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WSET Diploma & CMS Advanced 2025 > France: The Loire Valley & Central France > Flashcards

France: The Loire Valley & Central France Flashcards

1
Q

What are the four official sub-regions of The Loire Valley?

A
  • Pays Nantais
  • Anjou-Saumur
  • Touraine
  • Central Vineyards
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2
Q

What is the latitude of the majority of vineyards in the Loire Valley?

A

Most vineyards lie on the 47th parallel.

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3
Q

Describe the climate of Pays Nantais.

A

Cool maritime climate with cool springs, warm and humid summers and the threat of rain at any time through the growing season but especially in March/April (affecting flowering) and in September (affecting harvest).

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4
Q

What are the main climactic hazards experienced in the Pays Nantais?

A
  • Untimely rainfall (affecting flowering and harvest)
  • Spring frosts
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5
Q

How to the growers of the Pay Nantais combat against Spring frosts?

A

Wind machines and burning straw bales

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6
Q

What is the most important grape variety of the Pays Nantais?

A

Melon
Also known as Melon B, Melon de Bourgogne, Muscadet, Gamay Blanc

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7
Q

What are the viticultural characteristics of the Melon variety?

A
  • Early budding (susceptible to frosts) early-mid ripening (avoids rain).
  • Hardy - suitable for cool climates
  • Good resistance to powdery mildew
  • Susceptible to downey and botrytis
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8
Q

Describe the wines made from Melon.

A

Melon makes a wine with high acidity, a light body and low to the low end of medium alcohol. The wines typically have low aromatic intensity (green apple) and are often made sur lie.
The wines are acceptable to good in quality, with some very good examples, and inexpensive to mid-priced.

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9
Q

Is chaptilisation permitted in Pays Nantais?

A

Yes, up to 12% abv potential alcohol and is practised in cooler years.

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10
Q

How are wines from Muscadet typically made?

A

Muscadet is typically fermented and aged in large, shallow underground glass-lined concrete vats, though stainless steel is also used. The idea is to keep the wine as neutral as possible and then to age the wine on the lees. Malolactic conversion is typically avoided, preserving the high acidity typical of the style.

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11
Q

How is sur lie practiced in Muscadet?

A

After the alcoholic fermentation is completed,
one racking is allowed to remove the gross lees. After this, the wine remains in contact with
the fine lees through the following winter and until bottling.

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12
Q

What is the affect of sur lie on the wines of Muscadet?

A

Sur lie is a way of filling out the body of what
would otherwise be very light-bodied wines.
Ageing on the lees also retains the freshness of the wine and may retain a small amount of carbon dioxide, which is part of the
style of these wines.

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13
Q

What are the four Muscadet appellations?

A
  • Muscadet
  • Muscadet Sevre et Maine
  • Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu
  • Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire
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14
Q

What are the max. yields per hectare for the Muscadet appellations?

A

70hL/ha for Muscadet AOP
55hL/ha for Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Côtes de Grandlieu and Coteaux de la Loire

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15
Q

What are the sur lie requirements for Muscadet?

A
  • The wine must be kept on its lees (in either tank or barrel) after fermentation until at least March 1 of the year following the harvest
  • The wine is bottled directly off its fine lees between March 1 and December 31 of the year following the harvest, and not marketed until at least March 8
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16
Q

What are the eight official Muscadet Sevre-et-Main subzones, plus those awaiting ratification?

A

Clisson, Gorges, Le Pallet, Goulaine, Mouzillon-Tillières, Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, Château-Thébaud

Champtoceaux, La Haye Fouassière, Vallet awaiting ratification.

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17
Q

What are the elevage requirements for the Muscadet Sevre-et-Main subzones?

A
  • Goulaine and Le Pallet: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least April 1 of the second year following the harvest
  • Gorges, Clisson, Mouzillon-Tillières, Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, and Château-Thébaud: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least October 1 of the second year following the harvest
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18
Q

What are the soils in Pays Nantais?

