Loire Flashcards
What was the first town to be established by the Romans in the Loire valley?
Nantes
When did the Loire valley’s wine economy start expanding?
From the 5th century, Augustinian and Benedictine monks
When was Chenin Blanc first referenced in the Loire?
845AD
When was Savennieres established? By whom?
1130AD, Cistercian monks
Which king pioneered the popularity of the wines of Anjou?
Henry II Plantagenet, count of Anjou, became king of England in 1154AD, promoting wines of his home region
When does Cabernet Franc emerge in the Loire valley?
1154AD
What is the historical significance of Savannieres?
Where the british fled the battlefield in 1214. Turning point of the 100 year war
What major development happened in the 15th century for Loire wine trade and growing?
Abolition of the “Banvin rights”, allowing non-nobles to grow and trade wine in the area
What is the local name for Cabernet Franc in the Loire?
Breton - named after Monk Breton who was famous for growing CF
What was the name of the King of France who resided in the Loire during the 15th, 16th centuries?
Francis 1st
How did Francis 1st influence the Loire?
Brought wealth to the region, with nobility building chateau’s in the area to be close to the royalty
In what year was the Protestant religion made official in Saumur?
1599
How did the dutch influence the Loire valley?
Dutch protestants settle in Nantes, planting grapes such as “La folle blanche”, participating in wine trade
When was Melon de Bourgogne introduced to the Loire?
1635, suited the Loire better than Burgundy
What event influenced the growth of Melon de Bourgogne in the Loire?
The severe winter of 1709 destroyed most vines, with the exception of MdB, hence it was replanted
Why did the Loire wine industry suffer in the late 18th century?
The war of the Vendée from 1793 to 1796 killed many farmers in the area. War between republicans and royalists
What development in the late 19th century put pressure on the Loire valleys trade with Paris?
Railway networks connected wine regions down south to Paris, creating competition
When was part of the Loire river granted UNESCO heritage status?
2000
What are the main cities of the Loire region?
Orléans, Blois, Ambois, Tours, Chinon, Saumur, Angers, Nantes
What are the five regions of the Loire, from west to east?
Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, Centre Loire, Auvergne
How many IGPs and AOPs are there in the Loire?
4 IGPs
51 AOPs
Describe the climate of Pays Nantais
Ocean influences moderate temperature, warmer
Describe the climate of Pays Anjou-Saumur
- Oceanic influence
- Low diurnals
- Hills in Saumur block oceanic influences, turning more continental
Describe the climate of Touraine
Crossroads between oceanic and continental influences
Describe the climate of Centre Loire
- Continental climate
- Suitable for cool climate grapes e.g. SB, Pinot noir
Describe the climate of Auvergne
- Mountainous
- Continental
How many grapes are permitted amongst the many AOPs/IGPs of the Loire?
24 grapes
What are the main white grapes of the Loire?
- SB
- Chenin Blanc
- Melon de Bourgogne
- Folle Blanche
- Chardonnay
- Divers
What are the main red grapes of the Loire?
- CF
- CS
- Gamay
- Pinot noir
- Grolleau
Describe the soil structure of Pays Nantais
Sandy, rocky soils, sedimentary rocks made of sandstone, schist, granite
Describe the history of lees contact
First done in Pays Nantais, where winemakers would leave their personal barrels over winter for the summer months. Became a recognised method of production in 1972
From which days can wines on lees be bottled in Pays Nantais?
1st march - 30th june
15th october - 30 nov
(year after harvest)
What are the characteristics of AOP Gros Plant de Pays Nantais?
- Dry white wines only
- Folle Blanche minimum 70%
- Appellation covers same area as AOP Muscadet
What are the characteristics of AOP Muscadet?
- Dry white wines only
- 100% Melon B
- Can be ‘sur lie’ or ‘primeur’
What are the characteristics of AOP Muscadet Sévre-et-maine?
- Dry white only
- More qualitative AOP than AOP Muscadet
- Name derived from 2 rivers which run through the area
What are the characteristics of AOP Muscadet Sévre-et-maine + village name?
