Anjou-Saumur / Touraine Flashcards
What are the principle grape varieties of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine? What types of wine are they used for?
Chenin Blanc for still and sparkling white wines at multiple sweetness levels
Cabernet Franc for dry, still red wines and as a contributor to rosé
Sauvignon Blanc for dry white wines, primarily in Touraine
What is he influence of the Atlantic Ocean on Anjou-Saumur and Touraine?
It is a moderating influence that decreases steadily from Anjou-Saumur to Touraine. Touraine has higher temperature variations between winter and summer.
Does Touraine have a maritime or continental climate?
Continental with warm summers and cold winters
How much rainfall is received in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine? When does it fall and what effect does it have?
700mm distributed throughout the year, which can lead to problems at fruit set during the spring, disease pressure in the summer, and diluted yields during harvest
Are the best sites in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine used for sparkling or still wines? Why?
Still wines due to the additional ripeness required to produce them
Where in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine are botrytized wines most common? Why?
In Anjou, the Layon River and its tributaries create moist conditions that facilitate the spread of noble rot
What soils can be found in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine?
A wide range, including clay-limestone, flint-clay, dand, gravel, and tuff
What general differences are there between the soils of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine?
There is more schist and limestone in Anjou-Saumur. Touraine has more chalky soils.
What are the key properties of the soil in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine that permit quality winemaking?
Good drainage and water retention, characteristics of limestone elements in the soil
Which rootstocks are most commonly used in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine? Why?
Fercal and Riparia Gloire de Montpelier, due to their resistance to low Ph soils created by the limestone elements and the risk of Chlorosis to the grapevines
Is Chenin Blanc early, mid, or late budding?
Early
What is Chenin Blanc’s vigor and yield?
It is vigorous and high yielding
What is Chenin Blanc susceptible to?
Powdery mildew
Botrytis (positively and negatively)
Trunk diseases
Is Chenin Blanc early or late ripening?
Late ripening, which makes it susceptible to Autumn rains
What feature of Chenin Blanc requires multiple passes in the vineyard during harvest? How does this affect viticulture and pricing?
It ripens unevenly. As such, it must be picked by hand over a long period, adding to cost.
What is the general character of still, dry and off-dry Chenin Blanc wines from the middle Loire?
Some residual sugar
High acid
Medium alcohol
Medium intensity green apple, lemon, and sometimes a smoky/flinty character
What is the quality and pricing of Loire Valley Chenin Blanc?
Good to very good
Inexpensive to mid-priced
Some outstanding, premium quality examples
Is Cabernet Franc early, mid, or late budding?
Early
What is Cabernet Franc susceptible to?
Coulure
Is Cabernet Franc an early, mid, or late ripening variety?
Mid, which allows it to avoid autumn rains
What aromas are typical of less-than-ripe Cabernet Franc?
Excessive leafy aromas
What factors have led to a reduction in overly herbaceous Loire Valley Cabernet Franc?
Better canopy management
Warmer summers
What makes Cabernet Franc suitable for cultivation in cool climates?
It is winter hardy
What is the typical character of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc wines?
High acid
Medium tannins
Light to medium body
Medium to pronounced red fruit (red currant, raspberry) and floral (violet) aromas
Is Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley used to make varietal or blended wines?
Typically varietal wines though it is a blending component in rosé wines and blended with Cot (Malbec) in Eastern Touraine, the limit of its ripening area
What are the budding and ripening characters of Grolleau Noir?
Early budding
Mid ripening
What is Grolleau Noir susceptible to?
Botrytis bunch rot
How is Grolleau Noir used in the Loire Valley?
As a blending component in rosé, especially in Rosé d’Anjou and Rosé de Loire
Where in the Loire Valley is Gamay grown?
Primarily in Touraine and the Central Vineyards, though there are some plantings in Anjou
What technique is used to produce Gamay wines in the Loire Valley?
It is generally carbonic maceration
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the Loire Valley? Why?
In the warmest sites in Anjou. It is a late ripening variety and needs more warmth to allow for the buds to open early
How is Cabernet Sauvignon used in the Loire Valley?
As a blending component for Cab Franc dominant red wines and for rosé blends
At what temperatures is Chenin Blanc fermented at? What effect does this have on the duration of the ferment?
Cool to mid-range temperatures, leading to a fermwntationnthat can last several months
What are the typical fermentation vessels used for Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley?
Large old oak barrels
Stainless steel tanks
Is malolactic conversion permitted in Loire Valley Chenin Blanc winemaking?
It is typically avoided
What type of vessel is used to mature Chenin Blanc wines in the Loire Valley prior to bottling? Why?
Any large, neutral vessel. The goal is to retain primary fruit aromas, which is also why malolactic conversion is prevented.
How is Canernet Franc pressed and fermented in the Loire Valley?
Crushed and then fermented in concrete or old oak that permits pushing down or pumping over
What are the budding and ripening characteristics of Grolleau Noir?
Early budding, mid ripening
What is Grolleau Noir susceptible to?
Botrytis
How is Grolleau Noir used in the Loire Valley?
As a blending component in rosés, especially Rosé d’Anjou and Rosé de Loire
How is Gamay wine typically produced in the Loire Valley?
By carbonic maceration
Where is Gamay typically grown in the Loire Valley?
Primarily in Touraine and the Central Vineyards, though some plantings exist in Anjou
Where in the Loire Valley is Cabernet Sauvignon grown?
Primarily in Anjou where the climate is most temperate, and only then in the warmest sites that permit budding
What types of wine is Cabernet Sauvignon used to produce in the Loire Valley?
It is usually blended with Cabernet Franc or used in rosé
At what temperatures is Chenein Blanc typically fermented at for Loire Valley wine production? How long does the fermentation last?
Cool to mid range temperatures, which can take several months to complete
What types of vessels are used for the fermentation of Loire Valley Chenin Blanc?
Large old oak or stainless steel vessels
Is malolactic conversion permitted in the production of Loire Valley Chenin Blanc wines? Why or why not?
No, as the goal of winemaking is to preserve primary characteristics
What type of vessels are used to mature Loire Valley Chenin Blanc?
Any neutral vessel
How is Cabernet Franc typically processed and fermented in the Loire Valley?
It is typically crushed and fermented in concrete or old wood that permits cap management
True or False
The principle cap management technique used in Loire Valley Cabernet Franc winemaking is punching down.
False. Winemakers may use either punching down or pumping over. There is no standard practice.