Loire: Appellations Part 1 Flashcards
Rank the top ten AOCs of Loire from highest to lowest production.
- Cabernet d’Anjou AOC (15%)
- Touraine AOC (10%)
- Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC (9%)
- Sancerre AOC (9%)
- Cremant de Loire AOC (7%)
- Vouvray AOC (6%)
- Saumur AOC (5%)
- Rose d’Anjou AOC (5%)
- Pouilly-Fume AOC (4%)
-
Chinon AOC (3%)
Others (27%)
(2019)
Where is Pays Nantais located?
This is the westernmost sub-region in the Loire Valley. It is located near the city of Nantes. It lies directly on the Atlantic Ocean.
Where are the Pays Nantais vineyards planted?
- Generally flat
- slightly south-facing
- within 6-60mi/10-96km of the Atlantic coast.
What is the climate in Pays Nantais?
Maritime
What topographical feature influences the climate in Pays Nantais?
Atlantic Ocean
* moderates temperatures in winter & summer
* winds bring regular rainfall
What are the seasons like in Pays Nantais?
- Winters are mild & quite damp
- Springs are cool, damp & often cloudy
- Summers are warm and sunny with occasional rainstorms
- Autumns tend to be warm & mild
What threats to vines face in Pays Nantais?
- April frosts
- Humidity can cause rot & mildew outbreaks
Which Loire sub-region is usually the first to experience budbreak in the spring?
Pays Nantais
Also, always the first to begin the harvest.
Describe the topography in Pays Nantais.
- Predominantly flat coastline area
- Few topographical markers
- Bisected by the Sevre & Maine rivers
What geological formation does Pays Nantais rest upon?
Massif Amoricain
What soil types are found in Pays Nantais?
Soils here are derived from rocks of ancient & complex origin:
* Volcanic
* Igneous
* Metamorphic
They are predominantly acidic:
* Gneiss
* Mica schist
* With little limestone
Weathering & erosion have left them usefully free-draining with a multiplicity of mineral nuances which local growers believe affect wine flavour.
Why are porous soils essential in Pays Nantais?
- Natural humidity of the seashore
- Large/high subterranean water table
- Plethora of river systems
- Significant rainfall
Without porous soils, these factors would result in high-yielding vines that produce wines of very little extract.
Name the white grape varieties of Pays Nantais.
- Melon de Bourgogne: the most important grape here, represented by approx. 75% of its plantings
- Chardonnay
- Folle Blanche
- Chenin Blanc
- Colombard
- Montils
- Sauvignon Blanc
Name the rose/gris grape varieties of Pays Nantais.
- Pinot Gris: used to make sweet wine in Coteaux d’Ancenis
- Grolleau Gris: a supplemental variety used in Fiefs Vendeens
Name the red grape varieties of Pays Nantais.
- Gamay: represents about 5% of plantings; it is the primary grape for Coteau d’Ancenis.
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Negrette
- Pinot Noir
Name the appellations of Pays Nantais.
- Muscadet AOC (1937)
- Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC (1936)
- Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC (1936)
- Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOC (1994)
- Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOC (1954)
- Coteaux d’Ancenis AOC (1954)
- Fiefs Vendeens AOC (1984)
What area does the Muscadet AOC cover?
This sub-regional appellation covers the entire growing area of Pays Nantais.
The winegrowing area is mostly flat and closely overlaps the Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOC.
What style of wine is produced under Muscadet AOC?
Dry White
Which grape varieties are permitted in the production of Muscadet AOC?
- [P] Melon de Bourgogne
- [S] Chardonnay: up to 10% is authorized as of the 2021 vintage
What restriction is placed upon the wines of Muscadet AOC?
Not permitted to produce wines sur lie.
How much wine is produced under the Muscadet AOC?
Only 20% of all Muscadet produced.
Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC actually produces more wine, despite Muscadet AOC covering more ground.
Which appellations in Pais Nantais require the wines to be 100% Melon do Bourgogne?
- Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC
- Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC
- Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOC
Where is Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC located?
It stretches south and east of the city of Nantes and is situated on the south side of the Loire River.
What percentage of Muscadet is bottled under the Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC?
75%