Loire - Grapes and Anjou Saumur (cont)

Question 1

Describe Sauvignon Blanc
where is it mostly grown?
Describe the vineyards

Answer 1

Mainly grown in Central Vineyards and Torraine
Central vineyards smallest appellation but contains Sancerre & Pouilly Fumé
Vineyards located on v chalky, well-drained stony soil

Question 2

Describe the style of wine from Sav Blanc

Answer 2

Dry, high in acidity
green apple, wet stones
Pouilly Fumé has more smoky notes
most wines not made for ageing

Question 3

How are the Sav Blanc wines made?

Answer 3

Gentle pneumatic pressing
Temp controlled S/S
Some producers ferment and mature wine in old oak, and keep wine on lees
MLF depends on style of wine, used in cooler vintages (hi acid)

Question 4

Describe Menetou-Salon

Answer 4

provides source of more moderately priced wine similar to Sancerre/Pouilly Fumé

Question 5

Describe Chenin Blanc grape

Answer 5

Hi Acid
Non-Aromatic
Makes greatest wine of Torraine/Anjou Saumur
Uneven ripening = herbaceous aromas
= Several passes through the vineyard to pick grapes at desired ripeness
Vigorous, high yielding, can attract noble rot (botrytis)

Question 6

Styles of wine Chenin Blanc makes?

Answer 6

Can be dry/sweet, still/sparkling
barely ripe fruit makes sparkling
riper berries use for dry, med and sweet styles

Question 7

Describe a young Chenin Blanc wine

Answer 7

fresh apple to tropical fruit
dry wines can have steely smoky character

Question 8

describe flavours of a Chenin sweet wine

Answer 8

apricot and citrus peel, plus noble rot (marmalade)

Question 9

Describe a Vouvray wine

Answer 9

located east of Tours
makes still and sparkling from Chenin
Dry to lusciously sweet
cool climate/clay =
med body, fresh fruit and floral notes
no oak

Question 10

Describe Savennieres, location, climate, soil, style of wine

Answer 10

Located to west of Anjou-saumur
warm/dry climate
South facing slopes
low fertility rocky schist
low yields = concentration and ripeness
Very high acidity and hi alcohol
Austere in youth, needs years in bottle
Max yield 50 hL/ha

Question 11

describe the 2 smaller AOCs in Savennieres

Answer 11

Savennieres La Roche aux Moines AOC
Coulée de Serrant AOC
Warmer sites on slopes facing Loire = riper fruit
lower max yields 30 h/L ha
Coulée de Serrant = Monopole, farmed biodynamically by Nicolas Joly, figurehead of Biodynamic movement.

Question 12

Describe Coteaux du Layon, location, yields, style of wine?

Answer 12

Located in sheltered valley of River Layon, South of Loire
Large appellation
specialised in Botrytis-affected Chenin Blanc grapes
35 hL/ha
natural hi acidity allows lusciously sweet wines to be balanced

Question 13

Tasting note Coteaux du Layon?

Answer 13

Pronounced aromas of cooked citrus and apple with honey notes
sweet
med+ body
med alcohol
high acidity
good to v good
mid-priced - premium

Question 14

2 other areas within Coteau du Layon? yields vs alcohol?

Answer 14

Bonnezeaux AOC
25 hL/ha, 15% abv
Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru AOC
20 hL/ha, 18% abv

Question 15

How are these 2 areas different?

Answer 15

Lower max yields
higher potential alcohol (riper grapes)
= high flavour intensity rich texture

Question 16

List the Rosé AOCs in Loire

Answer 16

Rosé de Loire AOC
Rosé d’Anjou AOC
Cabernet d’Anjou AOC

Question 17

Describe Rosé de Loire

Answer 17

Rosé de Loire AOC
Cab Franc, Cab Sav, Gamay, Grolleau
Max yield 60 hL/ha
Dry style

Question 18

Describe Rosé d’Anjou, grapes, yields, wine style

Answer 18

Mainly from Grolleau
can use Cab Franc/Sav, Cot, Gamay
Max yield 65 hL/ha = low flavour intensity
Med Pink-Orange
Med Int Berry fruit
Med+ acidity
med dry
acceptable to good, some v good examples

Question 19

Describe Cabernet d’Anjou

Answer 19

Must be made from Cab Franc and Cab Sav
Max yield 60 hL/ha
Deeper colour than most rosé (med pink)
medium dry

Question 20

describe Cabernet Franc in Touraine,
AOCs, style of wine?

Answer 20

well-suited as flowers and ripens early
range of styles, depends on climate, soil
grown in Chinon in South and
Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the north
Light fruit wines for early drinking from sandy soil
FB tannic version from south-facing slopes with limestone and clay soil, some oak
can evolve in bottle