Loire Flashcards
What is the climate of the Loire Valley?
Varies from maritime (west) to continental (east), with cool influences.
What are the principal soil types in the Loire?
Slate, schist (Anjou), tuffeau limestone (Touraine), silex/flint (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé).
What are the four main districts of the Loire Valley?
Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, Central Vineyards.
What are the principal grape varieties in the Loire Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Cabernet Franc.
What wines are made from Chenin Blanc?
Dry (Savennières), off-dry (Vouvray), sweet (Coteaux du Layon), sparkling (Crémant de Loire).
What wines are made from Sauvignon Blanc?
Sancerre
Pouilly-Fumé
Quincy
Reuilly
Menetou-Salon (crisp, mineral whites)
What wines are made from Cabernet Franc?
Saumur-Champigny
Chinon
Bourgueil (medium-bodied, structured reds).
What is the main grape of Muscadet?
Melon de Bourgogne.
What does ‘Sur Lie’ mean on a Muscadet label?
Aging on fine lees for more complexity and texture.
What are the principal wine styles of the Loire?
Dry white, sweet white, sparkling, rosé, and red wines.
What are the principal AOPs of the Loire Valley?
Sancerre
Pouilly-Fumé
Vouvray
Muscadet
Chinon
Saumur-Champigny
What are common labeling terms in Loire wines?
‘Domaine’ (estate wine), ‘Clos’ (walled vineyard), ‘Sur Lie’ (lees-aged).
Where is Coteaux du Layon located?
Anjou, known for botrytized sweet Chenin Blanc wines.
Where is Savennières located?
Anjou, producing dry, long-lived Chenin Blanc wines.
Where are the Central Vineyards located?
Eastern Loire, including Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.
Where are Anjou and Saumur located?
Middle Loire, producing dry to sweet whites and reds from Cabernet Franc.
Where is Touraine located?
Between Anjou-Saumur and the Central Vineyards, known for Chinon, Bourgueil, and Vouvray.
Where is Muscadet located?
Western Loire (Pays Nantais), near the Atlantic.
What are the synonyms for Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire?
Blanc Fumé (Pouilly-Fumé).
What are the synonyms for Cabernet Franc?
Breton (Loire Valley).
What are the synonyms for Melon de Bourgogne?
Formerly called ‘Muscat’ in the region but unrelated to Muscat grapes.
What are the Sur Lie aging requirements for Muscadet?
Must age on lees until at least March 1st following harvest.
Where is St-Pourçain located and what wines does it produce?
Central France, producing Chardonnay-based whites and Gamay-Pinot Noir reds.
Where is Cheverny located and what wines does it produce?
Eastern Touraine, producing Sauvignon Blanc whites and Pinot Noir-Gamay reds.
