Loire

Question 1

Name the Loire districts into their geographical order along the river.

Answer 1

• West - Atlantic Ocean
• Muscadet
• Anjou-Villages
• Coteaux Du Layon
• Saumur-Champigny
• Chinon
• Vouvray
• Quincy
• Menetou-Salon
• Sancerre
• Pouilly-Fumé

Question 2

What percentage of the total production of the Loire Valley that comes from Touraine?

Answer 2

24%

Question 3

What is the main grape variety in the Pays Nantais region?

Answer 3

Melon

Question 4

What is the local name for the Folle Blanche grape variety?

Answer 4

Gros Plant

Question 5

What type of climate does the Pays Nantais region have?

Answer 5

Cool maritime

Question 6

What type of weather is a particular hazard in the Pays Nantais region?

Answer 6

Spring Frost

Question 7

Which of the following is the Melon grape variety susceptible to?

Answer 7

Downy Mildew
Botrytis Bunch Rot

Question 8

Up to what percentage ABV is chaptalization permitted in Pays Nantais?

Answer 8

0

Question 9

In what kind of vessels is Muscadet typically fermented in?

Answer 9

Glass-lined concrete vats

Question 10

How are Muscadet wines often aged?

Answer 10

On lees

Question 11

Using bullet points, briefly describe the process of ageing the wines of Pays Nantais sur lie. Include details on what effect this has on the wine.

Answer 11

• After the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the wine is racked off to remove the gross lees.
• The wine then remains in contact with the fine lees, usually in a glass-lined concrete tanks.
• The wine stays on the fine lees through the winter following harvest and until bottling.
• Sur lie wines must be bottled between 1 March and 30 November of the year following harvest and in the winery in which they were made.
• Ageing on the lees increases the body and mouthfeel of the wine while retaining freshness and sometimes a small amount of carbon dioxide, which is part of the style of these wines.

Question 12

Name the two larger appellations in the Pays Nantais and the two smaller ones.

Answer 12

Large: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC and Muscadet AOC
Small: Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC and Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOC

Question 13

What are the most important grape varieties in the middle Loire?

Answer 13

Cabernet Franc
Chenin Blanc

Question 14

What is the name of the river in Anjou?
What is its influence?

Answer 14

River Layon
The river’s multiple tributaries help to create the misty conditions ideal for the spread of botrytis at the end of the growing season.

Question 15

Briefly describe why multiple passes may have to be done when handpicking Chenin Blanc grapes at harvest.

Answer 15

Chenin Blanc does not ripen evenly within a bunch and in certain vintages i.e. cooler vintages, this can be a particular issue. To ensure the grapes are fully ripe, several passes may be made during harvest to pick the riper berries. This variety is also susceptible to botrytis. Botrytis attacks berries and multiple passes are necessary to pick the berries affected by botrytis and depending on the desired sweetness levels required for the style of wine.

Question 16

Describe the wine of Coteaux du Layon AOC

Answer 16

Specializes in wines made from botrytis-affected Chenin Blanc grapes. If botrytis fails to develop, the grapes may also be dried on the vine. The wines are sweet with high acidity, medium (+) body and medium alcohol. The prices range from mid-priced to premium.

Question 17

Describe the wine of Savennières AOC

Answer 17

This is a small but prestigious appellation mainly specialising in dry wine made from Chenin Blanc. They can be very austere in youth and historically have required many years in bottle before they became approachable.

Question 18

Describe the wine of Rosé de Loire AOC

Answer 18

This wine can be made from a range of varieties including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Grolleau Noir. The wines are dry.

Question 19

Describe the wine of Rosé d’Anjou AOC

Answer 19

This is mainly made from Grolleau though other options include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cot and Gamay. The wines are medium-dry.

Question 20

Describe the wine of Cabernet d’Anjou AOC

Answer 20

This must be made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are typically a deeper colour than most rosé (medium pink) and medium-dry.

Question 21

Maximum Yield Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru AOC

Answer 21

20hL/ha

Question 22

Maximum Yield of Coteaux du Layon AOC Premier Cru Chaume

Answer 22

25 hL/ha

Question 23

Maximum Yield of Bonnezeaux AOC

Answer 23

25 hL/ha

Question 24

Maximum Yield of Coteaux du Layon AOC + named village

Answer 24

30 hL/ha

Question 25

Maximum Yield of Coteaux du Layon AOC

Answer 25

35 hL/ha

Question 26

Give a brief description of Touraine AOC

Answer 26

For white wines, the principal variety is Sauvignon Blanc and for red, the principal varieties are Cabernet Franc and Cot. Gamay is also grown. Rosé and sparkling are also made. Some wines can use the six subzones within the appellation on the label.

Question 27

Give a brief description of Vouvray AOC

Answer 27

The most important white wine appellation. The wines must be made from a minimum of 95 per cent Chenin Blanc but are typically 100 per cent. It is made in every vintage; some demi-sec in most years, while sweet is rarer.

Question 28

Give a brief description of Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC

Answer 28

The vineyards run from the river Loire to the river Cher. Makes similar wine styles to Vouvray from 100 per cent Chenin Blanc.

Question 29

Give a brief description of Bourgueil AOC

Answer 29

This appellation specializes in red wines, though rosé wines are also made. The principal variety is Cabernet Franc and only ten per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon is allowed.

Question 30

Give a brief description of Chinon AOC

Answer 30

This appellation is best known and highly regarded for red wines. White wines from Chenin Blanc and rosé wines are also made. The principal variety is Cabernet Franc and only ten per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon is allowed.

Question 31

What are the two most important grape varieties grown in the Central Vineyards?

Answer 31

Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir

Question 32

Is MLF usually carried out in the Loire Central Vinyards

Answer 32

No, it is usually blocked

Question 33

True or false?

Fermentation temperatures for Sauvignon Blanc based white wines from the Central Vineyards are usually lower than in the New World.

Answer 33

False

Question 34

What aromas and flavours would you typically expect from a white Sancerre?

Answer 34

Grapefruit
Gooseberry

Question 35

Name and describe the soil types in Sancerre AOC

Answer 35

Caillottes: Very shallow soils over limestone. Fruit grown on these soils are said to produce the most aromatic wines that are first to be ready to drink and to have less potential for ageing in the bottle.
Terre Blanches The same limestone and marl that is to be found in Chablis. Fruit grown on these soils are said to produce the most structured wines that need long maturation before they are ready to drink and age well.
Silex Flinty soils that accumulates heat and leads to early ripening. Fruit grown on these soils are said to produce mineral and smoky wines.