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WSET 3 (2nd Edition) > Chap 18: The Loire Valley > Flashcards

Chap 18: The Loire Valley Flashcards

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 (body and flavors)

A

Straightforward wines with freshness, light body and simple fruit flavours

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5
Q

What is the climate of the Loire?
(cool, mod, warm and continental, maritime, mediterannean)

A

Overall Cool, but Central Vineyards which are inland have a continental climate vs. Nantais region, with its coastal location, experiences a Maritime climate

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6
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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7
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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8
Q

What are the most important grape varieties of the Loire?

A

Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Melon Blanc
Cabernet Franc

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9
Q

Where in the Loire is Sauvignon Blanc mostly grown?

A

Central Vineyards

Touraine

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10
Q

Which area of the Loire has the smallest production area?

A

Central Vineyards

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11
Q

Which 2 prestigous appellations are found within the Central Vineyards?

A

Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé

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12
Q

What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé like?

A

Well-drained, stony, limestone-based soil

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13
Q

What are the Sauvignon Blanc wines of Central Vineyards like?
* Sweetness
* Acidity
* Flavors/Aromas

A

Dry

High acidity

Hints of green apple and wet stone

Those from Pouilly-Fumé are said to have subtle smoky notes

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14
Q

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

A

Village such as Chavignol and Vineyard such as Les Monts Damnés

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15
Q

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

A

Generally they’re not designed to be, but those from Villages such as Chavignol and Vineyards such as Les Monts Damnés can sometimes evolve in the bottle.

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16
Q

How are fresh, fruity wines created in the Loire? (Pressing, fermentation vessel)

A

Gentle pneumatic pressing
Temperature controlled
Stainless steel vats

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17
Q

How are certain Loire wines given a broader texture?

A

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

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18
Q

Is new oak used in the Loire?

A

By some producers

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19
Q

Does MLF take place in the Loire?

A

Dependent on the sytle the winemaker wants to make and depending on the vintage (more likely to be encouraged in cooler vintages to lower the acidity of the wines)

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20
Q

What is the most important appellation to the southwest of Sancerre?

A

Menetou-Salon

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21
Q

What is the grape used in Menetou-Salon?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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22
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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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 next region west of Menetou Salon?

