History, Wine Law, and Geography

Question 1

Why does the Loire Valley have so many Chateau?

Answer 1

It was the location of the French Royal court in the 15th century. The Royal Court shifted back to Paris in the mid 16th century, but the Loire continued to be the summer getaway

Question 2

Prior to Phylloxera what grape was the Sancerre region most planted to?

Answer 2

Pinot Noir

Question 3

What was the state of Loire Valley vineyard post-WWII until the 1960s?

Answer 3

During the war the Loire was occupied by Germans and many men became prisoners of war. Following many young people left to work in cities and for those that stayed vines were only a part of their income.

Question 4

When were many of the best-known Loire Valley appellations defined?

Answer 4

1936. Muscadet, Vouvray, Bourgueil, Chinon, and Saumur

Question 5

How many AOCs are there in the Loire Valley?

Answer 5

53

Question 6

What is the larges IGP region of the Loire Valley?

Answer 6

Val de Loire IGP

Question 7

Where would one find vin gris in the Loire Valley? What is it?

Answer 7

Coteaux du Vendômois AOC and Reuilly AOC
A very pale rose made from Pineau d’Aunis or Pinot Gris

Question 8

Where are the oldest rocks in France found?

Answer 8

In the North West - the Armorican Massif - includes Muscadet and other appelations of the Nantais region and the Western half of Anjou including Savennieres

Question 9

Why is Anjou divided into Anjou Noir and Anjou Blanc?

Answer 9

Anjou Noir is to the West and is part of the Armorican massif which has dark soils of granite, gneiss, schist, and slate.
Anjou Blanc is the beginning of the Paris Basin which has soft, chalky, Cretaceous limestone soils.

Question 10

What soil defines the central vineyards?

Answer 10

Kimmeridgian clays
A fault that runs though Sancerre adds islands of flint

Question 11

What are the soils further South toward La the mouth of the Loire river?

Answer 11

Decomposed volcanoes of the Massif Central - Schists and Granite

Question 12

List 3 vintages in the last 10yrs that were effected by frost in the Loire?

Answer 12

2021, 2019, 2017, 2016

Question 13

List the important tributaries to Loire viticulture

Answer 13

Maine, Sèvre - Nantes
Layon, Thouet, Aubance, Loir - Anjou-Saumur
Vienne, Indre, Cher - Touraine

Question 14

What lake lies in Nantes?

Answer 14

Lac de Grand Lieu

Question 15

What was Chenin Blanc’s first name?

Answer 15

Plant d’Anjou

Question 16

What grape was more widely planted then Melon B in the Nantais prior to phylloxera?

Answer 16

Folle Blanche. Mostly used for the brandy production of Dutch merchants

Question 17

What is the only place in the Loire valley that Chardonnay takes a lead role?

Answer 17

In the Auvergne, Blanc must be 100% Chardonnay

Question 18

What is another name for Folle Blanche in the Loire?

Answer 18

Gros Plant

Question 19

What region of the Loire is dedicated to the Romorantin grape?

Answer 19

Cour-Cheverny AOC

Question 20

What region of the Loire is dedicated to producing Chasselas?

Answer 20

Pouilly-sur-Loire

Question 21

What are two regions one would find Pinot Gris in the Loire?

Answer 21

Coteaux d’Ancenis - made into a semi sweet wine and referred to as Malvoisie

Reuilly- made into vin gris

Question 22

What is the most planted red variety of the Loire Valley?

Answer 22

Cabernet Franc

Question 23

What appellations of the Loire only permit Gamay for red and rosé wines?

Answer 23

Côte Roannaise
Côte du Forez

Question 24

Where in the Loire Valley in Pineau d’Aunis most often planted?

Answer 24

Along the river Loir in the Côteaux du Vendômois and the Côteaux du Loir

Question 25

What is Côt a synonym for in the Loire Valley?

Answer 25

Malbec