Loire Flashcards

1
Q

What is the longest river in France?

A

Loire

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2
Q

Noted for its natural beauty, agriculture, and history, what is the Loire Valley’s nickname, designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000.

A

Jardin de la France

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3
Q

How far back in history does winemaking in the Loire date?

When and where does Chenin Blanc appear, native to the Loire.

A

1st century

845 South of Angers, in the Coteaux du Layons, where you find Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux.

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4
Q

In what century did Cabernet Franc appear in the Loire?

The center of French culture in the late middle ages, with what King’s coronation did the Loire’s place atop the French wine trade begin to fade?

A

11th century

Louis XIV, with his coronation in 1643 at Reims. Louis would build the Palace of Versailles, and with it, move the seat of power in France to Paris.

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5
Q

Where does the Loire rank in terms of production among all French wine regions?

Sparkling production?

A

1st overall

2nd in Sparkling

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6
Q

What is another name for Cab Franc in the Loire?

A

Breton

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7
Q

List the 4 major Loire regions from East to West.

A

Central Vineyards
Touraine
Anjou Saumur
Pays Nantais

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8
Q

What is the climate like in the Muscadet AOC?

A

Maritime, cool and wet.

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9
Q

What are the 3 AOC’s of Muscadet AOC?

Where, in relation to Nantes, are they located?

A

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire - NE
Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu - S
Muscadet Sevre et Maine - E and SE

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10
Q

Of which of the 4 Muscadet AOC is production largely coming from?

A

Muscadet Sevre et Maine, over 80%

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11
Q

What is the grape of Muscadet, who brought it to the Loire, and why?

What event paved the way for the grape to take over?

A

Melon de Bourgogne, the Dutch brought it in the 1600’s to be grown for distillate.

The great frost of 1709 led to the banning of red grapes around Nantes.

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12
Q

What types of soils are utilized for Muscadet production?

A

Gneiss, Silica, Clay, Granite

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13
Q

What is required if ‘Sur Lie’ appears on the bottle?

A

The wine must come from one of the Muscadet sub AOC’s

It must be aged on the lees, and bottled directly off it, until Mar 1 year after harvest, but not later than Dec 31st

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14
Q

If a wine is labeled simply Muscadet AOC, what min % Melon must it be?

Whats the other grape allowed?

A

90%

up to 10% chardonnay

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15
Q

If labeled with one of the 3 Muscadet sub AOC, what % Melon must the wine be?

A

100%

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16
Q

In what year were the first Muscadet Sevre et Maine sub zones established?

What are the first three, and what are their soil types?

A

2011

Clisson - Granite
Le Pallet - Gneiss, Quartz, Gabbro
Gorges - Clay and Gabbro

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17
Q

What 4 Sevre et Maine sub-zones were added in 2019? Soil type?

A

Chateau Thebaud Gneiss
Goulaine Gneiss
Monnieres Saint Fiacre Gneiss
Mouzillon Tillieres Gabbro

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18
Q

If a sub-zone is indicated on the label of Sevre et Maine, may ‘sur lie’ appear on the label?

A

No, the sub-zones have longer required time spent on lees, longer than the max of sur lie allows.

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19
Q

When a sub zone is indicated for Sevre et Maine, how much time on the lees must a wine spend?

A

For Goulaine and Le Pallet - about 18 months, or April 1st of the 2nd year after harvest

For the other 5 - about 2 years, or Oct 1st of the 2nd year after harvest

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20
Q

In which of the 4 Loire regions is the Fiefs Vendeens AOC? What wines are made there?

A

Pays Nantais

White - min 60% Chenin
Rose - gamay/pinot blend
Rouge - pinot/cab franc depending on the town

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21
Q

The Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOC produces what wine?

A

Blanc - min 70% Folle Blanche (Gros Plant)

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22
Q

In which Loire region is the Coteaux d’Ancenis AOC? What’s made there?

A

Pays Nantais

White - 100% Malvoisie (pinot gris)

Rouge and Rose Gamay - 90%

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23
Q

What style of wine makes up 45% of Anjou production?

A

Rose, made from Grolleau blends

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24
Q

skip

A
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25
Q

Anjou Blanc is made of what grapes?

A

Min 80% Chenin, with Chardonnay and Sauv Blanc

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26
Q

What style wines is Anjou AOC approved for?

