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WSET Level 3 > C18 - The Loire Valley > Flashcards

C18 - The Loire Valley Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the four sub-regions of the Loire from east to west?

A

Central vineyards
Touraine
Anjou Saumur
Nantais

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2
Q

What is the regional generic appellation covering the whole of the Loire?

A

There isn’t one

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3
Q

What is the IGP that covers the Loire?

A

Val de Loire

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4
Q

Describe Val de Loire wines

A

Straightforward wines with freshness, light body and simple fruit flavors

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5
Q

What is the climate of the Loire?

A

Cool Continental inland Maritime in the Nantais

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6
Q

What’s the climate like in Anjou? Why?

A

Slightly warmer and drier than might be expected Protected by Mauges hills Some vineyards are warmed by stony soils

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7
Q

What’s the climate of Touraine?

A

Wetter and cooler than Anjou, with clay soils

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8
Q

Why is vintage important in Loire?

A

Weather varies wildly in the region

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9
Q

What is a particular issue related to the weather in Loire?

A

Fungal disease caused by rain

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10
Q

Describe the best vineyards in the Loire

A

They are south facing, mid-slope and often facing the river for reflected light and heat

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11
Q

How many grape varieties are permitted in the Loire?

A

Many

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12
Q

What are the main grape varieties of the Loire?

A

Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc Melon Blanc Cabernet Franc

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13
Q

Where in the Loire is Sauvignon Blanc mostly grown?

A

Central Vineyards
Touraine

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14
Q

Which area of the Loire has the smallest production area?

A

Central Vineyards

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15
Q

What appellations are found within the Central Vineyards?

A

Sancerre Pouilly-Fumé

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16
Q

What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé like?

A

Chalky Well-drained Stony

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17
Q

What are the wines of Central Vineyards like?

A

Dry
High acidity
Hints of green apple and wet stone
Subtle smoky notes from Pouilly-Fumé

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18
Q

Name a village and a vineyard in Sancerre, noted for particularly expressive wines

A

Chavignol Les Monts Damnés

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19
Q

How long can wines from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé be aged?

A

Generally they’re not designed to be

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20
Q

How are fresh, fruity wines created in the Loire?

A

Gentle pneumatic pressing Temperature controlled, stainless steel vats

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21
Q

How are certain Loire wines given a broader texture?

A

Wines are fermented and matured in old oak vessels Wines are kept on their lees

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22
Q

Is new oak used in the Loire?

A

By some producers

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23
Q

Does MLF take place in the Loire?

A

Dependent on vintage (cooler weather produces a greater need due to higher acidity)

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24
Q

What is the most important appellation to the west and south of Sancerre?

A

Menetou-Salon

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25
Q

What is the grape used in Menetou-Salon?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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26
Q

How are the vineyards to the south and east of Sancerre located?

A

On the tributaries of the Loire

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27
Q

What are the wines of Menetou-Salon like?

A

More moderately priced wines made in the same style as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

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28
Q

Where does the majority of Sauvignon Blanc come from in the Loire?

A

Touraine

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29
Q

What is the next region west of Menetou Salon? What is produced here?

A

Touraine Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc

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30
Q

What is the generic appellation covering Touraine?

A

Touraine

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31
Q

How do the generic wines of Touraine often appear?

A

Under a varietal label such as Sauvignon de Touraine

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32
Q

Describe wines of Touraine

A

Made from Sauvignon Blanc Often less concentration than more prestigious appellation Made in a simple fruity style

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33
Q

Give a broad description of Chenin Blanc

A

High acid
Non-aromatic

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34
Q

Which grape is responsible for the greatest wines of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur?

A

Chenin Blanc

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35
Q

What is the key viticultural peculiarity with Chenin Blanc?

A

It is common for grapes to reach different levels of ripeness, even within one bunch

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36
Q

What can be the result if Chenin Blanc is not harvested carefully?

A

Green, herbaceous aromas

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37
Q

How may the problem of varying ripeness in Chenin Blanc grapes be tackled?

A

By harvesting in several passes to pick the grapes at a desired level of ripeness

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38
Q

What styles are Chenin grapes made into?

