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Loire valley Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

What are the four major subregions of the Loire Valley?

A

Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, Central Vineyards

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2
Q

What is the longest river in France, and why is it significant to the Loire Valley?

A

The Loire River; it moderates the climate and influences terroir

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3
Q

What are the primary soil types of the Loire Valley?

A

Tuffeau, silex (flint), schist, sand, clay, gravel, and limestone

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4
Q

What is the climate of the Loire Valley?

A

Maritime in the west, continental in the east, and a mix in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine

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5
Q

What are the three primary white grapes of the Loire Valley?

A

Melon de Bourgogne, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc

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6
Q

What are the two primary red grapes of the Loire Valley?

A

Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir

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7
Q

What are the three styles of wine produced across the Loire Valley?

A

Still (red, white, and rosé), sparkling, and sweet

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8
Q

What is the primary grape of Muscadet?

A

Melon de Bourgogne

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9
Q

What is sur lie aging, and why is it significant in Muscadet?

A

Aging wine on its lees for added texture and complexity

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10
Q

What are the four AOPs for Muscadet?

A

Muscadet, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu

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11
Q

What is the primary soil type in Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine?

A

Gneiss, granite, and mica-schist

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12
Q

What is Hermine d’Or, and how does it relate to Muscadet?

A

An unofficial label promoting terroir-driven wines

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13
Q

What is the aging requirement for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine ‘Cru Communal’ wines?

A

Minimum of 18 months on the lees

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14
Q

What is the primary grape of Savennières?

A

Chenin Blanc

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15
Q

Name the two most famous subzones of Savennières.

A

La Roche aux Moines, Coulée de Serrant

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16
Q

Who is the most notable producer in Coulée de Serrant?

A

Nicolas Joly, a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture

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17
Q

What style of wine is produced in Quarts de Chaume?

A

Sweet wines from botrytized Chenin Blanc

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18
Q

What is the classification of Quarts de Chaume within the Loire Valley?

A

The only Grand Cru in the Loire Valley

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19
Q

What distinguishes Bonnezeaux from Quarts de Chaume?

A

Bonnezeaux typically has more clay soils and is less prestigious

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20
Q

What is the most prominent soil type in Saumur?

A

Tuffeau limestone

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21
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Saumur?

A

Sparkling, dry white, and red (primarily from Cabernet Franc)

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22
Q

What is Crémant de Loire, and where can it be produced?

A

Traditional method sparkling wine produced throughout Anjou-Saumur and Touraine

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23
Q

What is Saumur-Champigny known for?

A

Elegant, lighter-style red wines from Cabernet Franc

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24
Q

What is Coteaux du Layon known for?

A

Sweet wines from botrytized Chenin Blanc

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25
Q

What is the primary grape of Vouvray?

A

Chenin Blanc

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26
Q

What are the five styles of wine produced in Vouvray?

A

Dry, off-dry, sweet, sparkling, and still

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27
Q

What is the difference between sec, demi-sec, moelleux, and liquoreux in Vouvray?

A

Sec: dry; Demi-sec: off-dry; Moelleux: sweet; Liquoreux: lusciously sweet

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28
Q

What is the soil composition of Vouvray?

A

Tuffeau, clay, and flint

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29
Q

What is Montlouis-sur-Loire, and how does it differ from Vouvray?

A

A Chenin Blanc-focused AOC similar to Vouvray but with sandier soils and often lighter wines

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30
Q

What is the primary red grape of Chinon?

A

Cabernet Franc

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31
Q

What distinguishes the soils of Chinon?

A

Clay and limestone on the slopes, sand and gravel on the valley floor

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32
Q

What is Bourgueil AOC known for?

A

Structured red wines from Cabernet Franc, often with clay-limestone soils

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33
Q

What is the key difference between Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Bourgueil?

A

Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil is lighter in style due to its sandy soils

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34
Q

Which AOC in Touraine is known for dry Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Touraine AOC and Touraine Oisly

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35
Q

What are the two most prestigious AOCs in the Central Vineyards?

A

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

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36
Q

What is the primary grape of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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37
Q

What are the three soil types in Sancerre?

A

Silex (flint), caillottes (stony limestone), terres blanches (Kimmeridgian marl)

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38
Q

What is pierre à fusil, and how does it relate to Pouilly-Fumé?

A

The flinty, gunpowder-like aroma often associated with Pouilly-Fumé wines

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39
Q

What is the key difference in style between Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?

A

Sancerre is generally fresher and more citrus-driven; Pouilly-Fumé has more minerality and smoke

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40
Q

What is the primary red grape of Sancerre?

A

Pinot Noir

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41
Q

What is Menetou-Salon known for?

A

Similar wines to Sancerre, made from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but often at a lower price point

42
Q

What is Quincy AOC known for?

A

Crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc; it was the second AOC established in France

43
Q

What distinguishes Reuilly from Quincy?

A

Reuilly produces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris (rosé), and Pinot Noir

44
Q

What is the primary soil type of Menetou-Salon?

A

Kimmeridgian marl and limestone

45
Q

Who is a notable producer in Sancerre known for high-quality single-vineyard wines?

A

Domaine Alphonse Mellot

46
Q

What is Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, and who owns it?

A

A monopole in Savennières, owned by Nicolas Joly, known for biodynamic Chenin Blanc

47
Q

What is the significance of Domaine Huet in Vouvray?

A

Renowned for its biodynamic farming and exceptional Chenin Blanc wines across all styles

48
Q

Which Loire AOC produces rosé from Pinot Gris?

A

Reuilly (under the designation gris)

49
Q

What is Grolleau, and where is it commonly found?

