General

Question 1

What is France’s longest river?

Answer 1

The Loire

Question 2

What is Europe’s last wild river?

Answer 2

The Loire

Question 3

How long is the Loire river?

Answer 3

629 miles

Question 4

The Loire Valley is also known as….

Answer 4

Jardin de la France

“The garden of France”

Question 5

What are some classic white varietals from the Loire Valley?

Answer 5

Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Melon de Bourgogne

Question 6

Name some examples of secondary regional and international white grapes from the Loire Valley

Answer 6

Chardonnay
Orbois
Romorantin
Gros Plant
Chasselas

Question 7

Name some red varietals produced in the Loire Valley

Answer 7

Breton (Cabernet Franc)
Pinot Noir
Gamay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cot (Malbec)

Question 8

What is the primary grape grown in the Pays Nantais AOP?

Answer 8

Melon de Bourgogne

Question 9

What are the appellations found in Pays Nantais AOP?

Answer 9

Muscadet AOP (general AOP)
-
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOP
Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP
- (as of 2011) -
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais
Coteaux d'Ancenis
Fiefs Vendeens

Question 10

What are the general characteristics of a wine from the Muscadet AOP?

Answer 10

Neutral
Bone Dry to Dry
High in Acid
Designed for youthful consumption

Question 11

Which AOP accounts for over 80% of Muscadet production

Answer 11

Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP

Question 12

How many communes make up the Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP?

Answer 12

23

Question 13

What 3 rivers meet in the heart of the Muscadet AOP?

Answer 13

The Sevre, Maine, and Loire rivers

Question 14

Describe what it means when a wine is designated as Sur Lie

Answer 14

A wine that is aged on its lees over winter, bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between March 1 and November 30th of the year following the harvest

Question 15

What characteristics does the Sur Lie process contribute to the finished wine?

Answer 15

Adds complexity, richness, and a slight sparkle to the wine

Question 16

What AOP is furthest north in Pays Nantais AOP?

Answer 16

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire

Question 17

What AOP is furthest south in Pays Nantais AOP?

Answer 17

Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu

Question 18

Name the 3 subzones of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine

Answer 18

Clisson, Le Pallet, Gorges

Question 19

What sets the 3 subzones of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine apart from the rest of the AOP?

Answer 19

The minimum of 18 months sur lie - which is longer than the actual term sur lie allows

Question 20

What is the Loire Valley’s largest, most diverse, and most dynamic region?

Answer 20

Anjou

Question 21

Which AOP is considered Loire’s center for sparkling wine production?

Answer 21

Saumur

Question 22

Chenin blanc produced in Anjou is also know as….

Answer 22

Pineau de la Loire

Question 23

45% of Anjou’s total production is devoted to what wine?

Answer 23

Rose´

Question 24

Rose´ makes up what % of Anjou’s total wine production?

Answer 24

45%

Question 25

What are the appellations found in the Anjou AOP?

Answer 25

Anjou
Anjou-Villages
Coteaux du Layon
Bonnezeaux
Savennieres
Coteaux de l'Aubance/Anjou Villages Brissac
Quarts de Chaume
Saumur/Coteaux de Saumur
Saumur-Champigny