A

Granite, gneiss, multicolored schist, slate, and pudding stones all originating from the Armorican Massif.

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19
Q

Which white grape variety is permitted to be blended with Melon in Muscadet AOP?

A

Chardonnay (max. 10%).

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20
Q

Where is Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu?

A

Within the Muscadet AOP boundary.

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21
Q

Where is Muscadet Sevré et Maine?

A

Directly west of Muscadet, south-west of the city of Nantes

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22
Q

Where is Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire?

A

Directly north of Muscadet Sevré et-Maine, north west of the city of Muscadet.

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23
Q

Which AOP is within the boundary of Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire?

A

Coteaux d’Ancenis

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24
Q

Where is the Gros Plant du Pays Nantais located?

A

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais shares the same boundary at Muscadet AOP.

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25
Q

Where is the Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP?

A

The Coteaux d’Ancenis shares the same boundary with Coteaux de la Loire.

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26
Q

What styles of wine are produced under the Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP?

A

White wines from 100% Pinot Gris (locally known as Malvoisie) - usually semi-sweet)
Red and rosé wines from Gamay along with max. 10% Cabernet Franc

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27
Q

What styles of wine are made under the Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP?

A

White wines from min. 70% folle blanche.
+ Blanc sur lie

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28
Q

What styles of wine are made under the Fiefs Vendéens AOP?

A

White wines based on Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
Red and rosé based on Pinot Noir etc.

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29
Q

When and why did Muscadet wines fall in popularity with the UK market?

A

Muscadet was a huge success in the UK market in the 1980s. The frost of 1991 saw production drop by two-thirds. This pushed prices
up at a time when wines from non-European countries, especially Australian wines, were
becoming popular.

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30
Q

What are the top five grape varieties grown in Anjou-Saumur?

A
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Grolleau-Noir
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Chardonnay
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31
Q

Describe the climate of Anjou-Saumur.

A

Cool maritime/continental.
Less of a maritime influence than Pays Nantais.

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32
Q

Describe the climate of Touraine.

A

Cool continental with some maritime influence.

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33
Q

What is the average annual rainfall for Anjou-Saumur and Touraine?

A

700mm

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34
Q

What is the average annual rainfall for Pays Nantais?

A

736mm

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35
Q

Describe the soils of Anjou.

A

The schist and slate of the Amorican Massif to the west meet the clay and limestone of the Paris basin to the east. The divide is just south of Angers.

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36
Q

Describe the soils of Saumur.

A

Based on soft tuffeau . The riverside white tuffeau is porous limestone, while Saumur’s red wine country is on sandier, yellower soil.

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37
Q

What is tuffeau?

A

A soft white limestone typical of Loire Valley.

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38
Q

What rootstocks are popular in Anjou-Saumur and Torraine and why?

A

Due to high lime content in the soils, rootstocks such as Fercal and Riparia Gloire de
Montpellier are used to protect the vines from chlorosis.

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39
Q

Outline the viticultural characteristics of Chenin Blanc.

A
  • Early budding (Spring frosts) mid-late ripening (autumn rain).
  • Vigourous and can carry high yields if allowed.
  • It is prone to powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot and trunk diseases.
  • Can ripen unevenly - better to be picked by several passes in the vineyard.
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40
Q

Describe a wine from Chenin Blanc from the middle-Loire.

A

Wines have medium intensity aromas of green apple and lemon (sometimes with a steely, smoky character), medium alcohol and high acidity, often balanced with some residual sugar for an off-dry style.

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41
Q

Outline the viticultural characteristics of Cabernet Franc.

A
  • Early budding (Spring frosts), mid ripening.
  • Prone to coulure.
  • If not ripened fully, the wines can taste excessively leafy.
  • Winter hardy.
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42
Q

Describe a wine from Cabernet Franc from the Middle-Loire.

