Loire Valley Flashcards
Name the IGP’s of Loire Valley.
Val de Loire
The Loire’s other IGPs are Côtes de la Charité, Coteaux de Tannay, Coteaux du Cher et de l’Arnon, and Puy de Dôme.
Name the Cru’s of Muscadet.
Clisson, Gorges, Le Pallet, Goulaine, Mouzillon-Tillières, Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, Château-Thébaud
La Haye Fouassière, Vallet, Champtoceaux (in Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire)
What are the ageing requirements of the Muscadet Cru’s?
Goulaine and Le Pallet: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least April 1 of the second year following the harvest
Gorges, Clisson, Mouzillon-Tillières, Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, and Château-Thébaud: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least October 1 of the second year following the harvest
Name the villages that are allowed to append their name to Layon.
Faye d’Anjou/Faye
Rochefort-sur-Loire/Rochefort
Rablay-sur-Layon/Rablay
Beaulieu-sur-Layon/Beaulieu
St. Aubin de Luigné/St. Aubin
St. Lambert du Lattay/St. Lambert
Chaume (“Premier Cru”)
Most famous producer in Saumur-Champigny?
Clos Rougeard - in 2017 sold to owners of Château Montrose in St-Estèphe.
Name the two vineyards in Savennières that have their own AOC status.
Roche aux Moines (33 ha)
Coulée de Serrant (7 ha) - monopole of Nicolas Joly
What’s the principal soil type of Saumur?
Tuffeau limestone.
What is Touraine Noble Joué?
Dry rosé or vin gris, made on the outskirts of Tours, from Pinot Meunier, Noir and Gris.
What are the three red wine gems of Touraine?
Chinon - most charming
Bourgueil - most structured
St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil - lightest (as most of it is on sandier soils)
What are the 3 vineyards of Domaine Huet in Vouvray?
Le Mont
Clos du Bourg
Le Haut-Lieu
What is the term for medium-dry in Vouvray?
Demi-sec
What’s the name of the appellation across the river from Vouvray?
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Name the three soil types of Sancerre.
Caillottes - limestone-pebbles
Terres blanches - clay-limestone
Silex - flint. Most powerful and ageworthy wines produced. In eastern slopes of Sancerre.
Name 5 famous vineyards in Sancerre.
Chavignol has Les Monts Damnés, Le Cul de Beaujeu and La Grande Côte. All on Kimmeridgian marl (clay-limestone) slopes.
La Moussière and Belle Dame are two other top vineyards.
Name famous producers in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.
Domaine de Ladoucette
Domaine Didier Dagueneau
Vincent Pinard
Henri Bourgeois
Alphonse Mellot
Domaine Vacheron
François Cotat
Which village below the hilltop town of Sancerre produces nervy wine thanks to its Pouilly-like flinty soils?
Ménétréol
Which wines are produced in Coteaux d’Ancenis AOC?
Located in Pays Nantais.
Blanc: 100% Pinot Gris.
Rosé/ Rouge: Gamay + max 10% Cab Franc
Name 4 top vintages in Loire Valley.
1995, 1996, 2002, 2005.
Grape and wine style of Côte de Forez AOC?
Rosé, red and sparkling.
Gamay.
Grape and wine style of Côte Roannaise AOC?
Rosé and red.
Gamay.
Grape and style in Saint-Pourçain?
Blanc - 50-80% Chardonnay; 20-40% Sacy (Tressalier) and max. 10% Sauvignon Blanc.
Rosé - 100% Gamay.
Rouge - 40-75% Gamay + 25-60% Pinot Noir.
Grape synonym for Tresallier?
Sacy (in Auxerrois)
Grape synonym for Orbois?
Menu Pineau
Grape synonym for Brem?
Grolleau Gris
Grape synonym for Gros Plant?
Folle Blanche
Grape synonym for Groslot?
Grolleau
Name the regions of Pays Nantais.
Coteaux d’Ancenis
Fiefs Vendéens
Gros Plant du Pays
Muscadet
What style of wine is produced in Layon?
100% Chenin Blanc
S.G.N.
Name principal regions of Central Vineyards?
Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly
Name principal subregions of Anjou-Saumur
Anjou-Brissac
Bonnezeaux
Coteaux du Layon
Coulée de Serrant
Quarts de Chaume
Saumur-Champigny
Savennières
What wine is Cabernet d’Anjou?
Rosé from Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon.
Name principal wines of Touraine.
