Loire Flashcards
What is the location of the Loire?
1000km from Massif Central to Atlantic, emptying into the Bay of Biscay. It is N of Bordeaux, S of Normandy, E of Atlantic and W/SW of Bourgogne.
What was the Dutch impact on the Loire wine industry?
In the 1600s, Loire supplied wine to England and the United Provinces of the Netherlands. Dutch traders encouraged planting of white cultivars like Folle Blanche for brandewijn production.
How does the Loire river affect winemaking and wine transport?
The strong current allows river traffic only downriver. Low water levels necessitate flat-bottomed boats. The river warms the vineyards and tributaries create favourable mesoclimates.
What are the major tributaries of the Loire?
The Cher River affects Vouvray and Chinon; Sèvre and Maine Rivers are crucial for Muscadet Sèvre et Maine; Aubance affects Coteaux de L’Aubance; Layon creates conditions for botrytis wines.
The climate and main grapes of the Pays Nantais (Lower Loire)?
Maritime climate with Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot Gris (for sweet wine), and Gamay.
What is the climate of Anjou, Saumur, and Touraine (Middle Loire)?
Maritime climate with continental influences.
What is the climate of Centre-Loire and Upper-Loire?
Continental climate.
What are the major soil types in Pays Nantais and Anjou-Saumur?
Part of Massif Armoricain, soils of gneiss and mica schist transitioning to tuffeau.
What are the soil types in Touraine?
Touraine soils are tuffeau, clay, limestone, sands, and gravels;
What are the soil types in Centre-Loire?
Centre-Loire soils are Portlandian and Kimmeridgian marl, flint, clay with flint, and sand and gravel.
What are the soil types in Upper-Loire?
Part of the Massif Central, soils are a mix of sedimentary and volcanic elements.
What are the primary grape varieties grown in Anjou and Saumur?
Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, and Grolleau.
What grape variety is primarily grown for Muscadet wines?
Melon de Bourgogne.
What are the major wine styles of the Loire?
Dry white, sweet white, rosé, red, and sparkling wines.
What are the principal dry white AOCs in the Loire?
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC, Sancerre AOC, Pouilly-Fumé AOC, Savennières AOC, Touraine AOC.
What grape is mainly used for sweet white wines in the Loire?
Chenin Blanc.
What are the main rosé AOCs in the Loire?
Cabernet d’Anjou AOC, Rosé d’Anjou AOC, Rosé de Loire AOC, Touraine Noble Joué AOC, Saumur AOC.
What are the main red AOCs in the Loire?
Chinon AOC, Bourgueil AOC, Saint Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC, Saumur-Champigny AOC, Saumur AOC.
What is the method used for producing sparkling wines in the Loire?
Mostly through the méthode traditionnelle.
What are the definitions of residual sugar levels in sparkling wines?
Sec = under 0.4% RS; Demi-sec = 0.4-1.2% RS; Moelleux = 1.2-4.5% RS; Doux = 4.5% + RS.
What is the effect of botrytis on grapes?
Botrytis penetrates the grape skin, desiccates the berry, and concentrates sugars and flavors. It requires cool, moist nights and warm, dry afternoons.
Which AOCs produce botrytis wines?
Coteaux du Layon AOC, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru AOC, Bonnezeaux AOC, Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOC, Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC, Savennières Roche aux Moines AOC.
What are the specific characteristics of Muscadet AOC?
wine is made from Melon de Bourgogne (small amount of Chardonnay permitted), no ‘sur lie’ allowed.
What are the main grapes in Anjou AOC?
Mainly Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is the primary grape in Cabernet d’Anjou AOC?
Cabernet Franc (some Cabernet Sauvignon)
What is the main grape in Coteaux du Layon AOC?
Chenin Blanc.
What is the primary grape in Vouvray AOC?
Chenin Blanc.
What is the main grape in Sancerre AOC?
Sauvignon Blanc.
What grape is primarily used in Touraine Noble Joué AOC?
Meunier.
What is the primary grape in Chinon AOC?
Cabernet Franc.
What grape varieties are grown in the Upper Loire?
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
What are the main soil types in the Centre-Loire?
Caillottes, Terres Blanches, Silex, and Argiles à Silex.
What is the climate of the Upper Loire?
Continental climate with three sets of mountains creating a rain shadow.
What types of wines are produced in Reuilly AOC?
Whites, pale rosés, and reds made from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
On which river is Reuilly AOC?
The Cher river
.
What is the climate like in the Upper Loire, Auvergne region?
Continental climate with three sets of mountains, including Chaine des Puys, creating a rain shadow.
What are the main grape varieties in the Upper Loire, Auvergne?
Chardonnay and Gamay.
What is ‘Sur lie’ in wine terminology?
Wines ageing on dead yeast cells, in the Loire they must be bottled between March and December of the year after harvest for ‘sur lie’ to appear on the label.
What is ‘Pétillant’?
A sparkling wine with no authorised style.
What is ‘Pétillant originel’?
A sparkling wine from Montlouis-sur-Loire that has no additions, one fermentation, aged on lees for 9 months, and has no dosage.
What does ‘Passerillage’ refer to?
Twisting stalks to stop the flow of sap and desiccate grapes on the vine.
What is a ‘Monopole’ in wine terminology?
A single vineyard, e.g., Coulée de Serrant AOC in Anjou.
When can a wine be labelled ‘Sélection de grains nobles’ in the Loire?
Coteaux du Layon and Coteaux de l’Aubance can use this label if grapes are affected by botrytis and achieve 19% potential alcohol. They must be vintage dated.
What are ‘Dénominations géographiques complémentaires’?
Areas with a specific terroir, similar to village level in Bourgogne.
What does ‘Primeur’ mean in wine terminology?
Released shortly after harvest (nouveau).
What are ‘Argiles à silex / Perruches’ and where do you find them?
Flinty clays from Touraine and Centre-Loire.
What is ‘Aubuis’ and where do you find it?
Clay / limestone soils in Touraine.
What is ‘Tuffeau’?
Turonian chalk used to build chateaux and for caves to grow mushrooms, age wines, and as troglodyte dwellings.
What are ‘Caillottes’?
Small limestone pebbles.
What are ‘Terres blanches’ and which region has them?
Marl soils, rich in oyster fossils found in Centre-Loire.
