18 - The Loire Valley Flashcards
lengste elv i Frankrike
The Loire River
where is the most important vineyards of the Loire Valley situated?
they lie along the last few hundred kilometres of the river Loire as it flows west towards the Atlantic
signature style of wine in the Loire Valley
no one signature style is produced here; instead there is an incredibly diverse range of white, red & rosé still wines
The Loire Valley can be loosely grouped into 4 sub-regions.
From east to west:
- Central Vineyards
- Tourain
- Anjou-Saumur
- Nantais
are the 4 sub-regions of the Loire Valley appellations themselves?
no
what are the regional generic appellation for the whole of the Loire
there is no regional generic app.
IGP that covers the whole region of Loire
Val de Loire
characteristics of Val de Loire IGP wines
- straightforward
- freshness
- light body
- simple fruit flavours
Climate of the Loire Valley
- the different sub-regions of the Loire Valley are subject to different climatic influences
- Overall the climate is COOL
1) the Central Vineyards have a CONTINENTAL climate
4) the Nantais region experiences a MARITIME climate
3) the vineyards of Anjou are slightly warmer & drier than might be expected given their proximity to the ocean. Protected by the Mauges hills, certain vy benefit from warm stony soils)
2) Touraine has a cooler, wetter climate & clay soils
what is the climate of the Central Vineyards in the Loire Valley?
Cool Continental
what is the climate of Nantais?
Cool Maritime
what geografical features affect the climate of Anjou?
- Mauges hills
(protect from the Atlantic Ocean) - warm stony soils
where are the Mauges hills?
in the Loire Valley, protecting Anjou from the Atlantic Ocean
what soil type does Touraine have?
clay soils
what soil type does Anjou have?
certain vy have warm stony soil
what difficulties does Loire have
- vy lie at the northern limit for the production of the grape varieties grown
- variations in the weather patterns –> vintages differ widely
- fungal disease (high levels of rainfall) can be a particular issue
best vineyards in Loire
tends to be those that
- experience the most sunshine & warmth
- southerly aspect
- mid-slope
- facing the river for extra heat & reflected light
white grape varieties in Loire
- many grape varieties are permitted. Only the most important local varieties are discussed in the book
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
- Melon Blanc
red grape varieties in the Loire
- Cabernet Franc
- Gamay
- Pinot Noir
- Grolleau
where are SB mainly grown in Loire?
- the Central Vineyards
- Touraine
smallest production area in the Loire
–> SPØR LÆRER: minste produksjon totalt, eller minste produksjon av SB? s. 95
the Central Vineyards
appellations in the Central Vineyards (Loire)
- Sancerre
- Pouilly-Fumé
- Menetou-Salon
soil of Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé
very chalky, well-drained stony soil
characteristics of wines from Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé
- dry
- high in acidity
- hints of green apple & wet stones
- subtle smoky notes (Pouilly-Fumé)
- some are able to evolve in the bottle, although in most cases not for ageing
village & vy in Sancerre with high reputations for particularly expressive wines
- Village: Chavignol
- Vy: Les Monts Damnés
Winemaking techniques for SB in Loire
Vary from producer to producer
- gentle pneumatic pressing & temp.contr. ss vats –> fresh & fruity
- old oak vessels, on lees –> broader texture
- a few use new oak
- MLF: depends on style. Most likely to be encouraged in cooler vintages in order to lower the acidity of the wines
why can MLF be encouraged for SB in Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé for cooler vintages?
to lower the acidity of the wines
appellation to the west & south of Sancerre, on the tributaries of the Loire
Menetou-Salon
characteristics of wine from Menetou-Salon
- more moderately priced
- same style as Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé
Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé
- dry
- high in acidity
- hints of green apple & wet stones
- subtle smoky notes (Pouilly-Fumé)
- some are able to evolve in the bottle, although in most cases not for ageing
where does the majority of SB come from in Loire?
