Loire Valley Flashcards
1
Q
What is the principle grape used for rosé production in the Middle Loire?
A
Grolleau
2
Q
What style of wine is made in the Cabernet d’Anjou AOC?
A
Off-dry to sweet rosé made from both Cabernets
3
Q
What two grapes dominate the Middle Loire?
A
Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
4
Q
The Gros Plant grape is also known as:
A
Folle Blanche
5
Q
What is the principal white grape of the Centre Loire?
A
Sauvignon Blanc
6
Q
What grape variety is used in the Cour-Cheverny AOC?
A
Romorantin
7
Q
What is the primary red grape of Touraine?
A
Cabernet Franc
8
Q
What three AOCs in the Centre Loire make white wine only?
A
Pouilly Fumé, Pouilly-Sur-Loire, Quincy
9
Q
What Loire winegrowing region is known for Kimmeridgean limestone?
A
The Centre Loire
10
Q
What style of wine is made in the Anjou Coteaux de la Loire AOC?
A
Sweet, botrytized dessert wine
11
Q
What are the three crus of the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC?
A
Clisson, Gorges and Le Pallet
12
Q
What are the primary grapes of the Sancerre AOC?
A
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
13
Q
What three white grapes are grown in the Lower Loire?
A
Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne), Folle Blanche (Gros Plant), Pinot Gris
14
Q
What style of wine is Anjou Coteaux de Saumur AOC?
A
Sweet, botrytized dessert wines
15
Q
What style of wine is made in the Chaume and Quarts de Chaume AOCs?
A
Sweet, botrytized dessert wines
16
Q
What is the primary white grape of the Centre Loire?
A
Sauvignon Blanc
17
Q
What is “passerillage”?
A
The technique of allowing grapes to wither and dry on the vine
18
Q
What soil type gives wine a unique gunflint/smoky finish?
A
Silex (flint)
19
Q
What is a Loire synonym for Cabernet Franc?
A
Breton
20
Q
What are the three distinct soil types of the Centre Loire?
A
Terres blanches, caillottes, silex
21
Q
What is “tuffeau”?
A
A porous chalk/limestone soil found in parts of the Middle Loire
22
Q
What style of wine is made in the Savennières AOC?
A
Dry, age-worthy whites from Chenin Blanc
23
Q
What is the difference between Cabernet d’Anjou AOC and Cabernet de Saumur AOC?
A
Cabernet d’Anjou is sweeter. It must contain a minimum of 1% sugar, while Cabernet de Saumur can contain no more than 1% sugar.
24
Q
What style of wine is made in the Vouvray AOC?
A
Dry, off-dry and sweet whites from Chenin Blanc
25
Which sweet wine-producing sub-region lies within the Anjou zone of production?
Layon
26
What style of wine is made in the Rosé d'Anjou AOC?
Off-dry rosé made primarily from Grolleau
27
What Loire wine is frequently aged sur lie?
Muscadet
28
What grape is used to make sweet wine in the Middle Loire?
Chenin Blanc
29
Where is Vouvray located?
Touraine (Middle Loire)
30
What style of wine is made in the Rosé de Loire AOC?
Dry rosé made anywhere in the Middle Loire
31
How long must Loire crémant spend aging on its lees?
12 months (versus 9 months in most other French regions)
32
What style of wine is made in the Coteaux du Layon AOC?
Sweet, botrytized dessert wine
33
What Loire sub-region has a wholly continental climate?
The Centre and Upper Loire
34
What are the primary grapes of the Chinon AOC?
Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc
35
Which Middle Loire AOC is a monopole?
Savennières Coulée de Serrant
36
What defines the term "fines bulles"?
It translates as "fine bubbles" and is a general term for sparkling Loire wines
37
What defines "Mousseux"?
The term means frothy or bubbly. These are méthode traditionelle wines with at least 3 atms of pressure
38
What defines "caillottes"?
Little limestone pebbles; one of the three soil types of the Centre Loire
39
What is Touraine Primeur?
A wine made from Gamay using semi-carbonic maceration
40
What is Touraine Noble Joué?
A vin gris made primarily from Pinot Meunier
41
In which Loire sub-region is the Pays Nantais located?
