2. Torraine

Question 1

Touraine

1. Tours, 200 km, G of FR, Chateau, Most Imp Loire
2. C Climate (less ext vs Centre)
3. Soil - Tuff, S, Cl, Gr, well-d Lime, rich in Calc + Marine Fos in Vouvray
4. Less typical grapes - A, P Gris, Ch, Pin D/Aunis + Gr

Key ACs (6)

1. T
2. V
3. Mont
4. Ch
5. Bour
6. St-N d B

Answer 1

2. Touraine – 14,000ha
3. Around Tours, 200km from Atlantic coast; ‘Garden of France’, Chateau country & most important Loire area
4. Continental climate with cold winters & warm summers (less extreme vs. centre Loire)
5. Variety of soils from tuffeau to sand, clay and gravel. Well draining limestone soils, rich in calcium & marine fossils around Vouvray
6. Variety of less typical grapes also cultivated: Arbois, Pinot Gris & Chardonnay, Pineau d’Aunis & Grolleau

Key ACs:

A. Touraine (R/W/R) – 5,300ha

B. Vouvray (W) – 2,000ha

C. Montlouis (W) – 400ha

D. Chinon (R/W/R) – 2,100ha

E. Bourgueil (R)-1,400ha

F. Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil (R/R)–1,000ha

Question 2

Touraine

1. Large Bl to Ch/Bour
2. Climate + VV Atl infl
3. Grapes (R/W/R) CB Ar SB Ch, CF CS PN Cot G G P d/Aunis
4. 50% Touraine Prod =
5. 4 Sub ACs
   
   1. T-A
   2. T-A-l-R
   3. T-M
   4. T-N-J

Answer 2

Touraine (R/W/R) – 5,300ha

1. Large area stretching from Blois (east) to Chinon & Bourgueil (west)
2. Considerable climate variations w eastern vineyards continental & very cold winters; western vineyards more influenced by Atlantic (closer to Maritime climate)
3. Large array of grapes allowed:
   
   1. Whites: Chenin blanc, Arbois, Sauvignon blanc & Chardonnay (max 20%)
   2. Reds: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauv, Pinot Noir, Cot (Malbec), Gamay, Grolleau & Pineau d’Aunis
   3. Rosés: same as reds + Pinot Meunier.
4. 50% of the Touraine production; 50% whites (usually from east); 40% reds and 10% rosés
5. 4 sub-ACs: Touraine-Amboise, Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau, Touraine-Mesland & Touraine-Noblé-Joué.

Question 3

Vouvray

1. Town N Bank of L
2. Mid-Cont + Mid-M + hi VV
3. Unique Feature = Cellars carved in T, used for 2nd ?
4. Largest App for CB in all 4 styles
5. Appley, H + ? Acidity, more ? and Intensity vs ML, 2-3 yrs needed
6. Sparkling 40%, Still 60%

Answer 3

Vouvray (W) – 2,000ha

1. Named after town on Northern bank of the Loire; northeast of Tours
2. Mid-continental, mid-maritime climate -> considerable vintage variation
3. Unique feature: cool cellars carved in tuffeau allow for wine 2nd fermentation for sparkling.
4. Largest and most recognised Chenin blanc appellation; comes in dry, medium dry, sweet & sparkling
5. Appley, honeyed + hi acidity with more weight & intensity vs. Montlouis; 2-3 years to reach potential
6. Sparkling 40% of production; produced in larger quantities in leaner years. Still = 60%.

Question 4

Montlouis (2)

1. S bank of L,
2. Lighter S soil = less def + early Mat
3. 100% ?

Answer 4

Montlouis (W) – 400ha

1. Southern bank of the Loire; other side of Vouvray
2. Lighter, sandier soils for less defined and earlier maturing wines.
3. 100% Chenin Blanc

Question 5

Chinon

1. South
2. 25% Cab Sav
3. 3 Styles (3)
4. 2%

Answer 5

Chinon (R/W/R) – 2,100ha

1. South of Loire river, on the Vienne river, South-west of Tours.
2. 25% Cabernet Sauvignon theoretically allowed but usually 100% Cabernet Franc; some use of new oak
3. 3 styles of red:
   
   1. Light & fruity in the sand & gravel soils of the Vienne River Valley, west of Chinon
   2. Fuller bodied w firm tannins on the plateau north of Chinon
   3. Finest on hillside slopes
4. 2% of whites from Chenin Blanc

Question 6

Bourgueil

1. S facing slopes, S G w/Chalky Sub
2. Gentle Climate
3. 25% C Sav
4. More power + T vs Ch

Answer 6

Bourgueil (R)-1,400ha

1. South facing slopes on Loire’s northern bank; sand & gravel w chalky substratum
2. Gentle climate w low rainfall
3. 25% Cabernet Sauvignon theoretically allowed but usually 100% Cabernet Franc
4. More powerful and tannic wines vs. Chinon

Question 7

Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil (2)

1. Most W red AC, N of L
2. Lighter S, Fruity R + Rosé

Answer 7

Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil (R/R)–1,000ha

1. Most westerly red AC; northern bank of the Loire
2. Lighter soils for fruity reds and rosés best drunk young.