18) The Loire Valley

Question 1

Four main sub-regions in The Loire (east to west)

Answer 1

Central Vineyards, Touraine, Anjou-Saumur and Nantais

Question 2

IGP of The Loire and what you can expect

Answer 2

Val de Loire, fresh, light body and simple fruit flavours

Question 3

Climate in the Central Vineyards (TLV)

Answer 3

Continental due to how far east it is

Question 4

Climate of the Nantais region (TLV)

Answer 4

Maritime due to proximity to the coast

Question 5

Explain why the climate in Anjou is unexpected

Answer 5

It is warmer than would expect, being close to the sea, due to the Mauges Hills protecting it

Question 6

Issue found in the Loire valley

Answer 6

Rainfall can cause fungal diseases

Question 7

Four main white grape varieties in the Loire Valley

Answer 7

Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon Blanc and Maine

Question 8

Where is Sauvignon blanc mainly grown (TLV)

Answer 8

Central Vineyards and Touraine

Question 9

Most prestigious appellations for Sauvignon Blanc in the Central Vineyards, soil type and character (TLV)

Answer 9

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume, chalky soil, dry style with high acidity, green apple and wet stones

Question 10

MLF is used to

Answer 10

soften acidity

Question 11

Winemaking style in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume

Answer 11

Gentle not adding too much. Stainless steel vats or old oak. MLF for wines grown in cooler climates

Question 12

Sauvignon blanc appellation south and west of Sancerre and its style

Answer 12

Menetou-Salon, similar style to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume, gentle

Question 13

Majority of Sauvignon Blanc comes from (TLV)

Answer 13

Touraine

Question 14

Name of the main appellation in Touraine

Answer 14

Touraine

Question 15

Chenin Blanc profile

Answer 15

High acid non-aromatic, can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling

Question 16

Main sub-regions for Chenin Blanc (TLV)

Answer 16

Touraine and Anjou-Saumur

Question 17

Peculiarity of Chenin Blanc

Answer 17

Even within the same bunch, different grapes can be at different levels of ripeness

Question 18

Types of wine that can be made from Chenin Blanc

Answer 18

Dry or sweet, still or sparkling

Question 19

Barely ripe fruit is used for what type of wine

Answer 19

Sparkling

Question 20

Young Chenin Blanc (from TLV) wines contain flavours such as

Answer 20

Fresh apple through to tropical fruit

Question 21

Dry Chenin Blanc (from TLV) have what kind of character

Answer 21

steely/smoky

Question 22

Sweet Chenin Blanc (from TLV) which flavours and what can it be attributed to

Answer 22

Apricot and citrus peel flavours of noble rot

Question 23

Can you age dry/sweet Chenin Blanc

Answer 23

yes, for decades

Question 24

Which aromas develop with age in a Chenin Blanc

Answer 24

They become richer/rounder aromas of honey toast and hay

Question 25

What causes the differences between vintages and different regions of Chenin Blanc made in The Loire Valley

Answer 25

Climate and soil type

Question 26

What type of wines and characters are produced in Vouvray from Chenin Blanc

Answer 26

Still (dry - lusciously sweet) | Sparkling

Question 27

Body and flavours/aromas of Chenin Blancs produced in Vouvray and why

Answer 27

Cool climate and soil type mean light to medium body and fresh fruity and floral notes

Question 28

What is Saumur renowned for (TLV)

Answer 28

Sparkling Chenin Blanc made in the traditional method

Question 29

What is Anjou renowned for (TLV)

Answer 29

It's dry Chenin Blanc that are often matured in new oak

Question 30

Savennieres and Coteaux de Layon have what type of climate, how does this affect their style (TLV)

Answer 30

Warmer and drier climate producing medium to full bodied wines with less floral notes

Question 31

Style of Chenin Blanc produced in Savennieres (TLV)

Answer 31

full bodied, dry

Question 32

What does the air circulation around Savennieres mean

Answer 32

Impedes the growth of noble rot but enables late harvested Chenin Blanc grapes to be used for full-bodied, complex dry wines

Question 33

Coteaux de Layon is renowned for what type of wine (TLV)

Answer 33

Sweet Chenin Blanc

Question 34

How does the location of Coteaux de Layon help its reputation (TLV)

Answer 34

It is sheltered helping noble rot develop

Question 35

Two smaller appellations within Coteaux de Layon (TLV)

Answer 35

Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux, known for some of the best sweet wines in the world

Question 36

Melon Blanc is also referred to as

Answer 36

Muscadet

Question 37

How is Melon Blanc suited to cool climates

Answer 37

Ripens early and is frost resistant

Question 38

Melon Blanc is mostly grown in which region of The Loire Valley and why

Answer 38

Nantais as its close to the sea and is better suited to the cooler climate

Question 39

Most general appellation name for Melon Blanc (TLV)

Answer 39

Muscadet

Question 40

Higher regarded appellation for melon blanc (TLV)

Answer 40

Muscadet Sevre et Maine

Question 41

Wines produced in Muscadet appellation (flavour, body, character)

Answer 41

Dry with medium alcohol (max. 12%), high acidity and light body with subtle green flavours

Question 42

Why is Cabernet Franc suited to the Loire Valley

Answer 42

It flowers and ripens early

Question 43

Main sub-regions for Cabernet Franc within Touraine (TLV)

Answer 43

Chinon (south) | Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgeil (north)

Question 44

Sandy soils within Touraine produce what type of wine (TLV)

Answer 44

Light fruity wines for early drinking

Question 45

Limestone and clay soils facing south produce which kind of wines in Touraine (TLV)

Answer 45

fuller bodied, more tannic

Question 46

Western point of red wine production in the Loire Valley (with characters)

Answer 46

Saumur and Saumur-Champigny, lighter body and tannin, more fruit

Question 47

Where is Gamay planted within the Loire Valley

Answer 47

Touraine and Anjou