Loire Flashcards
True or False ? In Loire, the ‘vin Gris’ style is legally regulated ?
- False
- This term, though not legally regulated, refers to very pale rosé wines. In Coteaux du Vendômois AOC, these wines are based on minimal skin contact with Pineau d’Aunis. In Reuilly AOC, vins gris experience a short maceration with Pinot Gris’ pink skins.
Speaking of ‘Anjou Noir’, what do we refer to ?
- Old rocks form the basis of the soils of Muscadet and other appellations of the Nantais region and the western half of Anjou, including Savennières. the dark soils that characterize the Armorican Massif.
Speaking of ‘Anjou Blanc’, what do we refer to ?
- The Anjou Blanc (White Anjou) marks the beginning of the Paris Basin, a low-lying area in northern France that was covered by the sea during the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods (67 to 195 million years ago). The more recent, shallow seas that receded to leave soils based on soft, chalky Cretaceous limestone are easily visible today in the houses, castles, and cellars of the lower Loire. These are the soils of eastern Anjou and Touraine.
- Further eastward, the Paris Basin continues to be the bedrock of the vineyards of the Central Vineyards, around Sancerre. The seas were deeper here, however, and these older soils (from the Jurassic period) are frequently characterized by the presence of tiny fossils. The Kimmeridgian clays found in Sancerre continue to the vineyards of Chablis. A fault runs through the town of Sancerre, adding complexity to the range of soils and defining the appellations of the Central Vineyards. These include islands of flint, for example around Saint-Andelain in Pouilly-Fumé.
What is the star-varietal of Auvergne vineyard ?
- Gamay
Name the two Loire rivers responsible for the autumn mists necessary for the development of botrytis in favorable years ?
- Loire & Layon
Name a positive effect of climate change on the Loire vineyards ?
- The Loire was historically a region where grapes often failed to achieve full ripeness. Warmer temperatures and increased levels of photosynthesis have yielded better-quality wines, especially the reds.
Name a negative effect of climate change on the Loire vineyards ?
- With higher temperatures early in the season, the vine’s growing cycle has shifted, so budbreak is earlier. As a result, when the spring frosts strike—as they have always done, to a greater or lesser extent—the vine is far more advanced than it would have been in years past and the losses more consequent.
- At the other end of the scale, heat and drought associated with climate change are problematic, especially in a region where irrigation is forbidden under AOC legislation. At temperatures much over 30 degrees Celsius, photosynthesis decreases, and eventually the vine shuts down and blocks maturation of the grapes. In 2022, early season drought and heat in May were followed by a heat wave and further drought in July, a situation that had never been seen before.
What is the most planted varietal of Loire Valley AOP ?
- Cabernet Franc (15 950 ha – 25.1% plantings)
- Sauvignon Blanc (10 094 ha – 15,9% plantings)
- Chenin Blanc (9 540 ha – 15% plantings)
True or False ? Quarts de Chaume AOP is a sweet wine only appellation.
- True
- Several producers have shifted from producing sweet wines because of financial pressure and are now making dry wines in the appellation of Quarts de Chaume. These wines cannot be labeled with the appellation name, however, as it is a designation for sweet wine only; instead they must be labeled as Anjou AOC Blanc or Vin de France.
True or False ? Melon de Bourgogne is originaly from Bourgogne.
- True
- It originated in Burgundy, although it was rejected by its homeland many years ago. The variety has been planted in the Nantais since the 1600s, but for centuries it lived in the shadow of Folle Blanche because of the latter’s prolific production destined for eau-de-vie. Melon B was always recognized as a superior variety for making wine, however, and it is now the dominant variety. It is well-suited to this cool region because it can withstand low winter temperatures.
What is the main varietal of Cour-Cheverny AOP ?
- Romorantin
- A cross of Pinot and Gouais Blanc
In loire Valley, What is the synonym of ‘Chenin Blanc’ ?
- Pineau de la Loire
In loire Valley, What is the synonym of ‘ Folle Blanche’ ?
- Gros Plant
In loire Valley, What is the synonym of ‘Cabernet Franc’ ?
- Breton
In loire Valley, What is the synonym of ‘Chardonnay’ ?
- Auvernat
In Loire Valley, What is the synonym of ‘Pinot Gris’ ?
- Malvoisie
In loire Valley, What is the synonym of ‘Pineau d’Aunis’ ?
- Chenin Noir
In which region in Loire can we find Hermine d’Or mentioned on a bottle ?
- Pays Nantais
- Muscadet sèvre et maine
Which of the Crus Communaux in Muscadet required the most aging ?
- Château Thébaud
- 36-48 months
What is the only Grand Cru in Val de Loire ?
- Quart de Chaume
What are sub areas of Savennières Coulée de Serrant ?
- Grand Clos de la Coulée
- Clos du Château
- Les Plantes
Which river is near Quart de Chaume ?
- Layon
Where are located the lieux dits Les Quarts, Les Rouères, Le Veau ?
- Quart de Chaume
What’s the name of the Chenin Blanc cuvée of Clos Rougeard ?
- Brézé
What style of wine is produced in Touraine-Noble-Joué ?
- Rosé (vin gris) blend of P.N., Meunier, P.G.
Between Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire, which one allowed up to 5% of Orbois ?
- Vouvray
Between Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, which one allowed up to 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon ?
- Both
What’s the main river of Chinon ?
- Vienne
Which Touraine (subzone) villages allow white wine of Sauvignon Blanc only ?
