Loire Flashcards
(160 cards)
1
Q
What region is known as the Jardin de la France?
A
The Loire
2
Q
When does winemaking in the Loire date to?
A
1st centurty CE
3
Q
Which events took the spotlight away from the Loire in the high and Middle Ages?
A
King Louis XIV’s coronation at Reims and his development of Versailles
4
Q
When did phylloxera hit the Loire?
A
1880
5
Q
What region produces the most white wine in France?
A
The Loire and it is second to champagne in sparkling wine production
6
Q
What are the classic white varietals of the Loire?
A
Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne
A host of secondary white regional and in- ternational grapes can be found throughout the valley, including Chardonnay, Orbois (Arbois/Menu Pineau), Romorantin, Gros Plant (Folle Blanche), and Chasselas.
7
Q
What is Breton
A
A name for Cab Franc in the Loire Valley
8
Q
What is the most important red varietal in the Loire?
A
Cabernet Franc
Followed by Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (Côt), Pineau d’Aunis, and Groslot (Grolleau)
9
Q
What is Pays Nantais climate like?
A
A cool, wet maritime region planted primarily to the Melon de Bourgogne grape. This is Muscadet country
10
Q
What are the 4 Muscadet appellations in Pays Nantais?
A
Muscadet AOP
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP.
11
Q
What ABV does Muscadet generally show best at?
A
12% ABV or below
12
Q
Muscadet AOP is the basic appellation for Melon de Bourgogne, what are the characteristics of their wine?
A
The wines are neutral, bone dry to dry, high in acid, and designed for youthful consumption
The appellation is seldom used, as most producers qualify for one of the other three sub-appellations.
13
Q
Which Pays Nantais region accounts for over 80% of Muscadet production?
A
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine
14
Q
How many Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine communes can grapes be sourced from?
A
23 communes around the Sèvre and Maine Rivers
15
Q
What are the typical soil types found in Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine?
A
Gneiss, silica, clay, and granite
16
Q
In order for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine muscadet to be labeled Sur Lie, what are the requirements?
A
In order to label Muscadet as sur lie, the wine must originate from land qualifying for one of the three sub-appellations. Sur lie wines are aged on their lees over the winter and are bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest. The process adds complexity, richness, and a slight sparkle to the finished wines.
Nearly 50% of Sèvre-et-Maine muscadets are labeled Sur Lie.
17
Q
What is the newest Muscadet AOP, when was it created?
A
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
1994
18
Q
Where is Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP located in relation to Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine? What are the differences in character between the two?
A
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP is further north, and the wines are correspondingly leaner. In warmer vintages, the area is an excellent source for grapes.
19
Q
In Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, what does Hermine d’Or, represent?
A
“Hermine d’Or,” is an unofficial label term that promotes terroir and stresses ageability
20
Q
What are the three subzones for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine?
A
The three subzones for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine are
Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges
21
Q
What are the minimum sur lie aging requirements for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine three sub zones?
Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges
A
18 months
22
Q
Which region is the Loire’s largest?
A
Anjou
23
Q
Which is the center for the Loire’s sparkling wine production?
A
Saumur
24
Q
What is Pineau de la Loire?
A
Another name for Chenin in the Loire
25
Is Anjou's Chenin produced in sweet or dry styles?
Both Sweet and Dry styles are produced
26
45% of Anjou's total production is reserved for which type of wine? What is the dominate variety?
Rose
The blend is dominated by Grolleau grapes
27
Nearly 1/3 of Anjou's plantings are which varietal?
Cab Franc
28
Anjou AOP, an umbrella designation for the region is a designation for which types of wines?
Anjou AOP, a designation for red, white, and sparkling wines,
29
Can Saumur wines be bottles as Anjou AOP?
Yes, but Anjou wines cannot be bottles as Saumur AOP.
30
What are descriptors for Savennières AOP? Which grape(s) is it produced from?
100% Chenin
Savennières AOP develop great complexity and honeyed richness with age. Produced from 100% Chenin Blanc and generally dry, the wines of Savennières are austere and rigid in their youth.
31
Where is Savennieres AOP situated? What are its soil types?
Savennières is situated on the north bank of the Loire. Savennières enjoys a steep southern exposure and a unique soil structure com- posed of blueschist mixed with volcanic debris.
