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2019-06-03 WSET3 EXAM > C18 - The Loire Valley /checked > Flashcards

C18 - The Loire Valley /checked Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 sub-regions of the Loire from West to East?

A
  1. Nantais
  2. Anjou-Saumur
  3. Touraine
  4. Central vineyards
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2
Q

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

A

There isn’t one

There is a IGP - Val de Loire

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3
Q

Describe Val de Loire wines

A

Straightforward wines with freshness, light body and simple fruit flavours

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4
Q

What is the climate of the Loire? (2)

A
  1. Maritime in the Nantais

2. Cool Continental inland

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5
Q

What’s the climate like in Anjou?

Why? (2)

A

Slightly warmer and drier than might be expected given their proximity to the ocean.

  1. Protected by Mauges hills
  2. Some vineyards are warmed by stony soils
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6
Q

What’s the climate of Touraine?

Soils?

A

Wetter and cooler than Anjou

Clay soils

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7
Q

Why is vintage important in Loire?

A

Weather varies wildly in the region

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8
Q

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

A

FUNGAL DISEASE caused by high levels of rain

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9
Q

Describe the best vineyards in the Loire (3)

A
  • SOUTH FACING
  • MID-SLOPE
  • FACING RIVER for reflected light and heat
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10
Q

What are the main grape varieties of the Loire? (5)

A
  1. Melon Blanc (Muscadet/Melon de Bourgogne)
  2. Chenin Blanc
  3. Grolleau
  4. Cabernet Franc
  5. Sauvignon Blanc
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11
Q

Where in the Loire is Sauvignon Blanc mostly grown? (2)

A
  1. Central Vineyards

2. Touraine

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12
Q

Which area of the Loire has the smallest production area?

A

Central Vineyards

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13
Q

What 3 famous (Sauvignon Blanc) appellations are found within the Central Vineyards?

A
  1. Sancerre
  2. Pouilly-Fumé
  3. Menetou Salon
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14
Q

What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé like?

3 characters

A
  1. Chalky
  2. Well-drained
  3. Stony
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15
Q

What are the Sauvignon Blanc wines of Central Vineyards like? (3 characters)

sweetness, acidity, aroma/flavours

A
  • Dry
  • High acidity
  • Hints of green apple and wet stone. Pouilly-Fumé: smoky notes
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16
Q

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

A
  • Chavignol

- Les Monts Damnés

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17
Q

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

A

Generally they’re not designed to be

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18
Q

How are fresh, fruity wines created in the Loire?

A
  1. Gentle pneumatic pressing

2. Temperature controlled, stainless steel vats

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19
Q

How are certain Loire wines given a broader texture? (2)

A
  1. Wines are fermented and matured in OLD OAK VESSELS

2. Wines are kept on their LEES

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20
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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21
Q

What is the grape used in Menetou-Salon?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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22
Q

What is the price point of Menetou-Salon compared to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?

A

More moderately priced than Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

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23
Q

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

A

Touraine

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24
Q

What is the generic appellation covering Touraine?

A

Touraine

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25
Q

How do the generic wines of Touraine often appear?

A

Under a varietal label such as Sauvignon de Touraine

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26
Q

Describe Touraine (Sauvignon Blanc) wines (2)

A
  • Often less concentration than more prestigious appellation

- Made in a simple fruity style

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27
Q

Give a broad description of Chenin Blanc

acidity, aromatic

A
  • High acid

- Non-aromatic

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28
Q

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

A

Chenin Blanc

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29
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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30
Q

What can be the result if Chenin Blanc is not harvested carefully and unripe fruit is included?

aromas

A

Green, herbaceous aromas

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31
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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32
Q

What wine styles are Chenin Blanc grapes made into?

sweetness, still/sprakling

A
  • Dry, sweet,

- still or sparkling

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33
Q

What dictates the style into which Chenin is made?

A

The ripeness when it is picked

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34
Q

Barely ripe Chenin is used for what in Loire?

A

Sparkling wines

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35
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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36
Q

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

A

Higher alcohol wines

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37
Q

Describe the flavour spectrum of young Chenin Blanc wines in the Loire

A

They vary from Green Fruit (fresh apple) to Tropical Fruit depending on grape ripeness

38
Q

Describe the typical flavours that dry Chenin can show in the Loire

A

Steely, smoky character

39
Q

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

A

Apricot and citrus peel flavours of noble rot

40
Q

Can dry/sweet Chenins age?

A

Yes, for decades

41
Q

Describe aged Chenins in the Loire

body, aromas, acidity

A
  • Richer and rounder
  • Aromas of honey, toast and hay
  • High acidity
42
Q

Why are Chenins different from region to region?

A

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

43
Q

What are the styles of wine made in Vouvray?

sweetness, still/sprakling

A
  • Dry to lusciously sweet

- Sparkling and still

44
Q

What dictates the style in which Vouvray is vinified?

