Loire Valley Flashcards

1
Q

What is the principal grape variety in Saumur-Champigny AOC wines and how much min percentage must it be?

A

Cab Franc - 85%

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2
Q

Describe wine from Saumur-Champigny AOC (SAT)

A

pale ruby in color
med to med + intensity
redcurrant, leafy aromas,
medium alcohol
high acidity
medium tannins
good to very good
inexpensive to mid-priced with a few premium examples

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3
Q

Max yield for Saumur-Champigny AOC

A

57 hl/ha - leads to some wines with low intensity

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4
Q

What are soils like in Saumur-Champigny AOC and what is the benefit

A

chalk, flint and clay: a combination of good drainage and water holding potential (valuable in dry periods)

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5
Q

When can Saumur-Champigny AOC wines be released?

A

as early as December of the year of the harvest

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6
Q

When are most Saumur-Champigny AOC wines intended to be drunk?

A

young for primary fruit flavors

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7
Q

What are the three key appellations in Saumur?

A

Saumur-Champigny AOC
Saumur AOC
Coteaux de Saumur AOC

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8
Q

What types of wines does the Saumur AOC include

A

red, white, rose, and sparkling

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9
Q

What varietal are white wines from Saumur AOC made from?

A

Chenin Blanc

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10
Q

What varietal are red wines from Saumur AOC made from?

A

principally Cab Franc

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11
Q

What varietal are rose wines from Saumur AOC made from?

A

Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon

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12
Q

What are the max yields in Saumur AOC

A

60 hl/ha for whites
57 hl/ha for reds and roses
leads to low flavor intensity

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13
Q

What types of wines (varietal) are made in Coteaux de Saumur AOC

A

sweet Chenin Blanc

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14
Q

How are Coteaux de Saumur AOC wines made

A

using overripe grapes with or without botrytis - picked with a number of passes through vineyard

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15
Q

What are the max yields in Coteaux de Saumur AOC

A

limited to 35 hl/ha

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16
Q

Describe sweetness and acidity of Coteaux de Saumur AOC wines

A

high acidity and lusciously sweet

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17
Q

What are the key Touraine Appellations?

A

Touraine AOC
Vouvray AOC
Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC
Bourgueil AOC
Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC
Chinon AOC

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18
Q

What types of wines are made in Touraine AOC?

A

white, red, rose, and sparkling

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19
Q

What is the principal variety used for white wines in Touraine AOC

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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20
Q

What are the principal varietals used for red wines in Touraine AOC

A

Cab Franc and Cot
Gamay is also grown and can be attached to the name Touraine AOC Gamay

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21
Q

What are the varietals used for rose wines in Touraine AOC

A

wide range of varietals including Cab Sauvignon, Cab Frac, Cot, Gamay, and Grolleau

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22
Q

Besides the basic Touraine AOC why can 6 other subzones names be added? Give an example

A

Allows for differences between varietals used reflecting what is locally grown EX: Touraine AOC Ambroise Blanc is made from Chenin Blanc not Sauvignon Blanc

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23
Q

what is the most important white wine appellation in Touraine?

A

Vouvray AOC

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24
Q

What are wines made from in Vouvray AOC?

A

minimum 95% Chenin Blanc but are typically 100%

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25
Q

What are the max yields for Vouvray AOC?

A

52 hl/ha

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26
Q

Where are the best vineyards in Vouvray AOC and why?

A

slopes that overlook the Loire - promotes ripening due to good sunlight interception with the river acting as a moderating influence on temps

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27
Q

what types of soils are in Vouvray AOC?

A

flinty, clay and limestone, over a tuff (allows good drainage)

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28
Q

What style wines of Vouvray are made?

A

dry = every vintage
some demi-sec most years
sweet - rarer

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29
Q

What are max yields for Montlouis sur Loire AOC

A

52 hl/ha

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30
Q

What varietal is Montlouis sur Loire AOC made from

A

100% Chenin Blanc

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31
Q

Where is the Montlouis sur Loire AOC appellation?

A

faces Vouvray appellation from across south bank of the Loire river; vineyards run from Loire Valley to the Cher

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32
Q

What are the 3 important appellations for red wines in Touraine?