A

White, red, varietal gamay, and sparkling (blanc and rose) dry and sweet.

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27
Q

Whats the blend of Anjou rouge? (2 major grapes + 2 minor)

Any varietal wines allowed?

A

Cab Franc & Cab Sauv blend (min 70%) plus Pineau d’Aunis and Grolleau

Yes, a 100% Gamay

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28
Q

What styles of wine is Anjou Villages and Anjou Villages Brissac approved for?

What grapes are involved?

A

Rouge only

Cab Franc and/or Cab Sauv, no % specified

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29
Q

For Anjou Mousseaux, state the styles and grapes allowed, plus production method.

A

Traditional Method, 9 months lees

Blanc - min 70% Chenin

Rose - blend of red grapes allowed in Loire, CF-CS-Cot-Gamay-Grolleau, etc

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30
Q

What is the soil mix in Savennieres AOC?

A

Blue Schist and Volcanic

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31
Q

What % Chenin Blanc is required for Savennieres?

Is chaptalization allowed?

A

100%

Yes, but prohibited for the sweet versions (demi-sec, molleaux, doux)

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32
Q

What are the 2 Grand Crus of Savennieres?

When were they given their own AOC?

Name which is a monopole, and the producer.

A

2011
Roche Aux Moines
Coulee de Serrant (owned by N. Joly)

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33
Q

Describe the wines of Coteaux du Layon AOC, and where is the region located among the 4 Loire regions?

A

In the Anjou Saumur region, South of Angers and the Loire along the Layon river.

Sweet wines influenced by botrytis

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34
Q

How many villages may add their name to Coteaux du Layon? What village is considered a premier cru?

What is the minimum rs for wines from that village, and from the AOC as a whole?

A

7 villages, Chaume

80g/L for Chaume
34g/L for the AOC

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35
Q

What 2 AOC’S exist within Coteaux du Layon for sweet botrytized chenin?

What are their min r.s.?

A

Bonnezeaux AOC min 51g/L
Quarts de Chaume AOC min 85g/L

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36
Q

In which of Loire’s 4 regions is Coteaux de l’Aubance? What are the wines like?

A

Anjou Saumur

just like Coteaux du Layon AOC

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37
Q

What is approved for production under Saumur AOC?

A

White, red, rose, and sparkling

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38
Q

What city is considered the Loire’s central hub for sparkling production?

A

Saumur

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39
Q

What soil type is dominant in Saumur?

A

Tuffeau Limestone

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40
Q

As of 2016, Saumur blanc must be what?

before then, what could be included?

A

100% chenin

up to 20% chardonnay and sauv blanc, like anjou blanc.

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41
Q

Coteaux de Saumur AOC specializes in what kind of wine?

A

sweet botrytized chenin, min 34g/L rs

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42
Q

Saumur Mousseaux blanc and rose are based on what 2 grapes? (min%)

Whats the production method?

A

min 60% chenin

min 60% cab franc

traditional method, 9 months lees

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43
Q

Saumur AOC rouge and rose must be what % minimum cab franc?

What about Saumur Le Puy Notre Dame, to the South?

A

min 70% + Cab Sauv and Pineau d’Aunis

min 85%, max 15% cab sauv

44
Q

What AOC does Saumur Champigny border in Touraine?

A

Chinon

45
Q

Whats the soil type of Saumur Champigny, giving it is nickname?

A

Harder limestone, and iron rich, which the reddish hue gives it the nickname ‘field of fire’.

46
Q

The Foucault brothers built what winery into an icon? In what region?

Name the white and 3 reds made.

A

Clos Rougeard Saumur Champigny

Breze - the white

Le Clos
Les Poyeaux
Le Bourg

47
Q

What % cab franc must Saumur Champigny contain?

A

min 85%

48
Q

In which of the Loire’s 4 regions will I find Haut Poitou AOC? What is made there?

A

Anjou Saumur, South of Saumur

Whites featuring Sauv Blanc
Reds and Roses featuring Cab Franc, Gamay, and Pinot

49
Q

What color wines may be produced in Chinon AOC and from what grapes?

A

red and roses - cab franc (you can blend a little cs, 10%)
white - 100% chenin

50
Q

What are the 3 soils of Chinon AOC, which one is most desirable?

