France Loire Valley Flashcards
Describe Val de Loire wines.
Cover the entire Region (13+ dept.)
Commonly marketed varietally
fresh, light-bodied, simple fruit
What is the climate range of the Loire Valley?
Nantais : Anjou-Saumur : Touraine : Central Vineyards
Maritime ————————————> Cool Continental
What are the major viticultural hazards of the Loire Valley?
Rot (humidity/prox to rivers) and Hail
Where is Chenin Blanc mainly grown in the Loire Valley?
Touraine and Anjou-Saumur
In which soil does Chenin grow the best?
Limestone
What is peculiar about how bunches of Chenin Blanc grapes ripen?
The grapes will ripen at different levels within a single bunch. Susceptible to Noble Rot.
What are common varietal notes in Chenin Blanc?
Barely Ripe: Fresh Apple/Pear
Most Ripe: Exotic Fruit
Describe Melon de Bourgogne.
Green Apple, grassy, frost resistant
neutral varietal
Describe Sauvignon Blanc in the context of the Loire Valley.
Sancerre/Pouilly Fumé
Avoids herbaceous character
Grapefruit and Citrus (Lemon/Lime)
Oak is sometimes used (especially in P.F.)
Describe Loire Valley Cabernet Franc.
Flowers and Ripens early
fragrant and juicy
low tannin (in neutral vessel), high tannin with oak
Can age
Used in Rosé production (Touraine, Chinon, Bourgeuil, etc.; not in Central Vineyards)
Name the important viticultural areas in the Central Vineyards.
Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé
How many villages are in the Sancerre region?
15 (on the left bank)
Describe the soil of Sancerre.
Chalky, well-drained, stony soil
Rich in marine fossils (similar to Chablis)
more flinty soil runs along river (SE/SW)
Which Village and associating Vineyard have a reputation for flinty character?
Chavignol - Les Montes Damnés
Bottle-age worthy
Where is Menetou-Salon located?
West and South of Sancerre
Which varietals are used in Menetou-Salon?
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
What is the main soil type in Menetou-Salon?
Kimmeridgian Clay outcrops with hard and cancerous soils.
Where is Pouilly-Fumé located?
on the right bank of the Loire River (south of Sancerre)
What is the soil in Pouilly-Fumé?
Chalky, well-drained, stony/flinty soil
Is there any red production in Pouilly-Fumé?
No reds are allowed in this AC
How far (approx.) is Touraine from the Atlantic?
about 124.247 miles
What is the climate of Touraine?
Cross of Maritime and Continental
- early spring warmth, avoids high summer temps/drought
What are the important wine growing areas of the Touraine?
Vouvray (east)
Chinon and Bourgueil (west)
Describe the soil and grapes of Touraine AC.
Flint, sand, limestone banks
Red: Cab. Franc, Gamay, Malbec
White: S.B. and rarely Chenin Blanc
Varietally Labeled
What is the varietal for Vouvray AC?
Chenin Blanc
What styles of wine are made in Vouvray?
Sparkling, Pétillant, Dry, and Sweet wines
What type of soil are many cellars made of in Vouvray?
Tuffeau
What is Tuffeau and why is it prized?
Soft, chalky, limestone Porous, Fossilized Marine Creatures Allows large root systems Good Drainage High Calcium (helps retain acidity)
What is the predominant varietal used in Chinon AC?
Cabernet Franc (there is some Cabernet Sauvignon)
What is the body of water that runs through the center of Chinon?
Vienne River
What is the Vienne River?
One of the major tributaries of the lower Loire River, specifically the Nouvelle-Acquitaine region and also runs through the town of Limoges, which is known for its Porcelain.
What are the three main styles of Chinon?
Light: River Vienne - Sandy Soils
Firm Body: Northern Plateau - Clay/Gravel Soils
Finest: Hillside Slopes - Limestone Soils (traditionally these wines were made for aging, and used old oak, primarily.)
Where are Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil located?
North of Chinon on the Right Bank of the Loire.
What is the climatic barrier to the North of Bourgueil?
Wooded plateau protects from cold northern winds.
What is the soil type in Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil?
South-facing Limestone slopes
Deep Sand terrace just north of the river
What is the climate in Anjou-Saumur?
Maritime; warm damp winter, early spring, longer and hotter growing season.
What is the ratio of red, white, and rose production?
Almost Equal
What are the important varietals of Anjou AC?
Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
What are the requirements for Anjou Blanc?
Sugar levels enough to create a min. ABV of 13%
Fermented and matured in new oak
At least 1 year in bottle
What is the base varietal for most Rosé d’Anjou wines?
Grolleau (Groslot)
What are the three Rosé d’Anjou appellations?
Cabernet d’Anjou AC (Highest Quality, always medium -sweet, blend of two Cab. var.)
Rosé d’Anjou AC (less sweet, Grolleau blended with Cab. Franc and local varieties)
Rosé de Loire AC (Always dry, min. of 30% cabernet in blend)
What are the important grapes of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny ACs?
Chenin Blanc (dry and sweet wines) and Cabernet Franc (rich, supple, fruity, fresh)
How are many of the cellars created in these two ACs?
By cutting into the Tuffeau cliffs.
Saumur AC and Saumur-Champigny AC are important centers for what style of wine?
Sparkling Wine
What are the two finest ACs for sweet wine in the Coteaux du Layon AC?
Quarts de Charme AC
Bonnezeaux AC
*Both rank among the worlds best sweet wines
Where does Botrytis develop especially well in the Anjou-Saumur Département of the Loire Valley?
In the Coteaux du Layon AC
What are common characteristics of sweet wines from the Coteaux du Layon AC?
Fresh Fruit
Super High Acid
Usually 12-14% ABV
Botrytis flavors add body and texture
Where is Savennières located?
In the Anjou-Saumur Département close to the Nantais and lies on the Right bank, in the nook where the tributaries Layon and Sarthe begin near the town of Angers.
What city is the namesake and center of the Touraine Département?
Tours
What varietal is used in Savennières AC?
Chenin Blanc
What is the climate of Savennières AC?
Maritime
What is climatically and viticulturally special about the environment in Savennières?
It has good air circulation and well-exposed vineyards which allow a late harvest and good ripening.
What are the common characteristics of Chenin from Savennières?
Full-Bodied Dry High Acid Austere (when young) Can age well: Honey and smoky minerality
Where is the Nantais Département in the Loire Valley?
It borders the Atlantic on the western edge.
What is the climate of the Nantais Département?
Maritime. Winters are short and mild; warm summers; even rainfall throughout the year.
What is the soil type for Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AC and Muscadet AC?
Schist and Gneiss with some Granitic Sand.
What are the benefits of Schist and Gneiss soils?
Retain heat and they are well-drained.
What was the traditional VTS for Muscadet?
Gobelet
What is the maximum permitted ABV for Muscadet AC and Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AC?
12% ABV
What does the addition of “sur lie” indicate?
The wine spends the winter on lees.
What is the traditional food pairing with Muscadet?
Oysters
What AC within Muscadet has notable wines starting to come from it?
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AC (SW of Nantes, with an early-ripening micro-climate, on the edge of Lake Grandlieu)
