Loire Valley Flashcards
1
Q
central vineyards climate
A
continental cold winters, warm summers
2
Q
growing season in the central vineyards
A
long growing season low light intensity and low heat brings restrained flavours
3
Q
main threats in central vineyards
A
spring frost
summer hailstorms
high rainfall (reduce drought but brings fungal disease)
4
Q
varieties planted in central vineyards
A
sauvignon blanc
pinot noir
gamay
small sauvignon gris
5
Q
pinot noir planting amounts and style
A
20% of plantings
medium ruby, light to medium intensity, high acidity, medium alcohol, mid priced to premium
6
Q
sauvignon blanc amount of plantings in central vineyard
A
70%
7
Q
diseases that sauvignon blanc is prone to
A
powdery mildew
botrytis bunch rot
trunk diseases
eutypa dieback (if cordong trained)
8
Q
sauvignon blanc budding/ripening
A
late budding
early ripening
perfect for cool climate, no early september rains problems
9
Q
what influences sauvignon blanc style
A
- vigorous variety (avoid shading with canopy manag for no green under-ripe flavours) [better to use it on poor soils
- sunlight (if more riper fruit is needed b using row orientation)
- picking date (adicity drops quickly/over-ripe flavours build)
10
Q
ageing sauvignon in central vineyards
A
mostly stainless steel some old oak (e.g Henri Bourgeois with heavy use, Francois Cotat longer ageing also on lees)
11
Q
temperature of fermentation in central vineyards
A
are slightly higher than new world counterpart cause it helps restraining flavours
12
Q
MLF in central vineyards
A
blocked to retain acidity allows it depending on style and vintage
13
Q
is there a cru system? in central vineyards
A
there is none but more interest in single vineyard bottlings e.g. Les Monts Damnes (Chavignol) and Les Belles Dames
14
Q
main influences of sancerre
A
forest (protection from frost)
river
altitude (200-440mt is the only place with substantial altitude)
15
Q
varietals used in sancerre and yields
A
white sauvignon blanc 65 hL/ha (can reach high intensity with high yields)
red/rose pinot noir 59 hL/ha (need lower yield for intensity)
16
Q
historical original variety of sancerre
A
pinot noir, changed to sauvignon blanc because of phylloxera, branded around the 50s/60s
17
Q
style of sancerre and quality
A
medium intensity, grapefuit, gooseberry, medium alcohol, high acidity, rarely oak flavours good to oustanding to mid to premium prices, few super premium (e.g. Didier Dagueneau, Francois Cotat)
18
Q
3 types of soils of sancerre and specs
A
- caillotes (shallow soils over limestone (25-40mm), most aromatic style, ready to drink. not ageing potential)
- terres blanches (limestone/marl of Chablis, slow ripening, most structured style, ageing)
- silex (flinty soils, accumulates heat, early ripening, stony and smoky aromas)
19
Q
most famous vineyards on terres blanches soils
A
Monts Damnes Cul de Beaujeu
20
Q
pouilly fume varietals
A
sauvignon blanc only
21
Q
pouilly fume main problem
A
frost damage
because of flatter land
wind machines used
22
Q
pouilly fume soils
A
same as Sancerre
23
Q
pouilly fume style
A
rounder, less aromatic, needs more time to evolve the aromatics
24
Q
reuilly grapes and yields
A
white sauv blanc
red pinot noir
rose pinot noir, sauvignon gris
same yields as sancerre
25
quincy grapes and yields
white sauvignon blanc (min 90%) and sauvignon gris same yields as sancerre
26
menetou salon best vineyard location
gentle slopes, south facing more frost vulnerable than sancerre
27
menetou salon style and yields
same as sancerre
28
reuilly, quincy, menetou salon quality and price
good to very good, inexpensive to mid price
29
negociants level of sales in central vineyards
50% of total sales
top 10 owns 82% of that 50%
30
negociants change of style in central vineyards
more negociants are now vinifying their own wines rather than buying finished wines, they also own many wineries around Loire some bought big estates (e.g. Grand Chais bough Chateau des Fesles, Ackerman bought Chateau de Sancerre and Variere)
31
co-op volume of sales in central vineyards
under 10%
32
estates sales in central vineyards
41% of the total sales
33
estate status in loire in central vineyards
many generations keep working on family business many people moved from the big cities (e.g. Paris) to work and establish new estates
34
change in estate structure in central vineyards
many started a side negociant business especially after recent frost and hail damage for economical reasons
35
what is the primary market? in central vineyards
france in hospitality/retail (44%) and supermarket (36%)
36
export market in central vineyards
20% main US, UK, Germany
37
farming in central vineyards
loads of organic, biodynamic, natural wine producers e.g. Nicolas Joly father of biodynamics and founder of renaissances/return to terroir
38
is organic farming numbers high? in central vineyards
under the regional standard because of damp and cool climate
39
main soils of touraine
chalk
40
main soils of anjou
schist/limestone
41
anjou and touraine shares a variety of types of soils like...