Differences between regular AOP and villages:
- Higher plantation density
- Higher maturity at harvest
- Lower yield
- Higher alcohol
- Longer maturation on Lees
- 7 Villages part of this (Top are Clisson, Gorges)
How many AOPs are there in Anjou-Saumur?
19
Describe the different soil compositions of Anjou-Saumur
Western half (Anjou Noir): Schist, sandstone, shale, volcanic rocks
East (Anjou blanc): Limestone rich, calcarious
What are the two AOPs of Anjou that produce sweet rosé?
AOP Cabernet d’Anjou (Min. 10g R)
AOP Rosé d’Anjou (Min 7g RS)
Describe the wines of AOP Savennières
- Dry, sweet white wines
- Chenin blanc 100%
- Min maturation is until 15th march year after harvest
- Min sugar 212g/L for sweet wines, 186g/L for dry
- High quality
What are the 2 vineyard appellations under Savennières?
AOP Savennieres Roche-aux-moines
AOP Savennieres Coulée-de-serrant
Describe the wines of AOP Saumur
- Red, white, rose,
- Still, sparkling
- White wines are 100% Chenin
- Red wines are CF, CS
- Brézé is regarded as the best area within the AOP, expected to be upgraded to village AOP
Describe the wines of AOP Coteaux du Layon
- Sweet wines of 100% chenin
- Hand picked grapes
- Late harvest or botrytis
- Schist soils
- 6 village AOPs (+ village name)
- Only premier cru, grand cru are located within the regional AOP
What are the names of the 1er cru and grand cru AOPs in Loire? Where are they located?
- AOP Coteaux du Layon Premier cru Chaume
- AOP Quartz de Chaume Grand Cru
(located within AOP Coteaux du Layon)
What is the name of the highest-regarded winery in AOP Saumur-Champginy?
Clos Rougeard
Describe the wines of AOP Saumur-Champigny
- Red wines only
- Min 85% CF, rest CS
- Intense, densely coloured
- Soil is Tuffeaux (porous limestone)
What are the main AOPs of Touraine?
- AOP Chinon
- AOP Bourgueil
- AOP Orléans
- AOP Touraine
- AOP Cour-Cheverny
Describe the wines of AOP Chinon
- Red, white, rose
- Chenin for whites
- CF (min 90%), CS for reds, rosé
- Delicate, refined, pale
Describe the wines of AOP Bourgueil
- Rose and red
- CF (Min 90%), CS
- Soil closest to the river is sand and pebbles
- Slopes are Tuffeaux
Describe the wines of AOP Orléans
- White, rose, red
- Meunier (70-90%), rest pinot noir
- Chardonnay (min 60%), pinot gris
Describe the wines of AOP Vouvray
- White wine 100% chenin
- Dry, sweet, sparkling
- 7 AOPs depending on style: Mousseux, petillnt, sec, tendre, moelleux, premier tries, goutte d’or
Describe the wines of AOP Cour-Cheverny
- Still, white wine
- Mostly dry
- 100% Romorantin (native to this area)
Describe the wines of AOP Sancerre
- Awarded AOP 1936
- Wines are white, rose, red
- SB, Pinot noir 100%
- 3 main soil types: Chalk, limestone/gravel, silex
Describe the wines of AOP Menetou-Salon
- White, rose, red
- SB, Pinot noir
- Kimmeridgian limestone
- Considered an extension of Sancerre
Describe the wines of AOP Côte Roannaise
- Red and rosé, made with Gamay Saint Romain
- 85% reds
Describe the wines of AOP Côtes d’Auvergne
- White, red, rose
- Gamay, pinot noir, chardonnay
- 75% red wines
- Mountainous climate
- Volcanic soils
Name some notable producers from the Loire
- Clos Rougeard
- Domaine Marc Bredif
- Domaine Vincent Pinard
- Domaine Huet
- Domaine Vacheron
