Loire Flashcards

1
Q

Which Loire AOCs are Cab Franc (7) or PN (3) based?

A
  • CF: Middle Loire
    1. Anjou Rouge
    2. Anjou Villages
    3. Saumur Rouge + Villages
    4. Bourgueil
    5. Chinon
    6. St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
    7. Touraine
  • PN: Central Loire
    1, Cheverny
    2. Menetou-Salon
    3. Sancerre
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Loire:
Which AOCs are SB (6) and Chenin B (14) based in Loire?
+ 2 together

A
  • SB: (Centre except Touraine)
    1. Menetou-Salon
    2. Pouilly-Fumé - SB only
    3. Sancerre
    4. Reuilly
    5. Quincy - SB only
    6. Touraine - Middle Loire
  • CB: Middle Loire
    1. Vouvray
    2. Montlouis-sur-Loire
    3. Coteaux du Loir
    4. Chinon
    5. Saumur Blanc
    6. Coteaux de Saumur
    7. Savennieres
    8. Bonnezeaux
    9. Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire
    10. Coteaux du Layon
    11. Coteaux du Layon Chaume 1er Cru
    12. Coteaux de Layon + Village
    13. Coteaux du de L’Aubance
    14. Anjou Blanc (80% CB - balance may be SB or Chard)
    15. Quarts de Chaume GC
    16. Cheverny
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Loire:

What are the differences between doux, sec, demi-sec and moelleux?

A
  • Driest => sweetest
  • Sec = Dry (0-0.8% RS)
  • Demi-Sec = Off Dry (0.8-3.5% RS)
  • Moelleux = Off Dry (>3.5% RS)
  • Doux = Sweetest (>15% RS)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Loire:

What is the difference between direct press and saignée rosé?

A
  • Direct press = spends less time in contact with skins (1-4 hours); lighter in colour; pigments
  • Saignée = macerates with skins for longer (8-12 hours); darker colour, more tannins, etc.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Loire:
What are the definitions of Pétillant, Mousseux and Crémant?
And Loire styles?

A

Pétillant

  • delicate sparkle, fizzy
  • 1-1.2 atms
  • methode traditionelle

Mousseux

  • made in the traditional method
  • 3 atms min
  • 9 mos sur lie ageing min
  • means frothy/bubbly

Crémant

  • made in the traditional method
  • 12 mos sur lie ageing min, then 1 mo in bottle min
  • only Loire spk w/ regulations
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Loire:

Which rosé is the driest => sweetest in the Loire?

A
  • Dry = Rosé de Loire AOC
  • Off dry = Rosé d’Anjou AOC
  • Sweet = Cabernet d’Anjou AOC
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Loire:

Which Grapes are crafted for rosé in the Loire? (6)

A
  1. Cab Franc
  2. Cab Sauv
  3. Gamay
  4. Grolleau
  5. Pineau d’Aunis
  6. Côt
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the red grapes used in the Loire (12) = and synonyms.

A
  1. Cab Franc (Breton)
  2. Cab Sauv
  3. Gamay
  4. Négrette
  5. Pinot Noir (Auvernat Noir)
  6. Grolleau (Groslot)
  7. Grolleau Gris
  8. Pineau d’Aunis
  9. Pinot Meunier (Gris Meunier)
  10. Malbec (Côt)
  11. Gamay St Romain
  12. Sauvignon Gris
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the white grapes used in Loire (10) = and synonyms.

A
  1. Chardonnay
  2. Chenin Blanc (Pineau de la Loire, Gros Pineau)
  3. Folle Blanche
  4. Muscadet (Melson de Bourgogne)
  5. Pinot Gris (Malvoisie)
  6. Sauv B (Blanc Fumé)
  7. Arbois (Orbois, Menu Pineau)
  8. Romorantin
  9. Chasselas
  10. Sacy (Tressallier)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What impact did the Dutch have on the Loire?

A
  • The Dutch encouraged locals to plant cultivars, that the Dutch would then distill and sell to the Northern market.

