Loire Flashcards

1
Q

What is the principal white grape of the Lower Loire?

A

Melon de Bourgogne

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the principal white grape of the Middle Lore?

A

Chenin Blanc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the principal white grape of the Centre-Loire?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the principal red grape of the Middle Loire?

A

Cabernet Franc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the principal red grape of the Centre-Loire?

A

Pinot Noir

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the climate of the Lower Loire?

A

Maritime

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the climate of the Middle Loire?

A

Maritime with continental influences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the climate of the Centre-Loire?

A

Continental

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the Pays Nantais also known as?

A

The Lower Loire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does “fines bulles” refer to?

A

Fine bubbles

In the Loire, this refers to all types of wine in the sparkling category
(petillant, mousseux, cremant)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the only Grand Cru in the Loire Valley?

A

Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does silex refer to?

A

Flint, found in the Centre-Loire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the principal grape used in the production of sweet wines in the Loire?

A

Chenin Blanc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Cot is a Loire synonym for which grape?

A

Malbec

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

In which region is Cremant de Loire production concentrated in?

A

Middle Loire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is Touraine Noble Joue?

A

A vin gris made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Meunier

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Gros Plant is a Loire synonym for which grape?

A

Folle Blanche

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Describe the Lower Loire sub-region.

A

Includes the Pays Nantais vineyards

Main grape: Melon de Bourgogne
Used in 4 Muscadet AOCs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Describe the Muscadet AOC.

A

Dry white wine only

Covers the entire Muscadet zone
Part of the Lower Loire sub-region

Wine is 100% Melon de Bourgogne (aka Muscadet)
From 2021 up to 10% Chardonnay can be included

From 2020 the AOC cannot label wines as sur lie

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe the Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC.

A

Dry white wine only

Part of the Lower Loire sub-region
Produces 75% of all Muscadet wine

Wine is 100% Melon de Bourgogne (aka Muscadet)

90% of production is aged sur lie

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe the Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC.

A

Dry white wine only

Part of the Lower Loire sub-region

Wine is 100% Melon de Bourgogne (aka Muscadet)

Vineyards are planted on slopes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Describe the Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOC.

A

Dry white wine only

Part of the Lower Loire sub-region

Wine is 100% Melon de Bourgogne (aka Muscadet)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Describe the Middle Loire sub-region.

A

Includes the Anjou, Saumur, and Touraine vineyards

Main grapes for Anjou and Saumur: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
Main grapes for Touraine: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cot, Gamay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Describe the Anjou region.

A

Wide range of styles produced due to multiplicity of terroirs

White wines are usually Chenin Blanc
Red wines are usually Cabernet Franc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Describe the Anjou AOC.

A

Dry white, red, semi-sweet to sweet white, sparkling white and rose

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Main white grapes: Chenin Blanc
Main red grapes: Cabernet Franc

Anjou Gamay is 100% Gamay, and can be vinified as primeur

Covers the entire sub-region

26
Q

Describe the Anjou Villages AOC.

A

Red wine only

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Contained within Anjou AOC but does not include the entire territory

27
Q

Describe the Anjou Brissac AOC.

A

Red wine only

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

28
Q

Describe the Cabernet d’Anjou AOC.

A

Rose wine only

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Wines have perceptible sweetness

Separate AOC that covers the same territory as Anjou AOC and Rose d’Anjou AOC
Largest production of all rose AOCs in Anjou

29
Q

Describe the Rose d’Anjou AOC.

A

Off-dry rose wines only

Grape: Grolleau Gris

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Separate AOC that covers the same territory as Anjou AOC and Cabernet d’Anjou AOC

30
Q

Describe the Coteaux du Layon AOC.

A

Semi-sweet to sweet wine from Chenin Blanc

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Can be labeled as Selection de Grains Nobles if noble rot grapes are used AND if harvested with 19% potential alcohol

31
Q

Describe the Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru AOC.

A

Sweet wine from Chenin Blanc

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Sweetest wines from Anjou-Saumur

Autumn mists encourage botrytis
Grapes can also be concentrated by passerillage

32
Q

Describe the Bonnezeaux AOC.

A

Sweet wine from Chenin Blanc

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

33
Q

Describe the Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOC.

A

Semi-sweet to sweet wines from Chenin Blanc

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

AOC is close to Loire river, ensuring that summer heat is moderated by river

34
Q

Describe the Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC.

A

Semi-sweet to sweet wine from Chenin Blanc

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Can be labeled as Selection de Grains Nobles if noble rot grapes are used

35
Q

Describe the Savennieres AOC.

A

Dry white wine from 100% Chenin Blanc

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Semi-sweet and sweet wines are permitted too

36
Q

Describe the Savennieres Roche aux Moines AOC.

A

AOC is a lieu-dit within the boundaries of Savennieres AOC

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Also famous for dry white wine made from 100% Chenin Blanc
Semi-sweet and sweet wines are permitted too

Hand harvesting required

37
Q

Describe the Coulee de Serrant AOC.

A

AOC is a lieu-dit within the boundaries of Savennieres AOC

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Dry and sweet permitted, but focuses on dry

AOC is a monopole of Nicolas Joy
Farmed biodynamically and harvested by hand

38
Q

Describe the Saumur AOC.