A

Dry, sweet, still or sparkling

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39
Q

What dictates the style into which Chenin is made?

A

The ripeness when it is picked

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40
Q

Barely ripe Chenin is used for what in Loire?

A

Sparkling wines

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41
Q

What is the ripest Chenin gets when it is picked in Loire?

A

Shriveled by the sun or affected by noble rot

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42
Q

What has been the recent harvesting trend for Chenin Blanc in Loire?

A

To seek greater ripeness, even for dry wines

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43
Q

What has been the result of recent trends for riper Chenin in Loire?

A

Higher alcohol wines

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44
Q

Describe flavors of young Chenin Blanc wines in the Loire

A

They vary from fresh apple to tropical fruit depending on grape ripeness

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45
Q

Describe flavors that dry Chenin can show in the Loire

A

Steely, smoky character

46
Q

Describe the flavors that sweet Chenin-based wines of the Loire can have

A

Apricot and citrus peel flavors of noble rot

47
Q

Can dry/sweet Chenins age?

A

Yes, for decades

48
Q

Describe aged Chenins in the Loire

A

Richer and rounder Aromas of honey, toast and hay High acidity

49
Q

Why are Chenins different from region to region?

A

Soil and climate both have an important influence on the character of Chenin

50
Q

Where in the Loire is Vouvray?

A

To the east of the city of Tours, in Touraine

51
Q

What are the styles of wine made in Vouvray?

A

Sparkling and still Dry to lusciously sweet

52
Q

What dictates the style in which Vouvray is vinified?

A

The vintage

53
Q

What is the soil and weather like in Vouvray?

A

Clay soils Cool climate

54
Q

How do the clay soils and cool climate of Vouvray affect the wine?

A

Light body Fresh, fruity and floral flavours

55
Q

What is the role of new oak in Vouvray?

A

It is rarely used

56
Q

Which villages lie to the west of Vouvray?

A

Anjou and Saumur

57
Q

What is the climate of Anjou and Saumur?

A

Similar to that of Vouvray (cool climate and clay soils)

58
Q

How is Saumur renowned?

A

As a source of sparkling Chenin, made in the traditional method

59
Q

How is Anjou best known?

A

For dry wines often matured in new oak

60
Q

Which areas are just to the west part of Anjou-Saumur?

A

Savennières and Coteaux du Layon

61
Q

What is the climate like in Savennières and Coteaux du Layon?

A

Warmer than Touraine

62
Q

What is the effect that the warmer climate of Savennières and Coteaux du Layon has on its wines?

A

Medium to full-bodied
Less floral

63
Q

Describe wines of Savennières

A

Full bodied Chenin Dry Can be complex and age worthy

64
Q

Is noble rot used in Savennières? Explain

A

No The vineyards are well exposed, so circulation of air impedes the development of noble rot

65
Q

Describe wines of Coteaux du Layon

A

Some of the most renowned sweet wines of the region

66
Q

How is the Coteaux du Layon situated?

A

It’s located in the sheltered valley of the river Layon to the south of the Loire

67
Q

What is the viticultural effect of the sheltered valley of the river Layon?

A

It encourages noble rot to develop

68
Q

What are the most favored sites/appellations of the Coteaux du Layon?

A

Bonnezeaux Quarts de Chaume

69
Q

What du Quarts du Chaumes and Bonnezeaux produce?

A

Among the world’s greatest sweet wines

70
Q

How else is Melon Blanc known?

A

Muscadet Melon de Bourgogne

71
Q

What are Melon’s key viticultural characteristics? Why is this beneficial in the Nantais?

A

It ripens early and is frost-resistant It’s suited to the cool climate

72
Q

Where is the Nantais?

A

To the far west of the Loire region and mostly south of the river

73
Q

How are the wines of Nantais generally known?

A

As Muscadet

74
Q

Which appellation of Nantais covers the widest area?

A

Muscadet

75
Q

Where does the greatest wine production of Nantais come from?