Wanted white vars to produce newly created Brandewijn (burnt wine) - product that was distilled from Muscadet and Folle Blanch and sold to Northern European Markets.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the significant tributaries of the Loire and where are they found?

A
  1. Main
  2. Sévre
    - - both found in Pays Nantais (Lower Loire)
  3. Layon - lies in Ajou production zone (Middle Loire)
  4. Loir - lies in Coteaux du Loir, Tourraine (Middle Loire)
  5. Cher - Reuilly flank the Cher (Centre Loire)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the main soil types in the Loire?

A

Lower Loire:

  • Pays Nantais (LL) = mostly Gneiss, very porous rock, allows for critical drainage for the vine and roots.
  • most the sub soils are crystalline (quartz) - high mineral content
  • Anjou/Saumur (ML) =
    • Anjou = dark schist and white chalk (tuffeau)
    • Saumur = white chalk (tuffeau)
  • Touraine (ML) =
  • -Tuffeau is found on hillsides
    • Perruche (flint and clay)
    • Aubuis (limestone and clay)
  • Central / Upper =
    • Terres blanches = marl rich in oyster fossels
    • Caillottes = limestone pebbles
    • Silex = flint
  • Tuffeau is geologically known as Turonian chalk, all chalk is technically limestone
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Loire:
What are the climates in each sub-region?

And what influences these climates?

A
  • Lower Loire = maritime climate, gulf stream softens potentially harsh climate
  • Middle Loire = maritime climate with contential influences
  • Central / Upper Loire = continental climate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Loire:

What are the need to know Muscadet AOCs and the sub-regions of Sevre et Maine?

A

7 AOCs made exclusively from Melon de Bourgogne
Named after the grape’s local name “Muscadet”

  1. Muscadet AOC (covering most of the Pays Nantais) is the largest in the Loire - only responsible for 20% of all the Muscadet produced
  2. Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC: smallet of the regional Muscadet AOCs; located north of Nantes on both sides of the Loire River
  3. Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOC: located southwest of Nantes along Lake Grand-Lieu
  4. Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC - 75% of Muscadet bottled - produces the most wine of the AOCs: Named after two rivers which run through it (La Sevre Nantaise and La Petite Maine); south and east of the city of Nanttes: Special terroirs that are identified as crus: Gorges, Clisson and Le Pallet
  5. Muscadet Sevre et Maine Clisson AOC
  6. Muscadet Sevre et Maine Gorge AOC
  7. Muscadet Sevre et Maine Le Pallet AOC

All Muscadet AOCs can be aged sur lie: dead yeasts impart manno-proteins, sugar-protein bonds that give wine creaminess and a rounded mouth feel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Loire:

Which AOCs make sweet wine? (6)

A
  1. Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOC
  2. Coteaux du Layon + Villages
  3. Bonnezeaux AOC
  4. Coteaux de Saumur AOC
  5. Montlouis-sur-Loire
  6. Vouvray
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How does the Loire river impact temperature?

A

The river helps to raise the temp by 2-4° C

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What direction does the Loire river flow?

How does this imact vineyard aspect?

A
  • The river flows north initially, then west after Orléans.
  • Vineyards face E to W, when it flows north
  • Vineyards face S to N, when it flows west
  • These slopes are multi-faceted so face all directions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the dry whites of the Loire?

A
  • Carried out with a focus on structural balance and the preservation of the wine’s natural acids
  • low-tech approach in most wineries
  • chaptalisation is permitted by the AOC laws, but only in certain years and under certain conditions.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the sweet wines of the Loire?

A
  • Chenin Blanc only for sweet wines
  • grapes must be either botrytis or dried and concentrated by passerillage
    • leaving grapes on vine past normal harvest so they dry and flavours concentrate.
  • must is fermented very slowly at low temperature; finished naturally and with RS
  • Very little new oak
  • peach, quince jam and apricot
  • medium to high levels of sweetness
  • some up to 25% 250 g/l RS
20
Q

What are the sparkling wines of Loire?

