Loire

Question 1

Loire Valley

Answer 1

Location: Central France, W-E along Loire River, 100s miles
City: Nantes, Angers, Saumur, Tours, Bourges
Climate: Maritime to continental cool
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Rose, Sparkling
Sub-Regions: Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, Central Vineyards
Soil: Volcanic schist and granite, limestone, gravel and sand
Viniculture: Biodynamic and natural wines (Nicolas Joly)

Question 2

Pays Nantais

Answer 2

Location: NW France, Loire Valley, Atlantic Coast
City: Nantes
Climate: Maritime with lots of rain in October, short growing season, humid
Soil: Dark schist and slate
Grape: Melon de Bourgogne
AOPs: Muscadet AOP, Muscadet de Sevre et Maine AOP

Muscadet
Tell: Sur lie, green fruit with mineral and saline
Style: Refreshing white wine with weight
Vinification: Sur lie aging 6-12mo for extra body and richness
Tasting notes: Pale straw, full-body, lees, green melon, lime, seashell, green apple, pear, bread dough
Bone-dry, Acidity: High
Pairing: oysters and seafood, beurre blanc sauce
Good value

Question 3

Anjou-Saumur

Answer 3

Location: N France, Loire Valley
City: Angers, Saumur
Climate: Maritime to continental cool, humid
Soil: Dark schist (A), white limestone (S)
Grapes: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc

Savennières AOP - Chenin Blanc
North of the Loire River, steep, south-facing hillsides, oak
Style: Dry white wine, power and texture, complex
Tasting notes: baked apple, hazelnut, honey, beeswax, savory, mineral
Pair: sushi uni, blue cheese
Clos de la Coulée de Serrant

Bonnezeaux AOP & Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - Chenin Blanc
Style: Sweet white wine
Tasting notes: apricot, honeycomb, tropical fruits, candied lemon, with luscious sweetness balanced by bright acidity
Viticulture: Late harvest, botrytis-affected, fog on Layon River
Pair: Soft white cheeses, brie, Camembert, blue cheese

Saumur AOP - Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
Style: Sparkling crémant, Rose
Tasting notes: green apple, citrus, and brioche, supported by lively acidity and fine bubbles

Saumur-Champigny AOP - Cabernet Franc
Style: Complex, dry red wine; high tannin, oak, tobacco, red raspberry, leather

Anjou-Villages AOP - Cabernet Franc
Style: Dry to off-dry red wine, Rose, high tannin, some RS
South-facing hillsides

Question 4

Tourraine

Answer 4

Location: N France, Loire Valley
Climate: Continental
Soil: Tuffeau (soft, white limestone), caves
Grapes: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc

Chinon AOP & Bourgueil AOP - Cabernet Franc
Style: Dry red wine, oaked and unoaked
Geography: Vienne River (C), steep slopes (B)
Climate: Continental cool
Tasting notes: red fruits, strawberry, raspberry, black cherry, plum, herbal and savory, bell pepper, jalapeño, roasted red chili pepper, crushed gravel, tobacco, fall leaves, cured meats
Acidity: M+, Tannin: M
Pairs: Seafood, spice, roasted meats

Vouvray AOP - Chenin Blanc
Tell: Pale straw with ripe fruit & fresh flower aromas, wool
Style: Dry to off-dry to sweet wines, some sparkling
Tasting notes: Pale water white, yellow apple, pear, peach, nectarine, ripe tangerine, golden raisin, white & yellow flowers, honeysuckle, acacia blossoms, minerality, wet gravel, wool, some herbal & bitter, white button mushroom,
Acidity: M+ to High, Alcohol: M, Sweet: Sec/off-dry, Body: M, Compl: High
Pairs: Pork belly, charcuterie, BBQ, salad, oyster & foie gras

Question 5

Central Vineyards (Louire)

Answer 5

Climate: Continental cool, short growing season
Soil: Silex (flint), limestone, Kimmeridgian Clay
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir

Sancerre AOP - Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
Style: Dry white, rosé, and red wines
Tell: Green fruit and grassy with wet rock
Tasting notes: Pale water white, green apple, green pear, white grapefruit, lime, kiwi, crisp fresh, floral, herbal & grassy, fresh bell pepper, lemongrass, fennel, wet rock
Bone-dry, Acidity: M+, Alcohol: M+, Body: M, Complexity: M+
Soil: Limestone, Kimmeridgian Clay
Pair: Goat cheese

Pouilly-Fume AOP - Sauvignon Blanc
Tell: Flint, gun smoke
Soil: Silex (flint), limestone, Kimmeridgian Clay