32
Which two sub-appellations were long regarded as the unofficial grand crus of Savennières and in 2011 received their AOC status?
Roche Aux Moines and Coulée de Serrant
33
Coulée de Serrant is a monopole of which producer?
The rigidly biodynamic Nicolas Joly
34
Coteaux du Layon AOP and Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP produce from Chenin in which style?
Botrytis affected Chenin for sweet wine.
35
What does it mean to harvest in tries?
Harvesting in tries (multiple passes through the vineyard) is mandatory in both appellations ( Coteaux du Layon AOP and Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP), resulting in either healthy grapes with pure late-harvest flavors or the selection of grapes gripped by noble rot.
36
What is the minimum sugar content for Coteaux du Layon AOP and Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP ?
34 grams/liters
37
Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts de Chaume AOP are located within which AOP?
Coteaux de Layon AOP
38
What commune is Bonnezeaux AOP located in?
Thouarcé
39
What commune is Quarts de Chaume AOP located in?
Rochefort-sur-Loire
40
Quarts de Chaume AOP is entitled to the grand cru moniker from which harvest forward?
2010
41
Quarts de Chaume AOP is located on the banks of which river? What soil types are prominent?
Layon river
The soil types are sandstone and schist
42
How many hectares is Quarts de Chaume AOP?
45 Hectares total, producing approximately 10,000 cases a year
43
Name two Quarts de Chaume AOP producers that are reliable for good sweet wine.
Domaine des Baumard and Château Pierre-Bise are both highly regarded Savennieres produces but also produce great sweet wine from the Quarts de Chaume region
44
What is one of the most respected estates in Bonnezeaux?
Château des Fesles
45
What are the seven villages that are entitles to add their names to the basic Coteaux du Layon AOP?
```
1. Beaulieu-sur-
Layon
2. Rochefort-sur-Loire
3. Faye d’Anjou
4. St. Lambert du
Lattay
5. St. Aubin de Luigné
6. Rablay-sur-Layon
7. Chaume
```
46
What is the minimal sugar content in Chaume dessert wines?
80 grams/liter
47
Does Anjou-Villages AOP produce red or white wine?
Anjou-Villages AOP is a red wine only appellation.
Anjou-Villages producers typically bolster Cabernet Franc with a proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, resulting in sturdier and fuller wines.
48
What does the Saumur AOP cover?
The Saumur AOP covers red, dry white, sparkling white, and sparkling rosé wines.
49
Prior to 2016, Saumur Blanc permitted the addition of which varietals?
Prior to 2016, Saumur Blanc permitted the addition of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, but now requires 100% Chenin Blanc.
50
Since what year does Saumur Blanc require 100% Chenin?
2016
51
Saumur Rouge wines allow for which varietals?
Saumur Rouge wines allow Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pineau d’Aunis
52
Are still rose wines permitted in Saumur?
No, still rose wines are not, although still sparkling are.
53
Crémant de Loire AOP allows blending across which regions? What style is this make in?
Touraine and Anjou-Saumur.
Traditional method.
54
What is tuffeau?
A soft limestone found in Saumur and Tourraine
55
What varietal is produced by Saumur-Champigny?
Cabernet Franc
It's a a light, bright, and elegantly floral expression of Cabernet Franc.
56
Tthe “field of fire” near the commune of Champigny has which type of soil?
A harder limestone that is, iron-rich, and inflected with shale
57
Which two regions in the Loire produce attractive, expressive reds?
Chinon and Bourgueil in Touraine
Chinon AOP
Bourgueil AOP
Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP
These three AOPs set the standard for classic Loire Cabernet Franc
Brimming with raspberry and green tobacco aromatics and framed by silky tannin, the wines demonstrate remarkable terroir distinctions—especially in Chinon.
58
Chinon soils are broadly divided into three types, what are they?
tuffeau, clay, and varennes.
The sandy, alluvial varennes soils are closest to the river Vienne—a Loire tributary—whereas tuffeau is more common on the slopes. The vins de tuffe originating from these limestone south-facing slopes carry the most promise for depth and ageworthiness.
59
What Loire tributary is Chinon located on?
The Vienne River
60
What are the soil characteristics of Bourgueil?
Like Chinon, Bourgueil soils are divided between sand and limestone, but Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil is situated almost wholly on lighter alluvial soils, with a cor- responding lighter style of wine.
61
What types of wine are produced in the below AOPs? What are the varietals?