A

Whites - all Methode Traditionnelle

  • all referred to as Fines Bulles (fine bubbles) regardless of if they are petillants, mousseux or cremant
21
Q

What are the reds of the Loire?

A
  • defined by high acidity
  • malo occurs, but not alwasy at 100%
  • chaptalisation is permitted by AOC law
22
Q

Lower Loire: basics and grapes

A
  • Pays Nantais
  • flat with few topographical markers
  • Gneiss (porous rock) - drainage, otherwise would be too damp/wet; vines would be high yeilding and less concentrated
  • subsoils are crystalline (quartz); high in mineral
  • Two rivers bisect the region: Sevre and Maine: Muscadet Sevre et Maine
  • warm autumns, some rainstorms
  • cold winters, frosts and icestorms
  • spring cool and damp, cloudy
  • summer, warm, mild, humid (can cause mildew)
  • Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne): from Burgundy; hardy, frost resistant and productive; Pinot x Gouais Blanc cross; citrus
  • Folle Blanche (Gros Plant, Picpoul in Armagnac): delicate, high acid, green apple citrus;
  • Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc (Pineau de la Loire, Gros Pineau), Pinot Gris (Malvoisie), Sauvignon Blanc:
  • Cab Fr, Cab Sauv, Gamay, Negrette, PN
23
Q

What is Brandy wine in the Loire?

A

Dutch traders convinced the Loire vignerons to plant white cultivars so that the Dutch could produce their newly created beverage ‘brandewijn’ (burnt wine)

Distilled from Muscadet and Folle Blanche, sold to the northern European markets

For next 2 centeries this area was the source of the very popular French ‘brandy wine’

24
Q

How does the Loire River affect temperature in the Loire?

A
  • helps warm the vineyards flanking it

- temps near the river are average 2-4 degress warmer

25
Q

What is the Gulf Stream effect in the Loire?

A
  • considerable portion of the Loire experiences a mild climate thanks to the soft Gulf Stream breezes taht are funneled up-river from the coast to Orleans.
26
Q

What are the four sub-regions of the Loire?

A

Lower Loire

  • westernmost
  • located near the city of Nantes
  • known as Pays Nantais

Middle Loire

  • vineyards lie between the cities of Angers and Tours
  • Anjou and Touraine are the names of the wine producing areas surrounding these two cities

Central Loire
- most famous wines from here: Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume

Upper Loire

  • produces some of Loire’s most obscure bottlings
  • most of these AOCs are rarely seen outside of France
27
Q

What are some vititculture notes in the Loire:

A

Canopy management
- close to northern limit for viable viticulture - canopy management to help control vigour = optimises ripeness of fruit

Harvest

  • falls at the end of Sept/beg of Oct
  • goes well into November
  • manual harvesting is necessary for late harvest wines and cremant
  • machine harvesting is allowed in all other instances

Organic

  • many wineries practice sustainable, organic or bio-dynamic viticultural practices
  • more challenging in cooler regions such as the Loire; more rainfall in growing season, higher humidity
28
Q

Middle Loire: basics

A

Middle Loire:

  • Dominated by Chenin Blanc and Cab Franc
  • Anjou, Layon, Saumur, Touraine
  • Influenced by maritime climate of the Lower Loire and the continental climate of the Centre and Upper Loire
  • Humidity: stormy weather and humidity due to proximity to sea; more significant seasonal temp swings of a continental climate
  • dual climate: slightlyl colder in winter and slightly warmer in summer than Pays Nantais; more temperate climate than the Centre and Upper Loire
  • VY exposure: better vy sites face south to max sun exposure; other sighe get significantly less sunshine
  • Climate effest: red and white grapes characterised by bright acidity teypical to norther climes; red grapes that are not planted on optimal sites - light tannnins and light pigmentation

Anjou:

  • scattered around town of Angers; most are on left bank of the Loire
  • vys from muscadet to chenin and PN;
  • Savennieres and 2 AOCs w/in are exceptions to rule and not on Left bank
  • approx half of production is rose from Cab Fr, Cab Sauv, Grolleau, Gama, Pinot d’Aunis and PN
  • soils of dark schist and white chalk (tuffeau); tuffeau is interspersed withpockets of clay, gravel and shale
  • most of the schist soils are located in the western portion of Anjou
  • sweet appellations of Anjou and the 3 Savennieres AOCs are all on schist

Layon:

  • on the banks of the Layon River, tributary to Loire
  • technically w/in the Anjou zone of production; famous for sweet wine production

Saumur

  • largest producer of sparkling wine in the Loire
  • limestone soils planted to grapes used in cremant
  • red varieties are planted on sand - fruit driven; subtle tannins
  • also has tuffeau soils: wines produced on calcium-rich soils possess significant acidity

Touraine

  • located around the town of Tours
  • diversity of wine styles; wide variety of soil types: flint, clay, limestone, gravel, sand
29
Q

Middle Loire: Grapes

A

White Grapes:

Chenin Blanc:

  • syn: Pineau de la Loire
  • principal grape of Mid Loire
  • Vigorous, cold hardy, wind resistant, disease resisstnt, late-ripening and susceptible to botrytis
  • wines are high in extract and acidity; long lived
  • often used for dessert wines

Sauvignon Blanc:

  • vigourous variety; prefers cool, sunny climates
  • wines are high in aromatics and acidity

Secondary Grapes:

  • Arbois: mainly used in Cheveerny and IGP wines where it is customarily blended w/ SB or Chen B; also used in sparkling
  • Chardonnay: mainly used in sparkling wine
  • Romorantin: grown exclusively in our-Cheverny

Red Grapes:

Cabernet Franc:

  • Breton
  • principal red grape of the Mid Loire; native to Sapnish Basque Country
  • subject to early bud-break and coulure; ripens early
  • moderate i tanning, pigment and acidity

Cabernet Sauvignon:

  • less widely planted than Cab Franc
  • late-ripening; requires wrm soils and a long growing season

Gamay:

  • used in sparkling, red and rose blends
  • thin-skinned grape
  • wines are high acid, low tannin and pigment

Pinot Noir:

  • used in sparkling, red and rose blends
  • thrives in cool climates and prefers limeston and marl
  • early budder; early ripener
  • wines are moderate in tannin and pigment; good acidity, alcohol and aromatics

Other Grapes:

  • Grolleau: indigenous to Mid Loire; principal grape for rose; also incorporated in red and sparkling blends
  • Grolleau Gris: usedin sparkling and rose blends
  • Pineau d’Aunis: indig to Loire; incorp into red, rose and sparkling wines (to boost fruit)

Other More Secondary Grapes:

  • Pinot Gris: used in white and rose blends in Touraine
  • Pinot Meunier: mainly used for sparkling wine production, but used in red and rose blends also
  • Malbec (cot) minor grape used mainly for blending into other reds and roses
  • Merlot: growin the Haut-Poitou area
  • Sauvignon Gris: blending partner for SB
30
Q

What are the Roses of Anjou and Layon

A

Middle Loire:

Anjou:
Rose de Loire AOC
- sources fruit from anywhere in the Mid Loire (Anjou, Saumur, Touraine)
- Made from both Cabs, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pineau d’Aunis and PN
- always dry

Rose d’Anjou AOC

  • fruit sourced from Anjou and Saumur
  • by law: must contain min of 0.7% / 7g RS
  • Grolleau is the principal grape

Cabernet d’Anjou AOC

  • Fruit may be sourced from Anjou and Saumur
  • by law must contain min of 1% / 10g RS
  • made from both Cabernets

Direct press:
1-4 hours of skin contact IN the press while grapes are being pressed

Saingnee:
grapes crushed as in red wine; undergo about 12hours of skin contact

31
Q

What are Anjou and Layon sweet wines grapes?

