France - Loire Valley: Overview

Question 1

Reasons for its long history of winemaking / trading (3)

Size of production (volume) in relation to the rest of France

Extent of the valley, main climatic regions and associated grape varieties

Planting in each climatic regions (in %)

Answer 1

• long history of winemaking / trading due to: a) access to the Atlantic; b) home of French kings till Louis XIV; c) proxmity to Paris (before railway) = wines could be transported by river.
• third largest wine producing region (by volume)
• longest river in France, with many distinct wine regions (250 miles from Sancerre to the Atlantic), with many climatic regions and grape varieties:
  a) Pays Nantais: Melon de Bourgogne
  b) Anjou-Saumur: Chenin, Cab Franc.
  c) Tourraine: Cab Franc (west), Sav Blanc.
  d) Central Vineyards: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
• example: spring arrives in Pays Nantais 2 weeks earlier than in Sancerre.
• plantings:
  a) Pays Nantais: 22%
  b) Anjou-Saumur: 37%
  c) Tourraine: 31%
  d) Central Vineyards: 10%

Question 2

Importance of family businesses

Sales structure (negociants x states x coops)

Distinction between negociants and states (+ reason)

Answer 2

• family business are very important in Loire (many generations in the same family).
• sales structure: a) negociants = 49%; b) states = 41%; c) coops = 10% coops.
• distinction between negociants and states are becoming blurred: a) negociants vinifying their own wines; b) family owned business having a negociant side to their business; c) this is because of recent challenges (frost, hail) damaging crops.

Question 3

Domestic x international markets

Largest chanels in France by volume (2)

Main export markets by volume (3)

Main exporting appellation by volume

Main exporting appellation by both volume and value

Answer 3

• domestic market: 80% by volume

– international market: 20% by volume

• largest chanels in France: a) specialist wine retail;
  b) hospitality = 40% by volume
• main export markets: UK, US and Germany
• sparkling wine appellations export the highest volume (over 80K hL/ha / year).
• Sancerre outperforms all the other still appellations by both volume and value.

Question 4

Biodynamic considerations

Organic considerations

Natural winemaking considerations

Answer 4

• biodynamic: Return to Terroir group (Nicolas Joly) is now worldwide, with more producers in Loire than in any other region.
• organic: total production of certified organic is bellow French average (cool, damp climate).
• natural / low intervention wine: Loire is a centre for natural winemaking, with wines being produced as Vin de France.