A

The wines typically have medium to pronounced intensity red fruit (redcurrant, raspberry), floral (violet) aromas and can have leafy aromas, a light to medium body, medium tannins and high acidity.

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43
Q

Outline the viticultural characteristics of Grolleau-Noir.

A

This is an early budding and mid-ripening variety. It is prone to botrytis bunch
rot.

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44
Q

What styles of wine in The Loire Valley is Grolleau-Noir typically used for?

A

It is used mainly as a blending variety in rosés, especially Rosé d’Anjou and Rosé de Loire.

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45
Q

How is Chenin Blanc typically made in the Loire Valley?

A
  • Cool-mid temp fermentations that can last several months.
  • Large old oak or stainless steel vessels
  • MLF typically avoided.
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46
Q

How is Cabernet Franc typically made in the Loire Valley?

A
  • Typically crushed, fermented in concrete or old wood vats that allow punch downs and/or pump overs. Many producers prefer to use ambient yeasts
  • It is typical to age the wine in used oak barrels of a range of sizes.
  • The aim is to retain primary fruit aromas and flavours. Some more expensive wines may be aged in a proportion of new French oak barriques.
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47
Q

How are rosés from the Loire Valley typically made?

A

Many Loire rosés are made by direct press. Short maceration is used on some rosés.
Winemaking then proceeds as it would for white wine with short ageing (3–4 months) in
neutral containers.

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48
Q

What are the three generic appellations of the middle-Loire?

A

Anjou AOP
Saumur AOP
Touraine AOP

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49
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Anjou AOC?

A

60hL/ha for red or white wines

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50
Q

What are the assemblage/encépage requirements for Anjou AOC?

A

Anjou Blanc: min. 80% Chenin Blanc
Anjou Rouge: min. 70% cab franc and/or cab sauv.
Anjou Gamay: 100% Gamay

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51
Q

What styles of wine can be made under the Anjou AOP?

A

Blanc, rouge, Gamay, Vin Mousseaux Blanc/Rosé

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52
Q

What styles of wine can be made under the Anjou Villages AOP?

A

Rouge only
100% Cab franc/cab sauv

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53
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Anjou Villages AOP?
Elevage?

A

55hL/ha
The wines may not be released until September 1 of the year following the harvest.

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54
Q

What are the red wine only producing AOPs of Anjou?

A

Anjou Villages
Anjou Villages Brissac

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55
Q

What styles of wine are made under the Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOP?

A

Sweet wines from Chenin Blanc

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56
Q

What are the rosé appellations of Anjou?

A

Cabernet d’Anjou
Rose d’Anjou

Rose de Loire can be produced across Anjou, Saumur and Touraine.

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57
Q

What are the max. permitted yields per hectare and permitted varieties for Rosé de Loire AOP?

A

Max. yields per hectare: 60hL/ha
Grolleau (Groslot), Grolleau Gris, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis

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58
Q

What are the max. permitted yields per hectare and permitted varieties for Rosé d’Anjou AOP?

A

65hL/ha
Grolleau (Groslot), Grolleau Gris, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis

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59
Q

Which is the best selling AOP for rosé wines in the Loire Valley?

A

Rosé d’Anjou

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60
Q

What are the requirements for the Cabernet d’Anjou AOP?

A

This must be made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The maximum yield is 60 hL/ha.

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61
Q

What are the key differences between the Rosé de Loire and Rosé d’Anjou AOPs?

A
  • RDL has lower yields (60hL/ha/ 65hL/ha)
  • RDL can use Pinot Noir, but not Cot
  • RDA can use Cot, but not Pinot Noir
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62
Q

Where is the Coteaux du Layon AOP?

A

Anjou
South of the River Loire and Angers.
Covers both slopes on either side of the River Layon.

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63
Q

What styles of wine are made under the Coteaux du Layon AOP?

A

Sweet Chenin Blanc
+ SGN wines

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64
Q

What makes Coteaux du Layon an ideal location for sweet wine production?

