France - Loire Flashcards
Which three Pays Nantais appellations gained AOP status in 2011?
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais, Coteaux d’Ancenis, and Fiefs Vendéens
When did Pays Nantais become primarily a white wine region?
After the disastrous 1709 frost
What 4 appellations exist for Melon de Bourgogne in the Pay Nantais?
Muscadet AOP, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP, Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP, and Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP
Which appellation is responsible for most Muscadet production?
Muscadet Sevre-et-Main AOP (80%)
What are the three subzones of Muscadet Sevre-et-Main AOP?
(N to S) Le Pallet, Gorges, Clisson
What is the geographic requirement for labeling Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine as “sur lie”
The wine must come from one of the 3 designated subzones
Does Le Pallet or Clisson have the longer lees aging requirement?
Clisson (and Gorges) - must be kept on lees until November 1 of the SECOND year following harvest - 24 months. Le Pallet requires lees aging until April 1, 17 months.
May Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine “sur lie” or subzone designate wines be filtered before bottling?
No, they must be bottled directly off the fine lees
What are the mail soils of each Sevre-et-Maine sub zone?
Clisson - Granite; Gorges - Clay and gabbro; Le Pallet: Gneiss, quartz, and gabbro
Can a wine be labelled as Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Gorges “Sur lie?”
No, you can not have the words “sur lie” AND a geographic designation
Name a producer of each Sevre-et-Maine subzone
Domaine Michel Brégeon - Clisson. Domaine de la Pépière - Gorges. Vigneron du Pallet - Le Pallet
Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine min. alcohol, and with geographic designation
10%/11%
What is the basic, large appellation for Melon de Bourgogne wines in the Pays Nantais?
Muscadet AOP
A wine labeled Sevre-et-Maine “sur lie” has spent how long aging on its lees?
6-14 months (March 1-Nov 30 of the FIRST year after harvest)
What is the min. alcohol under Muscadet AOP?
9.5 - sur lie is 10%
Muscadet AOP wine styles and grapes
Blanc: 100% Melon de Bourgogne
Blanc Nouveau/Primeur
Blanc “Sur Lie”
Which elevated Muscadet appellation is nearest the Atlantic?
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
What geographic feature is at the center of Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP?
Lac de Grand lieu
Name a producer of Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
Haut Bourg
Do Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP, Sevre-et-Maine, Muscadet AOP, and Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP all share the same “sur lie” again requirements?
Yes! Kept on lees until between March 1 and Nov 30.
Why can’t the sub zone designated wines of Serve-et-Maine use the words “sur lie?”
Because their minimum lees aging is much longer (at least one year)
Furthest inland Muscadet appellation?
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP is just South of what city?
Nantes
Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP allows what grapes and styles of wine?
Blanc: 100% Pinot Gris
Rosé: 100% Gamay
Rouge: 100% Gamay
Varietally-Labeled “Malvoisie”: 100% Pinot Gris
Pay Nantais historic name for Pinot Gris (esp. in Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP)
Malvoisie
Some recent great vintages for Muscadet
2012, 2014
Some recent quality vintages for Muscadet
2015, 2016, 2017 - some frost in ‘16 and ‘17, so lower yields, but high quality
Name a “Sevre et maine ‘sur lie’” bottling
La Louvetrie- Jo Landron
Name a high quality Sevre-et Maine producer that offers cuvees based on soil types (granite, etc)
Domaine l’Ecu
Fiefs Vendéens AOP wine styles and grapes
Blanc: Min. 60% Chenin Blanc, then Chardonnay, Grolleau Gris, Sauvignon Blanc
Rosé: Min 80% Gamay and Pinot Noir
Rouge: Cabernet Franc, Négrette, Pinot Noir - all must be present, plus Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay
Assemblage for Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP
Min. 70% Folle Blanche (Gros Plant), Montils and a max. 10% Colombard
Name a Gros Plant du Pays Nantais producer
Domaine de la Fruitière
What are the “sur lie” requirements for Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP?
Same as in Muscadet - wines remain on lees until March 1 (or until Nov 30) the year after harvest. Bottled without filtration
Other than in the Pays Nantais, where might Folle Blanche be found?
Cognac and Armagnac
Soils of Savennières Roche Aux Moines AOP
Steep slopes of blue schist w/volcanic debris
What grape is found in Savennières Roche Aux Moines AOP?
Chenin Blanc 100%
Who bottles a Savennières Roche Aux Moines AOP
Joly (Clos de la Bergerie), Domaine Aux Moines
Which is larger, Savennières Coulée de Serrant AOP or Savennières Roche Aux Moines?
