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WSET Level 3 - Advanced > France Loire Valley > Flashcards

France Loire Valley Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe Val de Loire wines.

A

Cover the entire Region (13+ dept.)
Commonly marketed varietally
fresh, light-bodied, simple fruit

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2
Q

What is the climate range of the Loire Valley?

A

Nantais : Anjou-Saumur : Touraine : Central Vineyards

Maritime ————————————> Cool Continental

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3
Q

What are the major viticultural hazards of the Loire Valley?

A

Rot (humidity/prox to rivers) and Hail

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4
Q

Where is Chenin Blanc mainly grown in the Loire Valley?

A

Touraine and Anjou-Saumur

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5
Q

In which soil does Chenin grow the best?

A

Limestone

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6
Q

What is peculiar about how bunches of Chenin Blanc grapes ripen?

A

The grapes will ripen at different levels within a single bunch. Susceptible to Noble Rot.

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7
Q

What are common varietal notes in Chenin Blanc?

A

Barely Ripe: Fresh Apple/Pear

Most Ripe: Exotic Fruit

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8
Q

Describe Melon de Bourgogne.

A

Green Apple, grassy, frost resistant

neutral varietal

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9
Q

Describe Sauvignon Blanc in the context of the Loire Valley.

A

Sancerre/Pouilly Fumé
Avoids herbaceous character
Grapefruit and Citrus (Lemon/Lime)
Oak is sometimes used (especially in P.F.)

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10
Q

Describe Loire Valley Cabernet Franc.

A

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)

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11
Q

Name the important viticultural areas in the Central Vineyards.

A

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

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12
Q

How many villages are in the Sancerre region?

A

15 (on the left bank)

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13
Q

Describe the soil of Sancerre.

A

Chalky, well-drained, stony soil
Rich in marine fossils (similar to Chablis)
more flinty soil runs along river (SE/SW)

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14
Q

Which Village and associating Vineyard have a reputation for flinty character?

A

Chavignol - Les Montes Damnés

Bottle-age worthy

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15
Q

Where is Menetou-Salon located?

A

West and South of Sancerre

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16
Q

Which varietals are used in Menetou-Salon?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

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17
Q

What is the main soil type in Menetou-Salon?

A

Kimmeridgian Clay outcrops with hard and cancerous soils.

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18
Q

Where is Pouilly-Fumé located?

A

on the right bank of the Loire River (south of Sancerre)

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19
Q

What is the soil in Pouilly-Fumé?

A

Chalky, well-drained, stony/flinty soil

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20
Q

Is there any red production in Pouilly-Fumé?

A

No reds are allowed in this AC

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21
Q

How far (approx.) is Touraine from the Atlantic?

A

about 124.247 miles

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22
Q

What is the climate of Touraine?

A

Cross of Maritime and Continental

- early spring warmth, avoids high summer temps/drought

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23
Q

What are the important wine growing areas of the Touraine?

A

Vouvray (east)

Chinon and Bourgueil (west)

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24
Q

Describe the soil and grapes of Touraine AC.

A

Flint, sand, limestone banks
Red: Cab. Franc, Gamay, Malbec
White: S.B. and rarely Chenin Blanc
Varietally Labeled

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25
Q

What is the varietal for Vouvray AC?

A

Chenin Blanc

26
Q

What styles of wine are made in Vouvray?

A

Sparkling, Pétillant, Dry, and Sweet wines

27
Q

What type of soil are many cellars made of in Vouvray?

A

Tuffeau

28
Q

What is Tuffeau and why is it prized?

A 
Soft, chalky, limestone
Porous, Fossilized Marine Creatures
Allows large root systems
Good Drainage
High Calcium (helps retain acidity)
29
Q

What is the predominant varietal used in Chinon AC?

A

Cabernet Franc (there is some Cabernet Sauvignon)

30
Q

What is the body of water that runs through the center of Chinon?

A

Vienne River

31
Q

What is the Vienne River?

A

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.

32
Q

What are the three main styles of Chinon?

A

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.)

33
Q

Where are Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil located?

A

North of Chinon on the Right Bank of the Loire.

34
Q

What is the climatic barrier to the North of Bourgueil?

A

Wooded plateau protects from cold northern winds.

35
Q

What is the soil type in Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil?

A

South-facing Limestone slopes

Deep Sand terrace just north of the river

36
Q

What is the climate in Anjou-Saumur?

A

Maritime; warm damp winter, early spring, longer and hotter growing season.

37
Q

What is the ratio of red, white, and rose production?

A

Almost Equal

38
Q

What are the important varietals of Anjou AC?

A

Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc

39
Q

What are the requirements for Anjou Blanc?

A

Sugar levels enough to create a min. ABV of 13%
Fermented and matured in new oak
At least 1 year in bottle

40
Q

What is the base varietal for most Rosé d’Anjou wines?

A

Grolleau (Groslot)

41
Q

What are the three Rosé d’Anjou appellations?

A

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)

42
Q

What are the important grapes of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny ACs?

A

Chenin Blanc (dry and sweet wines) and Cabernet Franc (rich, supple, fruity, fresh)

43
Q

How are many of the cellars created in these two ACs?

A

By cutting into the Tuffeau cliffs.

44
Q

Saumur AC and Saumur-Champigny AC are important centers for what style of wine?

A

Sparkling Wine

45
Q

What are the two finest ACs for sweet wine in the Coteaux du Layon AC?

A

Quarts de Charme AC
Bonnezeaux AC
*Both rank among the worlds best sweet wines

46
Q

Where does Botrytis develop especially well in the Anjou-Saumur Département of the Loire Valley?

A

In the Coteaux du Layon AC

47
Q

What are common characteristics of sweet wines from the Coteaux du Layon AC?

A

Fresh Fruit
Super High Acid
Usually 12-14% ABV
Botrytis flavors add body and texture

48
Q

Where is Savennières located?

A

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.

49
Q

What city is the namesake and center of the Touraine Département?

A

Tours

50
Q

What varietal is used in Savennières AC?

A

Chenin Blanc

51
Q

What is the climate of Savennières AC?

A

Maritime

52
Q

What is climatically and viticulturally special about the environment in Savennières?

A

It has good air circulation and well-exposed vineyards which allow a late harvest and good ripening.

53
Q

What are the common characteristics of Chenin from Savennières?

A 
Full-Bodied
Dry
High Acid
Austere (when young)
Can age well: Honey and smoky minerality
54
Q

Where is the Nantais Département in the Loire Valley?

A

It borders the Atlantic on the western edge.

55
Q

What is the climate of the Nantais Département?

A

Maritime. Winters are short and mild; warm summers; even rainfall throughout the year.

56
Q

What is the soil type for Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AC and Muscadet AC?

A

Schist and Gneiss with some Granitic Sand.

57
Q

What are the benefits of Schist and Gneiss soils?

A

Retain heat and they are well-drained.

58
Q

What was the traditional VTS for Muscadet?

A

Gobelet

59
Q

What is the maximum permitted ABV for Muscadet AC and Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AC?

A

12% ABV

60
Q

What does the addition of “sur lie” indicate?

A

The wine spends the winter on lees.

61
Q

What is the traditional food pairing with Muscadet?

A

Oysters

62
Q

What AC within Muscadet has notable wines starting to come from it?

A

Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AC (SW of Nantes, with an early-ripening micro-climate, on the edge of Lake Grandlieu)

WSET Level 3 - Advanced (9 decks)

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