- Oisly = white only 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- Chenonceaux = if white, 100% Sauvignon Blanc + Rouge
What’s the grape variety allowed for Orléans Clery ?
- Cabernet Franc
What are the three main soils in Sancerre ?
- Silex (high proportion of flint)
- Terres blanches (Kimmeridgian soils)
- Caillottes (Oxfordian limestone)
Who produces Cuvée Paul ?
François Cotat
- Late-harvest cuvée made in select vintages
Match the rivers with an AOP.
- Lay
- Loir
- Cher
- Aubance
- Vienne
- Lay = Fiefs Vendéens AOP
Aubance = Anjou AOP
Loir = Jasnières AOP
Vienne = Chinon AOP
Cher = Quincy AOP
What is the maximum percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon allowed in Bourgueil AOP and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP ?
- 10 %
What body of water impacts Muscadet Côte de Grandlieu AOP ?
- Lac de Grandlieu
What are the two communes pending for Muscadet-sèvre-et-maine AOP crus communaux status ?
- Vallet
- La Haye Fouassière
Gamay, Melon B & Romorantin are all offsprings of Pinot and … ?
- Gouais Blanc
Does Rosé de Loire AOP produce dry or off-dry ?
- Dry (maximum 3 g/L)
When occurred The great frost in Pays Nantais? What changed after this event?
- 1709
- The region move from red to white wine production
- The frost-hardy Melon B (Melon de Bourgogne) was planted more widely throughout the Pays Nantais.
What are the communes of production of Fiefs Vendéens?
- Mareuil
- Brem-sur-Merr
- Vix
- Pissotte
- Chantonnay
What is particular about the regulation of Fiefs Vendéens?
- All wines must be blends
- Rosé: Pinot noir and Gamay
- Red: Pinot or Cabernet Franc blended with Négrette
- White: Chenin Blanc with Chardonnay
What is the main grape variety for a white Anjou?
- Chenin blanc, must comprise 80% or more of the variety
- Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
True or false, Hand harvest is mandatory in Savennières and Savennières Roche aux moines
- True
Is Chaptalization allowed in Savennières and Savennières Roche aux moines?
- No, prohibited
Is Savennières and Savennières Roche aux Moines always dry?
- No, can be sweet too
How big is Savennières Coulée de Serrant?
- 7 ha
- Monopole of Joly family
Where is located Clos du Papillon?
- Savennières, Domaine du Closel is renowned for this
What are the three cuvées of Nicolas Joly?
- La Coulée de Serrant
- Le Clos de la Bergerie
- Les Vieux Clos
What is the minimum residual sugar of Anjou coteaux de la Loire, Coteaux de l’Aubance and Coteaux de Saumur?
- 34 g/l
What is the minimum residual sugar of Bonnezaux?
- 51 g/l
What is the minimum residual sugar of Coteaux du Layon Chaume premier cru?
- 80g/l
Is chaptalization legal for Bonnezeaux?
- yes, unlike Quarts de Chaume
What are the villages allowed to append their name in Coteaux du Layon?
- Faye d’Anjou
- Rochefort-sur-Loire
- Rablay-sur-Layon
- Beaulieu-sur-Layon
- St.Aubin de Luigné
- St.Lambert du Lattay
- Chaume
Is chaptalization legal for Coteaux du Layon Chaume?
- No
What is the minimum residual sugar of Quarts de Chaume grand cru?
- 85 g/l
Between Quarts de Chaume and Sauternes, which one require the lowest yields?
- Quarts de Chaume (20 h/l) vs 25 h/l for Sauternes
What style of wine is produced on Cabernet d’Anjou?
- Rosé based on Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
- may be primeur
- min 10g/l RS
What style of wine is produced on Rosé d’Anjou AOP?
- a lot of grape varieties allowed (grolleau, cab, cot, gamay, pineau d’Aunis)
- may be primeur
- min 7g/l RS
Anjou Brissac covers the same area than another sweet wine appellation?
- Coteaux de l’Aubance
True or False, Saumur-Champigny must be 100% Cabernet Franc
- False, up to 15% of Cabernet Sauvignon is allowed
Between Les Poyeux et Le Bourg from Clos Rougeard, which one is the most expensive?
- Le Bourg (around 70$ more in SAQ), 70 years old vines cuvée
Where is located Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain)?
- Saumur-Champigny (also produce Saumur wine)
What style of wine is produced on Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame?
- Red, Cab Franc with up to 15% Cab Sauv
- Higher concentration in style than Saumur
What style of wine is produced on Haut-Poitou AOP? Where is it located?
- White/ Rosé/ Red
- South of the town of Chinon
What grape variety is used for a white Haut-Poitou?
- Sauvignon blanc + max 40% of Sauvignon Gris
What grape varieties are used for a rosé Haut-Poitou?
- min 40% Cabernet Franc
- min 20% Pinot Noir
- 20% Gamay
What grape varieties are used for a red Haut-Poitou?
- min 60% Cabernet Franc
- Gamay, Gamay de Bouze, Gamay de Chaudenay, Merlot, Pinot Noir
What grape variety is used for a Saumur blanc?
- 100% Chenin Blanc
Who are the four producers who are working on Brézé?
- Arnaud Lambert
- Guiberteau
- Clos Rougeard
- Domaine du Collier
Who is producing the cuvée La Ripaille and La Charpentrie?
- Domaine du Collier
What style of wine is produced on Coteaux de Saumur?
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- min 34 g/l