A
  • Vineyards are on well-exposed sunny slopes close to the river.
  • Rainfall is low and temperatures are warm.
  • The Layon river helps foster perfect conditions for Botrytis, which typically occurs several times in a decade.
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65
Q

How might a sweet wine from Coteaux-du-Layon be made if Botrytis fails?

A

Grapes may also be dried on the vine.

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66
Q

How many communes are encompassed within the Coteaux-du-Layon AOP?

A

13

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67
Q

What are the seven villages allowed to append their name to the Coteaux-du-Layon AOP?

A

Faye d’Anjou/Faye
Rochefort-sur-Loire/Rochefort
Rablay-sur-Layon/Rablay
Beaulieu-sur-Layon/Beaulieu
St. Aubin de Luigné/St. Aubin
St. Lambert du Lattay/St. Lambert
Chaume (“Premier Cru”)

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68
Q

What are the max. yields and min. potential alcohol for Coteaux du Layon AOP?

A

35hL/ha
14%

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69
Q

What are the max. yields and min. potential alcohol for Coteaux du Layon + village AOP?

A

30hL/ha
15%

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70
Q

What are the max. yields and min. potential alcohol for Coteaux du Layon, Chaume Premier Cru AOP?

A

25hL/ha
16.5%

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71
Q

True or False
Grapes for Coteaux du Layon can be machine or hand-harvested.

A

False
All grapes destined for the production of Coteaux du Layon & its communal designations must be hand harvested in successive tries.

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72
Q

Describe a typical wine from Coteaux-du-Layon AOP.

A

The wines have pronounced aromas
of cooked citrus and apple with honey notes.
They are sweet, medium (+) bodied, medium
alcohol with high acidity. Quality ranges
typically from good to very good with mid- to
premium prices.

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73
Q

What are the two AOPs within the Coteaux-du-Layon AOP boundary?

A

Quartz-de-Chaume Grand Cru AOP
Bonnezeaux AOP

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74
Q

What are the max. yields and min. potential alcohol for the Quartz de Chaume Grand Cru AOP?

A

20hL/ha
18%

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75
Q

What are the max. yields and min. potential alcohol for the Bonnezeaux AOP?

A

25hL/ha
15%

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76
Q

What is the name of the premier cru located within Coteaux-du-Layon?

A

Chaume Premier Cru

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77
Q

When did Quartz-de-Chaume recieve Grand Cru status?

78
Q

What styles of wine are made under the Coteaux d’Aubence AOP?

A

Sweet and SGN Chenin Blanc.

79
Q

Where is the Coteaux d’Aubence AOP?

A

Anjou.
Covers the same boundary as Anjou-Villages Brissac.
North of Coteaux-du-Layon

80
Q

Where is Savennières located?

A

Anjou. North-side banks of the River Loire.

81
Q

Describe the topography of Savennières.

A

South-facing slopes, low-fertility, rocky schist soils.

82
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Savennières?

A

Chenin Blanc from sec (dry) to Doux (sweet).

83
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Savennières?

A

Sec-Demi-Sec 50hL/ha
Moulleux-Doux- 35hL/ha

84
Q

What are the two AOPS located within the Savennières area?

A

Savennières La Roche aux Moines AOC and Coulée de Serrant AOC.

85
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Savennières La Roche aux Moines?

A

35hL/ha for Sec wines
25 hL/ha for Moulleux/Doux wines

86
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Coulée de Serrant AOC?

A

30hL/ha for Sec wines
25hL/ha for Moulleux/Doux wines.

87
Q

Where is Coulée de Serrant?

A

Savenniéres, Anjou

88
Q

Coulée de Serrant AOP is a monopole owned by which producer?

A

Nicolas Joly, a figurehead of the biodynamic movement.

89
Q

Describe the topography of Savennières La Roche au Moines.

