6 Loire Valley Flashcards
Name the three main sparkling wine appellations in the Loire
- Crémant de Loire
- sparkling Vouvray
- sparkling Saumur
Name the account of sparkling wine of all Loire appellations
13%
How has the size of the vineyard area for Crémant changed?
it has increased form 1.600ha (2012) to 2.100ha (2017)
How much Crémant producers are located at the Loire?
about 500 producers
What is the average annual Crémant production of the last 5 years?
112.00hl
Where are the grapes for the Crémant production grown?
in the middle Loire district of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine
Where is the main part of the grapes for Crémant grown?
south and south-west of Samur
Name the different soil types in the Crémant area
- clay-limestone
- flint-clay
- sand
- gravel
- tuff
Which soil type is present in Anjou?
schist and limestone
Which soil is present in Touraine?
chalk
Name the grape varieties allowed for Crémant de Loire
- Chenin Blanc (major part of most wines)
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Grolleau Noir
- Grolleau Gris
- Pineau d’Aunis
Why are the vines pruned for a higher crop load?
the base wine do not request a high level of fruit concentration
Which is the maximum allowed yield?
74hl/ha
When has the producers declare to produce Crémant?
in July
Which is the most common type of press for Crémant de Loire?
pneumatic press
In which vessel is the base wine typically fermented?
in stainless steel tanks
Is MLC processed for Crémant de Loire?
full, part and no MLC is done, depending on the required style
What is the minimum time on lees?
9 month
Which main facts are covered in the AOC regulation?
- grape varieties
- yield
- time on lees
Describe the term “Prestige de Loire”
- new top tier sparkling Loire category
- launched in 2018 (with wines dating back to 2010)
- the aim is a minimum price of 20€ in France
applied in the appellations Crémant de Loire, Anjou, Saumur and Vouvray - defined grape varieties (Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir)
- minimum of 24 month of lees aging
- vintage-dated
- Brut style (including Brut Nature, Extra Brut)
- sustainable viticulture
How is the production of Crémant de Loire divided (producer, co-operatives and merchants)?
- 19 merchant houses
- 10 co-operatives
- 400 producers
How much of the production size is account to the 9 largest houses?
80%
How is the export rate of Crémant de Loire?
50% is exported
Which are the main export markets?
- Germany
- USA
- UK
What is the ratio of sparkling to still wine in Samour and Vouvray mousseux?
60 sparkling : 40 still
How much Saumur Mousseux has been produced in the last 5 years?
10,6 million bottles from around 1.300ha
What is the minimum amount of Chenin Blanc in Saumur Mousseux?
60%
What is the maximum amount of Sauvignon Blanc in Saumur Mousseux?
10%
What is the minimum amount of Cabernet Franc in Rosé in Saumur Mousseux?
60%
What is the maximum amount of Sauvignon Blanc in Rosé Saumur Mousseux?
10%
What is the minimum time between triage and release for Saumur and Vouvray Mousseux?
12 month
How much juice can be extracted form 130km grapes?
100l
Which is the main grape variety for Saumur and Vouvray Mousseux?
Chenin Blanc
Which second grape variety is also allowed for Vouvray Mousseux?
Orbois (must be the minority of the blend)
How much Vouvray Mousseux has been produced in the last 5 years?
8,2 million bottles from around 1.200ha
Which other sparkling wines are also produced in Vouvray Mousseux?
- Vouvray Pétillant (light sparkling)
- Pet Nat (growing fashion)
How much bigger is the crop load for Saumur and Vouvray Mousseux than for still wine?
20% bigger than for still wines
What is the maximum yield for Vouvray Mousseux?
65hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for Saumur Mousseux?
67hl/ha
How can still wine producer produce sparkling wines in Saumur and Vouvray Mousseux?
they bring the bulk base wine to a specialist for second fermentation, lees aging and disgorgement
Why is the production of Saumur and Vouvray an attractive option for growers?
the yield for sparkling is higher than for still wine
