1. Centre Loire

Question 1

Centre Loire EAST (3)

1. E/end of Loire on S/N axis, before river turns to At
2. C Climate, severe W (Sp Frost) + hot S (hail)
3. Vines Cordon or Guyot systems

Key ACs (5)

1. P-Fumé W
2. Sancerre RWR
3. Menetou-Salon RWR
4. Quincy W
5. Reuilly RWR

Answer 1

1. Eastern end of the Loire, on S-N axis, before river turns towards Atlantic; closest to the centre of France
2. Continental climate with severe winters (spring frost) and hot summers (hail)
3. Vines trained in Cordon or Guyot systems

Key ACs:

1. Pouilly-fumé (W) – 1,000ha
2. Sancerre (R/W/R) – 2,600ha
3. Menetou-Salon (R/W/R)
4. Quincy (W) – 170ha
5. Reuilly(R/W/R)

Question 2

A. Pouilly-Fumé (3)

1. East, flatter
2. Lime - flinty, min
3. High prop cask, less herb, more rounded vs S

Answer 2

Pouilly-fumé (W) – 1,000ha

1. Eastern bank of Loire river; facing Sancerre; slightly flatter vs. Sancerre
2. Limestone soils -> flinty, mineral notes
3. Higher proportion of cask ageing makes for less herbaceous character & more rounded vs. Sancerre.

Question 3

Sancerre

1. 15 Villages on low S/E S/W facing + Terroir (3)
2. Mostly ferm + aged in S/S, Int success 70s
3. Pinot Noir

Answer 3

Sancerre (R/W/R) – 2,600ha

1. 15 villages on low south-east or south-west facing slopes w 3 different terroirs:
   
   1. Extreme west: clay soils & chalk marls -> strongest wines
   2. West of Sancerre: gravel and limestone
   3. Around Sancerre:flinty soils for flinty, mineral wines
2. Mostly fermented and aged in stainless steel; rarity and international success since 70s -> high prices
3. Pinot Noir grown on lesser vineyards for light reds & rosés

Question 4

Menetou-Salon

1. West of S Lime flatter
2. Whites from S Blanc (60%) Reds + Rosés P Noir
3. Similar style

Answer 4

Menetou-Salon (R/WR)

1. Just west of Sancerre with limestone & flatter landscape
2. Whites from Sauvignon blanc (60% of production) and Reds & Rosés from Pinot Noir.
3. Similar style to Sancerre & better prices -> fast growing area

Question 5

Quincy

1. S/W, SB on S G Soils, fruity aro soft
2. More Rustic

Answer 5

Quincy (W) – 170ha

1. South-West of Sancerre; Sauvignon blanc grown on sandy gravel soils for fruity, aromatic & soft whites
2. Slightly more rustic vs. Sancerre & better prices -> fast growing area

Question 6

Reuilly (2)

1. Fine austere SB, light red f/Pinot and Rosé f/P Gris
2. Gamay VdP red.

Answer 6

Reuilly (R/W/R)

Produces fine austere whites from Sauvignon blc; light reds from Pinot Noir and rosés from Pinot Gris

Gamay sold as VdP red.