A

Rocky outcrop of the Armorican Massif, where vines grow on south- and southwest-facing slopes overlooking the Loire

90
Q

What styles of wine are made under the Saumur AOC?

A

Blanc from 100% Chenin Blanc
Rouge & Rosé from Cab Franc + max 30% Cab Sauv, Pineau d’Aunis
Vin Mousseaux Blanc & Rosé

91
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Saumur AOC?

A

60hL/ha for whites
57hL/ha for reds and rosés

92
Q

What is the subzone located within the Saumur AOC?

A

Puy Notre-Dame

93
Q

What is meant by Anjou Blanc and Anjou Noir when referring to the region’s soils?

A
  • Anjou Noir/Black Anjou is the area with dark granite, gneiss, multicolored schist, slate originating from the Amorican Massif.
  • Anjou Blanc is the area with light soils with chalk, limestone, tuffeu originating from the Paris Basin.
94
Q

Where does Anjou Noir end and Anjou Blanc begin?

A

The dividing line between the Anjou Noir and the Anjou Blanc runs from north to south, starting southeast of Angers.

95
Q

Is the Saumur AOC located in the Anjou Noir or Anjou Blanc area?

A

Anjou Blanc

96
Q

How does Saumur’s climate differ from Anjou?

A

The climate is broadly oceanic but warmer and drier than that of the vineyards to the west.

97
Q

How does a Chenin Blanc from Saumur differ from a Chenin Blanc from Savennières?

A

Saumur Chenin Blanc’s are generally easier drinking than the fuller-bodied, savory Chenin Blanc wines of the Anjou Noir (eg Savennières) appellations, they offer elegant balance and fine, linear acidity.

98
Q

What style of wine is produced in Saumur Puy Notre-Dame AOP?

A

Reds from min. 85% Cabernet Franc

99
Q

What styles of wines are produced under the Coteaux du Saumur AOP?

A

Sweet wines from 100% Chenin Blanc

100
Q

Give an example of a single vineyard located in Saumur.

101
Q

What are the max. yields and permitted varieties for Saumur Champigny AOP?

A

57hL/ha
85% Cabernet Franc + Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis

102
Q

Why are the wines from Saumur-Champigny among the most highly regarded of the Loire Valley?

A

Located on a plateau above town with chalk, flint, clay and tuffeau limestone, which both provides drainage and retains moisture, creating ideal conditions for the vines to thrive.

103
Q

Name a significant producer of Saumur-Champigny.

A

Clos-Rougeard

104
Q

Name two producers located in Saumur.

A
  • Domaine Guiberteau
  • Domaine du Collier
105
Q

Name two producers located in Savenniéres

A
  • Thibaud Boudignon
  • Domaine des Baumard
106
Q

Where is the fruit for Crémant de Loire sourced?

A

Anjou-Saumur and Touraine only

107
Q

What are the permitted grape varieties for Crémant de Loire?

A

Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Orbois, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Noir + max 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis

108
Q

What are the requirements for Cremant de Loire?

A
  • Traditional Method Secondary Fermentation
  • The wines must spend a min. 9 months on the lees prior to dégorgement, and may not be released for a min. 12 months after the date of tirage
  • Min. 4 atmospheres of pressure
109
Q

What are the principal white grape varieties for Touraine AOP?

A

Sauvignon Blanc + max. 20% Sauvignon Gris

110
Q

What are the principal red grape varieties for Touraine AOC?

A

Cot and Cabernet Franc

111
Q

What styles of wine are made under the Touraine AOC?

A
  • Whites, reds and rosés
  • Vin Mousseaux/Pétillant
  • Named villages w/ specified styles and requirements.
112
Q

What are the six subzones that may append their name on the label of Touraine AOC?

A

Amboise, Mesland, Azay-le-Rideau, Oisly, Chenonceaux

113
Q

Which of the six Touraine AOC subzones produce Chenin Blanc?

