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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?

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
Q

What is the generic appellation covering Touraine?

A

Touraine

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26
Q

How do the generic wines of Touraine often appear?

A

Under a varietal label such as ‘Sauvignon de Touraine’

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27
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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28
Q

Give a broad description of Chenin Blanc
* Acidity
* Aromatic

A

High acid

Non-aromatic

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29
Q

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

A

Chenin Blanc

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30
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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31
Q

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

A

Green, herbaceous aromas if under-ripe grapes have not been excluded

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32
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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33
Q

What styles are Chenin grapes made into?

A

Dry, sweet, still or sparkling

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34
Q

What dictates the style into which Chenin is made?

A

The ripeness when it is picked

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35
Q

Barely ripe Chenin is used for what in Loire?

A

Sparkling wines

Barely ripe = only enough sugar to create wine with abv of 10-11%

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36
Q

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

A

Shrivelled by the sun or affected by noble rot

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37
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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38
Q

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

A

Higher alcohol levels and often a few grams of residual sugar

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39
Q

Describe flavours 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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40
Q

Describe flavours that dry Chenin can show in the Loire

A

Steely, smoky character

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41
Q

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

A

Apricot and citrus peel flavours of noble rot

42
Q

Can dry/sweet Chenins age?

A

Yes, for decades

43
Q

Describe how Chenins from the Loire develop with bottle age.

A

Richer and rounder Aromas of honey, toast and hay, which balance well with the high acidity

44
Q

Why are Chenins different from region to region?

A

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

45
Q

Where in the Loire is Vouvray?

A

To the east of the city of Tours, in Touraine

46
Q

What are the styles of wine made in Vouvray?

A

Sparkling and still Dry to lusciously sweet - depending on the vintage

47
Q

What is the soil type and climate (cool, mod, warm) in Vouvray?

A

Clay soils & Cool climate

48
Q

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

A

Typ. produces light body, fresh, fruity flavors and floral notes

49
Q

What is the role of new oak in Vouvray?

A

It is rarely used

50
Q

Which villages lie to the west of Vouvray?

A

Anjou and Saumur

51
Q

What is the climate and soil type in Anjou and Saumur?

A

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

52
Q

How is Saumur renowned?

A

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

53
Q

How is Anjou best known?

A

For dry wines often matured in new oak

54
Q

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

A

Savennières and Coteaux du Layon

55
Q

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

A

Warmer than Touraine

56
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

57
Q

Describe wines of Savennières
* Varietal(s)
* Body
* Sweetness
* Age potential

A
  • Chenin
  • Full Body
  • Dry
  • Can be complex and age worthy
58
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, but is able to late harvest

59
Q

Describe wines of Coteaux du Layon

A

Some of the most renowned sweet wines of the region

60
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

61
Q

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

A

It encourages noble rot to develop

62
Q

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

A

Bonnezeaux & Quarts de Chaume

63
Q

What du Quarts du Chaumes and Bonnezeaux produce?

A

Among the world’s greatest sweet wines

64
Q

How else is Melon Blanc known?

A

Muscadet & Melon de Bourgogne

65
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

66
Q

Where is the Nantais?

A

Mainly to the south of the Loire as it reaches the Atlantic

67
Q

How are the wines of Nantais generally known?

A

As Muscadet

68
Q

Which appellation of Nantais covers the widest area?

A

Muscadet

69
Q

Where does the greatest wine production in Nantais come from?

A

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation

70
Q

Describe wines from Muscadet appellations
* Sweetness
* Alc
* Acidity
* Body
* Flavors

A

Dry

Medium alcohol

High acidity

Light body

Subtle green fruit flavours

71
Q

Describe maturation of Muscadet

A

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

72
Q

How long may Muscadet wines be aged?

A

They should be drunk young

73
Q

What is the speciality wine from the Nantais area?

A

Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie

74
Q

When is ‘Sur Lie’ wine from Nantais bottled?

A

The Spring following the vintage

75
Q

How long does Sur Lie Muscadet spend on its Lees?

A

Winter

76
Q

What is the effect of Muscadet being on its Lees?

A

It gives the wines a richer texture

77
Q

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

A

By being handled very little

78
Q

Why is Cabernet Franc well suited to the Loire?

A

It flowers and ripens early

79
Q

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

A

Site climate

Soil

Winemaking techniques

80
Q

Where is Chinon? What is grown there?

A

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

Cabernet Franc

81
Q

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

A

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

82
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, can evolve in bottle for years

83
Q

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

A

Some producers age in oak

84
Q

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

A

Saumur

Saumur-Champigny

85
Q

Describe the Cab. Franc wines of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny

A

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
Q

Cabernet Franc wines from Saumur-Champigny are considered to have what flavor?

A

particularly floral (violet) character

87
Q

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

A

Gamay

88
Q

Where is Gamay mainly planted in the Loire? In what style (flavor, age potential)?

A

Touraine and Anjou

Fruity, early drinking wines

89
Q

What is the third red grape planted in the Loire?

A

Pinot Noir

90
Q

Where is Pinot Noir grown in the Loire?

A

Central Vineyards

91
Q

Why is Pinot Noir so rare in Loire?

A

The best sites are usually reserved for Sauvignon Blanc

92
Q

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

A

Light in style

93
Q

Where is Rosé produced in the Loire?

A

Mainly in Anjou-Saumur, but also significant amounts made in Touraine.

94
Q

Where is Rosé de Loire produced? What is the sweetness level(s)?

A

Anjou Saumur and Touraine - always produced dry.

95
Q

Where is the majority of Rosé de Loire produced?

A

Anjou-Saumur

96
Q

What varietals are permitted for Rose de Loire?

A

A range of varietals including Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon

97
Q

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

A

Cabernet d’Anjou

Rosé d’Anjou

98
Q

Which is the highest quality of Anjou-Saumur’s Rosé appellations? Describe it:
* Sweetness
* Varietal(s)

A

Cabernet d’Anjou

  • Tends to be med-dry to med-sweet
  • Made from a blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon
99
Q

Describe Rosé d’Anjou
* Sweetness
* Varietal(s)

A

Less sweet than Cabernet d’Anjou

Made predominantly from Grolleau (a local high yield grape) blended with Cab Franc and other local varieties

100
Q

Describe the Rosé wines of Touraine
* Varietal(s)
* Sweetness
* Flavor

A

Can be made from a wide array of black grape varieties

Usually dry, fresh and fruity

101
Q

Describe Sancerre Rose
* Varietals
* Color intensity
* Body
* Sweetness
* Flavors

A

Must be made from Pinot Noir

Usually pale in colour and light in body and dry, with delicate fruit flavours.

102
Q

How may Loire Rosés be vinified?

A

Direct pressing or short maceration on the skins

Usually fermented in inert, temperature controlled vessels to retain fruit flavours

WSET 3 (2nd Edition) (15 decks)

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