Loire Certified

Question 1

What type of climate is found in the west of the Loire Valley?

Answer 1

Maritime climate in the west (Pays Nantais)

The maritime climate helps moderate temperatures and supports viticulture.

Question 2

What type of climate is found further inland in the Loire Valley?

Answer 2

Continental climate (Touraine, Central Vineyards)

The continental climate can lead to more extreme temperature variations.

Question 3

Which river moderates temperature in the Loire Valley?

Answer 3

Loire River

The river prevents extreme frosts and encourages viticulture.

Question 4

List the primary grape varieties in the Loire Valley.

Answer 4

• White: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne
• Red: Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pinot Noir

Question 5

What grape variety is primarily associated with the Pays Nantais?

Answer 5

Melon de Bourgogne

This grape is used to produce Muscadet wines.

Question 6

What are the notable soils found in Pays Nantais?

Answer 6

• Granite
• Schist
• Gneiss
• Sand

Question 7

What is the Muscadet AOP known for?

Answer 7

Light, crisp wines with high acidity

These wines are often paired with seafood.

Question 8

What distinguishes Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP?

Answer 8

Most prestigious Muscadet AOP, known for extended lees aging

Lees aging adds complexity to the wine.

Question 9

What is Sur Lie aging?

Answer 9

Wines aged on lees for additional texture and complexity

Question 10

Name two grape varieties found in Anjou-Saumur.

Answer 10

• Chenin Blanc
• Cabernet Franc

Question 11

What type of wine is produced in Anjou AOP?

Answer 11

Dry to off-dry Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc

This region is known for producing high-quality wines.

Question 12

Which AOP is known for highly structured, dry Chenin Blanc with aging potential?

Answer 12

Savennières AOP

Question 13

What is unique about Quarts de Chaume AOP?

Answer 13

Loire’s only Premier Grand Cru for sweet wines

Question 14

What type of wines does Saumur AOP produce?

Answer 14

• Sparkling (Crémant de Loire)
• Chenin Blanc
• Cabernet Franc

Question 15

What grape varieties are prominent in Touraine?

Answer 15

• Chenin Blanc
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Cabernet Franc
• Some Gamay and Malbec (Côt)

Question 16

What is the Vouvray AOP known for?

Answer 16

Chenin Blanc in multiple styles (dry, demi-sec, sweet, sparkling)

Question 17

Which AOP is similar to Vouvray but often lighter?

Answer 17

Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP

Question 18

What grape variety is primarily found in Chinon AOP?

Answer 18

Cabernet Franc

Question 19

What style of wine does Bourgueil AOP produce?

Answer 19

Cabernet Franc with firm tannins and potential for aging

Question 20

Which grape varieties are found in the Central Vineyards?

Answer 20

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Noir

Question 21

What characterizes Sancerre AOP?

Answer 21

Sauvignon Blanc (high acidity, minerality), some Pinot Noir

Question 22

What is the distinctive feature of Pouilly-Fumé AOP?

Answer 22

Sauvignon Blanc with a characteristic flinty (gunpowder) minerality

Question 23

What types of wines are produced from Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley?

Answer 23

• Crisp, high-acid whites (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Quincy, Reuilly)
• Complex, mineral-driven (Vouvray, Savennières)
• Light, neutral whites (Muscadet)

Question 24

What type of red wines are prominent in the Loire Valley?

Answer 24

Cabernet Franc-dominant reds (Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur-Champigny)

Known for vibrant fruit and herbal qualities.

Question 25

What sparkling wine is made using traditional methods in the Loire Valley?

Answer 25

Crémant de Loire AOP

Question 26

What types of sweet wines are produced in the Loire Valley?

Answer 26

* Botrytized Chenin Blanc from Coteaux du Layon, Quarts de Chaume, Bonnezeaux * Vouvray Moelleux (off-dry to sweet styles of Chenin Blanc)