A

Bourgueil AOC
Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC
Chinon AOC

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33
Q

What type of wines are made in Bourgueil AOC

A

specializes in red wines but rose also made

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34
Q

what is the principal varietal used in Bourgueil AOC

A

Cab Franc with only 10% of Cab Sauvignon

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35
Q

What is the max yield in Bourgueil AOC

A

55 hl/ha - resulting in wines of high quality and lower yields

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36
Q

What varietal is used mainly in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC?

A

Cab franc in lighter style than Bourgueil AOC

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37
Q

what is SAT of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC

A

Similar to Saumur Champigny AOC:
pale ruby in color
med to med + intensity
redcurrant, leafy aromas,
medium alcohol
high acidity
medium tannins
good to very good
inexpensive to mid-priced with a few premium examples

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38
Q

What is the Chinon AOC best known and regarded for?

A

red wines
white and rose also made from Chenin Blanc

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39
Q

what is principal varietal used in Chinon AOC

A

Cab Franc and only 10% of Cab sauvignon

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40
Q

what is the max yield for Chinon AOC

A

55hl/ha
could result in wines of low flavor intensity, many are high quality and lower yields

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41
Q

what is maceration ranges for Chinon AOC

A

short maceration (6-8 days) on the skins = light fruity earlier to drink

longer maceration (2-3 weeks) not released until up to 2 years following the vintage.

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42
Q

What soil types are found in Chinon AOC and what is the type of wine they produce?

A

clay and limestone = more concentrated and structured wines

sand and gravel = lighter styles

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43
Q

While cab Franc wines are typically drunk young explain why wines from Chinon AOC can age for 20+ years.

A

very good flavor intensity, high acidity, and medium to medium plus tannins

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44
Q

what is price and quality for Chinon AOC wines

A

good to very good quality
inexpensive to mid priced with a few premium examples

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45
Q

How much of their production do both Touraine and Anjou-Saumur export?

A

just under 20%

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46
Q

What type of soil is found in all three appellations: Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgeil and Chinon?

A

sand
gravel
clay-Limestone

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47
Q

In comparison to Touraine how much wine does Anjou-Saumur produce?

A

twice as much

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48
Q

Compare rose production in Anjou to rose production in Touraine

A

Anjou has 10 times more rose production than Touraine

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49
Q

Compare sparkling production in Anjou to sparkling production in Touraine

A

Anjou Saumur makes significantly more sparkling than Touraine

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50
Q

Compare red and white production in Anjou to red and white production in Touraine

A

Touraine makes significantly more white and red than Anjou-Saumur

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51
Q

what is the name given to the 8 AOCs that are further east of the main grape growing areas of the Loire Valley

A

Central Vinyards

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52
Q

Why are they called the Central Vineyards?

A

they are situated roughly halfway between the river’s source and mouth

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53
Q

What are the two best-known AOCs in the Central Vineyards

A

Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre (also have most hectares under vine

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54
Q

What is the climate of Central Vineyards?

A

continental - warm summers and cold winters

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55
Q

what are the main grape varietals in the Central Vineyards?

A

Sauvignon Blanc for whites
Pinot Noir for reds and roses

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56
Q

what are environmental threats of Central Vineyards?

A

spring frosts and summer hail storms

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57
Q

what is the average rainfall for Central Vineyards? and how does this impact the area

A

750 mm per year- high for a continental region (reduces threat of drought, but increases fungal disease threat)

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58
Q

Why is Sauvignon Blanc suitable to be grown in Central Vineyards?

A

late budding, relatively early ripening making it suitable to be grown in cool climates and regions with a threat of early autumn rains.

best grown in poor soils due to its vigor

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59
Q

what is sauvignon blanc susceptible to?

A

powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot, and trunk diseases

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60
Q

How is the canopy managed for Sauvignon blanc in Central Vineyard

A

avoid shading, cordon trained,

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61
Q

SAT for Sauvignon Blanc in Central Vineyard

A

the pronounced intensity of aromas of grass, bell pepper, asparagus, with gooseberry, grapefruit, and wet stone (cooler areas) to riper passion fruit (in warmer areas).
med body and alcohol
high acidity

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62
Q

how does row orientation and canopy management affect flavor profile of Sauvignon Blanc

A

fruit grown in shadier areas will result in more green pepper and grassy notes

fruit grown in more sunlight will have more tropical fruit

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63
Q

why is harvesting date important for Sauvignon Blanc

A

need to judge optimum ripeness but before acidity drops and flavors become overripe

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64
Q

how much of plantings in Loire Central Vineyard are Sauvignon Blanc?

