France - Loire - Central Vineyards Flashcards
How much of Loire’s vineyard area is in Central vineyards? (%)
10%
What is the general climate and rainfall? What does that mean?
- Continental -> spring frost
- 750mm -> increased disease risk
What are the main grape varieties (incl. %)?
- Sauvignon Blanc (≈70%)
- Pinot Noir (≈20%)
- Gamay (≈2%)
How many appellations are there and what are the two most important ones?
- 8
- Sancerre
- Pouilly-Fumé
Sauvignon Blanc
What is the budding/ripening time?
- Late budding
- Early ripening
- Perfect for cool climate with lot of rain
Sauvignon Blanc
What is the variety’s vigor?
- High vigor
- Canopy needs to be managed
Sauvignon Blanc
Describe the typical style of the final wine (intensity, aromas, acidity, body, alcohol)
- Pronounced intensity
- Grass, bell pepper, asparagus, gooseberry, grapefruit and wet stone flavours (cooler areas) to riper, passion fruit (warmer areas)
- High acidity
- Medium body
- Medium alcohol
Sauvignon Blanc
How can growers influence the variety’s aromas?
- Vineyard, row orientation and canopy management (shadier: more green pepper and grassy notes, more sunlight: tropical fruit
- Picking date for optimum ripeness
Pinot Noir
Describe the typical style of wine (color, intensity, aromas, acidity, alcohol, price)
- Medium ruby
- Light to medium intensity
- Raspberry and strawberry fruit
- High acidity
- Medium alcohol
- Mid- to premium priced
Winemaking
How are white wines typically produced? (fermentation temps, malo, ageing)
- Slightly higher fermentation temps than in new world -> more restrained fruit expression
- Malo mostly blocked
- Higher quality may be aged in old oak (new oak rarely used)
Sancerre AOC
What type of wines are produced and from what varieties?
- White: Sauvignon Blanc ONLY
- Red and Rosé: Pinot Noir ONLY
Sancerre AOC
What variety was historically planted? Why not anymore?
- Pinot Noir
- Phylloxera
- Then replanted with Sauvignon Blanc
Sancerre AOC
Where are vineyards located and why is it beneficial?
- Steep slopes at 200-400m altitude
- River nearby -> moderating influence against spring frost
Sancerre AOC
What are the max yields for white, rosé, and red wines?
- White: 65 hL/ha
- Rosé: 63 hL/ha
- Red: 59 hL/ha
Sancerre AOC
What impact do the high max yields on grape growing have?
- Sauvignon Blanc: capable of producing sufficient intensity
- Pinot Noir: yields have to be limited
Sancerre AOC
Describe the typical style of Sancerre white wine (intensity, aromas, acidity, alcohol, oak, quality, price)
- Medium intensity
- Grapefruit and gooseberry
- High acidity
- Medium alcohol
- Rarely new oak
- Good to outstanding quality
- Mid-price to premium (some super-premium)
Sancerre AOC
Name two significant producers
- Didier Dagueneau
- François Cotat
Sancerre AOC
Name the three main soil types
- Caillottes
- Terre Blanches
- Silex
Sancerre AOC
Describe the properties of the soil “Caillottes” and what wines it is able to produce
- Very shallow soils (25–40 mm) over limestone
- Most aromatic wines
- Early drinking and low ageing potential
Sancerre AOC
Describe the properties of the soil “Terre Blanches” and what wines it is able to produce
- Limestone and marl (as in Chablis)
- Slow ripening
- Most structured wines
- Need long maturation before they are ready to drink and age well
Sancerre AOC
Name the two most famous vineyards and the soil type they have
- Côte des Monts Damnés
- Cul de Beaujeu
- Terre Blanches
Sancerre AOC
Describe the properties of the soil “Silex” and what wines it is able to produce
- Flinty soils
- Accumulates heat and leads to early ripening
- Wines with stony or smoky aromas
Pouilly-Fumé AOC
What type of wines are produced and what are the max yields?
- Sauvignon Blanc ONLY
- Max yield: 65 hL/ha
Pouilly-Fumé AOC
What is a problem compared to Sancerre?
Flatter land -> more prone to frost
Pouilly-Fumé AOC
Describe the typical style of wine compared to Sancerre
- Very similar
- Little bit rounder and less aromatic
- Often needs more time in bottle
Reuilly AOC
What types of wines are produced and from what varieties?
- White: Sauvignon Blanc ONLY
- Red: Pinot Noir ONLY
- Rosé: Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
Quincy AOC
What types of wines are produced and from what varieties?
- White ONLY:
- Min 90% Sauvignon Blanc
- Sauvignon Gris
Reuilly AOC & Quincy AOC & Menetou-Salon AOC
What are the max yields?
65 hL/ha
Reuilly AOC & Quincy AOC & Menetou-Salon AOC
What is the typical quality and price level of wines?
- Good to very good quality
- Inexpensive to mid-priced
Wine Business - LOIRE
What are the main businesses involved? What is the trend?
- Négociants (50%)
- Estates (40%)
- Distinction between the two is blurring as more estates act as négociants as well
Wine Business - LOIRE
How much is exported and what are the top export markets?
- 20%
- US, UK, Germany
Wine Business - LOIRE
What appellation outperforms all other regarding export by volume and price?
Sancerre
