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The Loire Valley Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the river that runs through the Loire Valley?

A

The Loire river

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2
Q

What is unique about the Loire river?

A

It is the longest river in France

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3
Q

Where does the Loire River originate?

A

In southern France in the Massif Central. Then travels 629 miles north and west to the Atlantic Ocean

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4
Q

Are the wines grown along the Loire’s length similar?

A

No, there are many differences between wines grown up river and down river
Climatic, wine styles, grape varieties and growing conditions

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5
Q

Where is the Loire region located?

A

Central Western France, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

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6
Q

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

A

Pays Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Central Vineyards

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7
Q

Where is Pays Nantais located?

A

Western Loire, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

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8
Q

What is the climate in Pays Nantais?

A

Cool and wet maritime
Affected by proximity to the Atlantic

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9
Q

What are the soils of Pays Nantais?

A

Sand & gravel over schist & granite

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10
Q

What grapes are grown in Pays Nantais?

A

Melon de Bourgogne

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11
Q

What vinification techniques are used in Pays Nantais?

A

Sur Lie aging
Adding complexity and richness to the finished wine

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12
Q

What are the appellations of Pays Nantais?

A

Muscadet AOP
Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP

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13
Q

What is the main city in Pays Nantais?

A

Nantes

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14
Q

What are the two rivers that feed into the Loire in Pays Nantais?

A

La Sevre Nantaise
La Maine

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15
Q

Where is Anjou-Saumur located?

A

East of Pays Nantais, along the Loire river

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16
Q

What is the climate in Anjou-Saumur?

A

Martime/continental
The climate shifts as you go further east/up river. Shifting from maritime to continental)
It remains very humid in this region

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17
Q

What are the main towns in Anjou-Saumur?

A

Angers
Saumur

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18
Q

What are the soils of Anjou-Saumur?

A

The soils shift from granite based to limestone based between the towns of Angers and Saumur

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19
Q

What grapes are grown in Anjou-Saumur?

A

Chenin Blanc
Cabernet Franc

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20
Q

What are the appellations of Anjou-Saumur?

A

Anjou-Villages AOP
Saumur AOP
Savennieres AOP
Bonnezeaux AOP
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP

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21
Q

What kinds of wines are produced in Anjou-Villages AOP?

A

Dry reds using Cabernet Franc

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22
Q

What kinds of wines are produced in Saumur AOP?

A

Sparkling wines using Chenin Blanc
Dry reds using Cabernet Franc

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23
Q

What wines is Saumur AOP famous for?

A

Sparkling wines made from Chenin Blanc

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24
Q

What is the style that is the largest percentage of Saumur’s production?