A

70%

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65
Q

How much are planting in Loire Central Vineyard are Pinot Noir

A

20%

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66
Q

SAT for Loire Central Vineyard Pinot Noir

A

med ruby in color
light to medium intensity of raspberry, and strawberry fruit
high acidity
medium alcohol
mid to premium-priced

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67
Q

Describe fermentation temperatures in Loire Central Vineyards for white wines. why?

A

slightly higher than in new world for more restrained fruit expression

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68
Q

is Malolactic conversion used in Loire Central Vineyards?

A

no - it is often blocked - depending on vintage and style

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69
Q

how are higher quality wines aged in Loire Central Vineyards?

A

in old oak casks to fill out the body of the wine but not adding oak flavors

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70
Q

What varietals are used in Sancerre AOC?

A

whites = Sauvignon Blanc only
reds and roses = Pinot Noir only

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71
Q

what is the size of Sancerre AOC in comparison to rest of Central Vineyards in Loire?

A

It is the largest and most successful commercially

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72
Q

What provides moderating influences against spring frosts in Sancerre AOC?

A

steep hillside slopes (200-400m)
river
nearby forests

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73
Q

what are the max yields in Sancerre AOC

A

whites = 65hl/ha
roses = 63 hl/ha
reds = 59 hl/ha (reduced yields needed to produce flavor intense wines)

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74
Q

SAT for Sancerre AOC white wine

A

med intensity aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry
medium alcohol
high acidity
rarely have new oak flavors
good to outstanding
mid -premium priced with a few super premium

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75
Q

Name the three soil types in Sancerre AOC

A

Caillottes
Terre Blanches
Silexroducde

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76
Q

what are caillottes Soil?

A

very shallow soil over limestone;
fruits grown on these soils produce most aromatic wines that are ready to drink with less potential for aging

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77
Q

What is terre Blanches Soil?

A

the same limestone and marl found in Chablis\
fruits grown on these soils produce most structured wines that need long maturation and age well

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78
Q

what is Silex soil

A

flinty soils that accumulates heat and leads to early ripening
fruits grown on these soils produce stony or smokey aromas

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79
Q

what is the only grape variety used in Pouilly-Fume AOC?

A

sauvignon Blanc

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80
Q

What is the max yield for Pouilly-Fume AOC

A

65 hl/ha

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81
Q

what makes Pouilly-Fume AOC more susceptible to frost damage?

A

on flatter land than Sancerre AOC

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82
Q

what are the soils in Pouilly-Fume AOC?

A

Caillottes
Terre-Blanches
Silex

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83
Q

what is price and quality of Pouilly-Fume AOC wines?

A

good to outstanding
med to premium priced with a few super premium priced

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84
Q

What is the difference between Pouilly Fume and Sancerre wines?

A

Pouilly Fume tends to be more rounder and less aromatic than Sancerre and often needs a little more time in the bottle

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85
Q

what are the varietals for the styles of wines that come from Reuilly AOC?

A

white = Sauvignon Blanc only
red = PInot noir only
Roses = Pinot Gris and PInot Noir only

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86
Q

What are the Max yields for Reuilly AOC

A

whites = 65hl/ha
roses = 63 hl/ha
reds = 59 hl/ha

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87
Q

What are the varietals used for wines from Quincy AOC

A

white wines from Sauvignon Blanc (min 90%) and Sauvignon Gris

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88
Q

what are the max yields for Quincy AOC

A

whites = 65hl/ha
roses = 63 hl/ha
reds = 59 hl/ha

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89
Q

What are the varietals used for wines in Menetou-Salon AOC

A

whites = Sauvignon Blanc only
reds/roses = Pinot Noir only

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90
Q

what are max yields in Menetou-Salon AOC

A

whites = 65hl/ha
roses = 63 hl/ha
reds = 59 hl/ha

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91
Q

What is the quality and price point for wines of Reuilly AOC, Menetou-Salon AOC, and Quincy AOC?