Roche Aux Moines - 33 ha, Coulée de Serrant is only 7 ha
Who makes Coulée de Serrant AOP?
Joly - monopole
What are the three sections of Coulée de Serrant?
Grand Clos de la Coulée, the Clos du Château, and Les Plantes
Anjou-Villages AOP allows what grapes and style of wine?
Rouge only, from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
What is another name for Chenin Blanc in Anjou?
Pineau de la Loire
What town is the “center of Loire sparkling wine production?”
Saumur
Savennières allows only what grape?
Chenin Blanc
Basic Anjou AOP allows what wines and grapes?
blanc, based on Chenin (with max. 20% Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc); rouge, based on Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon (max. 30% combined Pineau d’Aunis and Grolleau), and traditional method white and rosé sparkling wine
Is rosé allowed under Anjou AOP?
no. there is a separate designation - Rosé d’Anjou AOP
What grapes are allowed in Rosé d’Anjou AOP?
Grolleau (Groslot), Grolleau Gris, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis
Name five sweet wine appellations of Anjou
Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux, Coteaux de l’Aubance, Quarts du Chaume, Coteaux de Saumur
Cabernet de Saumur AOP allows what type of wine?
Rosé, from Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon
What are three rosé only AOPs of Anjou-Saumur?
Cabernet de Saumur, Cabernet d’Anjou, and Rosé d’Anjou
Which Anjou sweet wine appellation has the highest residual sugar requirement?
Quarts du Chaume - 85 g/l
Do any of the Anjou sweet wine appellations allow any other grape than Chenin?
no - all are 100% Chenin
Which Anjou sweet wine appellations have a specific SGN designation?
The two largest ones - Coteaux du Layon and Coteaux de l’Aubance
What other AOP shares a border with Coteaux de l’Aubance? What wine is made there?
Anjou Villages Brissac AOP. For red wines from Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon
What is the difference between Rosé d’Anjou and Cabernet d’Anjou AOPs?
both are for rosé only, but Rosé d’Anjou AOP uses a larger complement of grapes - Grolleau (Groslot), Grolleau Gris, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis, and is sweeter with min. 7 g/l rs
What is Saumur “Puy Notre-Dame?”
This is a designation under Saumur AOP for reds with minimum 85% Cab Franc plus Cabernet Sauvignon, from a delimited area south of Saumur, not released until July 1 after harvest with min. 12% alcohol. In short, an attempt to make a fuller, ageable style of red.
Which region of France produces the most white wine?
The Loire
Largest/most important white wine AOP in Loire?
Vouvray AOP
Subsoil in Vouvray
tuffeau
Subsoil in Saumur-Champigny
tuffeau
Principal soils of Chinon
varennes (alluvial sand), tuffeau (soft limestone), clay
Three producers of Chinon AOP
Joguet, Raffault, Bernard Baudry
Three Vourvray producers
Huet, Monmousseau, Domaine François Pinon (all make sparkling wine as well)
Three Saumur producers
Guiberteau, Château Tour Grise, Domaine du Collier, Chateau de Breze
Iconic Saumur-Champigny producer
Clos Rougeard, also Thierry Germain, Château Yvonne
Name a producer from Jasnieres
Pascal Janvier
What is Orbois?
White grape, rare minor blending grape in Vouvray (max 5%)
Name a producer of Bourgeuil
Pierre Breton, Stéphane Guion
What wines are allowed in Bourgeuil AOP? Grapes?
rouge and rosé from Cabernet Franc plus a max. 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the three soil types found in Sancerre?
Silex - flint soils that continue into Pouilly-Fumé; Caillottes - fossil filled, stony soil (from eroded limestone); terres blanches - from Kimmeridgian limestone
What is a famous Sancerre vineyards on terres blanches?
Monts Damnés in Chavignol - Cotat; also Chene Marchand in Bué - Lucien Crochet
Name a producer of Sancerre rouge? Rosé?
Vacheron, Cotat, Pascal Olivet
Compare the terroirs of Quincy and Reuilly
Quincy has mostly sandy soils, where Reuilly has more varied Limestone marl, gravel, and sand
What wines are made in Quincy AOP? Year of creation?
est. 1936 (same as CdP). For only white wines, from Sauvignon Blanc (max 10% gris)
Wines and grapes of Reuilly AOP?
Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Rosé: Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris -vin gris
Rouge: 100% Pinot Noir
Was Quincy or Reuilly established first?