Touraine AOP = Blanc from Sauvignon Blanc/ Gris, Rosé, Rouge, Mousseux/ Petillant Blanc/ Rosé
Touraine Primeur/ Nouveau = Gamay
Bourgueil and Chinon = Rosé and Rouge - Cabernet Franc + 10% CS
Chinon Blanc - 100% Chenin Blanc
Jasnières - 100% Chenin Blanc
Vouvray - Chenin Blanc + Orbois (Menu Pineau)
What’s the grape and style of Orleans?
Blanc - min 60% Chardonnay. Pinot Gris is accessory variety.
Rosé - min 60% Meunier. Pinot Gris and Noir are complementary varieties.
Rouge - 70-90% Meunier. Accessory variety: Pinot Noir.
In which district are Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire?
Touraine
In which district is Cour-Cheverny?
Touraine
Which region produces wine of 100% Romorantin?
Cour-Cheverny in Touraine
Where are Coteaux du Vendômois, Valençay and Coteaux du Loir?
Touraine
Grape of Pouilly sur Loire?
Chasselas
In which district are Orléans and Orléans-Cléry located?
Central Vineyards
Grape and style of Menetou-Salon?
Blanc, rosé and rouge.
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Grape and style of Quincy?
Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc
Grape and style of Reuilly?
Blanc, rosé and rouge.
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir and Gris for rosé.
Grape and style of Coteaux du Giennois?
Blanc, rosé and rouge.
Sauvignon Blanc for whites.
For rosé and rouge - Pinot Noir and Gamay (neither may exceed 80%)
In which district do we find Coteaux du Giennois?
Central Vineyards
In which district do we find Châteaumeillant?
Central Vineyards.
Grape and style of Châteaumeillant?
Rosé: Gamay, Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Gris.
Rouge: Gamay and Pinot Noir.
What’s the grape of Fiefs Vendéens?
Min. 60% Chenin Blanc
What’s the principal grape of Gros Plant du Pays Nantais?
Min 70% Folle Blanche
What’s the principal white grape of Coteaux d’Ancenis?
Pinot Gris
Grape synonym for Chenin Blanc
Pineau de la Loire
Pineau d’Anjou
Two most famous sweet wines of Coteaux du Layon?
Bonnezeaux
Quarts de Chaume
What means ‘sec tendre?’
Category between sec and demi-sec (medium-dry)
Romorantin is a crossing between which two grapes?
Pinot Blanc x Gouais Blanc
Pinot Gris in Coteaux d’Ancenis made in a semiweet wine is also known as…?
Malvoisie.
What’s the principal soil type of Anjou?
Schist
The two major appellations for Pineau d’Aunis?
Coteaux du Vendômois and Coteaux du Loir, where the grape is used to produce red and rosé wines
Name most famous vineyards in Chinon.
Le Clos de l’Olive, Le Chêne Vert, and La Croix Boissée
What are the four appellations of Central France?
Saint-Pourçain
Côtes d’Auvergne
Côtes du Forez
Côte Roannaise.
What’s the unique white grape of Saint-Pourçain?
Tressalier (Sacy)
Grape synonym for Cabernet Franc.
Breton
What are the four appellations of Muscadet?
Muscadet AOP
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP
Apart from the Muscadet’s, name the other AOC’s in Pays Nantais.
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais
Coteaux d’Ancenis
Fiefs Vendéens
What is the ageing requirement for Muscadet ‘sur lie’?
Sur lie wines are aged on their lees over the winter and are bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest.
True or false -
Many Saumur wines may be bottled as Anjou AOP, but not vice versa.
True
What’s the Loire’s centre for sparkling wine production?
Saumur
Describe geography and soil type of Savennières?
On the north bank of the Loire, Savennières enjoys a steep southern exposure and a unique soil structure composed of blue schist mixed with volcanic debris.
Since when is Quarts de Chaume AOP entitled to Grand Cru moniker?
Since the 2010 harvest.
Soil type and nearest river of Quarts de Chaume?
Sandstone and schist.
Layon River.
True or false -
Gamay gives Anjou’s lightest reds (Anjou Gamay varietal wines), but the grape may not be blended in standard Anjou rouge bottlings.
True
What’s the tributary of the Loire that Chinon lies on?
Vienne
What’s the second allowed white variety in Vouvray?
Orbois
Where is the only red wine made in Pays Nantais?
Coteaux d’Ancenis.
Made with Gamay.
Fiefs Vendéens
Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Negrette.
What are the major appellations for Pineau d’Aunis?
Coteaux du Vendômois and Coteaux du Loir
Name 3 famous cuvées of Didier Dagueneau.