A

good to very good
inexpensive to mid priced

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92
Q

how do the wines in Central Vineyards promote their wines

A

Bureau Interprofessionel des Vins du Centre (BIVC)

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93
Q

how are the % of wine sold by volume broken out by negociants, estates, and co-ops in Central Vineyards Loire Valley

A

negociants = 50% of all wines by volume
estates = 41%
co-op = under 10%

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94
Q

what is the largest channel in France for Loire AOC

A

specialist wine retail and hospitality sector (just under 44%)
supermarkets (36%)

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95
Q

How much wine is exported from Loire AOC and was is the largest export market?

A

20% top markets are US, UK and Germany

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96
Q

which appellation outperforms all other appellations in the Loire?

A

Sancerre - both by value and volume

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97
Q

Who founded the Renaissance des appellations/Return to terroir and who are they?

A

Nicolas Joly biodynamic producers
a group of producers from all over, but more from Loire than anywhere

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98
Q

What gives Loire Valley a long history of winemaking and trading

A

its ready access to the Atlantic, being home of French kings until Louis XIV and before the coming of the railway its proximity to Paris allowing wines to be transported by river

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99
Q

What is France’s lojngest river?

A

Loire River

100
Q

Where does the Loire River stretch

A

from Sancerre (400km/250miles from the atlantic) through Tourraine, and Anjou-Saumur and finally reaching the atlantic Ocean in Pays Nantais

101
Q

What is the climate like in Loire Valley?

A

there are a number of different climatic zones

102
Q

What are the key varieties in Loire>

A

Melon = Pays Nantais
Chenin Blanc and Cab franc = middle loire (Anjou- Saumur and Touraine)
Sauvignon BLanc and to less extent Pinot Noir = Central Vineyards (including Sancerre and Pouilly Fume)

103
Q

What are the total percentages of toal Loire ha planted for each region

A

Anjou-Saumur = 37%
Touraine = 31%
Pay Nantais = 22%
Central Vineyards = 10%

104
Q

Where does the Pays Nantais take its name from?

A

the city of Nantais

105
Q

Where is Pays Nantais situated in Loire Valley?

A

near the Atlantic Ocean

106
Q

What is the principle grape variety in Pays Nantais?

A

Melon de Bourgogne or Muscadet
but Folle Blanche (known locally as Gros Plant) is also grown

107
Q

What type of wines does Folle Blanche make in Pay Nantais?

A

acidic wines that are sold locally and nationally

108
Q

What is the climate of Pays Nantais?

A

cool maritime climate with cool springs, warm and humid summers and a threat of rain at any point in the growing season but especially March/April affecting flowering and Sept affecting harvest

109
Q

what helps to off set the regular rainfall in Pays Nantais?

A

predominantly well drained soils

110
Q

What is a serious problem in Pays Nantais?

A

despite proximity to Atlantic Ocean, spring frosts are a problem (setting back a whole region in 1991) causing producers to put in more frost preventative measures

111
Q

What are some frost-preventative measures that Pays Nantais producers have put in to protect vines?

A

wine machines, heaters and burning straw bales

112
Q

what is the only allowed variety in the Muscadet appellations?

A

Melon

113
Q

What makes Melon well suited for cool region

A

very hardy variety

114
Q

What is Melon prone to?

A

spring frosts as it buds early

115
Q

How does early ripening help Melon in Loire?

A

reducing threats of rain at harvest and it can provide high yields

116
Q

what does Melon have good resistance to?

A

powdery mildew

117
Q

What is melon susceptible to in Loire and why?

A

downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot due to tiny bunches and the humid climate

118
Q

General SAT for Melon wines?

A

high acidity
light body
low to low end of med alcohol
low aromatic intensity green apple often made sur lie
acceptable to good with some very good examples
inexpensive to mid priced

119
Q

Beginning in 2018 what other varietal can Muscadet AOC include?

A

up to 10% Chardonnay

120
Q

What do producers have to do in order to help protect from the humid climate in Pays Nantais?

A

monitor vineyards closely and spray to prevent fungal disease

121
Q

What type of vine management is needed in Pays Nantais?

A

due to marginal climate to ripen canopy management has been improved on over the last decade

122
Q

How is canopy management used in Pays Nantais?

