C18 - The Loire Valley /checked Flashcards
(92 cards)
1
Q
What are the 4 sub-regions of the Loire from West to East?
A
- Nantais
- Anjou-Saumur
- Touraine
- Central vineyards
2
Q
What is the regional generic AOC covering the whole of the Loire?
A
There isn’t one
There is a IGP - Val de Loire
3
Q
Describe Val de Loire wines
A
Straightforward wines with freshness, light body and simple fruit flavours
4
Q
What is the climate of the Loire? (2)
A
- Maritime in the Nantais
2. Cool Continental inland
5
Q
What’s the climate like in Anjou?
Why? (2)
A
Slightly warmer and drier than might be expected given their proximity to the ocean.
- Protected by Mauges hills
- Some vineyards are warmed by stony soils
6
Q
What’s the climate of Touraine?
Soils?
A
Wetter and cooler than Anjou
Clay soils
7
Q
Why is vintage important in Loire?
A
Weather varies wildly in the region
8
Q
What is a particular issue related to the weather in Loire?
A
FUNGAL DISEASE caused by high levels of rain
9
Q
Describe the best vineyards in the Loire (3)
A
- SOUTH FACING
- MID-SLOPE
- FACING RIVER for reflected light and heat
10
Q
What are the main grape varieties of the Loire? (5)
A
- Melon Blanc (Muscadet/Melon de Bourgogne)
- Chenin Blanc
- Grolleau
- Cabernet Franc
- Sauvignon Blanc
11
Q
Where in the Loire is Sauvignon Blanc mostly grown? (2)
A
- Central Vineyards
2. Touraine
12
Q
Which area of the Loire has the smallest production area?
A
Central Vineyards
13
Q
What 3 famous (Sauvignon Blanc) appellations are found within the Central Vineyards?
A
- Sancerre
- Pouilly-Fumé
- Menetou Salon
14
Q
What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé like?
3 characters
A
- Chalky
- Well-drained
- Stony
15
Q
What are the Sauvignon Blanc wines of Central Vineyards like? (3 characters)
sweetness, acidity, aroma/flavours
A
- Dry
- High acidity
- Hints of green apple and wet stone. Pouilly-Fumé: smoky notes
16
Q
Name a village and a vineyard in Sancerre, noted for particularly expressive wines
A
- Chavignol
- Les Monts Damnés
17
Q
How long can wines from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé be aged?
A
Generally they’re not designed to be
18
Q
How are fresh, fruity wines created in the Loire?
A
- Gentle pneumatic pressing
2. Temperature controlled, stainless steel vats
19
Q
How are certain Loire wines given a broader texture? (2)
A
- Wines are fermented and matured in OLD OAK VESSELS
2. Wines are kept on their LEES
20
Q
Does MLF take place in the Loire?
A
Dependent on vintage (cooler weather produces a greater need due to higher acidity)
21
Q
What is the grape used in Menetou-Salon?
A
Sauvignon Blanc
22
Q
What is the price point of Menetou-Salon compared to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?
A
More moderately priced than Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé
23
Q
Where does the majority of Sauvignon Blanc come from in the Loire?
A
Touraine
24
Q
What is the generic appellation covering Touraine?
A
Touraine
25
How do the generic wines of Touraine often appear?
Under a varietal label such as Sauvignon de Touraine
26
Describe Touraine (Sauvignon Blanc) wines (2)
- Often less concentration than more prestigious appellation
| - Made in a simple fruity style
27
Give a broad description of Chenin Blanc
acidity, aromatic
- High acid
| - Non-aromatic
28
Which grape is responsible for the greatest wines of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur?
Chenin Blanc
29
What is the key viticultural peculiarity with Chenin Blanc?
It is common for grapes to reach different levels of ripeness, even within one bunch
30
What can be the result if Chenin Blanc is not harvested carefully and unripe fruit is included?
aromas
Green, herbaceous aromas
31
How may the problem of varying ripeness in Chenin Blanc grapes be tackled?
By harvesting in SEVERAL PASSES to pick the grapes at a desired level of ripeness
32
What wine styles are Chenin Blanc grapes made into?
sweetness, still/sprakling
- Dry, sweet,
| - still or sparkling
33
What dictates the style into which Chenin is made?
The ripeness when it is picked
34
Barely ripe Chenin is used for what in Loire?
Sparkling wines
35
What has been the recent harvesting trend for Chenin Blanc in Loire?
To seek GREATER RIPENESS, even for dry wines
36
What has been the result of recent trends for riper Chenin in Loire?
Higher alcohol wines
37
Describe the flavour spectrum of young Chenin Blanc wines in the Loire
They vary from Green Fruit (fresh apple) to Tropical Fruit depending on grape ripeness
38
Describe the typical flavours that dry Chenin can show in the Loire
Steely, smoky character
39
Describe the flavours that sweet Chenin-based wines of the Loire can have
Apricot and citrus peel flavours of noble rot
40
Can dry/sweet Chenins age?
Yes, for decades
41
Describe aged Chenins in the Loire
body, aromas, acidity
- Richer and rounder
- Aromas of honey, toast and hay
- High acidity
42
Why are Chenins different from region to region?
Soil and climate both have an important influence on the character of Chenin
43
What are the styles of wine made in Vouvray?
sweetness, still/sprakling
- Dry to lusciously sweet
| - Sparkling and still
44
What dictates the style in which Vouvray is vinified?