Silex (from 1985).
Pur Sang (from 1988).
Buisson Renard. Sourced from Buisson Menard vineyard (1.5 hectare) which was misspelled by a critic.
What are the 3 top wines of Nicolas Joly?
Les Vieux Clos (Savennières AOC)
Le Clos de la Bergerie (Savennières Roche aux Moines)
La Coulée de Serrant
Name principal producers in Muscadet.
Jo Landron
Domaine du Grand Mouton (Louis Métaireau)
Domaine de la Pépière
Domaine de l’Ecu
Name principal producers and sites in Anjou-Saumur.
Domaine Guiberteau (Les Moulins, Clos de Guichaux, Brézé, etc.)
Nicolas Joly (La Coulée de Serrant and Roche aux Moines)
Domaine des Baumard (Quarts de Chaume, Clos du Papillon and Clos de Saint Yves)
Thibaud Boudignon (Clos de la Hutte)
Domaine du Closel *Château des Vaults (Clos du Papillon)
Ferme de la Sansonnière in Anjou AOC (Les Fouchardes and Les Blanderies)
Name a principal producer in Montlouis-sur-Loire.
Domaine François Chidaine
Name principal producers in Vouvray.
Domaine Huet
Domaine François et Julien Pinon
Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau
Domaine du Clos Naudin
Name a principal producer in Jasnières.
Domaine de Bellivière
Which river flows through Quincy?
River Cher
Name an example of a white Sancerre from vines planted on flint.
Les Romains from Domaine Vacheron.
Where in Sancerre AOC is the silex centred?
Around Sancerre and Ménétreol-sous-Sancerre.
Where are caillottes and terres blanches vineyards?
Generally lower vineyards are on the caillottes. They give aromatic wines made for early consumption.
On the hillsides are the terres blanches, which produce the most structured wines. It is common to find shellfish fossils in the terres blanches.
True or false - in Coteaux Giennois and Châteaumeillant reds can be made from 100% Pinot Noir.
False - PN needs to be blended with Gamay.
Name principal producers in Pouilly-Fumé.
Domaine Didier Dagueneau
André et Edmond Figeat
Domaine Michel Redde
Jonathan Pabiot
Château de Tracy
Name one of the leading Menetou-Salon estates.
Domaine Henry Pellé
Top producer of Cabernet Franc in Saumur-Champigny?
Domaine des Roches Neuve by Thierry Germain
What are the allowed white varieties in Touraine Blanc AOC?
Sauvignon Blanc, with up to 20% Sauvignon Gris. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Arbois are not permitted.
Where is the famous site ‘Clos Baudoin’ located?
In Vouvray.
Name a Romorantin producer in Cour-Cheverny.
Philippe Tessier
Name 3 white wine only appellations in Central Vineyards.
Quincy
Pouilly-sur-Loire
Pouilly-Fumé
Grapes and styles in Cheverny?
Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc + Gris. 16-40% Combined Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Orbois.
Rosé and Rouge - Pinot Noir, Gamay and (for rouge: max. 10%) Cabernet Franc and Cot.
What are the permitted varietals in Anjou Villages Brissac AOP?
Rouge - Cabernet Franc + Sauvignon
Where would I find Oisly?
Touraine.
Geographical designation.
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Where would I find Mareuil?
Geographic designation in Fiefs Vendéens AOP in Pays Nantais
Describe Coteaux du Layon’s geography and climatic influence.
Southwest of the Layon, the Massif Vendeen rises up to 200 meters and deflects the clouds that come up from the Atlantic. This means that despite its proximity to the Atlantic, the Côteaux du Layon receives some of the lowest rainfall in France, an average of only 600 millimeters per year, very similarly to Alsace and the Vosges mountains. But little rainfall does not mean low humidity.
Where are red wines produced in Pays Nantais?
Coteaux d’Ancenis - Gamay and Cabernet Franc
Fiefs Vendeens
Describe the 2021 vintage in Loire.
Overall a cool and rainy vintage.
White wines are crisp with classic Loire character.
Describe the 2020 vintage in Loire.
Warm vintage.
Grapes ripened quickly and most growers picked in August.
Describe the 2019 vintage in Loire.
Summer was warm and extremely dry. September rains prevented a successful sweet harvest.
Describe the 2018 vintage in Loire.
The Summer was the warmest and driest on record. Dry weather continued into fall, leading to a fruit-driven vintage. Dry conditions minimised botrytis.
Describe the 2017 vintage in Loire.
