France - Loire Valley Flashcards
What would sparkling wines from the Loire have on the label to measure level of fizziness?
Fully sparkling wines from the aforementioned appellations will be labeled mousseux (or “crémant” in Savoie), whereas lightly sparkling wines are labeled pétillant.
What is the name of the longest river in France?
The Loire is France’s longest river and the last wild river in Europe.
True or False. The Loire Valley produces more white wine than any other French region
True
True or False. The Loire Valley is second only to Champagne in sparkling wine production.
True
What is the local name for Chenin Blanc in Anjou?
Pineau de la Loire
What is the local name for Cabernet Franc in the Loire?
Breton
To ensure lighter, fresher character, Muscadet wines show best at ____ % ABV or below
To ensure lighter, fresher character, Muscadet wines show best at 12% ABV or below
What is the grape used to make Muscadet wines?
Melon de Bourgogne
What is the name of the only appellation where sur lie wines must be vintage dated?
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
North of Sèvre-et-Maine AOP and wines are generally leaner. Good source of grapes in warmer vintages
Only appellation where Sur lie wines must be vintage dated
What are the Sur Lie Aging requirements?
Wine must originate from land qualifying for one of the three sub-appellations.
Aged on their lees over the winter and are bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest. The process adds complexity, richness, and a slight sparkle to the finished wines.
What are the aging requirements for wines with a Hermine d’Or badge?
Wines must spend minimum 18 months sur lie
What is the name of the only appellation in Pays Nantais where sur lie wines must be vintage dated?
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
North of Sèvre-et-Maine AOP and wines are generally leaner. Good source of grapes in warmer vintages
Only appellation where Sur lie wines must be vintage dated
What are the 4 subzones of the Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP?
All 3 below were added in 2011:
Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges
Mouzillon-Tillières (Added in 2019*)
What is the EU equivalent for wines with a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) quality level in the Loire Valley?
VDP (Vin de Pays): An IGP is often a larger area with slightly less regulations as AOP. You’ll notice that PGI wines are often labeled with the grape varieties as well as the PGI zone. The term Vin de Pays is the Pre-EU version of PGI and you will sometimes find wines labeled with Vin de Pays such as “Vin de Pays du Val de Loire.”
What is the EU equivalent for wines with a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) quality level in the Loire Valley?
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP
What is vin Mousseux?
Sparkling wine
What is another name for Chenin Noir?
Pineau d’Aunis
How do you say sparkling in French?
Mousseux
What is another name for Pineau d’Aunis?
Chenin Noir
Which sub-region in France only permits 100% Romorantan?
Cour-Cheverny AOP
What is another name for Chenin Blanc in Anjou?
Pineau de Loire
What is the local name for Cabernet Franc in the Loire?
Breton
What is the name of the appellation for both wine and goat cheese?
Valençay AOP
What is the name for Pinot Gris in Touraine Noble-Joue?
Malvoisie
What was the first “Grand Cru” of Loire Valley, and in what year was it awarded?
Quarts de Chaume (in Coteaux du Layon) was awarded Grand Cru status in 2010
What major geographical feature influences Coteaux de l’Aubance, and what style of wine is produced here?
Aubance River (helps for the development of Botrytis) Sweet wines (SGN)
What major geographical feature influences Coteaux du Layon and what style of wine is produced here?
Layon River (helps for the development of Botrytis) Sweet wines (SGN)
What styles of wine are produced in Haut Poitou?
Sauvignon (Blanc and Gris) is featured in white wines while Cabernet Franc is the majority grape in reds and rosés.
What is the soil type in Saumur?
Soft Tuffeau limestone soils (like Touraine). Near the commune of Champigny—the “field of fire”—the limestone is harder, iron-rich, and inflected with shale.
How many villages may produce the red wine Saumur-Champigny?
8 surrounding villages may produce the red wine Saumur-Champigny, a light, bright, and elegantly floral expression of Cabernet Franc.
Where is the “Feild of Fire” located?
Saumur-Champigny. From the latin term Campus Ignis
What are the two AOCs of Savennieres and who produces wine from those vineyards? Name as many as you can…
Coulee de Serrant
- Nicolas Joly- monopole
Savennierres Roche aux Moines
- Nicolas Joly
- Pierre Soulez
- Domaine Aux Moines/Laroche Family
- Domaine Clément Barraut
- Domaine Damien Laureau
- Château Pierre Bise
- Domaine FL
- Domaine des Forges
What are the two most noteworthy AOPs within Coteaux du Layon?
Bonnezeaux
Quarts du Chaume
Which AOP’s can grapes be sourced for Crémant de Loire?
Crémant de Loire AOP allows blending Includes all of Anjou AOP, Touraine AOP and Cheverny AOP
Styles: Vin Mousseux Blanc / Vin Mousseux Rosé. May include “Val de Loire”
Grapes: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Orbois, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis (Max. 30% combined CS and PdN)
Sparkling Wine Requirements:
Traditional Method
Minimum 9 months on the lees prior to dégorgement. Cannot be released for a min. 12 months after the date of tirage
Harvest Method: Manual harvesting is mandatory.
Which AOP’s can grapes be sourced for Rosé de Loire AOP
Rosé de Loire AOP
Allowing blending Includes all of Anjou AOP, Touraine AOP but NOT Cheverny AOP
Styles: Rosé de Loire. May include geographical designation “Val de Loire” on the label
Grapes: Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauv, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis
What are the 3 soil types in Chinon?
1) Tuffeau limestone - More common on the slopes
2) Clay
3) Varennes - Sandy, alluvial Varennes soils are closest to the river Vienne—a Loire tributary