 100% Chenin Blanc, are produced at yields well below the requirements for the generic appellation.
Grapes authorized for Anjou Blanc?
Anjou Blanc: at least 80% Chenin blanc, with the option to add Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc.
Minimal time spent on the lees before disgorgement for the bottle-fermented sparking wines of Anjou mousseux, whether white or rosé?
9 months on the lees
What are the styles of wines made in the Anjou-Villages AOP and the Anjou Brissac AOP?
Red wines made for red wines only from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Why does Anjou-Villages AOP exists? Why not just Anjou Rouge?
Anjou-Villages AOP recognizes the better sites within the Anjou AOC. These sites typically have the best exposure and are earliest to ripen with lower max. yields than Anjou rouge at 55 hl/ha (making a similar style as Anjou rouge in the end).
Anjou Brissac AOP is centered around which river and covers the same 120-hectare area as which sweet wine appellation?
L’Aubance
Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP
How do the reds from Anjou Brissac AOP differ from the rest of the region’s reds?
The wines of Anjou Brissac are subject to lower yields, at 50 hl/ha, and have more depth of flavor than most of the region’s reds.
Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP’s max. yields and min. sugar levels in the finished wine?
MAX 35 hl/ha
MIN 34 g/L RS
Coteaux du Layon AOP’s max. yields and min. sugar levels in the finished wine?
MAX 35 hl/ha
MIN 34 g/L RS
Difference between Coteaux du Layon AOP and Coteaux du Layon Villages AOP?
It covers 180 hectares within the wider Coteaux du Layon appellation closer to the Layon river and 6 villages can add their names to the basic appellation.
How do the requirements change for a village to add its name to the basic Coteaux du Layon Villages AOP?
To do so, yields must be slightly lower, at 30 hl/ha, and min. 51 g/L of residual sugar is required.
On which commune is Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Chaume located and why is it classified as Premier Cru?
Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Chaume is located within the commune of Rochefort-sur-Loire (across the river from Savennières) where Chenin Blanc achieves higher ripeness levels. These wines will likely be sweeter than the min. required RS level of 80 g/L, because the sugar level at harvest needs to be higher than that of the other two appellations.
