Loire Valley

Question 1

Which river runs through the Loire Valley?

Answer 1

Loire River

Question 2

From east to west, what are the four general sub-regions of the Loire?

Answer 2

Central Vineyards
Touraine
Anjou-Saumur
Nantais

Question 3

There is no general Loire appellation, instead an IGP covers the whole region. What is it called?

Answer 3

Val de Loire

Question 4

What is the overall climate in the Loire Valley?

Answer 4

Cool, ranging from Maritime in the West to Continental in the Central Vineyards

Question 5

Despite being further inland, which region is cooler and wetter than Anjou-Saumur

Answer 5

Touraine

Question 6

What type of soils keep Touraine cool?

Answer 6

Clay

Question 7

What type of soils might you find in Anjou-Saumur?

Answer 7

Stony soils

Question 8

What protects Anjou-Saumur from Atlantic influence?

Answer 8

Mauges Hills

Question 9

What is the climate in Nantais?

Answer 9

Cool, maritime

Question 10

Where is Sauvignon Blanc mostly found in the Loire?

Answer 10

Central Vineyards and Touraine (inland)

Question 11

What type of soils would you find in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?

Answer 11

Very chalky, well-drained stony soils

Question 12

Are you likely to age Sancerre or Pouilly-Fume?

Answer 12

No, but some are age-worthy

Question 13

What are the characteristics of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume? (acid, flavours)

Answer 13

High acid
Green apple, wet stones
Subtle smoky aromas in Pouilly-Fume

Question 14

What type of press is typical of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?

Answer 14

Gentle pneumatic press (most likely sealed)

Question 15

Are oak and lees stirring ever used in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?

Answer 15

Yes, sometimes old oak and rarely new. Sometimes lees but not often.

Question 16

What winemaking process might be employed during particularly cold vintages in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?

Answer 16

MLF to soften acids

Question 17

What region is a good source of moderately priced, Sancerre-style Sauvignon Blanc? Which sub-region is it found in?

Answer 17

Menetou-Salon

Central Vineyards

Question 18

Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine is made in what style?

Answer 18

Simple and fruity

Question 19

Where does a majority of Sauvignon Blanc come from in the Loire?

Answer 19

Touraine

Question 20

What is fairly unique about Chenin Blanc?

Answer 20

Grapes on the same bunch ripen at different rates

Question 21

Chenin Blanc can make which styles, depending on ripeness?

Answer 21

Sparkling, Dry and Sweet

Question 22

Chenin can age for decades, what flavours develop?

Answer 22

toast, hay and honey

Question 23

In which subregion do we find Vouvray?

Answer 23

Touraine

Question 24

What spectrum of sweetness can be seen in wines from Vouvray? Is oak used here?

Answer 24

Dry to Lusciously sweet

Rarely oaked

Question 25

Body of Vouvray tends to be?

Answer 25

Light to medium

Question 26

What style of Chenin Blanc is Saumur known for?

Answer 26

Sparkling

Question 27

What style of Chenin Blanc is is Anjou known for?

Answer 27

Dry wines often matured in new oak

Question 28

Where would you find well-exposed vineyards with high air-circulation?

Answer 28

Savennieres

Question 29

Dry Chenin is increasingly being made with grapes that are...?

Answer 29

Fully ripe

Question 30

What style of Chenin is produced in Savennieres?

Answer 30

Dry, full-bodied | Noted for ability to age for decades in bottle

Question 31

Which appellation is known for some of the most renowned sweet wines in the region?

Answer 31

Coteaux du Layon | note sites: Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume produce some of the best sweet wines in the world

Question 32

What are two other names for Melon Blanc?

Answer 32

Muscadet and Melon de Bourgogne

Question 33

When does Melon Blanc ripen? What is significant about the grape on vine?

Answer 33

Ripens early | Frost resistant

Question 34

Which grape is noble rot associated with in the Loire?

Answer 34

Chenin Blanc

Question 35

What are the two appellations in the subregion of Nantais?

Answer 35

Muscadet and Muscadet Sevre et Maine

Question 36

All wines from Muscadet are? (sweetness, alcohol/max ABV)

Answer 36

Dry with medium alcohol - max. permitted strength is 12%

Question 37

Muscadet Sevre et Maine wines were traditionally matured in ... but now in ...?

Answer 37

Old oak but now in stainless or concrete

Question 38

When is Muscadet Sur Lie bottled?

Answer 38

The Spring following vintage (it sees minimal handling to retain freshness and delicacy)

Question 39

What characteristics of Cabernet Franc make it suited to the Loire Valley?

Answer 39

Flower and ripens early suiting the cool climate

Question 40

Which two appellations in the sub-region of Touraine is Cab Franc most notable?

Answer 40

Chinon and Bourgueil

Question 41

Cabernet Franc in Chinon and Bourgueil can be split into two styles based on soil type, what are they?

Answer 41

Light, fruity and early drinking from sandy soils | Fuller, more tannic from south-facing, limestone and clay slopes

Question 42

Where would you find Cabernet Franc grown in a lighter, more perfumed, chill-able style?

Answer 42

Saumur-Chamigny

Question 43

What is the second most planted black grape in the Loire?

Answer 43

Gamay

Question 44

Where is Gamay mostly found?

Answer 44

Touraine and Anjou

Question 45

Made in a light style, what is the third black grape of the Loire?

Answer 45

Pinot Noir

Question 46

a minimum of which grapes at what percentage must be included in Rose de Loire?

Answer 46

30% of either Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 47

Where is Rose de Loire allowed to be produced? Which is it most commonly from?

Answer 47

Touraine and Anjou-Saumur but most common in Anjou-Saumur

Question 48

Cabernet d'Anjou is made from which grapes and must be what level of sweetness?

Answer 48

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc | Always medium-sweet

Question 49

What is generally the predominant grape in Rose d'Anjou blends?

Answer 49

Grolleau

Question 50

Sancerre also makes rose. It is made from which varietal?

Answer 50

Pinot Noir