L3 - Loire Valley Chapter 18 Flashcards
What sub-regions make up the Loire Valley and how is it technically classified?
The Loire is loosely made up of four sub-regions:
(1) Nantais
(2) Central Vineyards
(3) Touraine
(4) Anjou-Saumur
Val de Loire is the IGP classification of the region. Wines from this region are typically fresh, light body and with straightforward, simple fruit flavors
What is the climate of the Loire Valley?
The climate varies. Although it is generally cool, in the Central Valley, which is more inland the climate is continental.
On the other hand, the climate in Nantais -which is coastal - tends to be maritime.
What types of issues are typical for the Loire Valley?
The vineyards lie on the northern limit of production for the grapes grown. This means that there can be very different results in quality from year to year, depending on the weather.
Fungal diseases because of the high level of rainfall is common
Where are the best sites in the Loire Valley?
Sites with the most sunshine and warmth, specifically south-facing sites, mid-slope and facing the river for extra heat and reflected light will do best.
What are the most important grape varieties in the Loire Valley?
-Sauvignon Blanc
-Chenin Blanc
-Melon Blanc
-Cabernet Franc
-Gamay
Where is Sauvignon Blanc typically grown in the Loire Valley?
- In the Central Valley sub-region
(with the most important appellations being Sancerre,
Pouilly Fume,
and Menetou-Salon)
and in the Touraine sub-region.
Describe Sauvignon Blancs from Sancerre and Pouilly Fume.
Both tend to be:
-Dry
-High acid
-Green apple and wet stone flavors
-Subtle smoky notes (for Pouilly Fume)
-Most wines are intended to be drunk young and not suitable for aging, however, wines from the villages of Chavignol and Monts Damnes (both from Sancerre) can be more expressive and evolve in bottle
Both regions have well drained, stony, limestone based soils.
What winemaking techniques are typically used for Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley?
-Gentle pneumatic pressing
-stainless steel tanks (preserving fresh fruit flavors)
-Some producers use old oak maturation to add texture to the wine & very few use new oak
-In cooler vintages some winemakers will use malolactic conversion to soften harsher acids
Aside from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume, what other appellations are famous for Sauvignon Blanc and what are their typical characteristics?
Menetou-Salon (produces styles similar to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume but more moderately priced)
Touraine -a generic appellation covering the whole Touraine region. These wines ten to ave less concentration than Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume are usually a simple and fruity style.
Describe characteristics of Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley?
Responsible for the best wines in the Touraine and Anjou-Saumur regions.
Chenin Blanc is:
-high acid
-non-aromatic
-Uniquely, grapes develop & ripen at different levels
-if not managed properly, can lead to green and herbaceous aromas in the wine (if unripe grapes aren’t excluded in the harvest)
-Can be made in a variety of styles: dry or sweet, still or sparkling
- Sparkling -typically made from barely ripe fruit that only achieves 10-11% alc as a still wine
-Dry, medium and sweet wines will be made from more ripe grapes, including those that have sun-shriveled or developed noble rot
Describe the different styles of Chenin Blanc
- Young wines:
Can develop flavors of fresh apple to tropical fruit depending on grape ripeness
Dry styles- steely, smoky character
Sweet wines - apricot and citrus flavors of noble rot
-both dry and sweet can age for decades becoming richer, rounder, and developing notes of honey, toast and hay in bottle which balance well due to the high acid in the wines
Describe Chenin Blanc from the Vouvray appellation .
Vouvray (located in Touraine) is a cool climate appellation located to the east of the city of Tours.
Because of the cool climate and clay soils, the wines tend to be:
-light to medium body,
-high acid
-fresh fruity and floral notes
-rarely matured or fermented in new oak
What types of Chenin Blanc wines come from Saumur and Anjou?
Saumur - known for sparkling Chenin Blanc in the traditional method
Anjou- known for dry wines matured in oak
What types of Chenin Blanc wines come from Savennieres?
This region is located west of Anjou-Saumur.
The climate is relatively warm and dry leading to wines that are:
-medium to full body
-less floral
Savennieres produces dry, full-bodied late harvest wines (there is better air cirulcation in these vineyards impeding noble rot) which allows for complex wines.
What types of Chenin Blanc wines come from Coteaux du Layon?
This region is located west of Anjou-Saumur.
-medium to full body
-less floral
Coteaux du Layon -makes some of the most renowned sweet wines of the region. It is located in the sheltered valley of the River Layon where noble rot develops well
(Quarts de Chaume & Bonnezeaux are AOCs that rank among the best sweet wines in the world)