the Touraine region
appellations that make SB in Loire
(mentioned in the book)
- Sancerre AOC
- Pouilly-Fumé AOC
- Menetou-Salon AOC
- Touraine AOC
SB in Touraine
- the wines often appear under a varietal label such as Sauvignon de Touraine
- often have less concentration
- usually made in a simple fruity style
Chenin Blanc in Loire
(grape, harvest)
- high acid
- non-aromatic
- within one bunch it is common for grapes to reach different levels of ripeness
–> can result in green, herbaceous aromas if care is not taken during the harvest to exlude unripe grapes
–> several passes through the vy may be necessary at harvest time to ensure grapes are picked at the desired level of ripeness - ## responsible for the greatest white wines of both Touraine & Anjou Saumur
wines from CB in Loire
(general styles, sweetness, young/age)
(NB! climate & soil on another card –> clear difference between wines made in different regions)
Dry or sweet, still or sparkling
- the variety of styles that this grape produces is directly related to the degree of ripeness that it has achieved at the time of picking
–> barely rip fruit: sparkling wines
–> increasingly ripe berries (incl. shrivelled in the sun or affected by noble rot): dry, medium, sweet styles
- recent years have seen a move to seek greater ripeness even for dry wines, giving wines with higher alcohol levels that often have a few grams of residual sugar
young wines
- from fresh apple to tropical fruit (dep. on ripeness)
- dry: steely, smoky character
- sweet: apricot & citrus peel flavours of noble rot
age
- dry & sweet Chenins can age for decades
- richer & rounder
- honey, toast, hay
- high acidity
Appellations making wines from CB in Loire (5)
Touraine:
- Vouvray
Anjou-Saumur:
- Saumur
- Anjou
- Savennières
- Coteaux du Layon
wines from CB in Loire regarding climate & soil, characteristics & wm
–> clear difference between wines made in different regions
Touraine:
- Vouvray: east of the city of Tours
–> still (dry - lusciously sweet dep. on vintage) & sparkling
–> cool climate & clay soils
–> light to medium body
–> fresh fruity & floral notes
–> rarely fermented or matured in new oak
Anjou-Saumur:
- Anjou:
–> some vy with warm stony soil
–> better known for dry wines
–> often matured in new oak
- Saumur:
–> soil & climate similar to Anjou
–> renowned as a source of sparkling CB
–> made by the traditional method
- Savennières
–> relatively warm, dry climate
–> full-bodied, dry style
–> less floral in style
–> air circulation around these well-exposed vy impedes the development of noble rot, but enables late-harvested CB to be used for full-bodied, complex dry wines
–> best wines: noted for their ability to evolve for decades in the bottle
- Coteaux du Layon: in the sheltered valley of the River Layon to the south of the Loire
–> relatively warm, dry climate
–> medium- to full-bodied
–> less floral in style
–> some of the most renowned sweet wines in the region
–> noble rot develops well
–> Quarts de Chaume & Bonnezeaux: the 2 most favoured sites, have their own appellations & rank among the world’s greatest sweet wines
- where is Vouvray AOC?
- climate & soil
- grape
- characteristics & wm
- in Touraine in Loire, east of the city of Tours
- cool climate & clay soils
- CB
- still (dry - lusciously sweet dep. on vintage) & sparkling
–> light to medium body
–> fresh fruity & floral notes
–> rarely fermented or matured in new oak
- where is Anjou AOC?
- climate & soil
- grape
- characteristics & wm
- in Anjou-Saumur in Loire
- cool climate, but warmer than expected (Mauges hills).
Some vy with warm stony soil - CB
- better known for dry wines, often matured in new oak
- where is Saumur AOC?
- climate & soil
- grape
- characteristics & wm
- in Anjou-Saumur in Loire
- cool climate, but warmer than expected (Mauges hills).
Some vy with warm stony soil - CB
- renowned as a source of sparkling CB made by the traditional method
- where is Savennières AOC?
- climate & soil
- grape
- characteristics & wm
- in Anjou-Saumur in Loire
- relatively warm, dry climate compared to Touraine
(but Cool Climate) - CB
- char.&wm
- full-bodied, dry style
- less floral in style
- air circulation around these well-exposed vy impedes the development of noble rot, but enables late-harvested CB to be used for full-bodied, complex dry wines
- best wines: noted for their ability to evolve for decades in the bottle
- where is Coteaux du Layon AOC?
