Describe the path of the Loire River and its significance with regard to vineyard aspect
- The source is in central France from which it flows north until Orléans where it turns west.
- Whilst it flows north, the vineyards flank the east & west sides and whilst it flows west, the vineyards fland the north & south sides.
How does the Loire River impact temperatures?
- As all significant bodies of water do, the river helps to warm the vineyards that flank it.
- Temperatures near the river itself average 2-4 degrees warmer on any given day.
What are the main sub-divisions of the Loire Valley? What are the vineyards called here? What are the climates like
1) Lower Loire
- Pays Nantais (maritime)
2) Middle Loire
- Anjou, Saumur (both maritime with continental influences) & Touraine (continental with maritime influences)
3) Centre and Upper Loire (continental)
What percentage of Loire Valley wine is AOC?
75%
Describe the climate of the Lower Loire and what moderates temperatures.
- Maritime
- Moderated by the Gulf Stream and the river effects of the Loire and its tributaries
- Most annual sunshine in the Loire
Describe the seasons in the Lower Loire
Springs - Cool, damp and often cloudy. Sunshine hours build towrds summer.
Summers - Warm and mild with lots of sunshine. High humidity can cause disease pressure.
Autumns - Warm and mild with occasional thunderstorms which can be detrimental to harvests.
Winters - Cold and damp with little snowfall. Threats of frosts and ice storms.
Is chaptalization allowed in the Loire Valley?
Yes but it is only done when absolutely neccesary in order to maintain alcohol levels.
Describe the climate of Anjou and Saumur
- Maritime with continental influences
- Temps are slightly colder in winter and slightly warmer in summer than the Lower Loire.
Describe the climate of Touraine
- Continental with maritime influences
- Maritime influences dissipate the further east you go
Describe the climate of the Centre and Upper Loire
- Continental climate
- Largest diurnal and seasonal temperature swings of all the 4 sub-regions.
- Harsh climate does not support the diversity of vines found in the Middle Loire
Describe the seasons in the Centre and Upper Loire
Winter:
- Cold and prone to ice/frost
Spring:
- Short and highly variable.
Summer:
- Hot and sunny, off-setting the short spring
Autumn:
- Temperate and mild through harvest but with some humidity and fog.
Why are the humid conditions of the Centre/Upper Loire not a problem for Sauvignon Blanc?
Because the grape is hardy and resistant to fungal diseases.
Describe the soils of the Lower Loire
- Gneiss (porous) dominates the top soils
- Crystalline igneous rocks are the sub-soils (volcanic with high mineral content)
Describe the soils of Anjou & Samur
Anjou
- Dark schist and tuffeau (white chalk)
Saumur
- Tuffeau (calcium rich chalk is great for high acid sparkling wine)
What soils are the sweet wine appellations of Anjou based upon?
Schist
Describe the soils of the following areas within Touraine
Hillsides Near rivers Vouvray & Montlouis Chinon Bourgueil
Hillsides: Tuffeau
Near rivers: perruche (flint & clay) and aubuis (limestone & clay)
Vouvray, Montlouis and Amboise: Tuffeau
Chinon: Chalky (whites)/sandy (reds)/gravely (reds)soils
Bourgueil: Sandy gravels, chalk pebbles & tuffeau.
Describe the 3 main soil types of the Centre Loire and what base they rest upon
- Terres Blanche (marl rich in oyster fossils)
- Caillottes (little limestone pebbles)
- Silex (flint)
They rest upon a base of Kimmeridgean limestone
What effect does growing on soils of terres blanche, caillottes & silex have on the wines?
Terre blanche: vibrant acidity
Caillottes: less structured
Silex: vibrant acidity and smoky finish
Describe the soils of the Upper Loire
- Limestone
- Granite
What are the main tributaries of the Loire and where are they located?
Loir - join the Loire around the town of Angers in Anjou-Saumur
Layon - West of Saumur
Cher - In the Centre Loire joining from the south
Sévre & Maine - Both in the Lower Loire east of Nantes
Name the prominent wine cities along the river from east to west
Orléans, Blois, Amboise, Tours, Chinon, Saumur, Angers & Nantes
What was the impact of the Dutch on the Loire Valley?
- The Dutch were key players in the wine industry in the 17th century
- The Loire became a key supplier to them
- The Dutch influenced the French vignerons to plant more white varieties so they could produce their newly created brandewijn (burnt wine) which was distilled from Muscadet and Folle Blanche.
What are the synonyms of the following grapes:
- Muscadet
- Folle Blanche
- Chenin Blanc
- Pinot Gris
- Cabernet Franc
- Pinot Meunier
- Malbec
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne)
- Folle Blanche (Gros Plant)
- Chenin Blanc (Pineau de la Loire, Gros Pineau)
- Pinot Gris (Malvoisie)
- Cabernet Franc (Breton)
- Pinot Meunier (Gris Meunier)
- Malbec (Côt)
- Chardonnay (Auvernat Blanc)
- Pinot Noir (Auvernat Noir)
- Sauvignon Blanc (Blanc Fumé)
What are the main white grapes of the Lower Loire?
- Muscadet
- Folle Blanche
- Pinot Gris