A

Touraine

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25
What is the generic appellation covering Touraine?
Touraine
26
How do the generic wines of Touraine often appear?
Under a varietal label such as 'Sauvignon de Touraine'
27
Describe wines of Touraine (varietal, concentration, style)
Made from Sauvignon Blanc - often less concentration than more prestigious appellation & made in a simple fruity style
28
Give a broad description of Chenin Blanc * Acidity * Aromatic
High acid Non-aromatic
29
Which grape is responsible for the greatest white wines of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur?
Chenin Blanc
30
What is the key viticultural peculiarity with Chenin Blanc?
It is common for grapes to reach different levels of ripeness, even within one bunch
31
What can be the result if Chenin Blanc is not harvested carefully?
Green, herbaceous aromas if under-ripe grapes have not been excluded
32
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
33
What styles are Chenin grapes made into?
Dry, sweet, still or sparkling
34
What dictates the style into which Chenin is made?
The ripeness when it is picked
35
Barely ripe Chenin is used for what in Loire?
Sparkling wines | Barely ripe = only enough sugar to create wine with abv of 10-11%
36
What is the ripest Chenin gets when it is picked in Loire?
Shrivelled by the sun or affected by noble rot
37
What has been the recent harvesting trend for Chenin Blanc in Loire?
To seek greater ripeness, even for dry wines
38
What has been the result of recent trends for riper Chenin in Loire?
Higher alcohol levels and often a few grams of residual sugar
39
Describe flavours of young Chenin Blanc wines in the Loire
They vary from fresh apple to tropical fruit depending on grape ripeness
40
Describe flavours that dry Chenin can show in the Loire
Steely, smoky character
41
Describe the flavours that sweet Chenin-based wines of the Loire can have
Apricot and citrus peel flavours of noble rot
42
Can dry/sweet Chenins age?
Yes, for decades
43
Describe how Chenins from the Loire develop with bottle age.
Richer and rounder Aromas of honey, toast and hay, which balance well with the high acidity
44
Why are Chenins different from region to region?
Soil and climate both have an important influence on the character of Chenin
45
Where in the Loire is Vouvray?
To the east of the city of Tours, in Touraine
46
What are the styles of wine made in Vouvray?
Sparkling and still Dry to lusciously sweet - depending on the vintage
47
What is the soil type and climate (cool, mod, warm) in Vouvray?
Clay soils & Cool climate
48
How do the clay soils and cool climate of Vouvray affect the wine?
Typ. produces light body, fresh, fruity flavors and floral notes
49
What is the role of new oak in Vouvray?
It is rarely used
50
Which villages lie to the west of Vouvray?
Anjou and Saumur
51
What is the climate and soil type in Anjou and Saumur?
Similar to that of Vouvray (cool climate and clay soils)
52
How is Saumur renowned?
As a source of sparkling Chenin, made in the traditional method
53
How is Anjou best known?
For dry wines often matured in new oak
54
Which areas are just to the west part of Anjou-Saumur?
Savennières and Coteaux du Layon
55
What is the climate like in Savennières and Coteaux du Layon when compared to Touraine?
Warmer than Touraine
56
What is the effect that the warmer climate of Savennières and Coteaux du Layon has on its wines?
Medium to full-bodied Less floral
57
Describe wines of Savennières * Varietal(s) * Body * Sweetness * Age potential
* Chenin * Full Body * Dry * Can be complex and age worthy
58
Is noble rot used in Savennières? Explain
No The vineyards are well exposed, so circulation of air impedes the development of noble rot, but is able to late harvest
59
Describe wines of Coteaux du Layon
Some of the most renowned sweet wines of the region
60
How is the Coteaux du Layon situated?
It's located in the sheltered valley of the river Layon to the south of the Loire
61
What is the viticultural effect of the sheltered valley of the river Layon?
It encourages noble rot to develop
62
What are the most favoured sites/appellations of the Coteaux du Layon?
Bonnezeaux & Quarts de Chaume
63
What du Quarts du Chaumes and Bonnezeaux produce?
Among the world's greatest sweet wines
64
How else is Melon Blanc known?
Muscadet & Melon de Bourgogne
65
What are Melon's key viticultural characteristics? Why is this beneficial in the Nantais?
It ripens early and is frost-resistant It's suited to the cool climate
66
Where is the Nantais?
Mainly to the south of the Loire as it reaches the Atlantic
67
How are the wines of Nantais generally known?
As Muscadet
68
Which appellation of Nantais covers the widest area?
Muscadet
69
Where does the greatest wine production in Nantais come from?
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation
70
Describe wines from Muscadet appellations * Sweetness * Alc * Acidity * Body * Flavors
Dry Medium alcohol High acidity Light body Subtle green fruit flavours
71
Describe maturation of Muscadet
Traditionally in large, old oak vessels, but now more commonly in stainless steel or concrete
72
How long may Muscadet wines be aged?
They should be drunk young
73
What is the speciality wine from the Nantais area?
Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie
74
When is 'Sur Lie' wine from Nantais bottled?
The Spring following the vintage
75
How long does Sur Lie Muscadet spend on its Lees?
Winter
76
What is the effect of Muscadet being on its Lees?
It gives the wines a richer texture
77
How is Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie vinified to retain delicacy and freshness?
By being handled very little
78
Why is Cabernet Franc well suited to the Loire?
It flowers and ripens early
79
What dictates the style in which Cabernet Franc is vinified into in the Loire?
Site climate Soil Winemaking techniques
80
Where is Chinon? What is grown there?
To the south of the Loire in Touraine, just east of Saumur Cabernet Franc
81
Where else in Touraine is Cab Franc grown? Where is this?
Bourgueil Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil North of the Loire in Touraine
82
Describe how Cab Franc wines vary within Touraine
Sandy soils: Light, fruity wines for early drinking Limestone/clay soils (south facing slopes): Fuller bodied, more tannic, can evolve in bottle for years
83
What is the approach to oak ageing in Touraine for Cab Franc?
Some producers age in oak
84
What are the relevant red wine appellations to the west of Touraine?
Saumur Saumur-Champigny
85
Describe the Cab. Franc wines of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny
Most wines are made lighter in body, best drunk young, and can be served chilled. Some producers making fuller-bodied, more tannic styles that are suitable for ageing.
86
Cabernet Franc wines from Saumur-Champigny are considered to have what flavor?
particularly floral (violet) character
87
What is the second most planted black variety in the Loire?
Gamay
88
Where is Gamay mainly planted in the Loire? In what style (flavor, age potential)?
Touraine and Anjou Fruity, early drinking wines
89
What is the third red grape planted in the Loire?
Pinot Noir
90
Where is Pinot Noir grown in the Loire?
Central Vineyards
91
Why is Pinot Noir so rare in Loire?
The best sites are usually reserved for Sauvignon Blanc
92
Broadly speaking, what style (body) is Pinot Noir made into in the Loire?
Light in style
93
Where is Rosé produced in the Loire?
Mainly in Anjou-Saumur, but also significant amounts made in Touraine.
94
Where is Rosé de Loire produced? What is the sweetness level(s)?
Anjou Saumur and Touraine - always produced dry.
95
Where is the majority of Rosé de Loire produced?
Anjou-Saumur
96
What varietals are permitted for Rose de Loire?
A range of varietals including Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
97
Which are the two additional appellations within Anjou-Saumur which produce Rosé?
Cabernet d'Anjou Rosé d'Anjou
98
Which is the highest quality of Anjou-Saumur's Rosé appellations? Describe it: * Sweetness * Varietal(s)
Cabernet d'Anjou * Tends to be med-dry to med-sweet * Made from a blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon
99
Describe Rosé d'Anjou * Sweetness * Varietal(s)
Less sweet than Cabernet d'Anjou Made predominantly from Grolleau (a local high yield grape) blended with Cab Franc and other local varieties
100
Describe the Rosé wines of Touraine * Varietal(s) * Sweetness * Flavor
Can be made from a wide array of black grape varieties Usually dry, fresh and fruity
101
Describe Sancerre Rose * Varietals * Color intensity * Body * Sweetness * Flavors
Must be made from Pinot Noir Usually pale in colour and light in body and dry, with delicate fruit flavours.
102
How may Loire Rosés be vinified?
Direct pressing or short maceration on the skins Usually fermented in inert, temperature controlled vessels to retain fruit flavours

WSET 3 (2nd Edition) (39 decks)

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