Loire History

Question 1

Loire History

1. 13AD Romans
2. 5C Written records
3. 11C Loire wines exp to NL + UK, good river/port
4. 18C better transport links to Bdx, Rh + S/France
   
   1. 1709 Terrible Winter
   2. 1789 Fr Rev - disasterous
   3. 1870s Phy
5. 1936 - Musc, Quin, Sanc + Vouv = ACs, then Anj, Saum + Tour
6. Post WWII - picks up

Answer 1

1. 13AD: Romans planted vineyards in Pays Nantais but viticulture seem to started later on.
2. 5th: written records of established winemaking on the upper Loire valley in Auvergne
3. 11th: Loire wines exported to NL and UK thanks to great river & port connections; Sancerre already reputed. Also very popular in France thanks to the great links to Paris esp. St Pourcain.
4. 18-19th: better transport links to Bordeaux, Rhone & S. France meant sales declined
   
   1. 1709: terrible winter (down to -20C) destroyed most of the vineyards
   2. 1789: French revolution had a disastrous effect on the vineyards esp. in Vendée.
   3. 1870s: phylloxera outbreak wiped out huge proportion of the vineyards
5. 1936: Muscadet, Quincy, Sancerre and Vouvray become ACs; followed by Anjour Saumur and Touraine.
6. Post WWII: wine industry picking up again