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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. (47 cards)

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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?

20
Q

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

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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)?

25
What makes the wines sweet in Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?
**Botrytis**, aka noble rot
26
Why is botrytis prevalent in Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?
**Both AOPs are humid** due to moisture generated by and their proximity to the Loire and Layon Rivers.
27
Touraine is located: * east * west of Anjou-Saumur?
East ## Footnote *Or, further inland*
28
What is the climate of Touraine?
Continental
29
What are the soils of Touraine?
**Tuffeau** (soft limestone)
30
What are tuffeau soils made of?
Soft limestone
31
What are the grapes of Touraine?
White: **Chenin Blanc** Red: **Cabernet Franc**
32
Name 3 AOPs of Touraine.
1. **Chinon AOP** (dry red wines) 2. **Bourgueil AOP** (dry red wines) 3. **Vouvray AOP** (all styles made from Chenin Blanc)
33
What are the similarities and differences between Chinon AOP and Bourgueil AOP?
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
Vouvray is located on the \_\_\_\_\_ side of the Loire River.
North
35
What are the soils of Vouvray?
Tuffeau (soft limestone)
36
What is the only grape allowed in Vouvray?
Chenin Blanc
37
What styles of wine are allowed to be made in Vouvray?
All styles: * Dry, still whites * Off-dry, still whites * Sweet, still whites * Sparkling whites of all dryness/sweetness levels
38
Sweet wines in Vouvray can be labeled as \_\_\_\_\_.
Moelleux (pronounced mwah-luh)
39
Is the Central Vineyards region located furthest west or furthest east in the Loire Valley?
**Furthest east** (most inland)
40
What is the climate of the Central Vineyards region?
Continental
41
What are the soils of Central Vineyards?
* Silex, limestone * Kimmeridgian clay
42
What is silex soil also known as, and in which of the four major Loire regions will you find it?
**Flint**, found in **Central Vineyards** (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé)
43
What are the grapes grown in Central Vineyards?
White: **Sauvignon Blanc** Red: **Pinot Noir**
44
What are the 2 most important AOPs of Central Vineyards?
1. **Sancerre AOP** (dry red + white wines) 2. **Pouilly-Fumé AOP** (dry white wines ONLY)
45
Sancerre AOP and Pouilly-Fumé AOP both make dry white wines from the \_\_\_\_\_\_ grape.
Sauvignon Blanc
46
Which red grape is allowed in Sancerre AOP?
Pinot Noir
47
Sancerre is on the \_\_\_\_\_\_ bank of the Loire River. Pouilly-Fumé is on the \_\_\_\_\_\_ bank of the Loire River.
**Sancerre: western** bank **Pouilly-Fumé: eastern** bank

Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) (40 decks)

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