Loire - Pays Nantais Flashcards
What is the principal grape variety of Pays Nantais and it’s other names?
Melon
Melon de Bourgogne
Muscadet
Name one other grape that is grown here?
What style of wine does it make?
Folle Blanche aka Gros Plant
Makes acid wines that are sold locally and nationally
What is the Climate of Pays Nantais?
Cool Maritime Climate with cool springs, warm and humid summers and threat of rain any time (can affect harvest)
What is the soil of Pays Nantais?
well-drained soil??
Other threats to Pays Nantais?
What can help combat this?
Frost -wind machines and heaters, burning straw bales
Describe the Melon grape?
is the only allowed variety in Muscadet appellations
it’s a hardy variety
suited to cool region
buds early = susceptible to frost
ripens early (less harvest threat) and high yields
tight bunches = susceptible to downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot
Describe the wine made from Melon
High acidity
light body
low to medium alcohol
good in quality with some good examples
inexpensive to mid-priced
What is allowed since 2018?
up to 10% Chardonnay in basic Muscadet AOC
What are the key factors in the vineyard management for Pays Nantais?
Humidity means vineyards are monitored closely and spraying required to prevent fungal disease.
Marginal climate for ripeness means canopies are more open, and leaf removal is common (exposure of grapes to sun)
Attention to ripeness of skin and seeds for Harvest date
What are the key points for winemaking in Pays Nantais?
Chaptalization permitted up to 12% abv
Muscadet fermented in large, shallow underground glass-lined concrete vats, S/S also used
MLF avoided to retain high acidity
Experimentation with skin contact/fermentation, amphora - but adds cost
Describe Sur Lie
when does it happen?
effect on wine?
Highly typical in Pays Nantais
It’s a way of filling out body in a wine that would be v. light bodied
After fermentation, one racking allowed to remove gross lees
Wine remains on fine lees through winter until bottling in spring
Ageing on lees retains freshness and may retain a small amount of carbon dioxide = typical style
List the Muscadet Appellations (4)
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC
Muscadet AOC
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOC
What’s are the yields for these AOCs
Muscadet AOC = 70 hL/ha
Other 3 AOCs and Muscadet Sur lie = 55 hL/ha
Describe the style of wine
typically dry
low intensity aroma of green apple and grassy notes
high acidity
light body
acceptable to good quality
inexpensive
Where can the labelling term sur lie be added?
when must these wines be bottled?
in any of the 4 appellations
between 1 March and 30 November the year following harvest