Lower Loire
42
The Pineau de la Loire grape is more commonly known as:
Chenin Blanc
43
Other than the Loire River, what are the two other primary rivers of the Lower Loire?
Le Sèvre Nantaise and La Petite Maine
44
What style of wine is made in the Bonnezeaux AOC?
Sweet, botrytized dessert wines
45
For what style of wine is Saumur best known?
Sparkling
46
What defines "Pétillant"?
The term means "fizzy." These are méthode traditionelle wines with 1-2.5 atms of pressure
47
What two Centre Loire AOCs are located on the Cher River?
Quincy and Reuilly
48
What Centre Loire AOC produces wines from Chasselas?
Pouilly-Sur-Loire
49
What defines "terres blanches"?
A marl that is rich in oyster fossils, one of the three soil types in the Centre Loire
50
The term "silex" refers to:
Flint soils found in the centre Loire
51
What are the primary red grapes of the Upper Loire?
Pinot Noir and Gamay
52
What area of the Loire has volcanic soils?
The Lower Loire: gneiss dominates the top soils, igneous rocks the sub-soils
53
The Muscadet grape is also known as:
Melon de Bourgogne
54
What category of Loire sparking wine does not have an aging requirement?
Pétillant
55
What style of wine is produced in Layon?
Sweet wines affected by noble rot
56
What is the principle grape used for rosé production in the Middle Loire?
Grolleau
57
What style of wine is made in the Cabernet d'Anjou AOC?
Off-dry to sweet rosé made from both Cabernets
58
What makes the Loire unique?
- It covers a huge chunk of earth through the heart of france (some 620 from the centre of France to the Bay of Biscay)
- 4 distinct wine regions with different climates and grape varieties
- Lower Loire, Muscadette= Melon de Bourgogne
- Chenin, dry, sparkling, sweet or botrytised wines
59
The Loire River and the Loire wine region have both......
Played huge roles in shaping what became of France
60
During the Roman occupation of the Loire why did viticulture take off?
The river was a crossroad of France and the due to the wide nature of climates different varieties could flourish
61
During the Middle Ages what did the Loire act as?
It was a bridge between the Latin South and the Celtic/ Germanic North. The Loire eventually helped to bring these areas both together in language and culture.
62
After the English were driven out of France in the 15th Century what started to pop up through the Loire Valley?
Luxurious castles were built in the 14th, 15th and 16th Centuries
63
Due to the influence of Dutch merchants what became popular in Loire valley?
Brandewein or French Brandy
64
The railway expansion of the 1800s helped and disadvantaged the Loire, why?
It meant that there wines could be transported all over the country, but so could other areas. This meant that Loire wines had to compete more.
65
The Loire was one of the last areas to be struck by Phylloxera and was also....
One of the last to be revived
66
AOC History of Loire?
- 1935 was introduced
- Quincy, Anjou, Muscadet, Sancerre and Vouvray= 1936
- Today, approx. 70 different AOCs in the Loire encompassing 125,000 acres/ 50,000 ha of vineyard land
67
Introduction- Loire Valley
- 620 miles/ 1000 km from its headwaters in Central France to its delta in Nantes
```
- Loire is:
North: Of Cognac
South: Of Normandy
West: Of Bourgogne and Massif Central
East: Of the Atlantic Ocean
```
68
What is a huge factor in helping to warm the vineyards of the Loire?
The River Effect
69
What helps form cooling breezes in the Loire Valley?
The Gulf Stream, which funnels coastal breezes from the coast all the way up to Orleans
70
What are the four regions of the Loire and their climates?
Pays Nantais/ Lower Loire: Maritime Climate
Anjou, Saumur and Touraine/ Middle Loire: Maritime with Continental Influences
Centre and Upper Loire: Continental Climate
71
Lower Loire?
- Westernmost Loire sub region
- Located near the city of Nantes
- Is is known as the Pays Nantais
72
Middle Loire?
- Vineyards surrounding the cities of Angers and Tours
| - Anjou and Tourraine are the names of the wine producing areas surrounding these two cities
73
Centre Loire?
- Produces probably the most famous of the Loire's wines Sancerre and Pouilly Fume
74
Upper Loire?