A

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation

76
Q

Describe wines from Muscadet appellations

A

Dry
Medium alcohol
High acidity
Light body
Subtle green fruit flavors

77
Q

What is the maximum permitted alcohol for Muscadet wines?

A

12% abv

78
Q

Describe maturation of Muscadet

A

Traditionally in large, old oak vessels Now more commonly in stainless steel or concrete

79
Q

How long may Muscadet wines be aged?

A

They should be drunk young

80
Q

What is the specialty wine from the Nantais area?

A

Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie

81
Q

When is ‘Sur Lie’ wine from Nantais bottled?

A

The Spring following the vintage

82
Q

How long does Sur Lie Muscadet spend on its Lees?

A

Winter

83
Q

What is the effect of Muscadet being on its Lees?

A

It gives the wines a richer texture

84
Q

How is Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie vinified to retain delicacy and freshness?

A

By being handled very little

85
Q

Why is Cabernet Franc well suited to the Loire?

A

It flowers and ripens early

86
Q

What dictates the style in which Cabernet Franc is vinified into in the Loire?

A

Site climate
Soil
Winemaking techniques

87
Q

Where is Chinon?
What is grown there?

A

To the south of the Loire in Touraine, just east of Saumur
Cabernet Franc

88
Q

Where else in Touraine is Cab Franc grown?
Where is this?

A

Bourgueil Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
North of the Loire in Touraine

89
Q

Describe how Cab Franc wines vary within Touraine

A

Sandy soils: Light, fruity wines for early drinking
Limestone/clay soils (south facing slopes): Fuller bodied, more tannic

90
Q

What is the approach to oak ageing in Touraine for Cab Franc?

A

Some producers age in oak

91
Q

Can Touraine reds age?

A

The best can evolve in bottle over many years

92
Q

What are the relevant red wine appellations to the west of Touraine?

A

Saumur
Saumur-Champigny

93
Q

Describe the wines of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny

A

Lighter in body and tannin than those of Touraine
Juicy berry fruit and floral notes
Young drinking
Can be served chilled
Some producers making fuller-bodied, age worthy reds

94
Q

What is the second most planted black variety in the Loire?

A

Gamay

95
Q

Where is Gamay mainly planted in the Loire? In what style?

A

Touraine and Anjou
Fruity, early drinking wines

96
Q

What is the third red grape planted in the Loire?

A

Pinot Noir

97
Q

Where is Pinot Noir grown in the Loire?

A

Central Vineyards

98
Q

Why is Pinot Noir so rare in Loire?

A

The best sites are usually reserved for Sauvignon Blanc

99
Q

Broadly speaking, what style is Pinot Noir made into in the Loire?

A

Light in style

100
Q

Where is Rosé produced in the Loire?

A

Mainly Anjou-Saumur
Significant amounts in Touraine and Sancerre

101
Q

Where is Rosé de Loire produced?

A

Anjou Saumur and Touraine

102
Q

Where is the majority of Rosé de Loire produced?

A

Anjou-Saumur

103
Q

Where is sweet Anjou-Saumur produced?

A

It is only dry

104
Q

How must Anjou-Saumur be blended?

A

it must be a minimum of 30% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon

105
Q

Which are the two additional appellations within Anjou-Saumur which produce Rosé?

A

Cabernet d’Anjou
Rosé d’Anjou

106
Q

Which is the highest quality of Anjou-Saumur’s Rosé appellations? Describe it

A

Cabernet d’Anjou
Always medium sweet
Made from a blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon

107
Q

Describe Rosé d’Anjou

A

Less sweet than Cabernet d’Anjou
Made predominantly from Grolleau
Blended with Cab Franc and other local varieties

108
Q

Describe the Rosé wines of Touraine

A

Can be made from a wide array of black grape varieties
Usually dry, fresh and fruity

109
Q

Describe Sancerre Rose

A

Must be made from Pinot Noir
Usually pale in color and light in body
Dry, with delicate fruit flavors

110
Q

How may Loire Rosés be vinified?

A

Direct pressing or short maceration on the skins
Fermented in inert, temperature controlled vessels to retain fruit flavors

WSET Level 3 (27 decks)

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