Loire Valley Flashcards
Where is the source and mouth of the Loire River?
Source is in the Massif Central in the South of France, and the mouth is in Nantes where it flows into the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean)
What are 2 of the major environmental risks across the Loire Valley?
Spring frosts
Hailstorms
Which outstanding vintages helped the Loire Valley make a name for itself?
1995, 1996
2002, 2005
What are the 3 dominant white grapes of the Loire Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Melon de Bourgogne
What are the 5 accessory white grapes of the Loire Valley?
Chardonnay
Orbois (Arbois)
Romorantin
Gros Plant
Chasselas
What is the main red grape of the Loire?
Cabernet Franc
Which other red grapes are found in the Loire Valley?
Pinot Noir
Malbec
Gamay
Pineau d’Aunis
Groslot
What are the appellations known as the Central Vineyards in the Loire?
Pouilly Fume (Pouilly-sur-Loire)
Sancerre
Menetou-Salon
Quincy
Reuilly
Orleans
What is the grape of Pouilly Fume?
Sauvignon Blanc
What are the soils of Pouilly Fume?
Based off limestone with flint and a mixture of marlstone and clay
What is Silex?
A soil based off a mix of silica, limestone, and flint clay
What is the name of the AC wine made from Chasselas in Pouilly Fume?
Pouilly-sur-Loire
What are the 2 grapes of Sancerre?
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
How much of Sancerre’s production is dedicated to red and rose wine?
25%
What are the 3 main soil types of Sancerre?
Terre Blanche - Kimmeridgian clay with a sticky clay topsoil over limestone
Caillots - small stones over limestone
Silex
Which of Sancerre’s soils is considered best for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir respectively?
Terre Blanche for Sauvignon Blanc
Silex for Pinot Noir
What are typical tasting aromas for Sancerre?
Steely and citrusy, often with a bouquet of green wood or leaves from a blackcurrant bush or fresh cut grass
What are the grapes of Menetou-Salon?
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
Gamay
What are the soils of Menetou-Salon?
Kimmeridgian limestone
What wines does Quincy produce?
White wines based off Sauvignon Blanc
What are the soils of Quincy?
Sand and gravel
What are the grapes of Reuilly?
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
Pinot Gris
What are the grapes of Orleans?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Meunier
Chardonnay
What wines are produce from Orleans Clery AOC?
Cabernet Franc
What is the climate of Touraine?
Continental
What are the dominant soils of Touraine?
Limestone and clay over Tuffeau
What is Tuffeau?
Soft, porous limestone formed during the Cretaceous period
What are the 2 forms of Tuffeau?
Tuffeau Blanc - chalkier and firmer
Tuffeau Jaune - sandier and softer
What makes Tuffeau soils desirable?
They strike a perfect balance between drainage and water retention
What is the local name for Chenin Blanc in Touraine?
Pineau de Loire
What are the appellations of Touraine?
Cheverney
Vouvray
Montlouis
Loir Valley
Bourgueil
St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
Chinon
When was Cherney given its AC status?
1993