Loire Valley Flashcards

1
Q

France’s longest river

A

Loire

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2
Q

Origin of the Loire River

A

Massif Central

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3
Q

Loire River end point

A

Bay of Biscay

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4
Q

Breton AKA

A

Cabernet Franc

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5
Q

Pineau de la Loire is a grape most commonly known as…

A

Chenin Blanc

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6
Q

Middle Loire was known as …. during the French Renaissance

A

Jardin de la France (Garden of France) – lush gardens

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7
Q

What happened in 1709?

A

Severe frost killed many vines in Pays Nantais – Melon B was planted

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8
Q

Unifying style of Loire Valley wine

A

Lighter body + vibrant acidity

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9
Q

How many grape varities are permitted in Loire Valley?

A

24

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10
Q

Most planted grapes of Loire Valley

A

Cab Franc, SB, Chenin Blanc

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11
Q

Chenin Blanc is native to..

A

Anjou

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12
Q

t/f: Chardonnay is not a permitted grape in Loire Valley

A

false. used primarily as a blending grape; often in support of Chenin Blanc or Melon B

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13
Q

What is Grolleau?

A

red grape used a fruity blending grape for rose wine

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14
Q

Much of the Loire is prone to…

A

spring frost

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15
Q

t/f: hail during the growing season is a big concern

A

true

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16
Q

How are the vineyards situated in the Loire?

A

Vineyards lay on slopes and plateaus lining the Loire River

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17
Q

When were the first AOCs established?

A

1936

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18
Q

IGP for Loire Valley

A

Val de Loire

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19
Q

The only Grand Cru of Loire Valley

A

Quarts de Chaume AOC

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20
Q

The only Premier Cru of Loire Valley

A

Chaume AOC

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21
Q

T/F: Most Loire Valley wines require extensive barrel aging before being released to market.

A

False. Low elevage requirements in the Loire; most wines can be released Sept 1 following harvest, many sooner than that

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22
Q

Cremant de Loire covers trad method sparkling wines produced in…

A

Anjou-Saumur & Touraine

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23
Q

Where is production of Cremant de Loire focused?

A

Saumur

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24
Q

Generally, Cremant wines have lower …. than Champagne

A

bottle pressure

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25
Q

What style is Rose de Loire?

A

bright pink, dry; made from Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Grolleau, and other reds

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26
Q

What style of Rose d’Anjou?

A

medium-dry rose based on Grolleau

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27
Q

What style of wine is Cabernet d’Anjou?

A

medium-dry based on Cab Sauve + Cab Franc; high acid, ageworthy

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28
Q

Loire Valley is France’s _____ largest region by production volume

A

3rd

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29
Q

Sweet wine should be paired with a ____er dessert

A

sweet

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30
Q

Because of their great _____, sweet wines in Loire can pair well with savory dishes

A

acidity

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31
Q

“fume” translates to..

A

smoky

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32
Q

“liquoreux” means…

A

sweet, rich wine style

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33
Q

Red and Rose wines in Central Loire are made from this grape

A

Pinot Noir

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34
Q

Where is Coteaux du Giennois located?

A

Central Loire. Whites are similar in style to Sancerre. Reds based on Gamay

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35
Q

Growing season in Central Loire begins _____ than the rest of Loire

A

later

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36
Q

Sauvignon Blanc has been historically known as … in Central Loire

A

Blanc Fume (smoky white)

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37
Q

What is Pouilly-sur-Loire?

A

town on opposite bank to Sancerre. Two AOCS: Pouilly-sur-Loire for Chasselas grape; Pouilly-Fume for SB

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38
Q

Pinot Noir from Central Loire compared to Burgundy.

A

PN from Central Loire is lighter in nature and intended for early consumption

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39
Q

Who was Didier Dagueneau?

A

Important historical figure in Central Loire. Emphasized terroir-focused wines + early adopter of biodynamic farming.