A

Tuffeau, clay, and varennes (sandy alluvial along the Vienne river)

Tuffeau

51
Q

Whats a big difference between Chinon AOC and Bourgueil AOC ?

A

No white wine allowed in Bourgueil AOC

52
Q

What city anchors the Touraine region?

What 2 AOC’s sit along the Loire East of town?

A

Tours

Vouvray AOC on the North bank
Montlouis sur Loire AOC along the South bank

53
Q

What is Touraine Noble Joue AOC?

A

An appellation for a historical vin gris made in the area, South of Tours, from Meunier, Malvoisie (PG), and Pinot Noir.

54
Q

Whats allowed in Touraine Blanc AOC?

A

based on a majority Sauvignon Blanc

55
Q

What 5 villages may append their name to Touraine AOC?

A

Mesland
Azay Le Rideau
Amboise
Oisly
Chenonceaux

56
Q

Climate wise, what shifts at the city of Tours?

A

Atlantic influence meets continental influence, generating wide variance in vintage for the AOC’S of Vouvray and Montlouis sur Loire.

57
Q

For Touraine AOC rouge, what grapes are the major players?

A

West of Tours (towards Chinon) min 80% Cab Franc

East of Tours min 50% Cot

Varietal Gamay is allowed.

58
Q

For Touraine Mousseaux, what is the production method and what 2 grapes must lead the blend?

How about if its a rose?

A

traditional method, 9 months lees

chenin blanc or orbois must be a minimum 60%. same for rose

59
Q

What soil type stars in Vouvray?

A

Tuffeau Limestone

60
Q

What styles are permitted for production in Vouvray?

A

still and sparkling (traditional), and at all sweetness levels depending on the vintage

61
Q

What’re the grapes allowed for Vouvray?

If sparkling, what are the ageing requirements?

A

95% minimum Chenin, up to 5% Orbois allowed.

Sparkling ages 12 months on lees

62
Q

Is Orbois allowed in Montlouis sur Loire?

A

No

63
Q

Which producer has been the standard bearer for Vouvray since 1928?

What are their 3 great vineyards?

A

Domaine Huet

Le Haut Lieu
Le Mont
Clos du Bourg

64
Q

What is the max r.s. of Vouvray Sec?

max for Molleaux?
min for Doux?

A

max 8g/L

Molleaux max 45g/L
Doux min 45g/L

65
Q

What river runs parallel but North of the Loire in Touraine, confusingly enough.

Name the relevant AOC’S up there.

A

The Loir river.

Coteaux du Loir AOC
Jasnieres AOC
Coteaux du Vendomois AOC

66
Q

Coteaux du Loir AOC is approved for what styles of wine from which grapes?

A

white - 100% chenin

red and rose - min 65% pineau d’aunis

67
Q

Jasnieres AOC is a sub AOC of what larger AOC? What is made there?

A

Coteaux du Loir AOC

White Chenin, very similar to Vouvray, a bit greener and herbaceous though.

68
Q

What does Coteaux du Vendomois make?

What do they specialize in?

A

White red and rose

100% Pineau d’Aunis roses

69
Q

In which of the Loire’s 4 regions will I find Valencay? What do they make?

What gastronomic item do they specialize in?

A

Eastern Touraine

White from Sauv Blanc
Reds and Roses from Pinot, Gamay, and Cot

Goat Cheese

70
Q

What is the most famous goat cheese from the Loire?

Name 3 others.

A

Chevre

Valencay
Selles sur Cher
Sainte Maure

71
Q

In which of Loire’s 4 regions is Cheverny AOC located? What grapes are involved in the wines made here?

What is the grape and styles allowed of Cour Cheverny AOC?

A

Eastern Touraine

Whites from Sauv Blanc
Reds and roses from Pinot and Gamay

Romorantin, dry and off dry styles

72
Q

In which village will I find the vineyard Chene Marchand?

And Les Mont Damnes?

What is the soil type of both?

A

Chene Marchand is in Bue, Caillotes soils.

Les Monts Damnes is in Chavignol, Kimmeridgian marl

73
Q

What are the three soil types of Sancerre?

A

Silex - flinty, eminating from the river

Caillotes - stony fossil laden soil

Terre Blanches - kimmeridgian clay, as in chablis

74
Q

What is approved for production in Sancerre AOC?