A

canopies are more open and leave removal is carried out to ensure maximum exposure to the sun and reduce threat of fungal disease

123
Q

Why does care need to be taken with canopy management in Pays Nantais?

A

to ensure the grapes on the side of the rows closest the sun in the afternoon do not get sunburnt

124
Q

How is harvest date determined in Pays Nantais

A

attention is paid to the ripeness of the skins and seeds, however in hot years, the sugar levels may reach unacceptable levels before the skins and seeds become fully ripened

125
Q

How much Chaptalization is allowed in Pays Nantais?

A

up to 12% abv potential alcohol and it is practiced in cooler years

126
Q

How is Muscadet fermented and aged?

A

in large shallow underground glass lined concrete vats although sometimes stainless steel is also used

127
Q

What is the purpose of aging Muscadet in glass lined concrete vats?

A

to keep the wine as neutral as possible and then age the wine on lees

128
Q

Is Malolactic conversion used in Muscadet?

A

it is typically avoided in order to preserve high acidity

129
Q

how are some producers experimenting with Muscadet?

A

skin contact and fermentation in barrel, amphora or concrete eggs (all adding cost)

130
Q

What is a technique that is highly typical in Pays Nantais and is a way to fill out the body of a wine that would otherwise be very light bodied?

A

sur lie

131
Q

what happens during sur lie in Pays Nantais?

A

after fermentation is completed one racking is allowed to remove the gross lees

then the wine remains in contact with the fine lees through that winter until bottling

132
Q

What does aging wines on lees do for Muscadet wines?

A

retains freshness and may retain a small amount of C02 which is part of the style of Muscadet wines

133
Q

How many appellations are there for Muscadet in Loire?

A

4 - 2 larger ones and 2 smaller ones

134
Q

what are the two larger appellations found in Muscadet?

A

Muscadet Sevre et Meine AOC (largest at 6,400 ha)
Muscadet AOC

135
Q

What are the two smaller appellations found in Muscadet?

A

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC
Muscadet Cotes de grandlieu AOC

136
Q

what is the max yield for Muscadet AOC? what is max yield for other three AOCs in Muscadet

A

65 hl/ha but will rise to 70 hl/ha in the 2020 harvest
others = 55 hl/ha (this includes sur lie)

137
Q

general SAT for Muscadet AOCs

A

dry
low intensity aromas green apple grassy notes
high acidity
light body
acceptable to good quality with some very good
inexpensive

138
Q

When can sur lie be added to the label in Loire

A

can be added to any of the 4 AOC appellations
must be bottled between march 1 and nov 30 of the year following the harvest and in the winery in which they were made (this is later bottling than many other whites)

139
Q

With the regulations around sur lie in Muscadet AOCs what does that mean for the negociants

A

they can only buy grapes musts or bottled wines and not wines that are sur lie

140
Q

How many Muscadet cru communaux are there? name some examples

A

10 - Clisson, Gorges, and Le Pallet

141
Q

How can a cru communaux add their name to the label?

A

if grapes are grown exclusively in one of the defined areas (ex: Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC Clisson)

142
Q

what is max yield for cru communaux?

A

45 hl/ha

143
Q

how long do cru communaux wines need to be kept on lees?

A

18 months (Le Pallet) or 24 months (Clisson and Gorges)

144
Q

Why can’t cru communaux wines be labeled sur lie

A

the requirement for long lees aging means that they are bottled after the date required for sur lie

145
Q

Describe cru communaux wines and how they are different from other wines in Muscadet

A

rounder and more complex with longer finishes

146
Q

What caused 13,000 ha to be planted of Muscadet in the 1980s

A

huge success in the UK market

147
Q

What happened in 1991 in Muscadet?

A

a large frost which caused production to drop by 2/3 which also pushed prices up at the time that new world wines (esp Australian wines) were becoming popular

148
Q

What are the size of exports from Pays Nantais?

A

15% by vol

149
Q

Who account for over half the sales in Pays Nantais?

A

negociants

150
Q

What three companies account for a large proportion of negociant sales in Pays Nantais?

A

Castel, Grand CHais de France and the Loire based Ackerman

151
Q

How does Pays Nantais promote their wines?