Very good quality of sweet wines, although spring frost was catastrophic for Savennières.
Describe the 2013 vintage in Loire.
Hail in Vouvray decimated two-thirds of crop. Few sweet wines produced. Rains at harvest required sorting and chaptalisation.
Describe 2015 and 2016 vintages in Loire.
Both had warm Summers resulting in sufficient ripeness.
Describe 2014 vintage in Loire.
Fall rains limited quantity of sweet wines.
Summer was cool and wet, but good weather at harvest redeemed the vintage. Ripe and aromatic wines produced.
Describe Anjou Noir and Anjou Blanc.
These are two soil types. Massif Armoricain vs. Paris Bassin.
West = Noir. Schist, granite and slate are found here.
East = Blanc. Soft, chalky limestone.
Describe climatic influences in Loire.
- Northern latitude = marginal.
- Frost is a regular hazard.
- Hail, autumn rain and the constant threat of mildew are also climate related.
- No Loire vine is far from a river and this proximity to a water mass determines temperature, humidity and airflow.
Name some of the Loire tributaries.
Maine, Sèvre, Vienne, Indre, Allier, Loir, Layon, Touet, Cher.
Which AOP is famous for the use of Pinot Meunier in Loire?
Orléans.
What’s produced in Orléans-Cléry?
Cabernet Franc, light in body and gently spiced.
What are the famous appellations for Pineau d’Aunis?
Red wine.
Coteaux du Vendômois and Coteaux du Loir.
In which appellation is Tressalier/ Sacy famous?
Saint-Pourçain (Central France)
Which geographic designation of Touraine is based entirely on Sauvignon Blanc?
Oisly
What are the common vine training techniques in Loire?
Single Guyot, Double Guyot, Cordon Royat and Courson (aligned Gobelet).
Single Guyot is one of the most common methods for training vines, particularly in cool climates where late-season frost can be a threat. This cane-pruning system consists of a trunk and a single fruiting cane with one renewal spur.
Where can I find Saint-Andelain?
Village in Pouilly-Fumé, home to Silex cuvée.
Where would I find Brem, Mareuil, Chantonnay, Pissotte and Vix?
Fiefs Véndeens
Style and grapes of Valençay?
Blanc:
Principal Variety: Min. 70% Sauvignon Blanc
Accessory Varieties: Orbois, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Gris
Rosé:
Principal Varieties: 30-60% Gamay, min. 10% Pinot Noir, min. 10% Cot (Malbec)
Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% Cabernet Franc, max. 30% Pineau d’Aunis
Rouge:
Principal Varieties: 30-60% Gamay, min. 10% Pinot Noir, min. 10% Cot
Accessory Variety: Max. 20% Cabernet Franc
Name the villages of Touraine.
Amboise (chenin dominant)
Mesland (chenin dominant)
Azay-le-Rideau (chenin dominant)
Oisly (SB only)
Chenonceaux (SB only)
Grapes and style of Anjou Villages AOP?
Rouge
Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Name the red grapes of Fiefs Vendeens.
Rose: Pinot Noir and Gamay
Red: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Negrette
Grapes for Rosé d’Anjou?
Grolleau, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis, Gamay and Côt.
Where is Rosé de Loire made?
In Anjou and Touraine.
Always dry. Max. RS of 3 g/L.
Name a top village in Anjou Villages AOP?
Anjou Brissac AOP
Allowed varieties in Anjou Blanc?
Min 80% Chenin Blanc
Also allowed: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
Wine style of Coteaux de Saumur?
Sweet wine > 34 g/L.
Minimum ageing requirement for Cremant de Loire?
Min. 9 months on lees.
Grapes and styles Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame?
Rouge
Cabernet Franc + Sauvignon
Where could I find Haut-Poitou and what are the grapes/ styles?
In Anjou Saumur south of Chinon.
White, rose and red.
Sauvignon Blanc and Gris.
Cabernet Franc + Gamay, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Principal producer in Chinon?
Bernard Baudry
Where could I find perruches soils? Describe these soils.
Vouvray - premières côtes.
Tuffeau limestone with a top layer of clay and flint. Best soils of region.
RS for demi-sec in Vouvray?
Between 9 and 18 g/L.
Grape of Rosé Sancerre?
100% Pinot Noir.
Name the AOC in Central Vineyards that solely uses Cabernet Franc for their reds?
Orléans-Cléry (rouge only AOC)
What’s the minimum residual sugar in Quarts de Chaume?
Min. 85 g/L.
Where does Moulin Touchais produce wine?
In Coteaux du Layon
