C18 - The Loire Valley Flashcards
What are the four sub-regions of the Loire from east to west?
Central vineyards
Touraine
Anjou Saumur
Nantais
What is the regional generic appellation covering the whole of the Loire?
There isn’t one
What is the IGP that covers the Loire?
Val de Loire
Describe Val de Loire wines
Straightforward wines with freshness, light body and simple fruit flavours
What is the climate of the Loire?
Cool Continental inland Maritime in the Nantais
What’s the climate like in Anjou? Why?
Slightly warmer and drier than might be expected Protected by Mauges hills Some vineyards are warmed by stony soils
What’s the climate of Touraine?
Wetter and cooler than Anjou, with clay soils
Why is vintage important in Loire?
Weather varies wildly in the region
What is a particular issue related to the weather in Loire?
Fungal disease caused by rain
Describe the best vineyards in the Loire
They are south facing, mid-slope and often facing the river for reflected light and heat
How many grape varieties are permitted in the Loire?
Many
What are the main grape varieties of the Loire?
Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc Melon Blanc Cabernet Franc
Where in the Loire is Sauvignon Blanc mostly grown?
Central Vineyards
Touraine
Which area of the Loire has the smallest production area?
Central Vineyards
What appellations are found within the Central Vineyards?
Sancerre Pouilly-Fumé
What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé like?
Chalky Well-drained Stony
What are the wines of Central Vineyards like?
Dry
High acidity
Hints of green apple and wet stone
Subtle smoky notes from Pouilly-Fumé
Name a village and a vineyard in Sancerre, noted for particularly expressive wines
Chavignol Les Monts Damnés
How long can wines from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé be aged?
Generally they’re not designed to be
How are fresh, fruity wines created in the Loire?
Gentle pneumatic pressing Temperature controlled, stainless steel vats
How are certain Loire wines given a broader texture?
Wines are fermented and matured in old oak vessels Wines are kept on their lees
Is new oak used in the Loire?
By some producers
Does MLF take place in the Loire?
Dependent on vintage (cooler weather produces a greater need due to higher acidity)
What is the most important appellation to the west and south of Sancerre?
Menetou-Salon
What is the grape used in Menetou-Salon?
Sauvignon Blanc
How are the vineyards to the south and east of Sancerre located?
On the tributaries of the Loire
What are the wines of Menetou-Salon like?
More moderately priced wines made in the same style as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé
Where does the majority of Sauvignon Blanc come from in the Loire?
Touraine
What is the next region west of Menetou Salon? What is produced here?
Touraine Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc
What is the generic appellation covering Touraine?
Touraine
How do the generic wines of Touraine often appear?
Under a varietal label such as Sauvignon de Touraine
Describe wines of Touraine
Made from Sauvignon Blanc Often less concentration than more prestigious appellation Made in a simple fruity style
Give a broad description of Chenin Blanc
High acid
Non-aromatic
Which grape is responsible for the greatest wines of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur?
Chenin Blanc
What is the key viticultural peculiarity with Chenin Blanc?
It is common for grapes to reach different levels of ripeness, even within one bunch
What can be the result if Chenin Blanc is not harvested carefully?
Green, herbaceous aromas
How may the problem of varying ripeness in Chenin Blanc grapes be tackled?
By harvesting in several passes to pick the grapes at a desired level of ripeness
What styles are Chenin grapes made into?
Dry, sweet, still or sparkling
What dictates the style into which Chenin is made?
The ripeness when it is picked
Barely ripe Chenin is used for what in Loire?
Sparkling wines
What is the ripest Chenin gets when it is picked in Loire?
Shrivelled by the sun or affected by noble rot
What has been the recent harvesting trend for Chenin Blanc in Loire?
To seek greater ripeness, even for dry wines
What has been the result of recent trends for riper Chenin in Loire?
Higher alcohol wines
Describe flavours of young Chenin Blanc wines in the Loire
They vary from fresh apple to tropical fruit depending on grape ripeness