A

Sparkling wines made from Chenin Blanc

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25
What method is used to make sparkling wines in Saumur?
Methode classique
26
What is a famous Chateau in Saumur?
Chateau de Saumur
27
Where is Saumur AOP located?
On the eastern end of Anjou-Saumur sub-region Mostly south of the Loire
28
What kinds of wines are made in Savennieres AOP?
Dry white wines made from 100% Chenin Blanc
29
Where is Savennieres AOP located?
On the western end of Anjou-Saumur, on the north bank of the Loire river, southwest of the town of Angers
30
What topographical feature is in Savennieres?
Steep, south-facing hillsides
31
What kinds of wines are produced in Bonnezeaux AOP?
Sweet white wines made from Chenin Blanc
32
What **viticultural** techniques are used in Bonneazeaux AOP?
Late-harvest, botrytis-affected grapes are used
33
Where is Bonnezeaux AOP located?
In central Anjou-Saumur, south of the Loire River On the bank of the Layon river
34
What is the climate of Bonnezeaux AOP?
Humid maritime/continental
35
What kinds of wines are produced in Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?
Sweet white wines made from Chenin Blanc
36
What **viticultural** techniques are used in Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?
Late-harvest, botrytis-affected grapes are used
37
Where is Quarts-de-Chaume AOP located?
In western Anjou-Saumur, south of the Loire River On the bank of the Layon river
38
What is the climate of Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?
Humid maritime/continental
39
Where is Touraine located?
East of Anjou-Saumur, along the Loire river
40
What is the climate in Touraine?
Continental Less maritime influence than Pays Nantais or Anjou-Saumur
41
What are the soils in Touraine?
Tuffeau (soft & limestone-based)
42
What grape varieties are used in Touraine?
Chenin Blanc Cabernet Franc
43
What are the main appellations in Touraine?
Chinon AOP Bourgueil AOP Vouvray AOP
44
What is the main city of Touraine?
Tours
45
What kinds of wines are made in Chinon AOP?
Dry red wines made from Cabernet Franc
46
Where is Chinon AOP located?
On the western end of Touraine, south of the Loire river
47
What kinds of wines are made in Bourgueil AOP?
Dry red wines made from Cabernet Franc
48
Where is Bourgueil AOP located?
On the western end of Touraine, north of the Loire river
49
What kinds of wines are made in Vouvray AOP?
White wines of all varieties made from 100% chenin blanc
50
What kinds of white wines are made in Vouvray?
Sparkling wines Dry wines Sweet wines (moelleux) Off-dry wines
51
What is the soil in Vouvray?
Tuffeau (soft & limestone-based)
52
Where is Vouvray located?
In central Touraine, north of the Loire river
53
Where are the Central Vineyards located?
East of Touraine in the center of France On the Loire river
54
What is the climate in the Central Vineyards?
Continental
55
What is the soil in the Central Vineyards?
A mix of silex (flint), limestone, and Kimmeridgian clay
56
What grape varieties are grown in the Central Vineyards?
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
57
What wine styles are produced in the Central Vineyards?
Dry red and white wines
58
What are the main appellations of the Central Vineyards?
Sancerre AOP Pouilly-Fume AOP
59
What are the major cities in Central Vineyards?
Orleans Sancerre Pouilly-sur-Loire
60
What kinds of wines are produced in Pouilly-Fume?
Dry white wines made from Sauv Blanc
61
Where is Pouilly-Fume located?
In the eastern Central Vineyards region On the eastern bank of the Loire
62
What kinds of wines are produced in Sancerre?
Dry red and white wines made from Sauv Blanc and Pinot Noir
63
Where is Sancerre located?
In the eastern Central Vineyards region On the western bank of the Loire
64
What percent of water in France does the Loire drain?
20%
65
How important was the Loire to trade?
It was the 2nd largest trading river in France behind the Bordeaux regions (Gironde estuary)
66
What percents of wine styles are in the Loire?
50% dry white wine 25% rose wine 1/5th red wine the balance is sparkling and sweet wine
67
How does the soil shift going from west to east in the Loire?
On the west its primrily granite/schist under gravel and sand. It drains well Then moving east it shifts to having more limestone (entering the Paris Basin geological area) Then to tuffeau in Touraine And finally limestone and kimmeridgian clay in Central Vineyards
68
Why, traditionally, were wines from Tours and the central/upper Loire the most expensive?
Because it took the longest and cost the most to ship them down the Loire to the Atlantic
69
What is Nantes known for?
Its seafood and its history around being an important trading center for France
70
When is harvest in Pay Nantais?
September, before October rains
71
Why are the wines in Pays Nantais made with such acidity?
Because the growing season is shortened due to October rains, requiring grapes to be picked before fully ripening. This creates high-acid wines
72
What does sur lie aging do to Muscadet?
Adds richness and complexity to what is normally a thin and acidic wine
73
How long is sur lie aging in muscadet?
6-12 months
74
What famous sauce has its origins in Pays Nantais?
Buerre Blanc white sauce
75
What is the most important appellation in Pays Nantais and why?
Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine. It accounts for 90% of all wine labeled as muscadet. It is the largest white wine producing appellation in the Loire Valley
76
What is unique about Anjou-Saumur in terms of soil and geology?
There is a distinct change between Angers and Saumur in the soil type. It shifts dramatically from granite-based to limestone based
77
When is harvest in Anjou-Saumur?
October, there is not as much rain as there is in Pays Nantais
78
What characteristics does Savennieres have?
It is richer and somewhat savory
79
What are the red wine appellations in Touraine?
Chinon and Bourgueil
80
Are there distinct differences between Chinon and Bourgueil?
No, they are very similar in terms of their wine styles
81
What are the characteristics of Vouvray?
Finesse, elegance, fragarence High levels of acidity
82
How do Sancerre and Pouilly Fume differ?
Pouilly Fume only makes whites wines from Sauv Blanc, whereas Sancerre also makes reds and roses from pinot noir

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