The vintage (characters)
45
How do the clay soils and cool climate of Vouvray affect the wine?
body, flavours
Light body
| Fresh, fruity and floral flavours
46
What is the role of new oak in Vouvray?
It is rarely used
47
What is the climate and soil of Anjou and Saumur?
Cool climate and clay soils
48
How is Saumur renowned?
As a source of sparkling Chenin, made in the traditional method
49
How is Anjou best known?
For dry wines often matured in new oak
50
Which areas are just to the west part of Anjou-Saumur?
Savennières and Coteaux du Layon
51
What is the climate like in Savennières and Coteaux du Layon?
Warmer than Touraine
52
What is the effect that the warmer climate of Savennières and Coteaux du Layon has on its wines?
body, aroma
- Medium to full-bodied
| - Less floral
53
Describe wines of Savennières
grape, body, sweetness
- Full bodied Chenin
- Dry
- Can be complex and age worthy
54
Is noble rot used in Savennières? Explain
No
| The vineyards are well exposed, so circulation of air impedes the development of noble rot
55
Describe wines of Coteaux du Layon
Some of the most renowned SWEET WINES of the region
56
How is the Coteaux du Layon situated?
It's located in the sheltered valley of the river Layon to the south of the Loire
57
What is the viticultural effect of the sheltered valley of the river Layon?
It encourages NOBLE ROT to develop
58
What are the 2 most favoured sites/appellations of the Coteaux du Layon?
1. Bonnezeaux
| 2. Quarts de Chaume
59
What do Quarts du Chaumes and Bonnezeaux produce?
Among the world's greatest sweet wines
60
How else is Melon Blanc known?
- Muscadet
| - Melon de Bourgogne
61
What are Melon's key viticultural characteristics?
ripening, frost
Why is this beneficial in the Nantais?
It RIPENS EARLY and is FROST RESISTANT
It's suited to the cool climate
62
How are the wines of Nantais generally known?
As Muscadet
63
Which appellation of Nantais covers the widest area?
Muscadet AOC
64
Where does the greatest wine production of Nantais come from?
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC
65
Describe wines from Muscadet appellations
sweetness, alcohol, acidity, body, flavours
- Dry
- Medium alcohol
- High acidity
- Light body
- Subtle green fruit flavours
66
What is the MAXIMUM permitted alcohol for Muscadet wines?
12% abv
67
Describe maturation vessels of Muscadet
Traditionally in large, old oak vessels
| Now more commonly in stainless steel or concrete
68
How long may Muscadet wines be aged?
They should be drunk YOUNG
69
What is the speciality wine from the Nantais area?
Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie
70
When is 'Sur Lie' wine from Nantais bottled?
SPRING FOLLOWING HARVEST
71
How long does Sur Lie Muscadet spend on its Lees?
Winter
72
What is the effect of Muscadet being on its Lees?
body
It gives the wines a richer texture
73
How is Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie vinified to retain delicacy and freshness?
By being handled very little
74
Why is Cabernet Franc well suited to the Loire?
flowering, ripening
- FLOWERS EARLY
| - RIPENS EARLY
75
What dictates the style in which Cabernet Franc is vinified into in the Loire? (3)
1. Site climate
2. Soil
3. Winemaking techniques
76
What is the principal grape in Chinon?
Cabernet Franc
77
What is the principal grape in Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
Cabernet Franc
78
Describe how Cab Franc wines vary within Touraine
2 soil types, corresponding body
- Sandy soils: Light, fruity wines for early drinking
| - Limestone/clay soils (south facing slopes): Fuller bodied, more tannic
79
What is the approach to oak ageing in Touraine for Cab Franc?
Some producers age in oak
80
Can Touraine reds age?
The best can evolve in bottle over many years
81
Describe the RED wines of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny
body, tannin, flavour
- Lighter in body and tannin than those of Touraine
- Juicy berry fruit and floral notes
- Young drinking
- Can be served chilled
- Some producers making fuller-bodied, age worthy reds
82
What is the second most planted black variety in the Loire?
GAMAY
83
Where is Gamay mainly planted in the Loire? In what style?
Touraine and Anjou
Fruity, early drinking wines
84
What is the third red grape planted in the Loire?
Pinot Noir
85
Where is Pinot Noir grown in the Loire?
Central Vineyards
86
Why is Pinot Noir so rare in Loire?
The best sites are usually reserved for Sauvignon Blanc
87
Broadly speaking, what style is Pinot Noir made into in the Loire?
Light in style
88
Where is Rosé produced in the Loire? (3)
1. Anjou-Saumur (mainly)
2. Touraine
3. Sancerre
89
How must Rosé de Loire be blended?
It must be a minimum of 30% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon
90
Beyond Rosé de Loire, what are the 2 additional appellations within Anjou-Saumur which produce Rosé?
1. Cabernet d'Anjou ( sweet, blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon)
2. Rosé d'Anjou (less sweet, predominantly Grolleau)
91
Describe Sancerre Rose
grape, colour, body, sweetness, flavours
- Must be made from Pinot Noir
- Usually pale in colour and light in body
- Dry
- Delicate fruit flavours
92
How may Loire Rosés be vinified?
- Direct pressing or short maceration on the skins
| - Fermented in inert, temperature controlled vessels to retain fruit flavours
