Loire Valley Flashcards

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1
Q

Where does the Loire River originate, and what does it empty into?

A

Origin: Massif Central

Empties into: Atlantic Ocean

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2
Q

True or False:

The Loire Valley has the same climate, soil and grape varietals from end to end.

A

False.

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3
Q

What are the 4 regions of the Loire Valley from west to east?

A
  1. Pays Nantais
  2. Anjou-Saumur
  3. Touraine
  4. Central Vineyards
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4
Q

Pays Nantais is located:

North of Paris?
on the Atlantic Coast?
on the Pacific Coast?

A

Atlantic coast

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5
Q

What is the climate of Pays Nantais?

A

Cool, wet Maritime

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6
Q

What are the soils of Pays Nantais?

A

Gravel and sand over schist and granite

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7
Q

What is the white grape of Pays Nantais?

A

Melon de Bourgogne

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8
Q

What style of wine does Melon de Bougogne make in Pays Nantais?

A

Still, dry white wines

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9
Q

What are the 2 most important Muscadet appellations in Pays Nantais?

A
  1. Muscadet
  2. Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP
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10
Q

What winemaking technique do winemakers use for Muscadet and Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine?

Why?

A

Lees aging

In the cool climate, grapes struggle to ripen, aging wines sur lie adds complexity, richness and flavor to an otherwise thin, mild wine.

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11
Q

Anjou-Saumur is located to the _______ of Pays Nantais?

A

East

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12
Q

What is the climate of Anjou-Saumur?

A

Maritime/continental and humid

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13
Q

What are the white and red grapes of Anjou-Saumur?

A

White: Chenin Blanc

Red: Cab Franc

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14
Q

What are some traits to know about Chenin Blanc from Anjou-Saumur?

A
  • prone to oxidation (deep nutty flavors)

*always has med+ to high acidity

*versatile with foods due to acidity

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15
Q

What are some traits to know about Cab Franc from Anjou-Saumur?

A
  • medium body

*bright, underripe red fruit

  • green bell pepper notes
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16
Q

Name 5 AOPs of Anjou-Saumur.

A
  1. Anjou-Villages AOP (dry red wine only)
  2. Saumur AOP (red, white, sparkling)
  3. Savennieres AOP (dry white only)
  4. Bonnezeaus AOP (sweet white only)
  5. Quarts-deChaume AOP (sweet white only)
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17
Q

What is the one style of wine allowed to be made in Anjou-Villages AOP?

A

Still, dry, red wine only made from Cab Franc

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18
Q

What are the styles of wine allowed to be made in Saumur AOP?

A

White

Red

Sparkling

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19
Q

What is the main grape that goes into Saumur AOP sparkling wines?

A

Chenin Blanc

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20
Q

What is the one style of wine allowed to be made in Savennieres AOP?

A

Dry, still white wines made only from Chenin Blanc.

21
Q

On what side of the Loire River is Savennieres AOP located and what is that significance?

A

North side of the Loire River which means its vineyards face south, getting lots of sun.

22
Q

Are the vineyards of Savennieres AOP on flat land or steep hills?

A

Steep hills

23
Q

What are the 2 sweet wine AOPs located south of the Loire River?

A
  1. Bonnezeaux AOP
  2. Quarts-de-Chaume AOP
24
Q

Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-deChaume AOP are actually located on the banks of which river (which flows south of the Loire River)?

A

Layon River

25
Q

What makes the wines sweet in Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?

A

Botrytis, (noble rot)

26
Q

Why is botrytis prevalent in Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?

A

Both AOPs are humid due to moisture generated by and their proximity to the Loire and Layon Rivers.

27
Q

Touraine is located ______ of Anjou-Saumur?

A

East

28
Q

What is the climate of Touraine?

A

Continental

29
Q

What are the soils of Touraine?

A

Tuffeau (soft limestone)

30
Q

What are tuffeau soils made of?

A

soft limestone

31
Q

What are the grapes of Touraine?

A

White: Chenin Blanc

Red: Cab Franc

32
Q

Name 3 AOPs of Touraine.

A
  1. Chinon AOP (dry red wines)
  2. Bourgueil AOP (dry red wines)
  3. Vouvray AOP (all styles made from Chenin Blanc)
33
Q

What are the similarities and differences between Chinon AOP and Bourgueil AOP?

A

Similarities:
both made from Cab franc
both made in dry, still style

Differences:
Chinon on South side of Loire River
Bourgueil on North side of Loire River

34
Q

Vouvray is located on the ______ side of the Loire River.

A

North

35
Q

What are the soils of Vouvray?

A

Tuffeau (soft limestone)

36
Q

What is the only grape allowed in Vouvray?

A

Chenin Blanc

37
Q

What styles of wine are allowed to be made in Vouvray?

A

all styles
*dry, still whites
*off-dry, still whites
*sweet, still whites
*sparkling whites of all dryness/sweetness levels.

38
Q

Sweet wines in Vouvray can be labeled as _______.

A

Moelleux (pronounced mwah-luh)

39
Q

Is the Central Vineyards region located furthest west or furthest east in the Loire Valley?

A

furthest east

40
Q

What is the climate of the Central Vineyards region?

A

Continental

41
Q

What are the soils of Central Vineyards?

A
  • Silex, limestone

*Kimmeridgian clay

42
Q

What is silex soil also known as, and in which of the four major Loire regions will you find it?

A

Flint, found in Central Vineyards (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume)

43
Q

What are the grapes grown in Central Vineyards?

A

white: sauv blanc

red: Pinot noir

44
Q

What are the 2 most important AOPs of Central Vineyards?

A
  1. Sancerre AOP (dry red and white wines)
  2. Pouilly-Fume (dry white wines only)
45
Q

Sancerre AOP and Pouilly-Fume AOP both make dry white wines from the ________ grape.

A

Sauvignon Blanc

46
Q

Which red grape is allowed in Sancerre AOP?

A

Pinot Noir

47
Q

Sancerre is on the ______ bank of the Loire River.

Pouilly-Fume is on the ______ bank of the Loire River.

A

western bank

eastern bank

48
Q
A