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40
Q

France’s 2nd AOC

A

Quincy

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41
Q

Historically, Central Loire focused on Pinot Noir production. What happened?

A

Oidium + phylloxera hit; replantings focused on Sauvignon Blanc

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42
Q

What is silex?

A

flint soil

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43
Q

Sancerre’s three important soils

A

Terres Blanches (white limestone clay)
Caillottes (gravelly limestone)
Silex (flint)

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44
Q

t/f: sancerre does not allow rose production

A

FALSE

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45
Q

Up to __% of red wine in Sancerre can be made with Gamay

A

0%. Pinot Noir only

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46
Q

The wines of Pouilly-Fume are said to have a _____ quality to them

A

smoky

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47
Q

Pouilly-Fume AOC reds are made with…

A

Pouilly-Fume AOC is white only

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48
Q

Sancerre is on the …. bank of the Loire River

A

left

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49
Q

The same area that cultivates SB under Pouilly-Fume AOC also cultivates Chasselas under this AOC

A

Pouilly-sur-Loire

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50
Q

Menetou-Salon is located ____ of Sancerre

A

west

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51
Q

Of the Central Loire AOCS, Reuilly and Quincy are the ______ & ______

A

warnest and driest

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52
Q

Quincy sits on ____ soil

A

sandy

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53
Q

Quincy sits on the left bank of this river

A

Cher River

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54
Q

Quincy SB is ….. compared to SB produced further east

A

softer (lower acid); intended for early consumption

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55
Q

Reuilly straddles this river

A

Arnon River

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56
Q

“coteaux” means …

A

hillsides

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57
Q

What is tuffeau?

A

chalky limestone

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58
Q

Much of Toraine’s wine is stored in…

A

subterranean caves; caves are a result of centuries of mining

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59
Q

Most of Touraine’s white wines are based on these two grapes

A

Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc

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60
Q

Touraine’s red wines are based on…

A

Cab Franc, Cot, Gamay

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61
Q

t/f: Sparkling and rose production is more important in Touraine than Anjou Saumur

A

false

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62
Q

t/f: before phylloxera, Touraine was the major producer of wine to Paris

A

true

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63
Q

Many of Loire Valley’s most famous _____ are located in Touraine

A

castles

64
Q

Touraine is based around this city

A

Tours

65
Q

mousseux means..

A

fully sparkling

66
Q

Touraine AOC white is going to be based on this grape

A

Sauvignon Blanc

67
Q

Within Touraine, _____ has the most maritime-influenced climate and is also the warmest and driest region

A

Chinon

68
Q

t/f: Chinon also produces a white wine

A

true (chenin blanc)

69
Q

Where is Chinon located?

A

Western Touraine; surrounding the Vienne river

70
Q

What grape is used to make white Chinon?

A

chenin blanc

71
Q

Where is Vouvray located?

A

Central Touraine; north of the Loire River; east of Tours

72
Q

Harvest in _____ is one of the latest in France; often lasting into November

A

Vouvray

73
Q

this river runs north-south thru Vouvray

A

Brenne River

74
Q

How does Vouvray produce its sweet wines?

A

Overripeness of noble rot (pourriture noble)

75
Q

Sparkling Vouvray is made using the ____ method

A

traditional

76
Q

Sparkling wine is often more than ___ of Vouvray’s production

A

half

77
Q

Vouvray allows still and sparklings wines up to _% this grape

A

Arbois

78
Q

t/f: there is no red Vouvray produced

A

true

79
Q

Where is Jasnieres AOC located?

A

North of Tours. White wine only based on Chenin Blanc, typically dry

80
Q

What kind of wine is made in Jasnieres AOC?

A

white wine made from Chenin Blanc; typically dry but can be sweet

81
Q

What is Pineau d’Aunis?