Quincy in 1936, Reuilly in 1937 (reds added in ‘61)
Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP vs. Pouilly Fumé AOP
Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP is for 100% Chasselas wines, vs. 100% Sauvignon Blanc for Pouilly Fumé
Does Pouilly Fumé AOP allow Sauvignon Gris
NO
Name a producer of Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP
Patrice Moreux
Coteaux du Giennois AOP
Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Rosé: Pinot Noir and Gamay (neither may exceed 80%)
Rouge: Pinot Noir and Gamay (neither may exceed 80%)
Climate of Central Vineyards
Continental - short summers and cold winters
Mentou-Salon AOP
Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Rosé: 100% Pinot Noir
Rouge: 100% Pinot Noir
Name a producer of Mentou-Salon
Domaine Pellé
Soils of Menetou Salon
limestone based
Orléans AOP
Blanc: Principal Variety: Min. 60% Chardonnay Accessory Variety: Pinot Gris Rosé: Principal Variety: Min. 60% Meunier Complementary Variety: Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir Rouge: Principal Variety: 70-90% Meunier Accessory Variety: Pinot Noir
What is the principal grape of Orléans rosé and rouge?
Meunier
What is the principal grape of Orléans-Cléry AOP?
Cabernet Franc 100%, rouge only
Soils of Pouilly Fumé AOP?
Kimmeridgian marl, Oxfordian limestone (caillottes), flint (silex), clay-siliceous soils
Producer of Pouilly Fumé AOP?
Pascal Jolivet (also Sancerre)
What are the principal bottlings of Didier Dagueneau?
En Chailloux - a multi-vineyard blend; Buisson Renard; Silex - single vineyard, flinty; Pur Sang (clay rich site, less mineral)
What region is Didier Dagueneau associated with?
Pouilly Fumé
Is chaptalization legal in Bonnezaux?
Yes
Is chaptalization legal in Quarts de Chaume?
No
Principal soils of Quarts de Chaume?
Schist and sandstone
What vintage allowed “Grand Cru” on Quarts de Chaume labels for the first time?
2010
Notable producer of Bonnezeaux?
Chateau des Fesles
Discuss terroir of Anjou
Anjou Noir (Anjou sur Schistes), large area of schist based soils near south-eastern edge of the Massif Armoricain vs. Anjou Blanc (Anjou sur Tuffeau), porous limestone from the Paris Basin.
What notable Burgundy vigneron has invested in Anjou-Saumur?
Anne Claude Leflaive - Clau de Nell
Name 5 AOPs where Tuffeau based soils may be found
Saumur, Saumur-Champigny, Bourguiel, Saint Nicolas-de-Bourgeuil, Montlouis-sur-Loire
Minimum RS and grapes for the Cabernet d’Anjou, Cabernet de Saumur, Rosé d’Anjou, and Rosé de Loire AOPs
Cabernet d’Anjou: 10g/l, Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon
Cabernet de Saumur: 7 g/l MAX, Cabernets
Rosé d’Anjou: min. 7 g/l, Grolleau (Groslot), Grolleau Gris, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis
Rosé de Loire: max. 3 g/l, same grapes as above
Will Cabernet d’Anjou or Cabernet de Saumur be a sweeter wine?
Cabernet d’Anjou
Crémant de Loire min. pressure?
4 atm
Crémant de Loire styles and grapes
Vin Mousseaux blanc or rosé. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Orbois, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis
Assemblage: Max. 30% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis
Crémant de Loire min. aging
9 mo. on lees, 12 mo. from date of tirage.
Is hand harvesting a requirement for Crémant de Loire?
must be hand harvested.
Synonym for Cabernet Franc in the Loire?
Breton
What village is Huet associated with?
Vouvray
Max rs for Vouvray Blanc “Sec?”
8 g/l
Soils of Bourgueil?
Tuffeau and gravel (alluvial deposits)
What wines are allowed in Chinon AOP?
Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc
Rosé: Cabernet Franc plus a max. 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Rouge: Cabernet Franc plus a max. 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Who makes Cuvée Constance?
Domaine Huet - made in select vintages, botrytized Chenin selected from one, two or all three vineyards
What are Huet’s 3 vineyards?
Le Haut Lieu, Le Mont, Clos de Bourg
What styles of wine does Huet make?
Sec, Demi-Sec, Moelleux, or Moelleux 1ère Trie - may come from any vineyard, depending on the vintage
What is Vouvray’s “Première Côte?”
Close to the river, has the steepest slope, limestone closest to the surface
What village is Francois Chidaine associated with?