A

Amboise (100%)
Mesland (min. 60%)
Azay-le-Rideau (100%

114
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Touraine AOC?

A

65hL/ha whites
60hL/ha reds and rosé

Lower for named subzones (eg. 55hL/ha for Amboise Blanc.)

115
Q

What is the most important white wine village of Touraine?

116
Q

What styles of wine are made in Vouvray?

A

Blanc (min. 95% Chenin Blanc, max. 5% Orbois).
Vin Mousseux/Pétillant

117
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Vouvray AOC?

118
Q

Describe the conditions of the best vineyards of Vouvray AOC?

A

The best vineyards are the slopes that overlook the Loire, promoting ripening due to good sunlight interception and with the river acting as a moderating influence on temperatures. The soils are flinty, clay and limestone over a tuff, enabling good drainage.

119
Q

Where is Vouvray?

A

Directly East of the city of Tours.
North bank.

120
Q

Where is Montlouis-Sur-Loire?

A

Across the river from Vouvray
South of the Loire.

121
Q

What styles of wine are made under the Montlouis-Sur-Loire AOP?

A

Blanc from 100% Chenin Blanc
Vin Mousseux/Pétillant

122
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Montluis-Sur-Loire AOP?

A

52hL/ha
(Same as Vouvray)

123
Q

What are the three important red wine appellations of Touraine?

A

Bourgueil
St Nicolas de Bourgueil
Chinon

124
Q

What styles of wine are made in Bourgueil?

A

Reds and rosés from min. 90% Cabernet Franc + Cabernet Sauvignon

125
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Bourgueil?

126
Q

What styles of wine are made in St Nicolas de Bourgueil?

A

Reds and rosés from min. 90% Cabernet Franc + Cabernet Sauvignon

127
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Saint Nicolas de Bourguiel?

128
Q

What is the difference between Bourguiel and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil?

A

Purely geographical.
Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil generally makes Cabernet Franc in a lighter style than Bourgueil AOC.
Encépage and yields are the same.

129
Q

Where are the villages of Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-Bourgeuil?

A

Touraine.
North-bank of Loire.

130
Q

Where is the village of Chinon?

A

Touraine.
South-bank of the Loire.

131
Q

Which two rivers is Chinon wedged between?

A

Loire to the north
Vienne to the south

The rivers meet to the west of Chinon.

132
Q

What styles of wine are made in Chinon?

A

Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc
Rouge & Rosé: Cabernet Franc plus a max. 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

133
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Chinon?

A

55hL/ha

Same as bourguiel and saint-nicolas-de-bourgueil.

134
Q

What are the three types of soils found in Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourguiel?

A

Sand (Varennes)
Clay-limestone (Tuffeau)
Gravel

135
Q

Where is Touraine Noble-Joué AOP?

A

South of the city of Tours

136
Q

What styles of wines are produced in Touraine Noble-Joué AOP?

A

Rosé based on Meunier (min. 50%).

137
Q

What styles of wine are made in Valençay AOP?

A

Whites with min. 70% Sauvignon Blanc
Reds and rosé from Gamay, Pinot Noir & Cot

138
Q

What styles of wine are made in Cheverny AOP?

A

White blends based on Sauvignon Blanc, Gris
Reds & Rosé blends based on Pinot Noir > Gamay, Cot

139
Q

What styles of wine are made in Cour-Cheverny?

A

Blanc: 100% Romorantin

140
Q

Which Touraine appellation produces wines from 100% Romorantin?

A

Cour-Cheverny

141
Q

Which Touraine appellation produces Rosés based on Meunier?

A

Touraine Noble-Joué AOP

142
Q

Where is Jasnières AOP?

A

50 kilometers north of Tours on the Loir River

143
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Jasnières AOP?

A

100% Chenin Blanc

144
Q

What are the three appellations located on the banks of the loir river in Touraine?

A

Jasnières
Coteaux de Loir
Coteaux du Vendômois

145
Q

Where is Valençay AOP?