A

Middle Loire

  • most sweet wine from the Anjou come from the Layon area
  • all are 100% Chenin Blanc and are impacted by botrytis
32
Q

What are Anjou Coteaux de la Loire AOC wines?

A

Anjou Coteaux de la Loire AOC:

  • a sweet wine that is crafted from botrytised Chenin w/in Anjou from vys that do not flank the Layon River
  • outside of Savennieres all the other sweet AOCs wi/in Anjou are all located along the Layon River
33
Q

What are the 7 sweet wine AOCs in Middle Loire made from Chenin?

A
  • Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire
  • Bonnezeaux AOC
  • Coteaux du Layon AOC
  • Coteaux du Layon + village AOC
  • Coteaux du Layon Chaume 1er Cru
  • Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC
  • Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru AOC
34
Q

Which are the upper quality level sweet wine AOCs?

A
  • Coteaux du Laoyon +villages; 6 villages that may appear on the label
  • Coteaux du Laoyon Chaume “Premier Cru”
  • Quarts de Chaume “Grand Cru”
35
Q

What are the Savennières AOCs of the Middle Loire:

A

Savennières AOC

  • Lies on the right bank of the Loire, west of Angers, Saumur and Tours
  • made from Chenin Blanc
  • soils are chist, clate and clay
  • some of Frances most age-worthy whites - some do not enter prime until 20 yrs after bottling; loaded with extract, acidity and minerality, rich contentration of flavour
  • mostly dry, some demi-sec, moelleux and doux:

Two noteworthy climats: AOC in 2011
Coulée de Serrant AOC
- monopole belonging to Nicolas Joly
- steep south/southeast-facing slope of red schist

La Roche aux Moines AOC

  • lies within Sav AOC
  • also steep schist slope facing southeast
36
Q

What are the regional and communal Anjou and Layon AOCs?

A

Middle Loire
Many of the white wines of Anjou are blends with a backbone of Chenin;
Reds can be blends based on both Cabernets or Gamay, optionally vinified as primeur

Anjou Blanc AOC

  • basic dry or off-dry whites
  • made from a min of 80% Chenin
  • balance may be Chard and SB

Anjou Rouge (regional AOC)
Anjou Villages (communal AOC)
Anjou Villages Brissac (communal AOC)
- all are mainly from Cab Fr and Cab Sauv

Anjou-Gamay AOC

  • made from Gamay
  • can be vinified as primeur

Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOC

  • sweet wine from Chenin
  • long hang time, botrytis

Anjou Mousseux AOC

  • white and rose sparkling primarily from Chenin w/ up to 60% CF, CS, Malbec, gamay, Grolleau, Pineu d’Aunis
  • vinified as blanc de noir
  • strawberry in roses; apricot peach linden and honesuckle in whites

Bonnezeaux AOC

  • sweet wine from Chenin
  • long hang; botrytis

Cabernet d’Anjou AOC

  • rose from both Cabernets
  • by law, off-dry to sweet w/ min 1% RS

Cremant de la Loire AOC

  • white and rose spk from Chnin, Chrd, CF, CS, Pd’A, PN and Grolleau
  • by law, % of CS and Pd’A must be less than 30%
  • aromas of white blossoms and orchard fruits, w/ complexity of lees ageing
Coteaux du Layon Chaume 1er Cru
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon + Village
Coteaux de L'Aubance
Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru
- Sweet wines made from Chenin
- long hang; botrytis
37
Q

What are the Saumur AOCs

A

Middle Loire

  • Saumur is the largest producer of sparkling wines in the Loire
  • produces sparkling, wtill whites, reds and roses

Saumur Blanc AOC
- a still white comprised of Chenin Blanc

Coteaux de Saumur AOC

  • a white from Chenin
  • characterised by late-harvest, hand-picked, botrytised graes vinified off-dry to sweet

Cabernet de Saumur AOC

  • made from both Cabernets
  • max 0.7% RS

Red Saumur AOCs

  • Saumur Rouge AOC
  • Saumur-Champigny AOC
  • Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame AOC
  • primarily made from Cab Franc

