Loire: Appellations Part 2 Flashcards
Which sub-region is the largest producer of sparkling wines in the Loire?
Saumur (fines bulles)
- partly due to the size of the AOC
- partly because the permitted yields for its mousseux are higher than for the Cremant de Loire AOC
Note: still whites, reds and roses are also produced
Name the appellations of Saumur.
- Saumur AOC (1936, Sparkling 1957, Rose 1964): 59% of production
- Saumur-Champigny AOC (1957): 37%
- Coteaux de Saumur AOC (1962)
- Haut-Poitou AOC (1970): 4%
What styles of wine are produced in Saumur AOC?
- Dry White
- Rose
- Red
- Sparkling White
- Sparkling Rose
Which grape varieties are permitted in Saumur AOC?
White:
* [P] Chenin Blanc
* [S] Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Rose/Gris:
* [S] Grolleau Gris
Red:
* [P] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
* [S] Pineau d’Aunis, Gamay, Grolleau, Pinot Noir
What area does the Saumur AOC cover?
This appellation largely covers the Saumur region.
However, Saumur AOC mousseux incorporates some areas of Anjou.
What is Saumur mousseaux ofter referred to as?
Saumur Brut
Which grape varieties are used in the sparkling wines of Saumur AOC?
- White Sparkling: Chenin Blanc is primary
- Rose Sparkling: Cabernet Franc is primary
- all other authorised varieties can complement in the blend
How long are sparkling wines from Saumur AOC required to rest sur lie?
min. 9 months
Which grapes go into Saumur AOC white wines?
100% Chenin Blanc
Which grapes go into Saumur AOC red wines?
- primarily Cabernet Franc
- optional additions of:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pineau d’Aunis
Which grapes go into Saumur AOC rose wines?
A combination of:
* Cabernet Franc
* Cabernet Sauvignon
Stylistically dry.
These wines were formerly Cabernet de Saumur.
How many DGCs are there in Saumur AOC?
One
Puy-Notre-Dame:
* Crafted from Cabernet Franc
* Cabernet Sauvignon is the authorized blending partner
Which is the most important red appellation in the Anjou-Saumur region?
Saumur-Champigny AOC
What area does the Saumur-Champigny AOC cover?
This small zone is comprised of 8 villages near the town of Saumur, situated on the left bank of the Loire River.
Where does Saumur-Champigny AOC get its name?
“Champigny” is believed to have been derived from the Latin campus igni meaning “field of fire” because of the area’s warm mesoclimate.
What style(s) of wine are produced in Saumur-Champigny AOC?
Red
Which grape varieties are permitted for Saumur-Champigny AOC?
Red:
* [P] Cabernet Franc
* [S] Cabernet Sauvignon
* [S] Pineau d’Aunis
What soil type is found in Saumur-Champigny AOC and how does it influence the wines?
Tuffeau soils give elegance, soft tannins and freshness to the wines.
Where is the Coteaux de Saumur AOC located?
This appellation covers a large area south of the town of Saumur, but the area under vine is quite small.
What styles of wine are produced in Coteaux de Saumur AOC?
- Semi-Sweet to
- Sweet White
min. 3.4% (34g/l)
Sweet wines are produced from overripe grapes that may or may not be affected by noble rot.
Which grape variety(s) are used to produce Coteaux de Saumur AOC wines?
White:
* [P] Chenin Blanc
This area has been planted to this variety since the Middle Ages.
How are grapes harvested in Coteaux de Saumur AOC?
Hand harvest is mandatory (sweet wines).
Where is Haut-Poitou AOC located?
Southeast of Saumur. The vineyards are situated north of the city of Poitiers.
Which region is the Haut-Poitou AOC connected to?
- Administratively connected to the region where Cognac is made
- Viticulturally connected to the Loire
What is the climate in Haut-Poitou AOC?
Decidedly continental
* Hils block any maritime influence coming from the west.
Where are the vineyards planted in Haut-Poitou AOC?
On an elevated plateau, facing south.
What styles of wine are produced in Haut-Poitou AOC?
- Dry White
- Rose
- Red
Which grape varieties are permitted in the Haut-Poitou AOC?
