Loire

Question 1

What are the four main subregions of the Loire Valley?

Answer 1

Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, and Centre-Loire

Question 2

What is the dominant grape variety in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?

Answer 2

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 3

What grape is used in Muscadet AOC wines from the Pays Nantais?

Answer 3

Melon de Bourgogne

Question 4

What is ‘sur lie’ aging in Muscadet, and what does it contribute?

Answer 4

Aging on fine lees for freshness, texture, and subtle yeasty complexity.

Question 5

What grape is most associated with Vouvray AOC?

Answer 5

Chenin Blanc (produced in styles from dry to sweet, and sparkling)

Question 6

What appellation in Anjou is known for dry, schist-driven Chenin Blanc?

Answer 6

Savennières

Question 7

What are the two sweet wine appellations located along the Layon River?

Answer 7

Coteaux du Layon and Coteaux de l’Aubance

Question 8

What red variety dominates Chinon and Bourgueil in Touraine?

Answer 8

Cabernet Franc

Question 9

What is the permitted grape variety for red wines in Sancerre?

Answer 9

Pinot Noir

Question 10

What is the stylistic difference between Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre?

Answer 10

Pouilly-Fumé tends to be rounder and smokier; Sancerre is more mineral and precise.

Question 11

Which Loire subregion is known for Crémant de Loire production?

Answer 11

Anjou-Saumur (especially Saumur)

Question 12

What AOC in Saumur is exclusively red and known for elegant Cabernet Franc?

Answer 12

Saumur-Champigny

Question 13

What is the primary soil type of Sancerre’s top vineyards?

Answer 13

Kimmeridgian limestone (caillottes and terres blanches)

Question 14

What is Gros Plant du Pays Nantais made from?

Answer 14

Folle Blanche

Question 15

What Loire appellation produces dry Sauvignon Blanc similar to Sancerre but often more value-driven?

Answer 15

Menetou-Salon or Quincy

Question 16

What region produces sweet wines from botrytized Chenin Blanc near Angers?

Answer 16

Coteaux du Layon (including subzones like Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume)

Question 17

What is the Loire’s main method for producing sparkling wine?

Answer 17

Traditional Method (Methode Traditionnelle)

Question 18

What distinguishes Montlouis-sur-Loire from Vouvray?

Answer 18

Both produce Chenin Blanc in various styles, but Montlouis is typically lighter and more mineral; it lies across the river from Vouvray.

Question 19

What Loire AOC is known for rosé wines made from Grolleau and Cabernet Franc?

Answer 19

Rosé d’Anjou

Question 20

Name two iconic producers from the Loire Valley.

Answer 20

Didier Dagueneau (Pouilly-Fumé)
Nicolas Joly (Savennières, Coulée de Serrant)

Question 22

What are the three main soil types in Sancerre and how do they affect the wines?

Answer 22

Terres Blanches (Kimmeridgian clay-limestone): powerful, age-worthy wines.
Caillottes (limestone pebbles): light, aromatic, and crisp.
Silex (flint): smoky, mineral-driven, structured.

Question 23

What is the only Grand Cru in the Loire and where is it located?

Answer 23

Coulée de Serrant, a monopole in Savennières owned by Nicolas Joly; biodynamically farmed Chenin Blanc.

Question 24

What’s the difference between Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume?

Answer 24

Both are sweet botrytized Chenin Blanc from Coteaux du Layon;
Quarts de Chaume: 1er Grand Cru Classé (richer, more concentrated).
Bonnezeaux: Grand Cru–level, but generally lighter and more delicate.

Question 25

What is the only Loire appellation that mandates hand-harvesting?

Answer 25

Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

Question 26

What is the influence of tuffeau in Touraine and Saumur soils?

Answer 26

Tuffeau (soft, porous limestone) retains moisture and heat, resulting in refined and mineral-driven wines, especially for Chenin and Cabernet Franc.

Question 27

Which AOC in the Centre-Loire allows both Sauvignon Blanc and Chasselas?

Answer 27

Pouilly-sur-Loire (Chasselas is traditional, Sauvignon Blanc dominates now)

Question 28

Which Loire AOC was formerly part of Touraine but became its own AOC in 1993 and focuses on Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 28

Cheverny

Question 29

What are the key differences between Chinon and Bourgueil in red wine expression?

Answer 29

Chinon: lighter, more fruit-forward and elegant (especially from sand/gravel soils). Bourgueil: firmer and more structured, particularly from clay-limestone.

Question 30

What is the only Loire AOC dedicated exclusively to rosé production?

Answer 30

Rosé de Loire (though not exclusive to rosé, it is the focus in this AOC)

Question 31

What is the maximum RS for dry Vouvray labeled as 'sec'?

Answer 31

4 g/L residual sugar (although perceived dryness may vary due to high acidity)

Question 32

Name a top lieu-dit in Sancerre associated with Silex soils.

Answer 32

Les Monts Damnés (often linked with Didier Dagueneau)

Question 33

What is 'vin de tuffeau' and where would you hear this term?

Answer 33

A stylistic term for wines (especially Chenin Blanc) grown on tuffeau soils in Saumur and Touraine; known for elegance and aging potential.

Question 34

What Loire appellation allows up to 10% Pinot Gris in its whites?

Answer 34

Reuilly AOC

Question 35

What are the primary grapes of Cour-Cheverny AOC?

Answer 35

100% Romorantin – a rare Loire white grape producing dry, mineral wines.

Question 36

Which AOC in Anjou produces sparkling wines only?

Answer 36

Saumur Mousseux (also Crémant de Loire can be produced here)

Question 37

How does Montlouis-sur-Loire differ from Vouvray in terms of terroir and wine style?

Answer 37

Montlouis: sandier soils, more delicate and earlier-drinking Chenin Blanc. Vouvray: deeper clay-limestone soils, fuller-bodied and longer-lived.

Question 38

What’s the main reason why Grolleau is less respected than Cabernet Franc?

Answer 38

Grolleau tends to produce thin, acidic wines with less structure; used mainly in rosé and not permitted in red AOCs like Chinon.

Question 39

What is a key distinguishing feature of Jasnières AOC?

Answer 39

Very mineral, long-lived Chenin Blanc from flinty soils in the Sarthe department; very small AOC.

Question 40

What Loire AOC shares soil and stylistic similarities with Chablis?

Answer 40

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé (especially the Kimmeridgian terroirs)

Question 41

Name three benchmark Loire producers known for traditional methods and terroir transparency.

Answer 41

François Cotat (Sancerre) Nicolas Joly (Savennières) Domaine Huet (Vouvray)