Loire Valley Pt 9 - Centre-Loire Flashcards
(40 cards)
Where do the AOCs of Centre-Loire lie?
They lie south of Orleans and west of Grand Auxerrois in Bourgogne
What is the climate of Centre-Loire?
It is continental with high continentality
What are the climate hazards of Centre-Loire?
Summer hail mainly but also spring frosts around Quincy, Reuilly and Pouilly-Fume.
How does annual rainfall and elevation affect the vine crops of Centre-Loire?
There is ample rainfall but it can vary from year to year. Elevation also varies (from 450 -1150 ft/120-350m). These differences can lead to large harvest differentials.
What are the soil types in Centre-Loire?
There are 4 main types:
Caillottes;
Terres Blanches;
Silex;
Sand and Gravel.
What are Caillottes?
They are pebbles of limestone rich Portlandian Marl.
What is Terres Blanches
Clay and Limestone - Kimmeridgian marl rich in oyster fossils.
What is Silex?
Flint (Silex) and clay with flint (Argiles a Silex)
Why did the vignerons of Centre-Loire switch grape varieties after Phylloxera?
Previously the region was planted with Chasselas but this was hard to graft after Phylloxera so the vignerons switched to Sauvignon Blanc.
What are the principal white grapes of Centre-Loire?
Sauvignon Blanc
Note Chasselas is grown and vinified in Pouilly-sur-Loire.
What are the principal rose/gris grapes of Centre-Loire?
Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Gris - but only significant in Reuilly and Quincy respectively.
What are the principal red grapes of Centre-Loire?
Pinot Noir ( with Gamay in some AOCs)
How many AOCs in Centre-Loire?
Eight - Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, Chateaumeillant.
Which AOCs lie in a cluster NE of the city of Bourges?
Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon.
Which AOCs lie on the Cher River and its tributaries?
Quincy and Reuilly
When was Sancerre AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?
Awarded for Dry White, Rose and Red.
White (P); Sauvignon Blanc;
Red: (P) Pinot Noir.
How much of Sancerre production is white?
82% Dry white.
How many soil types in Sancerre AOC? What kind of wines are they said to express?
Three:
Argiles a Silex - (gunflint);
Caillottes - (perfumed with maturing quickly);
Terres Blanches - (Powerful and Age-worthy)
What is the topography of Sancerre?
It is much higher in elevation than surrounding area. There is high rainfall, mostly outside growing season, but steep slopes provide excellent drainage.
When was Pouilly-Fume AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?
Awarded in 1937 for dry white form Sauvignon Blanc only.
Where is Pouilly-Fume located?
On the right bank of the Loire facing Sancerre.
What is Sauvignon Blanc known as in Pouilly-Fume and why?
It is known as Blanc-Fume. Fume means smoked and is a reference to the gunflint aromas found in wines produced from flinty-clay soils.
What are the soils of Pouilly-Fume?
There are 4 types:
Argiles a Silex;
Caillottes;
Terres Blanches;
Sand.
How do vignerons utilise grapes grown on the four soil types of Pouilly-Fume?
They create blends but also wines from the single soil types or single plots.