White:
* [P] Sauvignon Blanc
Rose/Gris:
* [P] Sauvignon Gris
Red:
* [P] Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay
* [S] Merlot
What are the soil types in Haut-Poitou AOC?
- Sands
- Chalky-clays
- Flint-rich sandy clays
Which grapes are used to make red, white & rose wines in Haut-Poitou AOC?
- White wine: Sauvignon Blanc & Sauvignon Gris
- Rose: Cabernet Franc mainly
- Red: Cabernet Franc mainly
What are the 3 zones that Touraine’s vineyards can be divided into?
- The west make red wines from Cabernet Franc
- The east crafts whites from Sauvignon Blanc
- The center produces whites from Chenin Blanc
What is the climate in Touraine?
It transitions from maritime to semi-continental (west to east).
What is a common climatic threat to the vines in Touraine?
Spring frosts are common.
Name the 4 main types of soils in Touraine.
- Tuffeau: widespread from western Touraine to Vouvray.
- Clay & Limestone (aubuis): on hillsides/
- Sedimentary deposits such as sands and gravels: near rivers and river terraces.
- Flinty-clay (argiles a silex; also called perruches): found in Vouvray, Montlouis and eastern Touraine.
Name the white grapes of Touraine.
- Chenin Blanc: primary for white & sparkling
- Sauvignon Blanc: primary for white
- Romorantin: grown exclusively in Cour-Cheverny
- Chardonnay
- Orbois
Name the rose/gris grapes of Touraine.
- Grolleau Gris
- Pinot Gris
- Sauvignon Gris
Name the red grapes of Touraine.
- Cabernet Franc: primary grape for red wine; important for rose
- Cot: primary
- Gamay: primary, takes spotlight in certain appellations
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Grolleau
- Merlot
- Meunier
- Pineau d’Aunis: used in roses
- Pinot Noir: takes spotlight in certain appellations
How much area does Touraine have under vine?
This large growing area has more than 40,000ac/16,000ha under vine.
What percentage of wine production in Touraine is red, white, sparkling or rose?
- > 50% Red wine
- 27% White wine
- 17% Sparkling wine
- 5% Rose
Which appellation in Touraine is most important for fines bulles?
Vouvray
(Sparkling wine)
Name the appellations of Touraine.
- Touraine AOC (1939, Sparkling 1946): 39% of production
- Touraine Noble Joue AOC (2001)
- Bourgueil AOC (1937): 7%
- Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC (1937): 8%
- Chinon AOC (1937): 13%
- Vouvray AOC (1936): 22%
- Monlouis-sur-Loire AOC (1938): 3%
- Valencay AOC (2004)
- Cheverny AOC (1993): 5%
- Cour-Cheverny AOC (1993)
- Orleans AOC (2006)
- Orleans-Clery AOC (2006)
- Coteaux du Vendomois AOC (2001)
- Coteaux du Loir AOC (1948)
- Jasnieres AOC (1937)
Other: 3% of production
What area does the Touraine AOC cover?
A large area that stretches more than 62mi/100km from the town of Blois to the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers.
What soil types are found in Touraine AOC?
Wide variety of soils:
* Tuffeau is most common subsoil
Topsoils vary from:
* Gravel
* Sands
* Clays
* Perruches
* Aubuis
What styles of wine are produced under Touraine AOC?
- Dry White: primarily Sauvignon Blanc
- Rose: must be a blend of at least 2 approved grapes, vinified dry; no single grape can exceed 70% of blend
- Red: Based on Cot if harvested east of meridian line at Tours; Cabernet Franc if west of this line. Additionally, Gamay and Gamay primeur are produced.
- Sparkling White: primarily from Chenin Blanc in the traditional method, spending 9 months on lees
- Sparkling Rose: made from a range of grapes, often Cabernet Franc, Gamay & Grolleau
Which grape varieties are permitted in the Touraine AOC?
White:
* [P] Sauvignon Blanc
* [S] Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Orbois
Rose/Gris:
* [S] Sauvignon Gris, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Gris
Red:
* [P] Cabernet Franc, Cot, Gamay
* [S] Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grolleau, Meunier, Pinot d’Aunis
How many DGCs are there in the Touraine AOC and what are they?
5
- Amboise
- Azay-le-Rideau
- Chenonceaux
- Mesland
- Oisly
Each has a different focus of style & grape variety.