A

along with Anjou-Saumur and Tourraine with InterLoire

152
Q

what are the principal grape varieties are used in the middle Loire?

A

Chenin Blanc for dry, off dry and sweet whites
Cab Franc for reds and a contributor to rose

153
Q

what are the principal grape varieties are used in the middle Loire?

A

Chenin Blanc for dry, off dry and sweet whites
Cab Franc for reds and a contributor to rose
Sauvignon Blanc key white for Tourraine

154
Q

what happens with the moderating influence from the Atlantic Ocean in middle Loire?

A

decreases progressively in Anjou-Saumur and then Touraine

155
Q

What is the climate like in Anjou-Saumur?

A

it is more of a marked maritime climate

156
Q

What is the climate in Touraine

A

continental climate with cool winters and warm summers but not extreme as in Central Vineyards

157
Q

How much rainfall do Anjou-Saumur and Touraine get

A

700mm adequate for viticulture
rains fall throughout the year

158
Q

what does the rain effect in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine

A

spring rain affects flowering and fruit set
regular summer rain increases disease pressure
late summer and early autumn rains affect harvest

159
Q

what are the best exposed sites in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine used for?

A

still wines as they need greater level of ripeness than sparkling wines

160
Q

Why is Anjou ideal for sweet wines

A

it has the River Layon and its multiple tributaries to help create the misty conditions that spread botrytis at the end of the growing season

161
Q

What are the soil types in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine

A

clay-limestone, flint clay, sand, gravel, and tuff

162
Q

What soil is found more in Anjour

A

schist and limestone

163
Q

What soil is found more in Touraine

A

chalk

164
Q

what characteristics are found on the top sites in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine?

A

good drainage and water retention characteristics found in limestone

165
Q

What rootstocks are used in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine due to high lime content in the soils

A

Fercal, Riperia Glorie de Montpiellier to protect vines from Chlorosis

166
Q

Why is Chenin Blanc prone to spring frosts?

A

it is an early budding varietal

167
Q

Is Chenin Blanc high yeilding?

A

it can be if allowed to be - very vigourous

168
Q

what is chenin blanc prone to?

A

powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot (as well as the positive affects for sweet wines), and trunk diseases

169
Q

What is Chenin Blanc vulnerable to?

A

onsets of autumn rain

170
Q

How does a producer get the best quality Chenin Blanc

A

because it ripens unevenly it has to be picked on several passes throughout the vineyard - limiting the amount of mechanical harvesting that can be used

171
Q

What styles of wines are produced in the middle Loire?

A

a range of wines dry, off dry, sweet and sparkling wines

172
Q

General SAT for dry and off dry wines from middle Loire

A

med intensity aromas of green apple, and lemon (sometimes with steely, smokey cracker)
med alcohol
high acidity
often balanced with residual sugar for an off dry style
good to very good
inexpensive to mid priced

173
Q

What is Cab Franc prone to In Middle Loire?

A

Spring frosts as it is early budding

174
Q

What is Cab Franc prone to In Middle Loire?

A

Spring frosts as it is early budding
coulure

175
Q

when does Cab Franc ripen?

A

its mid ripening meaning it can be picked prior to autumn rains beginning

176
Q

what do cab franc wines taste like if they are not fully ripened?

A

excessively leafy

177
Q

HOw can a producer prevent overly herbacious Cab Franc in Loire

A

better canopy management (avoiding dense canopies, leaf removals) along with warmer summers

178
Q

How does Can franc do in the winter in Loire?

A

it is winter hardy which makes it a good variety for cool areas.

179
Q

General SAT for cab franc wines in Middle Loire

A

med to pronounced intensity red fruit (red currant, raspberry), floral (violet), aromas and can have leafy aromas
light to med body
med tannins
high acidity

180
Q

What kinds of wines are made in Loire Valley with cab franc

A

single varietal red wines or part of a blend of rose wines

181
Q

What kinds of wines are made in eastern Touraine with cab franc

A

blended with Cot the local name for Malbec

182
Q

What is the budding and ripening time of Groileau Noir?

A

early budding mid ripening

183
Q

What is Groileau prone to?

A

botrytis bunch rot

184
Q

what is Groileau mostly used for in Loire?

A

blending in roses esp Rose d’Anjou and Rose de Loire

185
Q

How is Gamy Noir made in Loire?