A

Dry white, rose, red, white and rose sparkling wines

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Still white wines are 100% Chenin Blanc and are dry
Reds are primarily Cabernet Franc
Roses are blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and are dry

Covers the entire Saumur area

39
Q

Describe the Saumur-Champigny AOC.

A

Red wine only

Part of the Anjou-Saumur region

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

Most important red AOC in Anjou-Saumur
Warm weather produces richer red wines than most of the Loire
Tuffeau soil gives elegance, soft tannins, and freshness

40
Q

Describe the Touraine region.

A

Western Touraine is primarily red wine from Cabernet Franc
Central Touraine is primarily white wine from Chenin Blanc
East Touraine is primarily white wine from Sauvignon Blanc

41
Q

Describe the Touraine AOC.

A

Dry white, rose, red, white and rose sparkling

Part of the Touraine region

White grapes: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Red grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cot, Gamay

White wines are usually Sauvignon Blanc
Red wines are based on Cabernet Franc if produced west of Tours, and Cot if produced east of Tours
Roses are dry and blends on approved grape varieties
Small amount of sparkling wine is produced

42
Q

Describe the Touraine Noble Joue AOC.

A

Rose wine only

Part of the Touraine region

Produces distinctive vin gris from Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris
Largely made via direct press, and is always dry

Contained within the Touraine AOC

43
Q

Describe the Bourgueil AOC.

A

Red and rose wines only

Part of the Touraine region

Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Wines are categorized into “gravel wines” and “tuffeau wines” based on soil
Gravel wines tend to display raspberry fruit
Tuffeau wines are more structured and complex

44
Q

Describe the Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC.

A

Red and rose wine only

Part of the Touraine region

Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Shares the same terrain as Bourgueil
Soils are sandy gravels and wines display raspberry fruit typical of “gravel wines”

45
Q

Describe the Chinon AOC.

A

Dry white, red, rose

Part of the Touraine region

Rose and red are primarily Cabernet Franc
Whites are dry and 100% Chenin Blanc

Famous for red wine, and is Loire’s largest producer of red AOC by volume

46
Q

Describe the Vouvray AOC.

A

White wine only

Part of the Touraine region

Dry, semi-sweet, to sweet
Sparkling also produced

Grape: Chenin Blanc

Middle Loire’s largest producer of white AOC wine by volume

60% of production is mousseux and petillant

47
Q

Describe the Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC.

A

White wine only

Part of the Touraine region

Dry, semi-sweet, to sweet
Sparkling also produced

100% Chenin Blanc

Most of production is mousseux and petillant

48
Q

Describe the Cheverny AOC.

A

Dry white, rose, and red wine

Part of the Touraine region

White grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Rose grapes: Sauvignon Gris
Red grapes: Pinot Noir

49
Q

Describe the Cour-Cheverny AOC.

A

White wine only

Part of the Touraine region

Only uses rare Romorantin grape
Mostly dry, but semi-sweet and sweet are also made

50
Q

Describe the Orleans AOC.

A

Dry white, rose, red wines

Part of the Touraine region

White grapes: Chardonnay
Rose and red grapes: Meunier

51
Q

Describe the Orleans-Clery AOC.

A

Red wine only

Part of the Touraine region

100% Cabernet Franc

52
Q

Describe the Cremant de Loire AOC.

A

Sparkling wine made by traditional method only

Covers all of Anjou-Saumur as well as Touraine

53
Q

Describe the Rose de Loire AOC.

A

Dry rose wines only

Grape: Grolleau Gris

Covers all of Anjou-Saumur as well as Touraine

54
Q

Describe the Centre-Loire sub-region.

A

Main grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Almost all whites are Sauvignon Blanc, and almost all reds are Pinot Noir

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume are most important AOCs

Four main soil types, each giving a different expression to Sauvignon Blanc
- Caillottes (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume): Wines are perfumed and tend to mature quickly
- Terres Blances (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume): Wines are powerful and tend to age well
- Silex and Argiles a Silex (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume): Wines have smoky character of gunflint
- Sand and gravel (Pouilly-Fume)

55
Q

Describe the Pouilly-Fume AOC.

A

Dry white wine only

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Part of the Centre-Loire region

56
Q

Describe the Pouilly-sur-Loire AOC.

A

Dry white wine only

100% Chasselas

Part of the Centre-Loire region
AOC covers the same area as Pouilly-Fume AOC, but is only for wines made from Chasselas

57
Q

Describe the Menetou-Salon AOC.

A

White, rose, red wines
Famous for white wines

Part of the Centre-Loire region

White wines are 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Red and rose wines are 100% Pinot Noir

58
Q

Describe the Quincy AOC.

A

Dry white wine from mainly Sauvignon Blanc

Part of the Centre-Loire region

59
Q

Describe the Reuilly AOC.

A

Dry white, rose, and red wine

Part of the Centre-Loire region

White wines are 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Red wines are 100% Pinot Noir

(“Ruh-yee”)

60
Q

Describe the Upper Loire sub-region.

A

Least well-known region of the Loire Valley
Home to some AOCs that are seldom exported

61
Q

Describe the Val de Loire IGP.

A

Most important regional IGP in Loire Valley
Covers entire Loire Valley

France’s largest IGP by area

90% of wines are varietal, and 60% are white

62
Q

Describe the Sancerre AOC.

A

White, rose, and red wine
Famous for dry white wine

Part of the Centre-Loire region

White wines are 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Red and rose wines are 100% Pinot Noir