- climate & soil
- grape
- characteristics & wm
- in Anjou-Saumur in Loire, in the sheltered valley of the River Layon to the south of the Loire
- relatively warm, dry climate compared to Touraine
(but Cool Climate) - CB
- char&wm
- medium- to full-bodied
- less floral in style
- some of the most renowned sweet wines in the region
- noble rot develops well
- Quarts de Chaume & Bonnezeaux: the 2 most favoured sites, have their own appellations & rank among the world’s greatest sweet wines
Melon Blanc in Loire
- sometimes referred to as Muscadet or Melon de Bourgogne
- ripens early & is frost-resistant
–> well suited to the cool climate - the vast majority is grown in the Nantais region
(lies mainly to the south of the Loire as it reaches the Atlantic)
The wines made from Melon Blanc in Loire
(appellations, char., wm)
- the wines are generally known as Muscadet and are made in a number of different appellations, usually with Muscadet in their title
- Muscadet: covers the widest area
- Muscadet Sèvre et Maine: the greatest production, more highly regarded
Characteristics & wm
- dry with medium alcohol (maximum permitted 12%)
- high acidity
- light body
- subtle green fruit flavours
- traditionally fermented in large old oak vessels
- now fermented in concrete or ss vats are more common
- should be drunk young
Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie:
- bottled in the spring followint the vintage, having spent the winter on its lees
- richer texture
- the wine is handled very little, to retain delicacy & freshness
Red grape varieties in Loire
- Cabernet Franc
- Gamay
- Grolleau
Cabernet Franc in Loire
- flowers & ripens early
–> well suited to the Loire - made in a range of styles, dependent on site climate & soil, as well as wm techniques
Appellations
- Chinon
- Bourgueil
- Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
- Saumur
- Saumur-Champigny
Appellations in Loire where CF is grown
(5)
- Chinon
- Bourgueil
- Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
- Saumur
- Saumur-Champigny
CF in Loire -
Appellations:climate & soil, wm techn., char.
TOURAINE
Chinon: to the south of Loire
Bourgueil & Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil: to the north of Loire
- sandy soils: light, fruity wines for early drinking
- south-facing slopes with limestone & clay soil: fuller-bodied, more tannic versions
- some producers choose to mature their wines in oak
- best: have the capacity to evolve in bottle over many years
ANJOU-SAUMUR
Saumur & Saumur-Champigny: to the west
- lighter in body & tannin
- juicy berry fruit & sometimes floral notes
- best drunk young (particularly Saumur)
- often best served chilled
- a few producers making fuller-bodied styles that are capable of further ageing
Where is Chinon?
In Touraine, Loire, south of the Loire River
Where is Bourgueil?
In Touraine, Loire, north of the Loire River
Where is Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil?
In Touraine, Loire, north of the Loire River
second most planted black grape variety in the Loire
Gamay
where is Gamay mainly planted in Loire?
Touraine & Anjou
characteristics for Gamay in Touraine & Anjou
- fruity, usually early drinking wines
where is PN grown in Loire?
- a small amount is grown in the Central Vineyards
- the best sites are usually reserved for SB, so these red wines tend to be quite rare & generally light in style
5 appellations for rosé wine in Loire
(where, grapes, type)
-
Rosé de Loire
- can be produced in both Anjou-Saumur & Touraine, but in practice it is mainly made in A-S.
- always dry
- must have a minimum of 30% CF and/or CS -
Cabernet d’Anjou
- highest quality
- always medium-sweet
- made from a blend of CF & CS -
Rosé d’Anjou
- less sweet
- made predominantly of Grolleau blended with CF & other local varieties -
Touraine
- can be made from a wide array of black grape varieties
- generally dry, fresh & fruity in style -
Sancerre rosé
- must be made from PN
- usually pale in colour, light in body & dry with delicate fruit flavours
Wm
- either by direct pressing or a short maceration on the skins
- usually fermented in inert, temp.controlled vessels to retain fruit flavours
Appellations in Loire & grapes
(3+5+7+3+1)
Central Vineyards - PN
- Sancerre - SB
- Pouilly-Fumé - SB
- Menetou-Salon - SB
Touraine
- Touraine - SB, Gamay
- Vouvray - CB
- Chinon - CF
- Bourgueil - CF
- Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil - CF
Anjou-Saumur
- Anjou - CB, Gamay
- Saumur - CB, CF
- Savennières - CB
- Coteaux du Layon - CB
- Saumur-Champigny - CF
- Cabernet d’Anjou - CF, CS
- Rosé d’Anjou - Grolleau, CF, etc
Nantais
- Muscadet - Melon Blanc
- Muscadet Sèvre et Maine - Melon Blanc
- Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie - Melon Blanc
More general
- Rosé de Loire - CF, CS, etc