Montlouis sur Loire
Which AOP is directly across the river from Vouvray?
Montlouis sur Loire (on the South side)
What is the name of Jackie Blot’s property?
Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups (Montlouis and Vouvray)
Guiberteau is associated with what town?
Saumur
Principal white grape for Touraine AOP blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Touraine “Amboise”
Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc
Rosé: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay
Rouge: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay
Touraine “Mesland”
white: Chenin must be majority of the blend
red: Gamay, plus Cot and Cabernet Franc, at least 3 varieties must be present in the blend
Touraine “Azay-le-Rideau”:
Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc
Rouge: must be majority Grolleau
Touraine “Oisly”:
Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Touraine “Chenonceaux”:
Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Rouge: Cot and Cabernet Franc must account for majority of the blend
Touraine AOP rouge
Principal Varieties: Min. 80% combined Cabernet Franc and Cot (min. 50%). Vineyards west of Tours have a min. 80% Cabernet Franc.
Touraine AOP rosé
Rosé: Min. 2 varieties present, and no variety may exceed 70% of the vineyard. Cabernet Franc, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meunier, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pineau d’Aunis
Can Touraine AOP rosé be varietal?
NO - must be a blend
Touraine Noble-Joué AOP
Still, dry rosé. Principal Variety: Greater than 50% Pinot Meunier
Complementary Varieties: Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir
Where is Touraine Noble-Joué AOP
South of the river, bordering Montlouis sur Loire to the SW
Valençay AOP
Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc must be the sole variety in the blend, or it must account for the majority of the blend with Orbois, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Gris.
Rosé/Rouge: All three principal varieties must be present in the blend - Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cot, plus Cabernet Franc and Pineau d’Aunis
Cheverny AOP
Blanc: Min. 50% combined Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris
, then Min. 16% combined Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Orbois
Rosé & Rouge: (Min. 85% combined Pinot Noir & Gamay), Min. 50% Pinot Noir then Min. 16% Gamay
Accessory Varieties: Cabernet Franc and Cot
Coteaux du Loir AOP
Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc
Rouge and Rosé wines may be produced solely from Pineau d’Aunis. For blends, Pineau d’Aunis must be in the majority.
Coteaux du Loir AOP producer
Domaine Philippe Tessier
Châteaumeillant AOP
Central France AOP for Vin Gris and rouge, in the Cher departmént South of Reuilly/Quincy. Vin Gris: Min. 60% Gamay plus Pinot Noir and a max. 15% Pinot Gris
Rouge: Min. 60% Gamay plus Pinot Noi
Côte Roannaise AOP
Central France AOP for rosé and rouge from Gamay. In the Loire department to the west of Roanne (itself west of Macon).
Côtes d’Auvergne AOP
Blanc: 100% Chardonnay
Rosé: Min. 50% Gamay plus Pinot Noir
Rouge: Min. 50% Gamay plus Pinot Noir
Near
CLERMONT-FERRAND - home to Michelin
Côtes du Forez AOP
rosé and rouge from 100% Gamay - a southern continuation of the Cote Roannaise (now to the SW of Roanne)
Saint-Pourçain AOP
Blanc: 50-80% Chardonnay, 20-40% Sacy (Tressalier), max. 10% Sauvignon Blanc
Rosé: 100% Gamay
Rouge: 40-75% Gamay, and 25-60% Pinot Noir
In Allier department, near Moulins
Coteaux du Saumur AOP
100% Chenin sweet wines, minimum rs 34 g/l
Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOP
100% Chenin sweet wines, minimum rs 34 g/l, to the west of Savennières
Anjou Villages AOP
Large AOP for Rouge only from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wines must age until Sep 1 of year following harvest.
What is the river in the Coteaux du Layon (Bonnezeaux, near Quarts du Chaume…)?
The Chaume
Grape allowed in Bonnezeaux? min rs?
Chenin Blanc 100%, 51 g/l
What river runs through the Chinon AOP?
The Vienne
Cour-Cheverny AOP wine styles and grapes
varietal white wines (dry or off dry) from 100% Romorantin
name a producer of Cour Cheverny AOP
François Cazin
What are Jacky Blot’s two labels? Which villages/AOPs are they associated with?
DOMAINE DE LA BUTTE - Bourgueil; Domaine de la Taille aux Loups - Mountlouis sur Loire
Why are Jacky Blot’s Domaine de la Taille aux Loups bottles of Vouvray only allowed the VdF label?
Before 2013 (the decision came in 2009), producers could vinify Vouvray outside the borders of the appellation