- Produces some of the rarest and most obscure bottlings
| - Rarely seen outside their zone of production
75
Manual Harvesting in the Loire is required......
for late harvest wines and for cremant. All other occasions are okay for machine
76
Many wineries in the Loire practice organic or bio dynamic practices. Why is this unique?
Because the Loire is a cooler region with a lot more humidity and rain
77
Loire- Dry Whites
- All about structural balance and retaining acidity
- In most wineries it is about a low tech approach
- Chaptalisation is allowed under AOC laws, but only in certain years and under certain conditions
78
Sweet Wines: Vin Liquoreux- Loire
- Chenin Blanc for all dessert wines
- Grapes must be either infected with botrytis cinerea or dried and concentrated by passerillage
- Must is slowly fermented at low temperatures. Finishes naturally with RS
- Very little new oak
79
What are the two ways of making rose in the Loire?
- Direct Press: 1-4 hours of skin contact IN the press while grapes are being pressed
- Saignee: Grapes are crushed and undergo approx. 12 hours of skin contact (darker in colour)
80
What style of sparkling wine is practiced in the Loire?
Methode Traditionalle
81
What are all sparkling wines in the Loire called?
Fines Bulles
Doesn't matter if they are petillant, mousseaux or cremant
82
Reds- Loire
- Defined by natural acidity
- MLF occurs, but not always 100%
- Chaptalisation is permitted by AOC law
83
The vineyards of the Pays Nantais are all......
Flat or south facing. They are located 6-60 miles/ 10 to 96 kms off the Atlantic Coast
84
Pays Nantais was subject to what sort of activity millions of years ago?
Volcanic. The area is now flat with not many typographical markers.
85
What are the two rivers that intersect the Pays Nantais?
The Sevre and the Maine. This is where Muscadette Sevre et Maine comes from
86
What is the topsoil made up of in the Pay Nantais?
Gneiss. This is a very porous rock and provides drainage.
Most of the subsoils are crystalline (quartz) igneous rocks which are high in mineral content
87
How many hours of sunshine does the lower Loire receive?
2,000 hours which is slightly more than the other three regions
88
What is the climate of the Lower Loire?
Maritime (less significant seasonal changes and rainfall is spread over the year)
89
Lower Loire- Seasonal Variations
Winters: Are very cold, but little snow. Biggest threats are frost and ice storms
Spring: Cool and Damp
Summers: Warm and mild with plenty of sunshine. But high humidity can bring disease
Autumns: Warm and Mild with occasional rainstorms
90
Muscadette- Lower Loire
- Not related to Muscat
- Melon de Bourgogne hails from Bourgogne
- Hardy, frost resistant and productive
- Pinot x Gouais Blanc cross
91
Folle Blanche- Lower Loire
- Believed to be native to Cognac or Armagnac
- Also called Gris Plant in the Loire, and Picpoul in Armagnac (even though it is not related to the Picpoul of the Languedoc)
- Gouais Blanc is one of its parents
92
Other White Grapes- Lower Loire
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc (Pineau de La Loire, Gros Pineau)
- Pinot Gris (Malvoisie)
- Sauvignon Blanc
93
Red Grapes of the Lower Loire?
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Gamay
- Negrette
- Pinot Noir
94
How many appellations in the Lower Loire are made up of Muscadet?
7
95
Muscadet AOCs?
- Muscadet AOC (covers all of the Lower Loire)
- Muscadet- Coteaux de La Loire AOC
- Muscadet- Cotes de la Grandieu
- Muscadet- Sevre et Maine AOC- 75% of production
Muscadet- Sevre et Maine Clisson AOC
Muscadet- Sevre et Maine Gorge AOC
Muscadet- Sevre et Maine La Pallet AOC
All can be aged sur lie
96
How do sur lies work?
The dead yeast cells impart manno- proteins, sugar protein bonds that give wine creaminess and a rounded mouth feel
97
Muscadet AOC- Lower Loire
- Encompasses the entire Pays Nantais
| - But is only responsible for 20% of the Muscadet produced
98
Muscadet- Coteaux de La Loire AOC- Lower Loire
- The smallest of the regional Muscadet AOCs
| - Located north of Nantes on both sides of the Loire River
99
Muscadet- Cotes de Grandlieu AOC- Lower Loire
Located sthwst of Nantes along Lake Grand-Lieu
100
Muscadete Sevre et Maines is located both_______ and _________ of the city of Nantes.