sand, flint and clay
42
limestone pros and cons in anjou
pro - drainage and water retention cons - high lime content brings chlorosis
43
best way to fight chlorosis
using specific rootstocks like Fercan, Riparia Gloire de Montpellier
44
amount of rainfall and timings (anjou-touraine)
700mm rainfall throughout the year - affect flowering/fruit set, more diseases in summer, problems in early autumn harvest
45
climate of anjou-touraine
anjou saumur maritime
touraine continental
in both we have the influence of the atlantic ocean
46
big influence in anjou
river Layon (morning misty conditions for botrytis)
47
chenin blanc budding/ripening
buds early, ripens late
48
ripening problem of chenin blanc
ripens unevenly you need tries passage (cost more)
49
chenin blanc is prone to...
powdery mildew botrytis bunch rot trunk diseases
50
chenin blanc style and quality
med intensity, green apple, lemon, steely, smoky, med alcohol, high acidity good to very good, inexpensive to mid price, some oustanding and premium (e.g. Domaine Huet)
51
carbernet franc budding ripening
buds early, mid ripening
52
ripening facts on cabernet franc
as mid ripening can be picked before autumn rains too green if not fully ripened (loads of leaf removal and canopy are used, extra costs)
53
cabernet franc is prone to
coulure
54
cab franc style (touraine-anjou)
med to pronounce, red fruit, floral, leafy, light to medium body and tannins, high acidity
55
cabernet franc styles (touraine-anjou)
single varietal
rose blends
blended with malbec in touraine
56
malbec in touraine is called
cot
57
main feature of cabernet franc as a vine
is winter hardy so it is suitable for cool places
58
grolleau noir budding/ripening
early budding, mid ripening
59
grolleau noir style
mainly rose blends in rose d'anjou and rose de Loire
60
grolleu noir is prone to
botrytis bunch rot
61
gamay noir, where is produced and style (touraine-anjou)
touraine and central vineyards carbonic maceration style
62
cabernet sauvignon style and where is it planted (touraine-anjou)
in anjou (as buds late needs warmer climates) red blend with cab franc and roses
63
volume production in middle loire
anjou saumur produces twice as much wine than touraine
anjou saumur produce more sparkling than touraine
anjou rose is 10 times more than touraine
touraine does more white and red than anjou saumur
64
saumur AOC
white Chenin red Can Franc mainly rose Cab Franc/Sauv some sparkling are also produced
65
saumur aoc yields
white 60hL/ha red/rose 57hL/ha (low intensity)
66
coteaux de saumur aoc
sweet chenin (with/without botrytis)
67
do you need tries passage in the loire even if you don't have botrytis
yes
68
coteaux de saumur aoc yields
35hL/ha
69
saumur champigny aoc story
famous in the 70s in paris bistrot because of the co-op Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg (now called Cave Robert et Marcel)
70
saumur champigny aoc
cab franc min 85% mostly red wines
71
saumur champigny aoc release date
most wines are intended for early drinking December after harvest
72
saumur champigny aoc yields
57hL/ha
73
saumur champigny aoc soil types
chalk, flint, clay combination for drainage and water holding (good in dry years)
74
saumur appellations
saumur aoc
coteaux de saumur aoc
saumur champigny aoc
75
touraine appellations
touraine
montlouis sur loire
vouvray
bourgueil
saint nicolas de bourgueil
chinon
76
touraine aoc
white sauvignon blanc red cab franc/cot rose 2 cabs, cot, gamay also sparkling
77
touraine aoc yields
65hL/ha
78
touraine aoc with subzones indication yields
55hL/ha
79
touraine aoc subzones
can be added (e.g. Touraine AOC Amboise) but they have different laws different yields 55hl/ha and grapes e.g. Amboise is Chenin
80
what happens if a bottle in touraine aoc is 100% gamay?
