France: Alsace & Loire

Question 1

Climate & Terroir in the Loire

Answer 1

Temperate: Oceanic to cool continental

Soils: Chalk, marine sedimentary, sandstone

Question 2

Major Red Grape Varieties in Loire

Answer 2

Gamay
Cabernet Franc
Pinot Noir
Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 3

Major White Grape Varieties in Loire

Answer 3

• Melon de Bourgogne
• Chenin Blanc
• Sauvignon Blanc

Question 4

What are the four major regions in Loire

Answer 4

• Pay Nantais
• Anjou- Saumur
• Touraine
• Central Valley

Question 5

What are the two AOCs in Pays Nantais

Answer 5

• Muscadet AOC
• Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOC

Question 6

What are the seven Crus of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOC

Answer 6

• Clisson
• Gorges
• Le Pallet
• Goulaine
• Château- Thébaud
• Monnières Saint- Fiacre
• Mouzillon- Tillières

Question 7

What are the main grape varietals of Pay Nantais

Answer 7

• Melon de Bourgogne
• A little bit of Gamay and Cabernet Franc

Question 8

What is the legally mandated sur lie aging requirements of Muscadet Sevres-et-Maines

Answer 8

18-24 months

Question 9

What is the climate of Anjou-Saumur

Answer 9

Semi-oceanic, semi-continental, cool climate

Question 10

What the the four 100% Chenin Blanc, white only AOCs in Anjou-Saumur

Answer 10

• Anjou Coteaux de la Loire AOC
• Savennières AOC
• Coulée de Serrant AOC - Inside the borders of Savennieres, a monopole of Nicholas Joly
• Savennières Roche aux Moines AOC - Inside the borders of Savennieres

Question 11

What are the two rosé only AOCs in Anjou-Saumur

Answer 11

• Cabernet d’Anjou AOC - Cabernet Franc/ Cabernet Sauvignon only
• Rosé d’Anjou AOC - Blends

Question 12

What are the three red only AOCs in Anjou-Saumur

Answer 12

• Anjou-Villages AOC - Cabernet Franc/ Cabernet Sauvignon
• Anjou-Villages Brissac AOC- Cabernet Franc/ Cabernet Sauvignon
• Saumur-Champigny AOC - Cabernet Franc dominant

Question 13

What are the five sweet wine only AOCs in Anjou-Saumur

Answer 13

All from 100% Chenin Blanc; may or may not have botrytis
- Bonnezeaux AOC
- Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC
- Coteaux du Layon AOC
- Coteaux de Saumur AOC
- Quarts de Chaume AOC

Question 14

Which AOCs in Touraine produce the Loire’s best and most age-worthy reds

Answer 14

• Chinon AOC
• Bourgueil AOC

both produce Cabernet Franc

Question 15

Which AOC in Touraine produces exceptional white wines from Chenin Blanc

Answer 15

Vouvray AOC

Question 16

How are still wines categorized for sweetness

Answer 16

• Sec: Dry, lean and minerally (Equivalent to Brut in sparkling)
• Tendre: Classic, somewhat off-dry with more intense fruit and flower aromatics
• Demi-Sec: Sweet and fruity
• Molleux: Vey sweet, dessert style

Question 17

Which AOC in Touraine produces white wines from the rare grape Romorantin

Answer 17

Cour-Cheverny AOC

Question 18

Which AOC in Touraine produces red and rosé wines from Pineau d’Aunis

Answer 18

Coteaux du Loir AOC

Question 19

What is the climate & terroir in Touraine

Answer 19

• Climate: Crossroads of oceanic and continental influences
• Soil: Tuffeau (prized type of limestone), sandy/alluvial, some clay

Question 20

Which AOC in Central Loire produces white wines from 100% Sauvignon Blanc and some very light rosés and reds from Pinot Noir

Answer 20

Sancerre AOC

Question 21

Which AOC in Central Loire is less recognized but produces 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Answer 21

Pouilly-Fumé AOC

Question 22

Which AOCs in Central Loire produce wines similar to Sancerre, sometimes at a better value

Answer 22

• Menetou-Salon AOC
• Quincy AOC
• Reuilly AOC

Question 23

Which AOC in Central Loire produces white wines made from Chasselas

Answer 23

Pouilly-sur-Loire AOC

Question 24

What is the climate in Central Loire

Answer 24

Continental

Question 25

Where is Alsace located

Answer 25

Northeastern France, between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine river

Question 26

What are the major white grapes of Alsace

Answer 26

- Riesling - Gewüztraminer - Pinot Blanc - Pinot Gris - Muscat - Auxerrois - Sylvaner - Chasselas

Question 27

What is the only red grape allowed in Alsace

Answer 27

Pinot Noir

Question 28

What is the climate & terroir of Alsace

Answer 28

- Warm, dry and sunny climate due to the rain shadow effect of the Vosges Mountains - Soils: granite, volcanic, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess & 'Grés de Vosges' (pink sandstone)

Question 29

Which AOC in Alsace must contain 100% of the stated grape on the label

Answer 29

Alsace AOC

Question 30

What are the four noble grapes of Alsace

Answer 30

- Riesling - Muscat - Gewüztraminer - Pinot Gris

Question 31

Edelzwicker

Answer 31

Often inexpensive blends from Alsace Means edel (noble), zwicker (blend) but does not require the use of the noble grapes

Question 32

Vendanges Tardives

Answer 32

literally "late harvest" wine made from one of four noble grapes of Alsace; may or may not be affected by botrytis. Often sweet but can be made dry or off-dry

Question 33

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)

Answer 33

Wine made from one of four noble grapes affected by botrytis, always made in a sweet style

Question 34

Which AOC in Alsace is the only one that allows Chardonnay

Answer 34

Crémant d'Alsace AOC

Question 35

How many months must Cremant d'Alsace AOC wines spend on the lees

Answer 35

9 months

Question 36

Which grape varietals are permitted in Cremant d'Alsace AOC

Answer 36

- Riesling - Pinot Blanc - Pinot Gris - Pinot Noir - Auxerrois - and/or Chardonnay

Question 37

How many Grand Cru sites are in Alsace

Answer 37

51

Question 38

What are the three exceptions to Alsace Grand Cru AOC

Answer 38

- Zotzenberg: Grand Cru for Sylvaner - Kaefferkopf: Allows blends based off Gewüztraminer - Altenberg de Bergheim: Allows blends based off Riesling