Chinon AOP
Bourgueil AOP
Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP
Reds must be majority Cab Franc in the final wines.
Chinon AOP - produces red (cab franc) and white (Chenin)
Bourgueil AOP - red and rose
Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP - red and rose
62
Chinon and Bourgueil are located in which region?
Touraine
63
What is Touraine’s largest and most impor-
| tant white wine district?
Vouvray
64
What is the subsoil of Vouvray
Tuffeau
The tuffeau limestone subsoil of
Vouvray provided soft material for excavation, resulting
in an impressive network of cellar tunnels running un-
derneath the eight delimited communes of Vouvray.
65
What grapes are permitted in Vouvray
Chenin Blanc
Orbois is allowed but seldom encountered.
66
What sweetness levels are is Vouvray produced in?
```
sec
sec-tendre (off-dry)
demi-sec (half dry)
moelleux
liquereux
```
The final decision on residual sugar is usually a response to the vagaries of each vintage, not a consistent stylistic choice.
67
Can Vouvray producers wame sparkling wine?
Yes.
Vouvray producers may choose to make a sparkling
wine, a successful strategy in cooler years. The sparkling
wines are made by méthode traditionnelle and may be
either pétillant or mousseux.
68
Montlouis-sur-
| Loire AOP are very similar to which other Loire region?
Vouvray. Montois-sur-Loire AOPused to be part of Vouvray AOP.
Unlike Vouvray, Orbois is not permitted in Montlouis-sur- Loire.
69
What is the dominate white wine in Touraine?
Chenin Blanc
70
What reds dominate Touraine?
Below are the dominate reds in Touraine, but Touraine is not limited to these.
Gamay
Groslot
Pineau d’Aunis
Cabernet Franc
71
What type of wine does Touraine Noble-Joué AOP produce?
Rose
Blended from:
Gris Meunier (Pinot Meu- nier)
Malvoisie (Pinot Gris)
Pinot Noir.
72
The Coteaux du Loir AOP lands on which tributary?
The Loir (no "e") tributary
73
What type of wine does the Coteaux du Loir AOP produce?
Red blends and rosés are based on Pineau d’Aunis
White wines are exclusively produced from Chenin Blanc
74
What is the Jasnières AOP subappellation of Coteaux du Loire AOP known for producing.
High quality Chenin
Similar in style to Vouvray, yet often more green and herbaceous in character
75
Northeast of the
| Coteaux du Loir is Coteaux du Vendômois AOP, a newer appellation specializing in which type od wine?
dry rosé of Pineau d’Aunis.
76
Cheverny AOP and Cour-Cheverny AOP are on the eastern edge of Touraine. Cheverny’s light reds are based on which two red grapes? Their whites?
Reds based on Pinot Noir and Gamay
Whites based on Sauvignon Blanc
77
Cour-Cheverny AOP bottles which local grape varietal as Cour-Cheverny?
Romorantin
78
The Valençay AOP covers by with wine and what other product?
What wine varietals does it produce from?
Goat cheese
Reflecting the proximity of Reuilly and Quincy to the east, Valençay's whites are predominantly composed of Sauvignon Blanc. Red and rosé wines from the ap- pellation are based on Gamay, Pinot Noir, and Côt (Malbec).
79
What is another name for Côt?
Malbec
80
Describe the classic Loire Sauvignon Blanc style
classic Loire style: steely, pungently herbaceous, mineral-laden Sauvignon Blanc made for youthful drinking. Vibrant but not lean, the best exam-
ples have subtle complexity and a focused, lengthy finish
81
In Sancerre, what are the three main soil types?
Silex
Terres blanches
Caillottes
Terres blanches is a continuation of the same Kim- meridgian clay that extends into Chablis, whereas caillottes is a stony soil, littered with fossils. Silex
has a higher proportion of flint, continuing into the communes of Pouilly-Fumé across the river, where a certain “gunflint” character is implied in the wines.
82
Sancerre AOP and Pouilly-Fumé AOP are produced in stainless steel or oak?
Whereas classic Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines are produced in stainless steel, Didier Dagueneau and others have experimented with new oak. The resulting wines can be more akin to white Bordeaux than classic Loire Sauvignon Blanc
83
Can Pouilly-Fumé AOP produce red wines?
No, only white. 100% Sauvignon Blanc
84
Can Sacerre AOP produce red wines?
