France - The Loire Valley Flashcards
What are the classic white grapes of the Loire?
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Melon de Bourgogne
What is the most important red varietal in the Loire?
Cabernet Franc (locally known as Breton)
What is the main style of wine produced in the Pays Nantais?
Muscadet
What is the grape used to make Muscadet?
Melon de Bourgogne
What are the Pays Nantais appellations designated for Melon de Bourgogne?
Muscadet AOP
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP
What percentage of Muscadet production is labelled as Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP?
More than 80%
What are the three subregions where Hermine d’Or wines may come from?
Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges
What is the Pays Nantais’ climate type?
Cool and wet maritime
What region is the Loire’s center for sparkling wine production?
Saumur
What is the primary grape of white wines from Anjou?
Chenin Blanc
What percentage of Anjou’s wine production is rosé?
45%
What is the primary grape of rosé wines from Anjou?
Grolleau
What is the primary grape of red wines from Anjou?
Cabernet Franc
What is the general appellation for Anjou?
Anjou AOP
What style of wine is Anjou Blanc AOP known for?
White wines that have aggressive acidity and bitterness
What grape(s) are allowed in the production of Savennières AOP?
Chenin Blanc
What is the main soil type of Savennières AOP?
Blue schist mixed with volcanic debris
In what year did Savennières’ unoffical grands crus acheive AOP status?
2011
What are Savenneières’ two unofficial grands crus?
Roche aux Moines AOP
Coulée de Serrant AOP
What style of wine is made in Coteaux du Layon AOP?
Sweet white wine from 100% Chenin Blanc
What style of wine is made in Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP?
Sweet white wine from 100% Chenin Blanc
What color(s) of wine may be produced in Anjou-Villages AOP?
Red
What grape(s) are allowed in the production of Anjou-Villages AOP wines?
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
What color(s) of wine may be produced in Saumur AOP?
Red
Dry white
Sparkling white
Sparkling rosé
What white grape(s) are permitted in Saumur AOP wines?
Chenin Blanc
What red grape(s) are permitted in Saumur AOP wines?
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pineau d’Aunis
What is the primary soil composition in Saumur?
Soft tuffeau limestone
Which appellations set the standard for Cabernet Franc wines from the Loire?
Chinon AOP
Bourgueil AOP
St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP
What are the three primary soil types of Chinon?
Tuffeau
Clay
Varennes
What is varennes?
Sandy alluvial soils found in Chinon close the the Vienne river
What is the soil composition of Burgueil AOP?
Sand and limestome
What is the soil composition of St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP?
Light alluvial soils
What color(s) of wine are permitted in Bourgueil AOP?
Red
Rosé
What color(s) of wine are permitted in St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP?
Red
Rosé
What color(s) of wine are permitted in Chinon AOP?
Red
White
Rosé
What is Touraine’s most important white wine distrcit?
Vouvray
What is the soil composition of Vouvray AOP?
Tuffeau limestone
What are the grape requirements for Vouvray AOP wines?
At least 95% Chenin Blanc
Maximum 5% Orbois
What is the primary difference between Vouvray AOP and Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP?
Orbois is not allowed in the production of wines from Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP
What are the encépagement requirements for white wine from Touraine AOP?
Minimum 80% Sauvignon Blanc
Maximum 20% Sauvignon Gris
What color(s) of wine are allowed in Touraine AOP?
Red/White/Rosé
When was Touraine Noble-Joué AOP established?
2001
What are the two most famous appellations of the Loire’s Central Vineyards?
Sancerre AOP
Pouilly-Fumé AOP
What color(s) of wine are allowed in Sancerre AOP?
Red
White
Rosé
What color(s) of wine are allowed in Pouilly-Fumé AOP?
White
What are the encépagement requirements for white wine from Sancerre AOP?
100% Sauvignon Blanc
What are the encépagement requirements for rosé wine from Sancerre AOP?
100% Pinot Noir
What are the encépagement requirements for red wine from Sancerre AOP?
100% Pinot Noir
What are the encépagement requirements for white wine from Pouilly-Fumé AOP?
100% Sauvignon Blanc
What are the soil types found in Sancerre?
Silex
Terres Blanches
Caillottes
What are terres blanches in the Loire?
Essentially the same as Kimmeridgian Marl
What is caillottes?
A stony soil that is littered with fossils
What is silex?
Soil with a high flint content
What color(s) of wine are allowed in Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP?
White
What are the encépagement requirements for white wine from Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP?
100% Chasselas
What color(s) of wine are allowed in Menetou-Salon AOP?
Red
White
Rosé
What are the encépagement requirements for white wine from Menetou-Salon AOP?
100% Sauvignon Blanc
What are the encépagement requirements for rosé wine from Menetou-Salon AOP?
100% Pinot Noir
What are the encépagement requirements for red wine from Menetou-Salon AOP?
100% Pinot Noir