A

generally made with carbonic maceration as in beaujolais

186
Q

Where is Gamy Noir found in Loire?

A

some found in Anjou, but principally grown in Touraine and Central Vineyards

187
Q

Where does Cab Suavignon do best in Loire and why?

A

because it is a late ripener it performs best in temperate Anjou and in only the warmest sites where early budding is possible

188
Q

What type of wine is Cab Sauvignon used for in Loire valley

A

frequently blended with Cab franc and used in Rose Blends

189
Q

What temp is Chenin Blanc fermented at in loire vallet?

A

cool to mid range causing fermentation to last several months

190
Q

What vessels are used to ferment Chenin Blanc in Loire Valley?

A

stainless steel or large old oak

191
Q

Is malolactic conversion used for Chenin Blanc in Loire Valley?

A

it is typically avoided

192
Q

How are Chenin BLanc wines Aged in Loire?

A

neutral containers not new barriques - aiming to retain primary flavors

193
Q

how is Cab Franc made in Loire Valley?

A

crushed and fermented in concrete or old wood vats that allow punch downs or pump overs

194
Q

What kind of yeasts do producers use in Loire valley?

A

many prefer to use ambient yeasts

195
Q

what are Cab Franc wines aged in Loire?

A

used oak barrels of a range of sizes

196
Q

What is the aim for Cab Franc producers with their wines in Loire?

A

to retain primary fruit flavors

197
Q

How are some more premium Cab Franc wines aged in Loire?

A

in a proportion of new French Oak barriques

198
Q

How are Loire Rose’s made?

A

many made by direct press with short maceration used on some. then winemaking proceeds as it would with a white with short aging (3-4 months) in neutral containers

199
Q

What is the general appellation for Loire?

A

there is none

200
Q

What are the 3 key regional appellations in middle Loire?

A

Anjou AOC
Saumur AOC
Touraine AOC

201
Q

What is the max yield for Anjou AOC?

A

60 hl/ha for red or white grapes resulting in some wines of low flavor intensity

202
Q

What is the min requirement of Chenin Blanc for Anjou Blanc?

A

80%

203
Q

What is the min requirement of Can Franc and/or Cab Sauvignon for Anjou Rouge?

A

70%

204
Q

what are higher quality reds made from specifically designated areas as in the Anjou AOC

A

Anjou Villages AOC

205
Q

what are Anjou Villages AOC wines?

A

still red wines only made entirely from Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon either singly or blended, mostly Cab Franc

206
Q

What is max yield for Anjou Villages AOC?

A

55hl/ha

207
Q

When can the wines of Anjou Villages AOC be released

A

Sept the year after the harvest

208
Q

Where is Coteaux du Layon AOC found?

A

its a large appellation on the slopes on the right bank of the Layon River which turns into the Loire

209
Q

What kind of wine does Coteaux du Layon AOC specialize in?

A

wines made from botrytized affected Chenin Blanc grapes

210
Q

What can producers do in Coteaux du Layon AOC if grapes fail to develop botrytis?

A

dry the grapes on the vine

211
Q

What characteristic of Chenin Blanc help to allow the lusciously sweet wines to be in balance?

A

the natural high acidity levels

212
Q

What are the max yields and min % potential alcohol for the following: Coteaux du Layon AOC, Coteaux du Layon AOC + named village; Bonnezeaux AOC; Coteaux Layon AOC Premier Cru Chaume; Quarts de CHarme grand Cru AOC

A

Coteaux du Layon AOC, = /35 hl/ha - 14
Coteaux du Layon AOC + named villages = 30 - 15
Bonnezeaux AOC; = 25 - 15
Coteaux Layon AOC Premier Cru Chaume; = 25 - 16.5
Quarts de CHarme grand Cru AOC = 20 - 18

213
Q

How are the grapes harvested in Coteaux du Layon AOC

A

grapes need to be picked in several passes through the vineyard (tries) in order to pick only botrytized grapes

214
Q

General SAT for Coteaux du LAyon wines

A

pronounced aromas of cooked citrus, apple with honey notes
sweet
med + body
med alcohol
high acidity
good to very good
mid priced to premium

215
Q

What are the two areas within the geographical are of Coteaux de Layon that have high quality for sweet wines and are their own appellations?

