general study 2 Flashcards
What is Tuffeau?
soft limestone - located on the slopes of Chinon. In the Touraine.
What are varennes soils?
sandy soils - close to the Vienne River. In the Touraine
How long is the Loire River?
629 miles
What is the path of the Loire River Valley?
headwaters are in the Massif Central and it travels north and then west to the Atlantic.
What is another name for the Loire River Valley?
Jardin de la France
What was the Loire River Valley named in 2000?
World Heritage Site
How would you describe the Loire River Valley wines in general to a guest?
Incredible range of food-friendly wines, typically lighter in style with low oak influence.
What style of wine is the Loire River Valley famous for?
The Loire produces more white wine than any other French region. It is second only to Champagne in sparkling wine production.
What are the 3 main white grapes for the Loire River Valley?
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Melon de Bourgogne
Secondary grapes: Orbois Romarantin Gros Plant (Folle Blanche) Chasselas
What are the main red grapes for the Loire River Valley?
Cabernet Franc (Breton)
Pinot Noir Gamay Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec (Cot) Pineau d'Aunis Groslot (Grolleau)
What is the recommended abv % for Muscadet wines?
They show best at 12 % abv or below.
When did a devastating frost occur in Pays Nantais?
1709 - transformed the region into a white wine region - red grape vines were replanted.
What is the basic appellation for Melon de Bourgogne wines?
Muscadet AOP
What are the 4 distinct districts of the Loire River Valley?
Pays Nantais
Anjou-Sumur
Touraine
The Central Vineyards
How much wine is released to market as Muscat Sevre-et-Maine?
80%
What does Sur Lie indicate on a wine label?
wine must originate from land qualifying as one of the 3 sub appellations
wine is aged on lees over the winter and is bottled directly off the lees between March 1 and November 30 - no filtration
What does Sur Lie aging do for a wine?
Adds complexity, richness, and a slight sparkle to the finished wines.
What is the most northerly sub appellation of Pays Nantais?
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire
What is the newest sub appellation of Pays Nantais?
Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu
What is Hermine d’Or?
unofficial label term that promoted terroir and stresses age-ability - created by Guy Bossard of Domaine de L’Ecu
What is Cru Communaux?
a designation proposed in 2001 requiring eligible wines from schist soils to spend a minimum of 18 months sur lie. This is longer than the term allows.
When did the Cru Communaux get approved?
In 2011
What are the 3 subzones for Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine?
Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges
What is the Loire’s Valley’s largest and most diverse wine region?
Anjou-Saumur
Together they deliver every style of wine the Loire offers.
