Loire Valley Flashcards
France’s longest river
Loire
Origin of the Loire River
Massif Central
Loire River end point
Bay of Biscay
Breton AKA
Cabernet Franc
Pineau de la Loire is a grape most commonly known as…
Chenin Blanc
Middle Loire was known as …. during the French Renaissance
Jardin de la France (Garden of France) – lush gardens
What happened in 1709?
Severe frost killed many vines in Pays Nantais – Melon B was planted
Unifying style of Loire Valley wine
Lighter body + vibrant acidity
How many grape varities are permitted in Loire Valley?
24
Most planted grapes of Loire Valley
Cab Franc, SB, Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is native to..
Anjou
t/f: Chardonnay is not a permitted grape in Loire Valley
false. used primarily as a blending grape; often in support of Chenin Blanc or Melon B
What is Grolleau?
red grape used a fruity blending grape for rose wine
Much of the Loire is prone to…
spring frost
t/f: hail during the growing season is a big concern
true
How are the vineyards situated in the Loire?
Vineyards lay on slopes and plateaus lining the Loire River
When were the first AOCs established?
1936
IGP for Loire Valley
Val de Loire
The only Grand Cru of Loire Valley
Quarts de Chaume AOC
The only Premier Cru of Loire Valley
Chaume AOC
T/F: Most Loire Valley wines require extensive barrel aging before being released to market.
False. Low elevage requirements in the Loire; most wines can be released Sept 1 following harvest, many sooner than that
Cremant de Loire covers trad method sparkling wines produced in…
Anjou-Saumur & Touraine
Where is production of Cremant de Loire focused?
Saumur
Generally, Cremant wines have lower …. than Champagne
bottle pressure
What style is Rose de Loire?
bright pink, dry; made from Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Grolleau, and other reds
What style of Rose d’Anjou?
medium-dry rose based on Grolleau
What style of wine is Cabernet d’Anjou?
medium-dry based on Cab Sauve + Cab Franc; high acid, ageworthy
Loire Valley is France’s _____ largest region by production volume
3rd
Sweet wine should be paired with a ____er dessert
sweet
Because of their great _____, sweet wines in Loire can pair well with savory dishes
acidity
“fume” translates to..
smoky
“liquoreux” means…
sweet, rich wine style
Red and Rose wines in Central Loire are made from this grape
Pinot Noir
Where is Coteaux du Giennois located?
Central Loire. Whites are similar in style to Sancerre. Reds based on Gamay
Growing season in Central Loire begins _____ than the rest of Loire
later
Sauvignon Blanc has been historically known as … in Central Loire
Blanc Fume (smoky white)
What is Pouilly-sur-Loire?
town on opposite bank to Sancerre. Two AOCS: Pouilly-sur-Loire for Chasselas grape; Pouilly-Fume for SB
Pinot Noir from Central Loire compared to Burgundy.
PN from Central Loire is lighter in nature and intended for early consumption
Who was Didier Dagueneau?
Important historical figure in Central Loire. Emphasized terroir-focused wines + early adopter of biodynamic farming.
France’s 2nd AOC
Quincy
Historically, Central Loire focused on Pinot Noir production. What happened?
Oidium + phylloxera hit; replantings focused on Sauvignon Blanc
What is silex?
flint soil
Sancerre’s three important soils
Terres Blanches (white limestone clay)
Caillottes (gravelly limestone)
Silex (flint)
t/f: sancerre does not allow rose production
FALSE
Up to __% of red wine in Sancerre can be made with Gamay
0%. Pinot Noir only
The wines of Pouilly-Fume are said to have a _____ quality to them
smoky
Pouilly-Fume AOC reds are made with…
Pouilly-Fume AOC is white only
Sancerre is on the …. bank of the Loire River
left
The same area that cultivates SB under Pouilly-Fume AOC also cultivates Chasselas under this AOC
Pouilly-sur-Loire
Menetou-Salon is located ____ of Sancerre
west
Of the Central Loire AOCS, Reuilly and Quincy are the ______ & ______
warnest and driest
Quincy sits on ____ soil
sandy
Quincy sits on the left bank of this river
Cher River
Quincy SB is ….. compared to SB produced further east
softer (lower acid); intended for early consumption
Reuilly straddles this river
Arnon River
“coteaux” means …
hillsides
What is tuffeau?
chalky limestone
Much of Toraine’s wine is stored in…
subterranean caves; caves are a result of centuries of mining
Most of Touraine’s white wines are based on these two grapes
Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc
Touraine’s red wines are based on…
Cab Franc, Cot, Gamay
t/f: Sparkling and rose production is more important in Touraine than Anjou Saumur
false
t/f: before phylloxera, Touraine was the major producer of wine to Paris
true