Saumur Mousseux AOC

  • often referred to as Saumur Brut
  • made from Chenin w/ up to 40% Chard, SB, CF,, CS, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pd’A, PN; SB no more than 10%
  • must age 9 mos sur lie

Saumur Mousseux Rose AOC

  • uses same red grapes as Saumur Mousseux (blanc);
  • but CF must be min 60% of blend
  • 9 mos sur lie
38
Q

What are Touraine basics: Loire

A

Middle Loire

  • Lies between the AOCs of Anjou/Saumur and Centre Loire
  • climate becomes more continental as the vys move inland along the Loire; some maritime influence, dissapates further east
  • Dry and sweet white; red, rose and sparkling
  • Soils:
    • Tuffeau can be found on the hillsides;
    • perruche (flint and clay) and
    • aubuis (limestone and clay) can be found near the river
  • climate becomes more continental as the vys go inland along the Loire
39
Q

What are the Touraine AOC grapes?

A

Middle Loire:

Whites

  • Sauvignon Blanc joins Chenin
  • Same as Anjou/Saumur: but also Romorantin: exclusive to Cour-Cheverny

Reds

  • still inorporates both Cabs:
  • in addition to Anjou/Saumur vars: Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier (Gris Meunier), Malbec (Cot), Merlot, Sauvignon Gris
  • Cab Franc (Breton); Pinot Noir (Auvernat Noir)
40
Q

What are the Touraine wines styles?

A

Touraine AOC whites:
- a blend of at least 80% SB and up to 20% Sauv Gr.

Touraine AOC roses:

  • min of 2: Cab Fr, Cab Sauv, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau, Pinot Meunier, Pineau d’Aunis, Pinot Gris, and PN
  • no one grape can comprise more than 70% of the blend
  • by law, roses amy have 0.4% or 4g/l RS (they are dry)

Touraine AOC reds:

  • mainly Cab Fr and Cot blends w/ Cab Sauv, Gamay and PN as optional blending
  • small quants of “Touraine Gamay” and carbonic macerated Gamay labelled as “Touraine Gamay Primeur”

Touraine AOC Sub-zones:

  • smaller zones can add their village name to the Touraine AOC
  • require lower yields, higher finished alcohol levels, tighter restrictions of which grapes can be used
  • sub-zones are: Mesland, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Oisly, Noble Joue and Chenonceaux
41
Q

What are Touraine Grapes that have synonyms?

A

Cabernet Franc = Breton

Pinot Noir = Auvernat Noir

Malbec = Cot

Pinot Meunier = Gris Meunier

42
Q

What are the Touraine AOCs?

A

Middle Loire

Bourgueil AOC:

  • Medium bodied, fairly tanninc, mainly Cab Franc;
  • max 10% Cab Sauv can be added
  • Roses follow the same blending formula

St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC:

  • West of Bourgueil on warmer soils w/ high %s of sand
  • mainly Cab Fr w/ up to 10% Cab Sauv; most are 100% Cab Fr
  • Dry roses are made frm the same grape vars

Chinon AOC:

  • Tuffeau plus composites of sand, gravel and clay
  • whites are 100% Chenin
  • both reds and roses: mainly from Cab Franc w/ max of 10% Cab Sauv

Vouvray AOC

  • on the right bank of the Loire facing Montlouis-sur-Loire
  • wines are made from Chenin, range from dry to sweet
  • sec; demi-sec; moelleux; doux
  • botrytis is optional

Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC

  • bordered by the Cher and the Loire
  • Chenin whites; dry or sweet
  • sweet wines are made from late harvest; some affected by botrytis

Coteaux du Loir AOC

  • right bank of the Loir, tributary to the Loire
  • whites: Chenin
  • reds: Pineau d’Aunis - dominant blend (min 65% w/up to 30% Cab F, Cot and Gamay)
  • roses: P d’A dominant blend (min 65%) w/ up to 30% Cot, Gamay and Grolleau

Cheverny AOC

  • whites: primarily SB, Sauvignon Gris w/ some Chard, Chenin and Arbois
  • red: primarily PN w/ Gamay; CF and Cot

Cour-Cheverny AOC

  • dry white AOC lying w/in the Cheverny AOC
  • 100% Romorantin (white)
43
Q

What are Middle Loire Sparkling AOCs?