is labeled as Touraine AOC Gamay
81
vouvray aoc grape and style
95% chenin (typically 100%) dry (every year), demi-sec (sometimes), sweet (rare)
82
how can you tell the sweetness level in vouvray?
can be added on the label if not is really hard to understand it
83
where is chenin planted in vouvray?
on slopes towards the river loire moderating influence, sunlight reflection
84
soils in vouvray aoc
flint, clay, limestone over tuff (good drainage) more clay away from the river (harder to ripen)
85
vouvray aoc yields
52hl/ha
86
montlouis sur loire aoc
100% chenin
87
where is montlouis sur loire aoc planted?
across the south bank of the river (from liver loire till river cher)
88
montlouis sur loire yields
52hl/ha
89
why is montlouis interesting now?
cheaper vineyard prices, new producers (organic/biodynamic)
90
bourgueil aoc
red/rose cab franc + max 10% cab sauv
91
bourgueil yields
55hl/ha many are farming with even lower yields
92
saint nicolas de bourgueil aoc styles
lighter style cab franc similar style and proce of saumur champigny
93
chinon aoc
white chenin reds (main) and rose cab branc + 10% cab sauv
94
chinon yields
55hl/ha low flavour intensity, many work with lower yields
95
styles of chinon according to soils
1. short maceration - 6-8 days, light fruity, sand/gravel soils
2. long maceration 2-3 weeks released after 2yr can age for 20yr also, clay limestone soils
96
anjou rose appellation
rose de loire
rose d'anjou
cabernet d'anjou
97
rose de loire aoc
cab franc,sauv, gamay, grolleu noir dry style
98
rose de loire yields
60hl/ha
99
can rose de loire be produced outside anjou saumur?
yes but is rare
100
best selling rose appellation in anjou
rose d'anjou
101
rose d'anjou style
medium pink orange, med intensity, red fruit, med + acidity, med alcohol, inexpensive to mid priced, acceptable to good, few vg examples
102
rose d'anjou aoc grapes
mostly grolleu also cab franc/sauv, gamay cot is allowed
103
rose d'anjou yields
65hl/ha low flavour intensity
104
cabernet d'anjou styles
deep colour, medium pink cab franc/sauv medium dry
105
cabernet d'anjou yields
60hl/ha
106
main dry appellation of anjou
anjou aoc
savvenieres aoc
107
is anjou aoc popular?
many producer opt for vin de france because they dont want to be part of the appellation
108
anjou yields
60hl/ha
109
anjou grapes
blanc min 80% chenin rouge min 70% blend cab sauv/franc
110
how is it called a designated area in anjou and what changes?
anjou villages AOC red wine only, cab franc only 55hl/ha release september after harvest
111
savvenieres aoc grapes and style
dry chenin high acidity, high alcohol, mostly new oak, concentrated but some examples are fruity and approachable
112
where is savvenieres planted
mostly south facing slopes
113
yields of savvenieres
50hl/ha
114
soils of savvenieres
schist low fertility
115
two famous vineyards in savvenieres and what changes
both AOPs La Roche Aux Moines Coulee de Serrant (Nicolas Joly monopole) 30hl/ha warmer sites on the slopes
116
sweet appellation in anjou
coteaux du layon
bonnezeaux
quarts de chaume
117
how is the business of sweet wines aoc in anjou
low demand, drop in production higher volumes of dry wine are produced
118
coteaux du layon aoc yields and min potential alcohol
35hl/ha 14%
119
coteaux du layon aoc influences
river layon (morning mist for botrytis) slopes by the river
120
coteaux du layon is botrytis only?