A

Far south Touraine
Along the river Cher

146
Q

Describe the climate of The Loire Valley’s Central Vineyards?

A

Cool continental climate with cold winters and warm summers.
Rather high rainfall for a continental region (750mm)

147
Q

What are the main climactic hazards experienced in the central vineyards?

A
  • Spring frosts
  • Summer hailstorms
  • Fungal diseases from high rainfall (750mm)
148
Q

Outline the viticultural characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc.

A
  • Late budding, early-mid ripening.
  • Vigorous - best on poor soils.
  • Canopy must be managed carefully to avoid shading - which could lead to leafy, underripe flavours.
  • It is prone to powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot and to trunk diseases (e.g. Esca) including, if cordon- trained, to the fungal disease Eutypa dieback.
149
Q

Describe a wine made from Sauvignon Blanc.

A

Wines made from Sauvignon Blanc typically have pronounced intensity aromas of grass,
bell pepper and asparagus with gooseberry, grapefruit and wet stone flavours (cooler areas)
to riper, passion fruit (warmer areas). They typically have medium body and alcohol and high acidity.

150
Q

How does row orientation and canopy management affect the flavour profile of Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Fruit grown in shadier conditions will result in more green pepper and grassy notes, while fruit grown with more sunlight will have more tropical fruit flavour.

151
Q

How much of Loire Valley’s Central Vineyards is planted to Sauvignon Blanc?

152
Q

How much of Loire Valley’s central vineyards is planted to Pinot Noir?

153
Q

What are the three types of soil in Sancerre?

A
  • Caillotes
  • Terre Blanches
  • Silex
154
Q

Describe Caillotes soil and the wines it produces.

A

Very shallow soils (25–40 mm) over limestone; fruit grown on these soils are
said to produce the most aromatic wines that are first to be ready to drink and to have less
potential for ageing in the bottle.

155
Q

Describe Terre Blanches soil and the style of wine it produces.

A

The same Kimmeridgian limestone and marl that is to be found in Chablis.
Fruit is slow ripening on these soils, which include some of Sancerre’s most famous
vineyards (Côte des Monts Damnés and Cul de Beaujeu) and are said to produce the most
structured wines that need long maturation before they are ready to drink and age well.

156
Q

Describe Silex soil and the style of wine it produces.

A

Flinty soils that accumulate heat and lead to early ripening, e.g. Les Romains, next
to the Loire. Fruit grown on these soils are said to produce wines with stony or smoky
aromas.

157
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Sancerre?

A

Blanc from 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Rouge and Rosé from 100% Pinot Noir

158
Q

What natural factors help protect Sancerre’s vineyards against Spring frosts?

A

The steep hillside slopes (200–400 m), the river and the nearby forests provide moderating
influences against frosts in spring.

159
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Sancerre?

A

Blanc: 65 hl/ha
Rosé: 63 hl/ha
Rouge: 59 hl/ha

160
Q

Describe a white wine from Sancerre.

A

In Sancerre, the white wines typically have medium intensity aromas of grapefruit and
gooseberry, medium alcohol and high acidity. They rarely have new oak flavours. They are
good to outstanding in quality and mid-price to premium price, with a few super-premium
examples (e.g. Didier Dagueneau or François Cotat).

161
Q

Which method of rosé production is most common in Sancerre?

A

Short maceration (Saignée).

162
Q

What is the region pictured? What are the AOPS? (1,2 & 3)

A

The Central Vineyards, Loire Valley
1. Menetou-Salon
2. Sancerre
3. Pouilly Fumé/Sur Loire

163
Q

What styles of wine are made in Pouilly-Fumé?

A

100% Sauvignon Blanc only

164
Q

What are the max. yields permitted in Pouilly-Fumé?

165
Q

How do wines from Pouilly Fumé generally differ from Sancerre?

