Anjou- Saumur & Touraine Flashcards
Working east from the coast what are the 4 key regions of the Loire Valley?
Pays Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Central Vineyards
What is the climate of Anjou Saumur?
Continental with some maritime influence
What is the climate of Touraine?
Cool Continental - much less maritime influence
What is the average rainfall across Anjou Saumur and Touraine?
When does it fall and what affect does this have on the vines?
700mm
Falls throughout the year
Rain in spring can affect flowering and fruit set
Regular summer rain can increase disease pressure
Rain in late summer and early autumn can affect harvest
What is the name of the River in Anjou?
What affect does this have on the growing environment?
The River Layon
The River Layon and its tributaries create misty conditions that are ideal for the spread of botrytis at the end of the growing season, enabling the production of botrytised wines.
What are the 6 negative characteristics of Chenin Blanc?
- Early budding (spring frost)
- Late ripening (autumn rain)
- Uneven ripening (several passes needed, machin harvest becomes difficult)
- Prone to powdery mildew
- Prone to botrytis bunch rot
- Prone to trunk diseases
Name the appellations in Anjou in which Chenin Blanc is the main grape.
What style of Chenin Blanc is produced in these appellations?
ANJOU AOC Blanc:
Dry
COTEAUX DE LAYON AOC:
Botrytised/ sweet
COTEAUX DE LAYON AOC + NAMED VILLAGE: Botrytised/ sweet
BONNEZEAUX AOC:
Botrytised/ sweet
QUARTS DE CHAUME AOC:
Botrytised/ sweet
SAVENNIÈRES AOC:
Dry
ROCHE AUX MOINES AOC:
Dry
COULÉE DE SERRANT:
Dry
Give a typical tasting note for a dry Chenin Blanc from Anjou Saumur
Medium intensity Green apple, lemon, steely, smoky High acidity Medium alcohol Good to v.good, some outstanding Inexpensive to mid price, some premium
Which two wines does Grolleau Noir feature as a blending component in in the Loire?
Rosé de Loire
Rosé d’Anjou
What are the 3 negative characteristics of Cabernet Franc?
- Early budding (spring frost)
- Prone to coulure (reduces yields)
- If not fully ripe, can be leafy tasting
What are the 2 positive characteristics of Cabernet Franc?
- Winter hardy (suited to cool climates)
- Mid ripening (avoid rain at harvest)
Give a typical tasting note for a Cabernet Franc from Anjou Saumur.
Medium to pronounced intensity Redcurrant, raspberry, violet, graphite High acidity Light to medium body Medium tannins Medium alcohol
Where might you find Gamay growing in the Loire?
Some in Anjou, but mostly around Touraine and the Central Vineyards
Describe typical winemaking techniques for dry Chenin Blanc in the Loire.
- Cool to mid range temps
- Fermentations can last several months
- Large old oak or stainless steel used as fermentation vessels
- Avoid MLF
- Most wines are aged in neutral containers, not new barriques
- Aim is to retain primary fruit aromas and flavours
Describe typical winemaking techniques for Cabernet Franc in the Loire.
- Crushed fruit fermentation
- Fermentation in concrete or old wooden vats that allow punch downs and/ or pumpovers
- Aim is retention of primary fruit flavours
- More expensive wines may see a portion of new French oak barriques
Describe typical winemaking techniques for Loire Rosé wines.
- Many Loire Rosé’s are made by direct press
- Short maceration is used on some
- Winemaking then proceeds as it would for a white, with short ageing (3 to 4 months) in neutral containers
Which rootstocks are commonly used in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine? Why?
Fercal and Riparia Gloire de Montpellier
Soils have high limestone content and these rootstocks are used to protect vines from chlorosis
What soils are found in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine?
Wide range of soils
Clay limestone Flint-clay Sand Gravel Tuff.
Overall key properties include the good water retention and drainage of limestone elements.
What wines can be made in Anjou AOC?
How does this differ to Anjou Villages AOC?
Blanc: min. 80% Chenin Blanc
Rouge: min. 70% Cab Franc and/ or Cab Sauvignon
Rosé is also made
Anjou Villages AOC is for red wines only, from 100% Cabernet Franc and / or Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields are lower for these wines and they are more concentrated
What type of soils are found across Anjou?
Schist and limestone
Describe the topography of Coteaux du Layon AOC. Which two other appellations are contained within it?
Large appellation on the steep slopes of the right bank of the Layon River which runs into the Loire
Bonnezeaux AOC
Quarts de Chaume AOC
What is the only Grand Cru in the Loire?
What is the only Premier Cru?
What wines do they produce?
GRAND CRU: Quarts de Chaume AOC
PREMIER CRU: Coteaux du Layon AOC Chaume
They both produce sweet, botrytised wines from Chenin Blanc
Give a typical tasting note for a wine from Coteaux du Layon AOC, specifying the grape variety used.
Chenin Blanc Pronounced aromas of cooked citrus, apple and honey Sweet High acidity Medium (+) body Mid priced to premium
List the following appellations from lowest to highest minimum potential alcohol and from highest to lowest maximum yield.
Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Coteaux du Layon AOC Chaume 1er Cru Coteaux du Layon AOC Coteaux du Layon AOC + named village Bonnezeaux AOC
Coteaux du Layon AOC:
35hl/ha 14% potential alcohol
Coteaux du Layon AOC + named village:
30hl/ha 15% potential alcohol
Bonnezeaux AOC
25hl/ha 15% potential alcohol
Coteaux du Layon AOC Chaume 1er Cru
25hl/ha 16.5% potential alcohol
Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru
20hl/ha 18% potential alcohol
Why do producers make more dry white wine than sweet in Vouvray?
Demand