A

Cremant de Loire AOC:

  • white and rose
  • Chenin, Chard, CF, CS, Pd’A, PN and Grolleau
  • by law the % of CS and PdA must be less than 30%

Anjou Mousseux AOC

  • white and rose
  • Chenin, w/ up to 60% CF, CS, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau and PdA (vinified as blan de noirs)

Saumur Mousseux AOC

  • often referred to as Saumur Brut
  • mainly made from Chenin; w/ up to 40% Chard, SB, CF, CS, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, PN, PdA
  • roses use the same red grapes but CF must comprise 60% of the blend

Touraine Mousseux AOC

  • white or rose
  • whites: Chenin/Chard or Arbois/Chard
  • rose: Gamay, CF, Cot

Montlouis-Sur-Loire Sparkling Wines

  • Pedtillant and Mousseux:
  • 100% Chenin

Vouvray Sparkling Wines

  • Mousseux and Petillant AOCs
  • 100% Chenin
  • both must spend 12 months sur lie b/f release
44
Q

Centre Loire: Basics:

A

Located south of Orleans and west of Auxerre (Bourgogne)

  • vys flank the Loire river and tributaries to take advantage of the temperature-moderating effect of the water
  • most vys are east and west facing

Whites: almost exclusively SB
Reds: almost exclusively PN

Climate:

  • Centre and Upper Loire both Continental climate
  • largest diurnal and seasonal temp swings of the 4 Loire sub-regions
  • Winter: cold; prone to frost and ice
  • Spring: short and variable with sunny and cloudy days
  • Summer: hot and sunny; off-sets the short spring
  • Autumn: temperate and mild throughout harvest; humidity and fog can be problematic creating conditions that may promote rot

Soils:

  • 3 distinct soil types rest atop a base of Kimmerdgean limestone:
    • Terres Blanches: mark rich in oyster fossils; wines of vibrant acidity
    • Caillottes: little limestone pebles; wines with a little less structure than the other two
    • Silex: flint: wines of vibrant acidity; adds unique gunflint / smoky finish
45
Q

What are the Grapes of Centre Loire?

A

Historically Chasselas; after phylloxera too difficult to graft so changed to SB

  1. Sauvignon Blanc
  2. Chasselas - neutral
  3. Chardonnay
  4. Sacy (Tressallier)
  5. Pinot Noir - most reds and roses of CL are PN based
  6. Gamay - importank in two minor AOCs: Coteaux du Giennois, Chateaumeillant
  7. Gamay Saint Romain
  8. Pinot Gris - blending for rose
  9. Sauvignon Gris
46
Q

What are the Centre Loire AOCs?

A

Pouilly-Fume AOC

  • whites only
  • flint: gunflint/smoke
  • gravels and sands: fruit
  • clay: depth of flavour and texture

Pouilly-Sur-Loire AOC

  • Whites from Chasselas
  • same zone of production of Pouilly-Fume

Sancerre AOC

  • red, white and rose
  • Reds and Rose from PN
  • Whites from SB
  • Soils: Terres Blances, Silex and Caillottes

Menetou-Salon AOC

  • whites: 100% SB
  • reds and rose: 100% PN
  • Kimmeridgean soils

Quincy AOC

  • whites: SB; SGris allowed
  • VY flank the Cher River
  • Kimmerdigean soils

Reuilly AOC

  • whites: SB
  • reds: PN
  • rose: PN and PGris
  • vy flank the Cher River
  • Kimmeridgean soils
47
Q

Upper Loire Basics

A
  • Whites: Chardonnay
  • Red/Rose: Gamay, PN
  • The AOCS of the upper Loire not on exam