A

Broadly, Pouilly-Fumé tends to be a little rounder and less aromatic than Sancerre and
often needs a little more time – six months to a year in bottle – to really start to show.

166
Q

Where is Reuilly AOC?

A

Central Vineyards, Loire Valley
Reuilly sits just southwest of Quincy, in the valley of the Arnon River.

167
Q

Where is Quincy AOP?

A

Central Vineyards.
Southwest of Bourges

168
Q

Where is Pouilly-Sur-Loire AOP?

A

Central Vineyards.
More-or-less covers the same boundary as Pouilly-Fumé

169
Q

Where is Menetou-Salon AOC?

A

South-west of Sancerre
Central Vineyards, Loire Valley

170
Q

What styles of wines are made in Pouilly-Sur-Loire AOP?

A

100% Chasselas

171
Q

Which AOP in the Central Vineyards produces exclusively Chasselas?

A

Pouilly-Sur-Loire AOP

172
Q

What styles of wines are made in Menetou-Salon AOP?

A

Blanc from 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Rouge and Rosé from 100% Pinot Noir

173
Q

What styles of wines are made in Quincy AOP?

A

Blanc from Sauvignon Blanc + max. 10% Sauvignon Gris.

174
Q

What styles of wines are made in Reuilly AOP?

A

Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Rosé: Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris
Rouge: 100% Pinot Noir

175
Q

Where is the Coteaux du Giennois AOP located?

A

Central Vineyards, Loire Valley
North of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

176
Q

Where is the Orléans AOP?

A

Central Vineyards, The Loire Valley.
Around the City of Orléans.

177
Q

What styles of wines are produced in Orléans?

A

Whites based on Chardonnay
Reds based on Meunier

178
Q

What styles of wines are produced in Orléans-Cléry AOP?

A

100% Cabernet Franc

179
Q

Which Central Vineyards appellation produces exclusively Cabernet Franc?

A

Orléans-Cléry

180
Q

Name two significant vineyards in Sancerre. Where are they

A

La Monts Damnés
La Grande Côte

Both located in Chavignol

181
Q

What are the four AOPs of Central France?

A

Côtes d’Auvergne AOP
Côtes du Forez AOP
Côte Roannaise AOP
Saint-Pourçain AOP

182
Q

Name four significant producers of Sancerre.

A

Didier Dagueneau
Domaine François Cotat & Domaine Pascal Cotat
Alphonse Mellot

183
Q

What were the best vintages for Loire Valley in the last decade?

A

2015, 2016 (some frost loss), 2018, 2020, 2022

184
Q

Which were the worst vintages for Loire Valley in the last decade?

A

2013, 2021

185
Q

Frost years in Loire Valley in the last decade?

A

2016, 2017, 2019

186
Q

Outline the structure of the production industry in Loire Valley.

A

For the Loire Valley as a whole, négociants are very important, selling 50% of all wine by volume. (The top 10 négociants account for 82% of all sales within the négociant sector.) Estates sell 41% and co operatives under 10%.

187
Q

Why has there been an increase of family estates adding a negociant side to their businesses?

A

This tendency has accelerated with the recent frosts and hail damage, which have severely
reduced their crop, so buying in grapes, juice or wine can be a way of keeping their clients
and avoiding severe financial problems.

188
Q

Outline the domestic vs exported market for Loire Valley wines.

A

Domestic 80% (biggest sector specialist retail and hospitality).
Exports are 20%, with the top markets being US, UK and Germany.

189
Q

Which appellation of the Loire Valley is exported the most?

190
Q

What organisation did Nicolas Joly establish?

A

Nicolas Joly was the founder of the Renaissances des appellations/Return to Terroir group, now a worldwide group of biodynamic producers but with more producers in the Loire than in any other region.

191
Q

Why are many wines from the Loire Valley bottled under Vin de France?

A

The Loire Valley is considered the centre of natural winemaking - with methods outside of AOP regulations.

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