Loire Flashcards

1
Q

What is the only PDO or PGI to cover the entire Loire Valley?

A

Val de Loire IGP
There isn’t a region-wide PDO.

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2
Q

What is the climate of the Loire?

A

Cool climate
Maritime by the coast in Nantes, moving progressively more continental inland until Central Vineyards which is considered continental.

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3
Q

Why is Anjou (closer to the coast) warmer and drier than Touraine (further inland so should be more continental)?

A

Anjou is protected by the Mauges hills and some vineyards have warming stones.
Touraine: cooler, wetter climate (no protection from hills) with cooling clay soils.

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4
Q

In the Loire, what is the main risk associated with high levels of rainfall?

A

Fungal disease

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5
Q

The Loire has a marginal climate relative to the grapes grown. Give three factors a vineyard may have to help ripening?

A

Southerly aspect
Mid-slope
Facing the river for extra heat & light

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6
Q

What are the four sub-regions in the Loire from west to east (maritime -> continental)?

A

Nantes
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Central Vineyards

NAST-C

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7
Q

What are the three Central Vineyards PDOs that have a reputation for quality Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Pouilly-Fumé AOP
Menetou-Salon AOP
Sancerre AOP

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8
Q

A wine from the Loire is dry, high acidity with hints of green apple and wet stones. What is the grape variety and which sub-regions/appellations is it from?

A

Sauvignon Blanc
Pouilly-Fumé AOP
Sancerre AOP
Menetou-Salon AOP

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9
Q

Most Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire is made using gentle pneumatic pressing and temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Give four other winemaking techniques that are occasionally used.

A

Old oak vessels
Lees contact
New oak
MLC

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10
Q

If the vintage is particularly cool in the Loire Valley, what winemaking technique may be used to help balance the wine?

A

MLC

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11
Q

In which sub-region in the Loire is the majority of Sauvignon Blanc produced?

A

Touraine

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12
Q

What is the name of Touraine’s generic regional appellation that allows varietal labelling?

A

Touraine AOP
Sauvignon de Touraine is an example of the Touraine AOP with varietal labelling.

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13
Q

In general, how does Touraine AOP differ from Sancerre AOP?

A

Less concentrated wines
Simple, fruity style

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14
Q

What grape variety produces the best wines from Anjou and Touraine?

A

Chenin Blanc

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15
Q

Chenin Blanc can ripen unevenly. How is this dealt with in the Loire?

A

When harvesting, multiple passes through the vineyard are made.
Hand harvesting only.

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16
Q

Which grape variety from the Loire can be used to make a broad range of wines from dry to sweet, still and sparkling?

A

Chenin Blanc

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17
Q

There are two ways to achieve the concentration needed to make Chenin Blanc into a sweet wine in the Loire. What are they?

A

Noble rot
Grapes shrivel in the sun - passerillage

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18
Q

Chenin Blanc from the Loire with 10-11% alcohol and green aromas would often be used to make what sort of wine?

A

Sparkling wines

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19
Q

Give the different aromas Chenin Blanc from the Loire can have, from barely ripe to fully ripe.

A

Green / herbaceous
Fresh apple
Tropical fruit

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20
Q

Flavours of apricot and citrus peel often indicate what in Chenin Blanc wines from the Loire?

A

Noble rot

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21
Q

How do still Chenin Blanc wines from the Loire develop as they age?

A

Richer and rounder
Aromas of honey, toast & hay.

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22
Q

Name the region in the Loire that has a reputation for producing still & sparkling wines in both dry & sweet styles from Chenin Blanc.

A

Vouvray AOC

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23
Q

Why are still, dry Vouvray AOC wines light to medium bodied with fresh, fruity & floral aromas?

A

They are from a cool climate with cooling clay soils which limits ripeness.

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24
Q

Saumur has a reputation for what style of Chenin Blanc?

A

Traditional method sparkling wine.

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25
Q

Anjou has a reputation for what style of Chenin Blanc?

A

Dry wines that are often matured in oak.

26
Q

Savennières AOC has a reputation for what style of Chenin Blanc?

A

Full bodied, dry, late harvest Chenin Blanc.

27
Q

Coteaux du Layon AOC has a reputation for what style of Chenin Blanc?

A

Sweet Chenin Blanc made with grapes infected with noble rot.

28
Q

What are two other common names for the grape variety Melon Blanc?

A

Muscadet
Melon de Bourgogne

29
Q

Which two features make Melon Blanc grapes suitable for cool climates?

A

They ripen early
Frost resistant

30
Q

Which two appellations in Nantais make wines from Melon Blanc?

A

Muscadet AOC
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC

31
Q

Give the acidity, alcohol, body and flavours of a typical Muscadet AOC or Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC wine.

A

Medium alcohol
High acidity
Light body
Green fruit

32
Q

Sur Lie is a speciality of Muscadet AOC & Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC. What does it mean?

A

Lees contact
Gives a richer texture to the wine

33
Q

Why is Cabernet Franc well suited to the Loire Valley?

A

It flowers and ripens early.

34
Q

Which three Loire appellations have a reputation for making red wines from Cabernet Franc?

A

Chinon AOC
Bourgueil AOC
Saumur-Champigny AOC

35
Q

Give the sub-regions where these appellations are located.
Chinon AOC
Bourgueil AOC
Saumur-Champigny AOC

A

Chinon AOC Touraine
Bourgueil AOC Touraine
Saumur-Champigny AOC Anjou

36
Q

In the Loire, how does the Cabernet Franc grown on sandy soils differ from those grown on south facing limestone & clay soils?

A

Sandy soils tend to produce wines that are lighter in body.
South facing limestone & clay soils tend to be more tannic with a fuller body.

37
Q

Why can Cabernet Franc from Saumur often be drunk lightly chilled?

A

The wines are light in body and have lower tannins.

38
Q

What are the three rosé wines from the Loire? Give their sweetness and the grape varieties.

A

Rosé de Loire: dry, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Rosé d’Anjou: less sweet/off-dry, Grolleau and Cabernet Franc and others
Cabernet d’Anjou: medium dry to medium sweet, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon

39
Q

Which sub-region produces most of the Loire’s rosé wines?

A

Anjou Saumur

40
Q

Which two winemaking methods are permitted in the Loire Valley to make rosé wines?

A

Direct pressing
Short maceration

41
Q

What is the name of the region that includes these highlighted?

A

Loire

42
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Nantais

43
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted? I

A

Anjou Saumur

44
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Touraine

45
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Central Vineyards

46
Q

What is the name of the region do these highlighted sit in?

A

Nantais

47
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Muscadet sevré et Maine

48
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Muscadet

49
Q

What is the name of the region that these highlighted lie in?

A

Anjou Saumur

50
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Savennieres

51
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Coteaux de Layon

52
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Saumur

53
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Saumur champigny

54
Q

What is the name of the region that these highlighted lie in?

A

Touraine

55
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Bourgueil

56
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Chinon

57
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Vouvray

58
Q

What is the name of the region that these highlighted lie in?

A

Central Vineyards

59
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Menetou Salon

60
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Sancerre

61
Q

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

A

Pouilly Fumé