A

Red grape. Adds peppery spicyness to Rose wines; star red grape of Coteaux du Loir

82
Q

Jasnieres AOC is nested within this AOC

A

Coteaux du Loir

83
Q

This AOC is located north of Chinon

A

Borgueil

84
Q

Cabernet Franc is originally from..

A

Basque Country

85
Q

This AOC is south of Vouvray. Wines are produced with 100% Chenin Blanc similar to Vouvray but with less acidity

A

Montlouis-Sur-Loire

86
Q

Where is Valencay AOC located?

A

Touraine

87
Q

What can you tell me about Valencay AOC?

A

Located in Touraine. Whites based on Sauvignon Blanc; Reds based on Cot, Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, Gamay

88
Q

Where is Cheverny AOC located?

A

Touraine.

89
Q

What is unique about Cheverny AOC?

A

The wines of Cheverny are required to be a blend

90
Q

Cheverny AOC white wines are based on this grape

A

Sauvignon Blanc

91
Q

Cheverny AOC red and rose wines are based on this grape

A

Pinot Noir

92
Q

Where is Orleans AOC?

A

NE Touraine

93
Q

What kind of wines does Orleans AOC produce?

A

Burgundy influenced. Whites based on Chardonnay. Red and rose based on Pinot Meunier.

94
Q

What is Touraine-Noble Joue?

A

Historic AOC of Touraine. Produces only dry vin gris based on min. 40% Pinot Meunier

95
Q

The wines of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil tend to be ____ compared to Bourgueil

A

lighter

96
Q

Sweetness levels for Vouvray still wine

A

Sec (dry; minerality)
Tendre (touch off-dry; more intense fruitiness)
Demi-sec (sweet and fruity)
Moelleux (rich, sweet dessert wine)

97
Q

Anjou is centered around this city

A

Angers

98
Q

The 2 most important tributary rivers in Anjou-Saumur

A

Layon
Aubance

99
Q

The Massif des Mauges offers protection to…. from the SW

A

Anjou-Saumur (especially Saumur)

100
Q

What represents the bulk of production in Anjou-Saumur?

A

Rose + Sparkling

101
Q

Red wines in Anjou-Saumur are principally made with this grape

A

Cabernet Franc

102
Q

t/f: Pre-phylloxera, Anjou-Saumur was mostly white wine territory

A

true. replantings post phylloxera introduced a significant amount of red grape plantings

103
Q

t/f: Anjou AOC covers the entire region of Anjou-Saumur

A

TRUE

104
Q

____ AOC covers the entire region of Anjou-Saumur

A

Anjou

105
Q

The two important soils of Anjou-Saumur

A

Anjou Noir (dark schist; west)
Anjou Blanc (clay limestone; east)

106
Q

The two methods used for rose production in Anjou-Saumur

A

Direct Press
Saignee

107
Q

mousseux means…

A

fully sparkling

108
Q

The production rules for Cremant are …. than other sparkling wine AOCs

A

stricter

109
Q

Rose d’Anjou and Cabernet d’Anjou are REQUIRED to have minimum residual sugar levels of __ and __ g/l, respectively

A

7
10

110
Q

These two AOCs cover fine red wines made in Anjou

A

Anjou-Villages
Anjou-Villages-Brissac

111
Q

Anjou-Villages and Anjou-Villages-Brissac make wines entirely from these two grapes

A

Cab Franc and/or Cab Sauv

112
Q

What kind of wine does the generic Anjou AOC cover?

A

red, white(dry and sweet), sparkling (NO still rose wine)

113
Q

What geographical feature shelters Saumur from the west?

A

Massif des Mauges

114
Q

The soils of Saumur are a continuation of the chalky ____ soils of Touraine

A

Aubuis

115
Q

Why does Saumur focus on sparkling wine production?

A

grapes struggle to ripen in Saumur

116
Q

How are sparkling wines made in Saumur?