Yes, Pinot Noir may be vinified as Sancerre Rouge or Rosé. These tend toward extreme lightness, and generally have less body and higher acid than even Côte Chalonnaise Pinot Noirs.
85
The Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP, named after the central commune of Pouilly- Fumé, is reserved for whites produced from which grape?
The Chasselas grape.
86
The Quincy AOP is notable for?
Quincy, a white
| wine-only AOP, is notable for being the second demarcated appellation in France, following only Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
87
Reuilly AOP produces red and whites from which varietals?
100% Pinot Noir and 100% Sauvignon Blanc, respectively
88
Which appellation is Didier Dageaneau located in?
Pouilly Fume
89
Can Sancerre AOP produce sparkling wine?
No
90
Which grape is used to produce Savennières AOP?
Chenin Blanc
91
Can Vouvray produce sparkling wine?
Yes
92
Extended lees contact is most commonly used in the Loire with which grape variety?
Melone de Bourgogne
93
In which region is the Muscadet AOP located?
Pays Nantais
94
True or False: The Loire Valley produces the most AOP white wine in France
True
95
Which grape is used to produce Muscadet AOP?
Melone de Bourgogne
96
Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire are separated by which river?
The Loire
97
The 3 geographical designations of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine are:
Gorges
Clisson
Le Pallet
98
What is "pourriture noble?"
A French snyonym for botrytis cinera
99
What is the grape of Jasnières AOP?
Chenin Blanc
100
What is the only permitted grape of Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP?
Chenin Blanc
101
In which appellation is Francois Chidaine located?
Montlouis-sur-Loire
102
True or False: Vouvray may only be produced from 100% Chenin Blanc
False. Orbois is also permitted.
103
Which region is the Quincy AOP located in?
The Central Vineyards
104
What is the red grape of Reuilly AOP?
Pinot Noir
105
What is the synonym in Pays Nantais for Gros Plant?
Folle Blanche
106
In which direction does Touraine Noble-Joué AOP lie from the Loire River?
South
Both the Cher and Indre Rivers run through the region
107
```
Which of the following contains the most residual sugar by law?
A. Sec
B. Moulleux
C. Demi-Sec
D. Quarts de Chaume
```
D. Quarts de Chaume
Minimum Residual Sugar: 85 g/l
108
Which region is Coteaux d'Ancenis located in?
Pays Nantais
109
Which region is Coteaux de l'Aubance located in?
Anjou-Saumur
110
Which region is Jasnières located in?
Touraine
111
Which region is Quincy located in?
Central Vineyards
White wine only region: Sauvignon Blanc, plus a max. 10% Sauvignon Gris
112
The minimum amount of Cabernet Franc required in Saumur-Champigny is?
85%
Principal Variety: Cabernet Franc
Accessory Varieties: Max. 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d'Aunis
113
```
How would Vouvray with 35 g/l of residual sugar be labeled?
A. Sec
B. Sec-Tendre
C. Moulleux
D. Doux
```
C. Moulleux
Sec (less than 4 grams per liter)
Demi-Sec "off dry" (4 to 12 grams per liter)
Moelleux (12 to 45 grams per liter)
Doux or Liquoreux (45 grams per liter) of residual sugar.
114
Breton is a synonym for which grape?
Cab Franc
115
What are the three primary soils of Sancerre?
Caillottes
Terres Blanche
Silex
116
Which are the parent grapes of Melon de Bourgogne?
Gouais Blanc X Pinot Blanc
117
```
Phillippe Foreau produces wine at which of the following estates?
A. Clos la Néore
B. Clos de Beaujeu
C. Clos Naudin
D. Clos du Bourg
```
C. Clos Naudin
118
What is the sole permitted style in Anjou-Villages Brissac AOP?
Red
Based off of Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon
119
What is the minimum ABV % for Vouvray still wines?
11% - Still
| 9.5% mousseux / Pétillant
120
What is the primary grape used to produce Coteaux du Loir Vin Gris?
Pineau d'Aunis
121
Domaine Huet produces "Cuvee _____ ," a botrytised, hand-picked dessert wine from 3 estate vineyards.
Constance
122
In what year did Fiefs Vendéens became an AOP?
2011
With the elimination of the VDQS tier in 2011, three new regions in Pays Nantais gained AOC status: Gros Plant du Pays Nantais, Coteaux d'Ancenis, and Fiefs Vendéens.