South and East
101
What are the three crus of Muscadet Sevre et Maine?
Gorges, Clisson and La Pallet
102
What are the dominant grape varieties of the Middle Loire?
Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
103
Anjou- Middle Loire
- Scattered around the town of Angers. Most are on the left bank of the Loire River
- Half the production is rose crafted from Cab Franc and Cab Sauv, Grolleau, Gamay, Pinot d'Aunis, Pinot Noir
104
Layon- Middle Loire
- Situated on the banks of the Layon River, a tributary of the Loire
- Technically within the Anjou zone of production; famous for its sweet wine production
105
Saumur- Middle Loire
- Largest producer of Sparkling wines in the Loire
- Limestone soils are planted to grapes used in cremant production
- Sand is for red varieties
106
Touraine- Middle Loire
- Located around the town of Tours
| - Diversity of wine styles; wide variety of soil types (flint, clay, limestone, gravel and sand)
107
What is the climate of the Middle Loire?
It is influenced by the maritime climate of the Lower Loire and the continental climate of the centre and upper loire
108
Why does the Middle Loire have such high humidity?
Because it is located close to the sea.
109
The middle Loire is lightly colder than the Pays Nantais T or F?
True. It experiences a colder winter and a warmer summer. It has more temperate climate than the Centre Loire and Upper Loire
110
Where do the best vineyards face in the Middle Loire?
South in order to maximise sun exposure.
111
Chenin Blanc- Middle Loire
- Synonym: Pineau de La Loire
- Principal grape of the Middle Loire
- Vigourous, cold hardy, wind- resistant, disease- resistant, late- ripening and susceptible to botrytis cinerea
- Wines are high in extract and acidity; long lived
112
Sauvignon Blanc- Middle Loire
- Vigourous variety; prefers cool, sunny climates
| - Wines are high in aromatics and acidity
113
Secondary Grapes- Middle Loire
- Arbois: Primarily used in Cheverney and IGP wines where it is customary blended with Sauv Blanc or Chenin Blanc; also used in sparkling production
- Chardonnay: Primarily used in sparkling wine production
- Romorantin: Grown exclusively in Our- Cheverny
114
Cabernet Franc (Breton)- Middle Loire
- Principal red grape of the Middle Loire; native to Spanish Basque Country
- Subject to early bud- break and coulure; ripens early
- Moderate in tannin, pigment and acidity
115
Cabernet Sauvignon- Middle Loire
- Less widely planted than Cabernet Franc
| - Late- ripening; requires warm soils and a long growing season
116
Gamay- Middle Loire
- Used in sparkling, red and rose blends
- Thin- skinned grape
- Wines are high in acidity; low in tannin and pigment
117
Pinot Noir- Middle Loire
- Used in sparkling, red and rose blends
- Thrives in cool climates and prefers limestone and marl soils
- Early budder, early ripener
- Wines are moderate in tannin and pigment with good acidity, alcohol and aromatics
118
Other Grapes- Middle Loire
- Grolleau:
Indigenous to the Middle Loire
Principal grape for rose production
Also incorporated into red and sparkling blends
- Grolleau Gris
Used in Sparkling rose blends
- Pineau d'Aunis
Indigenous to the Loire
Incorporated into red, rose and sparkling wines (to boost fruit)
119
Other Grapes Grown in the Middle Loire?
- Pinot Gris: in white and rose blends in Touraine
- Pinot Meunier: Used for sparkling, but can be in red and rose blends
- Malbec (Cot): Used primarily for blending into red wines and roses
- Merlot: Grown in the Haut- Poitou area
- Sauvignon Gris: Blending partner for Sauvignon Blanc
120
What type of soils does Anjou have?
Dark schist with white chalk (tuffeau). There is also some pockets of clay, gravel and shale
121
All of the sweet appellations of Anjou and the three Saviennere AOCs are on what soil?
Schist
122
Tuffeau is also known as?
