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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) > Loire Valley > Flashcards

Loire Valley Flashcards

Learn the local geography, topography, and climate, along with major grapes and vinification methods for this iconic region.

1
Q

Where does the Loire River originate, and what does it empty into?

A

Origin: Massif Central

Empties into: Atlantic Ocean

ICYMI: the Massif Central is an area in south-central France consisting of mountains and high-elevation plateaus.

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2
Q

TRUE or FALSE:

The Loire Valley has the same climate, soil, and grape varietals from end to end.

A

False

The Loire Valley is incredibly diverse, from soil to climate to grapes to styles.

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3
Q

What are the 4 regions of the Loire Valley from west to east?

A
  1. Pays Nantais
  2. Anjou-Saumur
  3. Touraine
  4. Central Vineyards
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4
Q

Pays Nantais is located:

  • just north of Paris
  • on the Atlantic Coast
  • on the Pacific Coast
A

On the Atlantic Coast

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5
Q

What is the climate of Pays Nantais?

A

Cool, wet maritime (because it’s on the Atlantic Coast)

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6
Q

What are the soils of Pays Nantais?

A

Gravel + sand over schist + granite

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7
Q

What is the white grape of Pays Nantais?

A

Melon de Bourgogne

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8
Q

What style of wine does Melon de Bourgogne make in Pays Nantais?

A

Still, dry white wines

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9
Q

What are the 2 most important Muscadet appellations in Pays Nantais?

A
  1. Muscadet
  2. Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP
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10
Q

What winemaking technique do winemakers use for Muscadet and Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine?

Why?

A

Lees aging

In the cool, wet maritime climate Melon de Bourgogne grapes struggle to ripen; aging wines sur lie adds complexity, richness, and flavor to an otherwise thin, mild wine.

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11
Q

Anjou-Saumur is located to the:

  • east
  • west

of Pays Nantais?

A

East

Remember: Pays Nantais is furthest west on the Atlantic coast.

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12
Q

What is the climate of Anjou-Saumur?

A

Maritime/continental and humid

More maritime in western part, becomes more continental in eastern part (as you move inland).

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13
Q

What are the white and red grapes of Anjou-Saumur?

A

White: Chenin Blanc

Red: Cabernet Franc

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14
Q

What are some traits to know about Chenin Blanc from Anjou-Saumur?

A
  • prone to oxidation (develops nutty flavors)
  • always has Med+ to High acidity
  • versatile with foods due to its acidity
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15
Q

What are some traits to know about Cabernet Franc from Anjou-Saumur?

A
  • medium body
  • bright, underripe red fruit
  • green bell pepper notes
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16
Q

Name 5 AOPs of Anjou-Saumur.

A
  1. Anjou-Villages AOP (dry red wine ONLY)
  2. Saumur AOP (red, white, sparkling)
  3. Savennières AOP (dry white wine ONLY)
  4. Bonnezeaux AOP (sweet white wine ONLY)
  5. Quarts-de-Chaume AOP (sweet white wine ONLY)
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17
Q

What is the one style of wine allowed to be made in Anjou-VIllages AOP?

A

Still, dry, red wine ONLY made from Cab Franc

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18
Q

What are the styles of wine allowed to be made in Saumur AOP?

A
  • White
  • Red
  • Sparkling - and lots of it!
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19
Q

What is the main grape that goes into Saumur AOP sparkling wines?

A

Chenin Blanc

20
Q

What is the one style of wine allowed to be made in Savennières AOP?

A

Dry, still white wines ONLY made from Chenin Blanc.

21
Q

On what side of the Loire River is Savennières AOP located and what is that significance?

A

Savennières AOP is located on the north side of the Loire River which means its vineyards face south, capturing loads of sunlight.

22
Q

Are the vineyards of Savennières AOP on flat land or steep hills?

A

Steep hills

These steep, southern-facing hills help mature the grapes due to their aspect towards the sun.

23
Q

What are the 2 sweet wine AOPs located south of the Loire River?

A
  1. Bonnezeaux AOP
  2. Quarts-de-Chaume AOP
24
Q

Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP are actually located on the banks of which river (which flows south of the Loire River)?

A

Layon River

25
Q

What makes the wines sweet in Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?

A

Botrytis, aka noble rot

26
Q

Why is botrytis prevalent in Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?

A

Both AOPs are humid due to moisture generated by and their proximity to the Loire and Layon Rivers.

27
Q

Touraine is located:

  • east
  • west

of Anjou-Saumur?

A

East

Or, further inland

28
Q

What is the climate of Touraine?

A

Continental

29
Q

What are the soils of Touraine?

A

Tuffeau (soft limestone)

30
Q

What are tuffeau soils made of?

A

Soft limestone

31
Q

What are the grapes of Touraine?

A

White: Chenin Blanc

Red: Cabernet Franc

32
Q

Name 3 AOPs of Touraine.

A
  1. Chinon AOP (dry red wines)
  2. Bourgueil AOP (dry red wines)
  3. Vouvray AOP (all styles made from Chenin Blanc)
33
Q

What are the similarities and differences between Chinon AOP and Bourgueil AOP?

A

Similarities

  • both made from Cab Franc
  • both made in dry, still style

Difference

  • Chinon on SOUTH side of Loire River
  • Bourgueil on NORTH side of Loire River
34
Q

Vouvray is located on the _____ side of the Loire River.

A

North

35
Q

What are the soils of Vouvray?

A

Tuffeau (soft limestone)

36
Q

What is the only grape allowed in Vouvray?

A

Chenin Blanc

37
Q

What styles of wine are allowed to be made in Vouvray?

A

All styles:

  • Dry, still whites
  • Off-dry, still whites
  • Sweet, still whites
  • Sparkling whites of all dryness/sweetness levels
38
Q

Sweet wines in Vouvray can be labeled as _____.

A

Moelleux (pronounced mwah-luh)

39
Q

Is the Central Vineyards region located furthest west or furthest east in the Loire Valley?

A

Furthest east (most inland)

40
Q

What is the climate of the Central Vineyards region?

A

Continental

41
Q

What are the soils of Central Vineyards?

A
  • Silex, limestone
  • Kimmeridgian clay
42
Q

What is silex soil also known as, and in which of the four major Loire regions will you find it?

A

Flint, found in Central Vineyards (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé)

43
Q

What are the grapes grown in Central Vineyards?

A

White: Sauvignon Blanc

Red: Pinot Noir

44
Q

What are the 2 most important AOPs of Central Vineyards?

A
  1. Sancerre AOP (dry red + white wines)
  2. Pouilly-Fumé AOP (dry white wines ONLY)
45
Q

Sancerre AOP and Pouilly-Fumé AOP both make dry white wines from the ______ grape.

A

Sauvignon Blanc

46
Q

Which red grape is allowed in Sancerre AOP?

A

Pinot Noir

47
Q

Sancerre is on the ______ bank of the Loire River.

Pouilly-Fumé is on the ______ bank of the Loire River.

A

Sancerre: western bank

Pouilly-Fumé: eastern bank

Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) (40 decks)

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