Loire Valley Flashcards
Loire Valley
(“The Loire Valley is a large region that follows the longest river of France and its many tributaries. As a cooler-climate growing area, the Loire is an exceptional place to find lean, racy white wines including those of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadet. Red varieties include Cabernet Franc, Gamay, and Côt (Malbec), which produce herbaceous, rustic reds and fruity, dry rosé.”
Sauvignon Blanc
(Loire Valley)
Light Body White
Touraine and Centre have a keen focus on Sauvignon Blanc. Of the many appellations that produce Sauvignon Blanc, the most well known wines hail from the vineyards around Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé. It’s around this area that Sauvignon Blanc produces higher ripeness and flavors of flint and smoke.”
“RIPE GOOSEBERRRY, QUINCE, GRAPEFRUIT, FLINT, SMOKE”
Chenin Blanc
(Loire Valley)
Light Body White
Chenin Blanc is made into a myriad of styles from dry and sparkling to sweet and still. The grape grows primarily in Touraine and Anjou-Saumur and is found in Crémant de Loire. Notable regions include Vouvray, Montlouis sur Loire, Savennières (oxidative style), and Quarts de Chaume (dessert wines).”
“PEAR, HONEYSUCKLE, QUINCE, APPLE, BEESWAX”
Muscadet
Light Body White
Close to the coast, the Nantais region is known for its bracing, minerally white wines made with Melon. About 70–80% of the production is labeled Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine and many producers age their wines on the lees, or “sur lie,” to give them a rounder mouthfeel and yeasty aromas.”
“LIME PEEL, SEA SHELL, GREEN APPLE, PEAR, LAGER”
Cabernet Franc
(Loire Valley)
Medium Body Red
“Cabernet Franc (aka Breton) grows throughout the Loire, most notably in the Middle Loire around Chinon and Bourgueil (“bor-goy”). The region is cool, so reds are spicy and herbaceous with distinct bell pepper notes. Surprisingly, wines age quite well, revealing soft baked plum and tobacco flavors.”
“ROASTED PEPPER, RASPBERRY SAUCE, SOUR CHERRY, IRON, DRIED HERBS”
Côt (Malbec)
(Loire Valley)
Medium Body Red
“This is not your typical Argentina Malbec! In the Loire Valley, Malbec is called Côt (“coat”) and can be found growing in the Touraine appellation. Wines are known for their rustic taste profile with earthy fruit flavors and herbal notes. Try pairing Côt and cassoulet!”
“GREEN OLIVE, BLACK CURRANT, TOBACCO, BLACKBERRY BRAMBLE, DRIED HERBS”
Loire Sparkling Wines
“The Loire Valley has many sparkling wines, including those labeled Crémant de Loire, Vouvray, and Saumur. Sparkling production is found mostly in the Middle Loire and typically features Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc (for rosé). Wines tend to deliver tart, fresh fruit flavors. Those labeled Pétillant-naturel are made with an ancient method that results in a cloudy, yeasty style with delicate bubbles.
Sancerre
(Loire Valley)
Famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre produces crisp, mineral-driven white wines, and some light reds and rosés from Pinot Noir.
Pouilly-Fume
(Loire Valley)
Known for elegant Sauvignon Blancs, Pouilly-Fumé wines are smoky, flinty, and highly aromatic.
Vouvray
(Loire Valley)
Primarily made from Chenin Blanc, Vouvray produces a range of styles, from dry to sweet and even sparkling wines.
Chinon
(Loire Valley)
A red wine-dominant AOC that focuses on Cabernet Franc, producing light to medium-bodied wines with earthy, herbal notes.
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine
(Loire Valley)
Known for its Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne) wines, this AOC produces light, crisp whites, often aged sur lie for extra complexity.
Saumur
(Loire Valley)
Produces both still and sparkling wines, with Saumur-Champigny being particularly famous for its reds from Cabernet Franc.
Anjou
(Loire Valley)
This AOC offers a variety of wine styles, including red, white, and rosé. It’s known for dry and off-dry Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc reds.