Turonian chalk. All chalk is technically limestone
123
What are the three roses produced in Anjou?
- Rose de Loire AOC
- Rose d' Anjou AOC
- Cabernet D'Anjou AOC
124
Rose de Loire AOC?
- Sources fruit from anywhere in the Middle Loire (Anjou, Saumur, Touraine)
- Made from both cabernets, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pineau d'Aunis and Pinot Noir
- Always Dry
125
Rose d'Anjou AOC?
- Fruit sourced from Anjou and Saumur
- By law it must contain a minimum of 0.7% or 7 g RS
- Grolleau is the principal grape used
126
Cabernet d'Anjou AOC?
- Fruit may be sourced from Anjou and Saumur
- By law it must contain a minimum of 1% or 10 g RS
- Made from both Cabernets
127
Anjou and Layon: Botryitised Sweet Wines
- Most sweet wines from the Anjou come from the Layon area
| - All are 100% Chenin Blanc and impacted by botrytis
128
Anjou Coteaux de la Loire AOC
- A sweet wine that is crafted from botrytised Chenin within Anjou from vineyards that do not flank the Layon River
- Outside of Savennieres all the other sweet AOCs within Anjou are all located along the Layon River
129
What are the 6 AOCs that produce botrytised sweet wines on the banks of the river Anjou?
- Bonnezeaux AOC
- Coteaux du Layon AOC
- Coteaux du Layon + Village AOC
- Coteaux du Layon Chaume 1er Cru
- Coteaux de l'Aubance AOC
- Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru AOC
130
What is so special about Anjou and Layon botrytised sweet wines upper levels?
- Coteaux du Layon + villages; 6 villages that may appear on the label
- Coteaux du Layon Chaume "Premier Cru"
- Quarts de Chaume "Grand Cru"
131
On what side of the Loire is Savinnieres located?
The Right side of the Loire. It is made exclusively from Chenin Blanc
132
What are the soils of the Savinnieres?
Schist, slate and clay soils
133
What are special about Savinniere wines?
They are thought to be the most age worthy wines in France. They come in some demi-sec, molleaux and roux styles
134
What are the two noteworthy climate of Saviennere?
- Coulee de Serrant
- La Couche aux Moines
Both achieved AOC status in 2011
135
Savennieres Coulee de Serrant AOC
- 17.5 acres/ 7 hectares monopole belonging to Nicolas Joly
| - Steep south/ southeast- facing slope comprised of red schist
136
Savenieres La Touche aux Moines AOC
- A steep schist slope facing stheast
| - 82.5 acres/ 33 hectares in size
137
Anjou Blanc AOC
- Basic dry or off-dry whites
- Made from a minimum of 80% Chenin Blanc
- The balance may be comprised of Chardonnay and Sauvignon
138
Anjou Rouge, Villages, Villages Brissac AOCs
- Anjou Rouge (regional AOC)
- Anjou- Villages (communal AOC)
- Anjou- Villages Brissac (communal AOC)
Mainly crafted from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
139
Anjou- Gamay AOC
- Made from Gamay
- Can be vilified as Primeur
- For early consumption
140
What is Saumur mainly known for?
Making the most sparkling wines in the Loire.
However it does also produce still whites, reds and roses
141
What is Saumur Blanc AOC comprised of?
Chenin Blanc
142
Coteaux de Saumur AOC
- A white crafted from Chenin
| - Late harvest, hand- picked, botrytised grapes vinified off-dry to sweet
143
Cabernet de Saumur AOC
- Crafted from both Cabernets
| - Max 0.7% residual sugar
144
What are the 3 red Saumur AOCs?
Saumur Rouge, Saumur- Champigny and Saumur Puy-Notre- Dame
- Primarily from Cab Franc
145
Where do the vineyards of Touraine lie?
Between the AOCs of Anjou/ Saumur and Centre Loire
146
What are the wine styles of Touraine?
- Dry and sweet white
- Red
- Rose
- Sparkling
147
Touraine soils?
Tuffeau can be found on the hillsides; perruche (flint and clay) and aubuis (limestone and clay) can be found near the river
148
Climate becomes more and more continental as the vineyards of the Loire........
