Central Vineyards

Question 1

The climate of the Central Vineyards (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé) is ___.

What are the main grapes grown here?

Answer 1

Continental;
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir.

Question 2

The rainfall in Central Vineyards is high for a continental climate: __ mm/year.

Answer 2

750mm/year

Question 3

What are the environmental threats in Central Vineyards?

Answer 3

Spring frost;
Summertime hail
fungal disease

Question 4

Why is Sancerre more restrained than Bordeaux or Marlborough?

Answer 4

Long growing-season day lengths combined with lower light intensity and lower heat

Question 5

Sauvignon Blanc is an ideal grape for the Central Vineyards.

It buds __ and ripens __.

Answer 5

Buds late, ripens early

Question 6

Is SB vigorous or not?

Answer 6

Vigorous

Question 7

In the Central Vineyards, how do row orientation and canopy management affect the flavor profile of Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 7

Fruit grown in shadier conditions = more green pepper and grassy notes;
Fruit grown with more sunlight = more tropical fruit flavors.

Question 8

Winemaking style in Sancerre

Answer 8

typical fermentation temperatures: upper part of cool to lowest part of mid-range, rather than cool (slightly higher than in the new world for more restrained fruit expression)

Malolactic optional - conversion will often be blocked, but some producers choose to allow it depending on style and vintage.

Higher quality wines may be aged in old oak casks to fill out the body of the wine, but typically without the addition of new oak flavours.

Question 9

Maximum yields in Sancerre AOC are set at:

__ hL/ha for white wines;
__ hL/ ha for rosés;
__ hL/ha for reds.

Answer 9

65 hL/ha for white wines;
63 hL/ ha for rosés;
59 hL/ha for reds.

Question 10

Why can SB be grown at high yields and still make high quality wines?

Answer 10

Sauvignon Blanc can produce wines with sufficient flavour intensity at this level

Question 11

What 3 things in Sancerre AOC provide moderating influences against frosts in spring?

Answer 11

Hillside slopes 200-400m;
Loire River;
Nearby forests.

Question 12

q
What are the 3 types of soil found in Sancerre AOC?

Answer 12

Caillottes;
Terre Blanches;
Silex.

Question 13

What are three characteristics of Caillottes soils in Sancerre?

Answer 13

Very shallow soils (25–40 mm) over limestone;
Said to produce the most aromatic wines that are first to be ready to drink;
Said to have less potential for aging in the bottle.

Question 14

What are three characteristics of Terre Blanches soils in Sancerre?

Answer 14

Same soil as Chablis (limestone and marl);
Slow ripening on these soils which include some of Sancerre’s most famous vineyards: Côte des Monts Damnés, Cul de Beaujeu;
Said to produce the most structured wines that need long maturation before they are ready to drink and age well.

Question 15

q
What are two characteristics of Silex soils in Sancerre?

Answer 15

Flinty soils that accumulate heat and lead to early ripening;
Said to produce wines with stony or smoky aromas.

Question 16

Other AOC’s in the Central Vineyards

Answer 16

Pouilly-Fumé AOC
Reuilly AOC
Quincy AOC
Menetou-Salon AOC

Question 17

For the Loire Valley as a whole, négociants are very important – they sell __% of all wine by volume.

Answer 17

50%

Question 18

The distinction between négociants and estates in the Loire Valley has become somewhat blurred over the last 20 years.

What’s going on?

Answer 18

Négociants are increasingly vinifying their wines themselves rather than relying mainly on buying finished wine, and some have even bought estates;
An increasing number of family estates have added a négociant side to their business;
This shift is happening with the recent frosts and hail damage, which have severely reduced crops so buying grapes, juice or wine can be a way of keeping their clients and avoiding severe financial problems.