123
Le Mont and Clos de Bourg are Vouvray vineyards owned by which producer?
Huet
124
Who is the producer of “Clos du Papillon” (Savennieres)?
Domaine du Closel (correct answer according to guildsomm)
| Domaine des Baumard
125
Which region is the Quincy AOP located in?
Central Vineyards - it’s a white wine only AOP - Sauvignon Blanc
126
What is the red grape of Menetou-Salon?
Pinot Noir
127
What is the maximum residual sugar in grams per liter of Vouvray sec?
8g/l
128
The Malvoisie grape is generally found in which Pays Nantais AOP?
Coteaux d’Ancenis
129
Pouilly-sur-Loire produces from which grape?
Chasselas (though it does better in Switzerland)
130
Cour-Cheverny AOP produces wine from which grape?
Romoratin
131
Silex is a soil in Sancerre composed of sand and ....
Flint
132
What is the IGP of the Loire Valley?
Val de Loire IGP
133
What is the grape of Quincy AOP?
Sauvignon Blanc
134
What is the red grape of Menetou Salon?
Pinot Noir
| The white grape is Sauvignon Blanc
135
What is the grape of Jasnieres AOP?
Chenin Blanc
136
Where is Chanturques located?
Côtes d'Auvergne AOP of Central Loire
137
Domaine Huet produces "Cuvee _____ ," a botrytised, hand-picked dessert wine from 3 estate vineyards.
Constance
138
Sacy in St-Pourçain is also known as...
Tresallier
139
Asteroide is produced by who?
Didier Dagueneau
140
Cuvée Granit is produced by who?
Guy Bossard
141
Clos la Neore is produced by?
Edmond Vatan
142
In what year did Fiefs Vendéens became an AOP?
2011
Fiefs Vendéens is located in Pays Nantais
143
```
Vix is a geographical designation of which AOP?
A. Coteaux du Layon
B. Côtes d'Auvergne
C. Fiefs Vendéens
D. Touraine
```
C. Fiefs Vendéens
144
What is the sole permitted style in Anjou-Villages Brissac AOP?
Red
145
What is the minimum ABV for Vouvray still wines?
11% ABV
146
Sacy in St-Pourçain is also known as _____.
Tressalier
147
Malvoisie is a synonym for...?
Pinot Gris
148
The Quincy AOP lies along which river?
The Cher River
There Quincy produces white wines from Sauvignon Blanc (max 10% Sauvignon Gris is permitted)
149
What is the minimum vine age in Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP?
6 Years
150
The owners of Domaine _____ also possess the Kiralyudvar estate in Hungary.
Domaine Huet
151
Where is Chanturques located?
In the Côtes d'Auvergne.
It produces red wines only from min 50% Gamay with Pinot Noir as a blending partner
152
What is the maximum yield in hl/ha of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Clisson?
45 hl/ha
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine max yield in hL/ha is 55 hl/ha, however when there’s a subzone designation, such as Clisson, Gorges or Le Pallot, the designation drops to 45hl/ha
153
What is the soil type of St. Nicolas de Bourgeuil?
Alluvial
154
What is the primary grape used to produce Coteaux du Loir Vin Gris?
Pineau d'Aunis (min 65% of this grape, Cot, Gamay and Grolleau can be added as well for vin gris)
For reds, Pineau d’Aunis is the principal grape again at 65% and the blending partners are Cab Franc, Cot and Gamay
Pineau d’Aunis produces both the reds and roses of the Coteaux du Loir and the Jasnieres AOP produces the varietal Chenin Blancs of the region
155
What AOP does the Pascal Jolivet estate produce wine in?
Sancerre
156
Touraine Noble-Joué AOP exclusively produces which kind of wine?
Dry rose from a min of 40% Pinot Meunier with additions allowed from Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
157
In which appellation does the Moulin-Touchais estate produce wine?
Coteaux du Layon
158
What AOP contains "Les Monts Damnés?"
Sancerre
159
Which geographic designation of Touraine is based entirely on Sauvignon Blanc?
Oisly
160
In what year did Fiefs Vendéens became an AOP?
2011
In 2011 the elimination of the VDQS brought about three new regions: Gros Plant du Pays Nantais, Coteaux d’Ancenis, and Fiefs Vendeens