March inland along the Loire river
149
Regional Touraine AOC?
- Sauvignon Blanc joins Chenin in the white arena
| - Reds, although still incorporating both Cabernets see a lot of play from other red varietials
150
Touraine Blanc?
- A blend of at least 80% Sauvignon Blanc and up to 20% Sauvignon Gris
151
Touraine AOC Roses?
- Min of 2: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau, Pinot Meunier, Pineau d'Aunis, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
- No one grape can comprise more than 70% of the blend
- By law roses may have 0.4% or 4 g/L maximum residual sugar, ie they are dry
152
Touraine AOC Reds
- Predominately Cabernet Franc and Cot blends with Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Pinot Noir as optional blending partners
- Small quantities of 'Touraine Gamay' and carbonic macerated Gamay labeled as 'Touraine Gamay Primeur'
153
Touraine Grape Names?
Cabernet Franc= Breton
Pinot Noir= Auvernat Noir
Malbec= Cot
Pinot Meunier= Gris Meunier
154
Bourguiel (Bourgay- pronouncation) AOC: Touraine
- Medium- bodied, fairly tannin wines made primarily from Cabernet Franc
- A maximum of 10% Cabernet Sauvignon can be added
- Roses follow the same blending formula
155
St- Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC: Touraine
- Wst of Bourgeil on warmer soils containing high percentages of sand
- Primarily Cabernet Franc with up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon; most wines are 100% Cabernet Franc
- Dry Roses are made from the same grape varieties
156
Chinon AOC: Touraine
- Soils: Tuffeau plus composites of sand, gravel and clay
- Whites: 100% Chenin
- Both reds and roses: Made primarily from Cabernet France with a max of 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
157
Vouvray AOC: Touraine
- On the right bank of the Lorie Facing Montlouis- sur- Loire
- Wines are made from Chenin and range from dry to sweet
- Botrytis: optional
158
Vouvray Sugar Levels
Sec (< 0-0.8% or <8gl RS)
Demi Sec (0.8- 3.5% or 8-35 g/l RS)
Moelleux (>3.5% or >35g/l RS)
Doux (>15% or 150 g/l RS)
159
Coteaux du Loir AOC: Touraine
- Right bank of the Loir (which is a tributary of the Loire)
- Whites: Chenin Blanc
- Reds: Pineau d'Aunis- dominant blend (min. 65%) with up to 30% of Cabernet Franc, Cot and Gamay for reds
- Roses: Pineau d'Aunis- dominant blend (min. 65%) with up to 30% Cot, Gamay and Grolleau
160
Cour- Cheverney AOC: Touraine
- A dry white AOC lying wishing the Cheverney AOC
| - 100% Romorantin (white)
161
Middle Loire: Sparkling Wines
- As a result of excavating building stone from the limestone sub-soil, a plethora of man- made tunnels and caves have been made
- The caves have been turned into "natural" cellars for sparkling wine production
- There are several categories of sparkling wines in the middle loire: Petillants, Mousseaux and Cremants
162
Petillants
- Contain about half the pressure as mousseaux or cremant
- Delicately sparkling wines (1-2.5 atms) made according to the methode traditionnelle
- Petillant means fizzy
163
Mousseux
- Made according to the methode traditionnelle but with a min. of 3 atms of pressure
- Most have a min. 9 months sur lie ageing requirement
- Mousseux means frothy or bubbly
164
Cremant
- Made according to the methode traditionnelle
- Must spend 12 mths aging on lees plus one month in the bottle before release
- The only sparkling wine produced in the Loire with regulations concerning pressing (weight of grapes/ volume of juice extracted)
165
Cremant de Loire AOC
- White and rose sparkling wine
- Made from Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d'Aunis, Pinot Noir and Grolleau
- By law, the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d'Aunis must be less than 30%
166
Anjou Mousseaux AOC
- White and rose sparkling
- Created from Chenin Blanc with up to 60% Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot/ Malbec, Gamay, Grolleau and Pinot d'Aunis (vinified as blanc de noirs)
167
Saumur Mousseux AOC
- Often referred to as 'Saumur Brut'
- Primarily made from Chenin Blanc with up to 40% Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Noir and Pinot d'Aunis
- Roses use the same red grapes as Saumur Mousseux but Cabernet Franc must comprise 60% of the blend
168
Touraine Mousseux AOC
- Whites: Chenin Blanc/ Chardonnay or Arbois/ Chardonnay are traditional blends
- Roses: Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Cot dominate the blend
169
Montlouis- Sur- Loire Sparkling Wines
Montlouis sur Loire Petillant and Mousseux: 100% Chenin Blanc
170
Vouvray Sparkling Wines
- Vouvray Mousseux and Vouvray Pétillants AOC
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Both Mousseux and Petillant must send 12 month aging sur lie before release
171
What does the centre Loire produce?