A

The vintage (characters)

45
Q

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

body, flavours

A

Light body

Fresh, fruity and floral flavours

46
Q

What is the role of new oak in Vouvray?

A

It is rarely used

47
Q

What is the climate and soil of Anjou and Saumur?

A

Cool climate and clay soils

48
Q

How is Saumur renowned?

A

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

49
Q

How is Anjou best known?

A

For dry wines often matured in new oak

50
Q

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

A

Savennières and Coteaux du Layon

51
Q

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

A

Warmer than Touraine

52
Q

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

body, aroma

A
  • Medium to full-bodied

- Less floral

53
Q

Describe wines of Savennières

grape, body, sweetness

A
  • Full bodied Chenin
  • Dry
  • Can be complex and age worthy
54
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

55
Q

Describe wines of Coteaux du Layon

A

Some of the most renowned SWEET WINES of the region

56
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

57
Q

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

A

It encourages NOBLE ROT to develop

58
Q

What are the 2 most favoured sites/appellations of the Coteaux du Layon?

A
  1. Bonnezeaux

2. Quarts de Chaume

59
Q

What do Quarts du Chaumes and Bonnezeaux produce?

A

Among the world’s greatest sweet wines

60
Q

How else is Melon Blanc known?

A
  • Muscadet

- Melon de Bourgogne

61
Q

What are Melon’s key viticultural characteristics?
ripening, frost

Why is this beneficial in the Nantais?

A

It RIPENS EARLY and is FROST RESISTANT

It’s suited to the cool climate

62
Q

How are the wines of Nantais generally known?

A

As Muscadet

63
Q

Which appellation of Nantais covers the widest area?

A

Muscadet AOC

64
Q

Where does the greatest wine production of Nantais come from?

A

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC

65
Q

Describe wines from Muscadet appellations

sweetness, alcohol, acidity, body, flavours

A
  • Dry
  • Medium alcohol
  • High acidity
  • Light body
  • Subtle green fruit flavours
66
Q

What is the MAXIMUM permitted alcohol for Muscadet wines?

A

12% abv

67
Q

Describe maturation vessels of Muscadet

A

Traditionally in large, old oak vessels

Now more commonly in stainless steel or concrete

68
Q

How long may Muscadet wines be aged?

A

They should be drunk YOUNG

69
Q

What is the speciality wine from the Nantais area?

A

Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie

70
Q

When is ‘Sur Lie’ wine from Nantais bottled?

A

SPRING FOLLOWING HARVEST

71
Q

How long does Sur Lie Muscadet spend on its Lees?

A

Winter

72
Q

What is the effect of Muscadet being on its Lees?

body

A

It gives the wines a richer texture

73
Q

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

A

By being handled very little

74
Q

Why is Cabernet Franc well suited to the Loire?

flowering, ripening

A
  • FLOWERS EARLY

- RIPENS EARLY

75
Q

What dictates the style in which Cabernet Franc is vinified into in the Loire? (3)

A
  1. Site climate
  2. Soil
  3. Winemaking techniques
76
Q

What is the principal grape in Chinon?

A

Cabernet Franc

77
Q

What is the principal grape in Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil

A

Cabernet Franc

78
Q

Describe how Cab Franc wines vary within Touraine

2 soil types, corresponding body

A
  • Sandy soils: Light, fruity wines for early drinking

- Limestone/clay soils (south facing slopes): Fuller bodied, more tannic

79
Q

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

A

Some producers age in oak

80
Q

Can Touraine reds age?

A

The best can evolve in bottle over many years

81
Q

Describe the RED wines of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny

body, tannin, flavour

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
82
Q

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

A

GAMAY

83
Q

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

A

Touraine and Anjou

Fruity, early drinking wines

84
Q

What is the third red grape planted in the Loire?

A

Pinot Noir

85
Q

Where is Pinot Noir grown in the Loire?

A

Central Vineyards

86
Q

Why is Pinot Noir so rare in Loire?

A

The best sites are usually reserved for Sauvignon Blanc

87
Q

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

A

Light in style

88
Q

Where is Roséproduced in the Loire? (3)

A
  1. Anjou-Saumur (mainly)
  2. Touraine
  3. Sancerre
89
Q

How must Rosé de Loire be blended?

A

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

90
Q

Beyond Rosé de Loire, what are the 2 additional appellations within Anjou-Saumur which produce Rosé?

A
  1. Cabernet d’Anjou ( sweet, blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon)
  2. Roséd’Anjou (less sweet, predominantly Grolleau)
91
Q

Describe Sancerre Rose

grape, colour, body, sweetness, flavours

A
  • Must be made from Pinot Noir
  • Usually pale in colour and light in body
  • Dry
  • Delicate fruit flavours
92
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 flavours

2019-06-03 WSET3 EXAM (52 decks)

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