France - Loire

Question 1

How did the Loire first rise to prominence?

Answer 1

It’s long history of winemaking and trading is due to its ready access to the Atlantic, it being home of the French King’s until Louis XIV and, before the railways were established, its proximity to Paris allowing wine to be transported by river.

Question 2

Describe the general topography of the region.

Answer 2

The Loire is France’s longest river and offers a wide array of distinct regions, starting with Sancerre 400km away from the Atlantic, running downstream through Touraine and Anjou-Saumur before reaching the Atlantic in the Pays Nantais resulting in many different climatic zones and different varieties suitable for each region.

Question 3

How different are the seasons between Pays Nantais and Sancerre?

Answer 3

For example, spring arrives two weeks earlier than in Sancerre.

Question 4

What are the key varieties of the region?

Answer 4

Melon in Pays Nantais, Chenin and Cab Franc in the middle Loire: Anjou-Saumur and Touraine (though Touraine also grows Sauvignon Blanc), and Sauvignon Blanc (and to a lesser extent Pinot Noir) in the Central Vineyards.

Question 5

What is the breakdown of plantings of the Pays Nantais’ top varieties?

Answer 5

62% Melon/de Bourgogne/Muscadet
8% Chardonnay
5% Gamay
4% Folle Blanche
3% Cab Franc

Question 6

What is the breakdown, as a percentage, of total Loire hectares planted?

Answer 6

Anjou-Saumur 37%
Touraine 31%
Pays Nantais 22%
Central Vineyards 10%

Question 7

What is the other noteworthy variety grown in the Pays Nantais? What is it profile and where is it consumed?

Answer 7

Folle Blanche (known locally as Gros Plant).
Very acidic wines sold locally and nationally.

Question 8

What is the climate in the Pays Nantais?

Answer 8

Cool maritime, with cool springs, warm and humid summers and the threat of rain at any time throughout the growing season, but especially in March/April affecting flowering, and September affecting harvest.

Question 9

What is the key way of mitigating rainfall in the Pays Nantais?

Answer 9

Well drained soils.

Question 10

What is the key climatic risk in the Pays Nantais? When is there a key example of this?

Answer 10

Spring frosts, even despite the proximity to the Atlantic. The region was seriously set back in 1991, leading to the loss of a booming export market to the UK. Frosts have also posed a significant threat in recent years.

Question 11

How do growers mitigate the risk of frost in the Pays Nantais?

Answer 11

Wind machines have gained popularity recently, as well as heaters and burning straw bales.

Question 12

What are the key varieties in the middle Loire?

Answer 12

Chenin Blanc for dry, off-dry and sweet wines, and Cabernet Franc for red and a contributor to rosé.
Sauvignon is a key variety in Touraine.

Question 13

What is the breakdown of the top five varieties and ‘others’ in Anjou-Saumur?

Answer 13

Cab Franc 42%
Chenin 24%
Grolleau Noir 7.5%
Cabernet Sauvignon 5%
Chardonnay <5%
Others 17.5%

Question 14

What is the breakdown of the top 6 varieties in Touraine?

Answer 14

Cab Franc 32%
Chenin 21%
Sauvignon Blanc 21%
Gamay 10%
Gamay 3%
Chardonnay 2.5%

Question 15

How many AOCs make up the Central Vineyards, and how did it get its name?

Answer 15

8.
They’re situated roughly halfway between the rivers source and the mouth, although the farthest east of the Loire vineyard area.

Question 16

Which AOCs in the Central Vineyards have the most hectares under vine? What is their climate?

Answer 16

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume.
Continental.

Question 17

What is the breakdown of top varieties planted in the Central Vineyards?

Answer 17

70% Sauvignon Blanc
20% Pinot Noir
2.5% Gamay