Probably the most well known wines of the Loire
172
Where is the Centre Loire located?
- South of Orleans and west of Auxerre (Bourgogne)
- Vineyards flank the Loire Valley and its tributaries in order to take advantage of the temperature- moderating effect of the water
- Most of the vineyards are east- and- west facing
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What are the most famous AOCs of the Centre Loire?
Sancerre and Pouilly Fume
But Quincy and Menetou- Salon are gaining in popularity
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What are the grape varieties of the Centre Loire?
- White: Almost exclusively Sauv Blanc
| - Reds: Almost exclusively Pinot Noir
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What is the climate of the Centre Loire?
- Continental
| - Has the largest dirunal swing of the four sub regions of the Loire
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Winter in the Centre Loire?
- Cold
| - Prone to frost and ice
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Spring in the Centre Loire?
- Short and Variable with both Sunny and Cloudy skies
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Summer in the Centre Loire?
- Hot and Sunny
| - This off-sets the short spring
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Autumn in the Centre Loire?
- Temperate and mild throughout harvest
| - Humidity and fog can be problematic creating conditions that may promote rot
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What are the three soil types of the Centre Loire that sit above Kimmeridgean Limestone?
Terres Blanches, Caillottes and Silex
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Terres Blanches?
A marl rich in oyster fossils. Wines of vibrant acidity
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Silex:
Flint
Wines of Vibrant acidity
Adds a unique gunflint/ smoky finish
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Caillottes
Little limestone pebbles. Wines with a little less structure.
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What was the traditional grapes of the Centre Loire?
Chasselas. Sadly after phyolloxera Chasselas proved difficult to graft. Vignerons switched to Sauvignon Blanc.
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Sauvignon Blanc- Centre Loire
- High acid, aromatic white with a distinctive 'flinty' or 'smoky' characteristic
- Sauvignon is taken from the French word 'sauvage' meaning 'wild'
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Chasselas- Centre Loire
- Ancient grape variety native to the area surrounding Lake Geneva in Switzerland
- A fairly neutral white
- On good sites it picks up a distinctive hint of flint or smoke midst a flavour profile of hay and flowers
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Pinot Noir- Centre Loire
- Relatively light to moderate tannins and pigment; notable acidity
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Pinot Gris- Centre Loire
- Used as a blending grape for the production of rose
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Gamay- Centre Loire
- Plays an important role in 2 minor AOC; Coteaux du Giennois, Chateaumeillant (most reds and roses are Pinot Noir- based)
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Pouilly - Fume AOC- Centre Loire
- White wines only
- Flint: gunflint/ smoke (Fume)
- Gravels and sands: fruit
- Clay: depth of flavour and texture
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Sancerre AOC- Centre Loire
- Produces red, white and rose
- Reds and Roses: Pinot Noir
- Whites: Sauvignon Blanc
- Soils: Terres Blanches, Silex and Caillottes
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Menetou- Salon AOC- Centre Loire
- Whites: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- Reds and Roses: 100% Pinot Noir
- Kimmeridgean soils
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Quincy AOC- Centre Loire
- Whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, is allowed
- Vineyards flank the Cher River
- Kimmeridgean soils
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Reuilly AOC- Centre Loire
- Whites: Sauvignon Blanc
- Reds: Pinot Noir
- Roses: Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris
- Vineyards flank the Cher River
- Kimmeridgean soils
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Upper Loire
Whites: Chardonnay, Sacy
Red/ Roses: Gamay, Pinot Noir
