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WSET Diploma D4 - Sparkling Wine > Crémant de Loire > Flashcards

Crémant de Loire Flashcards

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1
Q

What percentage of wine production in the Loire Valley is comprised of sparkling wine?

A

13%

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2
Q

Is the production of Crémant de Loire lower, equal to, or greater than sparkling Vouvray and sparkling Saumur combined?

A

Equal

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3
Q

Where is the production of Crémant de Loire centered?

A

Saumur

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4
Q

Which other region has a strong connection to the Loire Valley through ownership of Crémant de Loire producers?

A

Champagne

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5
Q

Why is Crémant de Loire production based around Saumur?

A

The town was historically the only location with caves suitable for wine cellaring

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6
Q

What percentage of Crémant de Loire is white? What sweetness level is it produced in?

A

90% is white and Brut

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7
Q

What is the general character of Chenin-Blanc dominant Crémant de Loire? What notes do they develop after two to three years of age?

A

Brut or Demi-Sec

High Acid

Medium intensity green apple, citrus, and light toasty autolytic notes.

Honeyed aromas emerge after 2-3 years aging

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8
Q

What is the general pricing of Crémant de Loire?

A

Mid priced, with some reaching premium pricing

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9
Q

What style of Crémant de Loire is becoming increasingly popular?

A

Brut Zéro

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10
Q

How much vineyard area was declared for Crémant de Loire production in 2017? How does this compare to 2012?

A

2,100 hectares, up from 1,600 ha in 2012

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11
Q

How many Crémant de Loire producers are there? What is their annual production?

A

500, producing 17 million bottles on average

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12
Q

Where is fruit for Crémant de Loire grown? Why?

A

In the middle Loire districts of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine. It is a 200km stretch of flat land with exposure to the Loire River and its tributaries, which moderate temperatures in addition to the Atlantic Ocean.

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13
Q

Why are the caves in the Loire Valley ideal for the storage of Crémant de Loire? How did they come to be?

A

The underlying tuff rock soil was excavated to build castles, leaving extensive cave networks. Tuff is able to maintain temperature and humidity well, ideal for wine storage.

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14
Q

What influence does the Atlantic Ocean provide on the Loire Valley? How far does it extend into the Loire Valley?

A

It is a mild cooling influence on the region, reaching just east of Touraine in the center of the Tours district.

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15
Q

What is the climate in Loire Valley? Why is this suitable for Crémant de Loire production?

A

The Loire Valley experiences fairly regular mild temperatures throughout the growing season with no great extremes, leading to low base wine alcohols with high acidity

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16
Q

What threats to grapevines exist in the Loire Valley?

A

Fungal disease and untimely rain during flowering, fruit set, and harvest.

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17
Q

What soil types can be found in Loire Valley? How can the soils of Anjou and Touraine be best distinguished?

A

A number of different types, including clay-limestone, flint-clay, sand, gravel, and tuff.

Anjou has more schist and limestone

Touraine has more chalk

18
Q

What are the key properties of the soil types of the Loire Valley?

A

Good water retention and draining properties

19
Q

True or False

Some of the best sites in the Loire Valley are devoted to Crémant de Loire production.

A

False. These sites are set for still wine production because the grapes need more ripeness

20
Q

Which soils tend to produce the most structured Crémant de Loire wines?

A

Clay-limestone and flint-clay soils

21
Q

Why are soils with excessive amounts of clay not permitted within the Crémant de Loire appellation?

A

They would be too cold to ripen the grapes and lack sufficient drainage to prevent water logging.

22
Q

What rootstocks are commonly used for Loire Valley grapevines? Why?

A

Fercal and Riparia Gloire de Montpelier

The soils are rich in limestone. These rootstocks are resistant to high lime content and prevent chlorosis

23
Q

What varieties are used to produce Crémant de Loire? What is the major component in most wines?

A

Chenin Blanc (the most used variety)

Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grolleau Noir
Grolleau Gris
Pineau d'Aunis
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay (not typical of the region)
24
Q

How much Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Pineau d’Aunis is permitted in Crémant de Loire wines?

A

30% maximum, together or separately

25
Q

What Loire Valley varietal is not permitted in Crémant de Loire wines?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

26
Q

What is the maximum yield for Crémant de Loire vines?

A

74 hl/ha

27
Q

When do producers of Crémant de Loire declare their vines for Crémant production?

A

July

28
Q

What is the most common press used in the production of Crémant de Loire? Why?

A

The pneumatic press because it produces high quality juice with low phenolics

29
Q

How are base wines for Crémant de Loire typically fermented?

A

In stainless steel, though top cuvées may be fermented in oak

30
Q

Do Crémant de Loire wines typically undergo malolactic converstion?

A

The practice varies by producer and may be full, partial, or avoided

31
Q

True or False

Wines from across the Loire Valley may be blended to ensure the consistency of larger brands’ Crémant de Loire

A

True

32
Q

What is the minimum amount of lees aging required for Crémant de Loire?

A

Nine months

33
Q

Is the use of reserve wines common in Crémant de Loire wines?

A

For premium bottlings, yes. Mid-priced wines will typically not include reserve wines.

34
Q

What is Prestige de Loire?

A

A top tier sparkling wine category based in the Loire Valley launched in 2018 by InterLoire. It applies across Crémant de Loire, Saumur, Vouvray, and Anjou appellations.

The wines must be white and made from Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and or Pinor Noir. They must be vintage wines and Brut with a minimum 24 months on the lees. Producers are required to meet sustainability environmental standards.

35
Q

What grapes may be used in the production of Prestige de Loire?

A

Chenin Blanc

Cabernet Franc

Chardonnay

Pinot Noir

36
Q

What vintages are included in the Prestige de Loire category?

A

2010 to the present

37
Q

What is the minimum lees aging for Prestige de Loire? What sweetness levels must it be produced in?

A

24 months minimum on the lees

Wines can not have more than 12 g/l, and so can be Brut Nature, Extra Brut, or Brut

38
Q

How many houses, cooperatives, and producers of Crémant de Loire are there?

A

19 Houses

10 Cooperatives

400 Producers

39
Q

The nine largest houses of Crémant de Loire account for what percentage of production?

A

80%

40
Q

How much Loire’s sparkling wine is consumed in France? What are the major export markets?

A

Half

Major export markets are Germany, USA, and UK

WSET Diploma D4 - Sparkling Wine (22 decks)

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