A

White from Sauvignon Blanc

Red and Rose from Pinot Noir

75
Q

Whats the climate like in the Central Vineyards region?

A

Continental

cold winters, frost in Spring and Fall a concern

76
Q

Who makes the Sancerre ‘Clos la Neore’?

A

Edmond Vatan

77
Q

Who makes the Sancerre ‘L’Enclos des Remparts’?

A

Vacheron

78
Q

Who makes the Sancerre Cuvee Paul?

A

Francois Cotat

79
Q

Who makes the top Sancerre rouge wines ‘Le Paradis’ and ‘Generation XIX’

A

Alphonse Mellot

80
Q

Who makes the Sancerre ‘A Mi Chemin’

A

Vincent Gaudry

81
Q

Pouilly Fume AOC is approved for what styles of wine?

A

white only

82
Q

Who makes Clos du Calvaire Pouilly Fume?

A

Dagueneau, its as expensive as Asteroide

83
Q

Who makes ‘Baron de L’ Pouilly Fume?

A

de Ladoucette

84
Q

In terms of terroir, how do the vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume differ?

A

Sancerre vineyards tend to have elevation, Pouilly Fume vineyards are at lower altitude.

85
Q

In terms of production, how do the wines of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume differ?

A

Actually, not a ton. Oak has been experimented with by top producers on both sides of the river, but largely stainless steel is the norm.

86
Q

After Chateauneuf du Pape, what was the 2nd AOC in France?

A

Quincy AOC

87
Q

Menetou Salon AOC is in which of the 4 Loire regions? Which AOC nearby is it most like?

A

Central Vineyards

Sancerre

88
Q

The Reuilly AOC is in which of the 4 Loire regions? What is made there, any specialties?

A

Central Vineyards

White, Red, and Rose

They’re known for Vin Gris, made from Pinot Gris.

89
Q

What is approved for production in Quincy AOC?

A

Only white, from Sauv Blanc

90
Q

Whats made in Coteaux du Giennois AOC?

In which of the 4 Loire regions is it located?

A

White - Sauv Blanc
Reds and Roses - blends of Pinot and Gamay

Central Vineyards

91
Q

What is made in the Orleans AOC?

A

White - Chardonnay
Rose/Red - Pinot Meunier min 60/70%

92
Q

What is approved for production in Orleans Clery AOC?

A

Red only - Cab Franc

93
Q

In which departement is the Cotes du Forez AOC? What is made there?

What about the Cote Roannaise AOC?

A

Rhone, West of Lyon

Reds & Rose from 100% Gamay

94
Q

Chateaumeillant AOC is approved for what? What departement is it in?

A

Reds and Roses, min 50% Gamay

Cher department

95
Q

Saint Pourcain AOC is approved for what? Which French department is it in?

A

White - min 50% Chardonnay
Rose - Gamay
Red - Gamay/Pinot

Allier department

96
Q

Cotes d’Auvergne AOC is approved for what?

A

White - 100% Chardonnay
Red and Rose - Gamay/Pinot

97
Q

Where in France are the AOC’s of Chateaumeillant, Saint Pourcain, Cotes du Forez, and Cotes d’Auvergne?

A

South of Sancerre AOC

98
Q

Cremant de Loire AOC is what method? What are the ageing requirements?

A

Traditional method
9 months min lees, 12 months total

99
Q

Name 2 excellent Savennieres producers.

A

Baumard
Pierre Bise

100
Q

Is still Rose production allowed in Anjou or Saumur?

Can Saumur wines be bottled as Anjou wines and vice versa?

A

Not in Anjou AOC, yes in Saumur.

Anjou CAN’T be bottled as Saumur, but Saumur can be bottled as Anjou

101
Q

Name a Bonnezeaux producer.

A

Chateau des Fesles

102
Q

What’s made in Pouilly sur Loire AOC?

A

white wine, 100% chasselas

103
Q

Whats another name for Chenin Blanc in the Loire?

A

Pineau de la Loire

104
Q

Whats another name for Grolleau in the Loire?

A

Groslot

105
Q

Name two excellent Muscadet producers.

A

Pepiere
Guy Bossard

106
Q

What is Hermine d’Or?

A

An unofficial designation used by quality minded Muscadet Sevre et Maine producers.