A

Bonnezeaux AOC and Quarts de Chaume AOC

216
Q

What are characteristics of Bonnezeaux AOC?

A

higher potential alcohol, high flavor intensity, rich texture
very good to outstanding quality range
premium with a few super premium price

217
Q

Which AOC became Loire’s first grand cru in 2019?

A

Quarts Chaume; and Corteaux du Layon AOC Chaume became a premier cru

218
Q

What is the demand for the sweet wines in Coteaux du Layon AOC/

A

very low demand for sweet wines so they are difficult to sell.

219
Q

What is Savennieres AOC?

A

small but prestigious appellation in Loire specializing in fully dry wines made of chenin Blanc

220
Q

What kind of slopes and soils is Savennieres AOC located on

A

south facing slopes low fertility rocky soils

221
Q

what kind of yields does Savennieres AOC produce?

A

low yields which give high concentration and ripeness

222
Q

What are the acidity levels and alcohol levels of wines from Savennieres AOC

A

very high acidity and often reach high alcohol levels

223
Q

How do Savennieres AOC wines perform in youth?

A

can be very austere and often need years in bottle before they are approachable

224
Q

How has production changed in the last few years in Savennieres AOC

A

with improvements of vineyard management and gently warmer weather producers are now making wines in a concentrated but slightly fruity approachable style

225
Q

What is max yields in Savennieres AOC ?

A

50 hl/ha

226
Q

HOw are premium cuvees made in Savennieres AOC by some producers

A

using a proportion of new oak

227
Q

What are the two smaller AOCs that are found within the the appellation area of Savennieres AOC

A

Savennieres La Roche aux Moine AOC
Coulee de Serrant AOC

228
Q

What are the nax yields for Savennieres La Roche aux Moine AOC and Coulee de Serrant AOC

A

lower 30 ha/hl for dry wines

229
Q

What do the sites of Savennieres La Roche aux Moine AOC and Coulee de Serrant AOC benefit from?

A

warm sites on slopes facing the Loire resulting in riper fruit

230
Q

Which Loire AOC is a monopole owned exclusively and farmed biodynamically by Nicolas Joy?

A

Coulee de Serrant AOC

231
Q

What is an important center for the production of rose wines in Loire?

A

Anjou-Saumur

232
Q

What varieties are used to make Rose de Loire AOC wines?

A

Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Gamay and Grolleau Noir,

233
Q

What is the max yield for Rose de Loire AOC?

A

60 hl/ha

234
Q

What varietal is Rose d’Anjou AOC?

A

majority made with Grolleau through Cot, both Cabs and Gamay can also be used.

235
Q

What is the max yield for Rose d’Anjou AOC?

A

65 hl/ha - which can lead to wines of low intensity in flavor

236
Q

General SAT for Rose d’Anjou AOC

A

med pink-orange in color (some lighter examples are now being made)
med intensity red berry fruit
med + acidity
med alcohol
med dry
inexpensive to mid priced
acceptable to good with some very good examples

237
Q

What varietals are used to make Cabernet d’Anjou AOC

A

must be made with Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon

238
Q

What are max yields for Cabernet d’Anjou

A

60 hl/ha

239
Q

What is the color of Cabernet d’Anjou

A

typically deeper in color than most rose (med pink) and med dry

240
Q

What styles of wine are included in Saumur AOC?

A

white rose and red still wines as well as sparkling

241
Q

What are white wines from Saumur AOC made from?

A

Chenin Blanc

242
Q

What are red wines from Saumur AOC made from?

A

Cab Franc principally

243
Q

What are rose wines from Saumur AOC made from?

A

Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon

244
Q

What are the max yields for Saumur AOC for white, red and rose wines?

A

white = 60 hl/ha
red = 57 hl/ha
rose = 57 hl/ha

this leads to some wines with low intensity

245
Q

What type of wines are made in Coteaux de Saumur AOC?

A

sweet chenin blanc - with over ripe grapes with or without botrytis picked with a number of passes through the vineyard

246
Q

What are max yields in Coteaux de Saumur

A

35 hl/ha

247
Q

Describe the wines of Coteaux de Saumur

A

lusciously sweet, balanced by high acidity