A

Trad method + aged on lees for 9 months

117
Q

most common style of wine produced in Saumur

A

sparkling

118
Q

Where will you find Puy-Notre-Dame (subregional destination) wines?

A

Saumur, as in Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame

119
Q

Where will you find Puy-Notre-Dame (subregional destination) wines?

A

Saumur, as in Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame

120
Q

Chenin Blanc from Savennieres tends to be mroe ___ than that of Vouvray

A

Oxidative

121
Q

t/f: Savennieres often has flavors contributed by botrytis

A

true

122
Q

t/f: hand harvesting is required in Savennieres

A

true

123
Q

These two comparitively warmer and early-ripening vineyards within Savennieres were given their own AOCs in 2011

A

Savennieres Roche Aux Moines AOC
Coulee de Serrant AOC (monople - Nicolas Joly)

124
Q

The Savennieres Roche Aux Moines AOC and Coulee de Serrant AOC vineyards were establed in the 12th century by..

A

Cistercian Monks

125
Q

Savennieres overlooks this river

A

Loire

126
Q

Soil of Savennieres

A

Schist

127
Q

Coteaux du Layon AOC produces exclusively…

A

sweet wine made from Chenin Blanc

128
Q

Coteaux du Layon AOC utilizes either noble rot or…

A

passerillage (dehydration)

129
Q

SGN indicates…

A

botrytis

130
Q

AOCs nested within Coteaux du Layon

A

Coteaux du Layon-Villages
Coteaux du Layon 1er Cru Chaume
Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru
Bonnezeaux

131
Q

Where is Haut-Poitou

A

50 miles south of Saumur, near the town of Poitiers.

132
Q

What kind of wine does Haut-Poitou produce?

A

Most white wine based on Sauvignon Blanc and Gris. Some red + rose based on Cabernet Franc

133
Q

What does “passerillage” mean?

A

dehydration of grapes on the vine

134
Q

define “moulleux”

A

literally “soft”; delicatetly sweet or semi-sweet

135
Q

Which term indicates a sweeter wine: moulleux or doux?

A

doux

136
Q

Which vineyard is a monople owned by the Joly family?

A

Coulee de Serrant

137
Q

The red grape of Nantais

A

Gamay

138
Q

Desribe the white wines of Nantais

A

Just-ripe tree fruit; citrus; salinity

139
Q

t/f: about 50% of Nantais production is white

A

false; about 96%

140
Q

Two most important rivers of Nantais

A

Sevre and Maine

141
Q

Soil structure of Nantais

A

Sandstone, igneous, alluvial

142
Q

Law for “sur lie” label in Nantais

A

Wine must be kept on the lees until at least March (lastest by November) of year following harvest

143
Q

The general AOC of Nantais

A

Muscadet AOC

144
Q

About 2/3rd of Muscadet is bottled under this AOC

A

Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOC

145
Q

The (first) 3 crus of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine

A

Clisson
Gorges
Le Pallet

146
Q

Where will you find the grape Gros Plant (aka Folle Blanche) planted?

A

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOC

147
Q

What is lees?

A

Sediment at the bottom of a barrel or bottle; comprised of yeast, bacteria, and grape particles

148
Q

How are the crus of Muscadet define?

A

Extended aging, restricted yields, geology

149
Q

Pays Nantais is centered around this city

A

Nantes

150
Q

The 4 Muscadet AOCs

A

Muscadet AOC
Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOC
Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOC
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC

151
Q

White Cherverny AOC is based on this grape

A

Sauvignon Blanc

152
Q

Red Cheverny AOC is based on this grape

A

Pinot Noir

153
Q

Didier Dagueneau is best known for his contributions for this variety

A

Sauvignon Blanc

154
Q

lees aging results in

A

fuller & creamier mouthfeel; flavors + aromas of toasted nuts and bread

155
Q

The variety of Cour-Chaverny

A

Romarantin

156
Q

What is Romarantin?

A

neutral grape; half sibling of Chardonnay