no grapes can be dried on the vine
121
coteaux du layon + village aoc, what changes
30hl/ha, 15% min potential alcohol botrytis is mandatory
122
within coteaux du layon there are 2 aocs
bonnezeaux
quarts de chaume
123
bonnezeau aoc yields and min potential %
25hl/ha (high intensity, rich texture) 15% stricter rules than quarts de chaume
124
quarts de chaume new sub aoc and minimum yields and min pot %
quarts de chaume aoc 1er cru chaume (25hl/ha, 16.5%)
quarts de chaume grand cru aoc 20hl/ha 18% (first loire grand cru in 2019)
125
pays nantes climate
cool maritime atlantic ocean proximity cool springs, warm humid summers
126
main threats in pays nantes
rain during flowering (march/april) and harvest (september) and spring frost
127
spring frost main remedies used in pays nantes
wind machine
heaters
128
most planted varietal in pays nantes
melon blanc
129
other varietis planted in pays nantes
chardonnay
folle blanche
gamay
cabernet franc
130
folle blanche alternative name
gros plant
131
folle blanche style
high acidity, crisp
132
melon blanc is suited to what climate
cool regions
133
budding and ripening of melon blanc
buds early (spring frost risk) ripens early (no rain problems)
134
melon blanc is prone to
downy mildew botrytis bunch rot
135
melon blanc is resistant to and why?
powdery mildew hardy varietal
136
style of melon blanc
high acidity light body low alcohol low intensity of green apple
137
melon blanc quality
acceptable to good (few very good examples) inexpensive to mid priced
138
is spraying used and why? pays nantes
yes humid climate pushes fungal diseases
139
canopy management techniques and why in pays nantes
open canopy leaf removal maximum sun exposure (extra care for sunburnt grapes) reduce fungal
140
how perfect ripeness is achieved in pays nantes
control seed and skin ripeness
helps determine harvest date
problems in hot vintages as sugar might be too high before they get fully ripe
141
is chaptalisation permitted? pays nantes
up to 12% especially in cool years
142
main vessels used in pays nantes
1. shallow underground glass lined concrete vats
2. stainless steel
143
main vinification goal in pays nantes
keep the wine neutral as it need to age on lees
144
is mlf used in pays nantes?
it is avoided to retains high acidity
145
recent winemaking experiments used in pays nantes and why
skin contact
barrel fermentation
alternative vessels (amphora, concrete eggs)
all done to raise the appellation profile
146
sur lie technique pays nantes
main goal is to raise the body wine is racked off gross lees and left on fine lees until bottling
147
sur lie style pays nantes
more body retain acidity CO2 retained
148
two main larger appellations pays nantes
Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC
Muscadet AOC
149
largest appellation in the Loire
Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC
150
Muscadet Sevre et Maine maximum yields
55 hL/ha 45 hL/ha (if a commune name is added)
151
Muscadet AOC maximum yields
70 hL/ha
152
smaller appellations of pays nantes
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire
Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu
153
yields of smaller pays nantes appellations
55 hL/ha
154
grapes allowed in pays nantes
Melon Blanc only since 2018 Muscadet AOC can have up to 10% of Chardonnay
155
sur lie ageing muscated sevre
bottled between 1 March and 20 November of the year following the harvest
156
ageing if commune is added muscadet sevre
depends on the commune 18 months Le Pallet 24 months Clisson, Gorges
157
problems of ageing communes on sur lie
as they go over the requirement they cannot be labeled sur lie
158
bottling on sur lie in muscadet
bottle estate is mandatory
159
problems with estate bottling in muscadet
as it is mandatory negociants cannot buy wine to age on lees only grapes, must or wine already bottled
160
who promotes the wines of pays nantes?
InterLoire together with Anjou-Saumur and Touraine
161
history of export market of pays nantes
huge in the UK (13000 ha planted because of that in the 80s) 1991 frost dropped production to 2/3 raising prices
162
what is the perception of pays nantes now
quality for money terroir driven wines
163
are negociants important in pays nantes?
half of the sells comes through them
164
are negociants surviving well in pays nantes?
they are mostly bought by bigger companies eg Castel, Grand Chais de France, Ackerman