A

A red grape used in rosé wines, particularly Rosé d’Anjou and Rosé de Loire

50
Q

What is Pineau d’Aunis, and where is it grown?

A

A red grape producing light, peppery wines; grown in Touraine and Anjou

51
Q

What are the key climatic challenges in the Loire Valley?

A

Frost, hail, and high humidity.

52
Q

What is coulure, and how does it affect Loire Valley vineyards?

A

A condition where flowers fail to set into berries, reducing yields; common in cooler vintages.

53
Q

What does vendanges tardives mean, and where is it practiced in the Loire?

A

Late harvest; seen in sweet wine regions like Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux.

54
Q

What is the typical planting density in Loire vineyards?

A

Around 4,500–6,500 vines per hectare, varying by region.

55
Q

What is the primary market for Loire Valley wines?

A

Domestic consumption in France, although exports are growing.

56
Q

What is gabbro, and where is it found in the Loire?

A

A volcanic rock found in some vineyards in Muscadet, particularly around the village of Gorges.

57
Q

What is the significance of Muscadet’s Cru Communal designation?

A

Recognizes terroir-driven wines from specific villages like Clisson, Gorges, and Le Pallet.

58
Q

What are the aging requirements for Muscadet ‘Gorges’ Cru Communal?

A

Minimum 24 months on the lees.

59
Q

What is the primary aging vessel for traditional Muscadet wines?

A

Neutral stainless steel or underground concrete tanks.

60
Q

What is the typical alcohol content for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine?

A

Usually between 11-12%.

61
Q

What distinguishes Coteaux de l’Aubance from Coteaux du Layon?

A

Coteaux de l’Aubance is a smaller sweet wine AOC with slightly lighter wines.

62
Q

What is Chaume, and how does it relate to Quarts de Chaume?

A

A former subzone of Coteaux du Layon, now integrated into Quarts de Chaume.

63
Q

What is the difference between Anjou Blanc and Anjou Villages Brissac?

A

Anjou Blanc can be dry or sweet, while Anjou Villages Brissac focuses on structured red wines from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

64
Q

What makes Château de Fesles notable in Bonnezeaux?

A

Produces some of the most refined sweet Chenin Blanc wines with significant aging potential.

65
Q

What distinguishes the Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame AOC?

A

Focuses exclusively on red wines made from Cabernet Franc, with stricter regulations than Saumur AOC.

66
Q

What sparkling wine styles are allowed under the Saumur AOC?

A

Both white and rosé traditional method wines.

67
Q

What is the significance of the tuffeau limestone caves in Saumur?

A

Used for wine aging and the cultivation of mushrooms due to their stable humidity and temperature.

68
Q

What is Rosé d’Anjou?

A

An off-dry rosé made primarily from Grolleau.

69
Q

What distinguishes Cabernet d’Anjou from Rosé d’Anjou?

A

Cabernet d’Anjou is sweeter and must be made from Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon.

70
Q

What is the primary soil type in Anjou Noir?

A

Dark schist.

71
Q

What is the Clos Rougeard, and why is it significant?

A

A legendary Saumur-Champigny producer known for exceptional Cabernet Franc and rare Chenin Blanc wines.

72
Q

What are vin de tuffe, and where are they produced?

A

Wines grown on tuffeau limestone soils, common in Vouvray and Chinon.

73
Q

What are galets, and where can they be found in the Loire?

A

Rounded river stones found in Bourgueil vineyards, aiding heat retention.

74
Q

What is the primary sparkling wine AOC in Touraine?

A

Crémant de Loire, although Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire also produce significant sparkling wines.

75
Q

What is the aging requirement for Crémant de Loire?

A

Minimum 12 months on the lees.

76
Q

What is the typical alcohol range for Chinon red wines?

A

Between 12-13.5%.

77
Q

What is Touraine Noble-Joué?

A

A small AOC producing rosé wines primarily from Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.

78
Q

What distinguishes Montlouis-sur-Loire pétillant wines from those of Vouvray?

A

Often lighter and less structured due to sandier soils.

79
Q

What is Pétillant Naturel (Pet-Nat), and where is it common in the Loire?

A

A naturally sparkling wine style made with ancestral methods, increasingly popular in Montlouis-sur-Loire.

80
Q

Which Touraine subregion is known for intense, age-worthy Cabernet Franc?

A

Bourgueil.

81
Q

What is the aging potential of top Sancerre wines?

A

5-10 years for whites, 3-7 years for reds.

82
Q

What are the primary soil types of Pouilly-Fumé?

A

Silex (flint), clay-limestone (caillottes), and Kimmeridgian marl.

83
Q

What is the typical alcohol content of Sancerre whites?

A

Around 12.5-13.5%.

84
Q

What is Pouilly-sur-Loire AOC known for?

A

Wines made from the Chasselas grape.

85
Q

What are the key differences between Menetou-Salon and Sancerre?

A

Menetou-Salon has lighter, less complex wines with lower acidity.

86
Q

What is Coteaux du Giennois, and what styles does it produce?

A

An AOC near Sancerre producing Sauvignon Blanc and light red wines from Pinot Noir and Gamay.

87
Q

What makes Orléans-Cléry unique in the Loire?

A

The only AOC in the Loire producing exclusively Cabernet Franc.

88
Q

What distinguishes Châteaumeillant rosé wines?

A

Made from Gamay and Pinot Noir, often with a distinct freshness and light body.

89
Q

What is Reuilly’s distinction compared to Quincy?

A

Reuilly produces rosé and red wines in addition to Sauvignon Blanc.

90
Q

What is the primary soil type of Sancerre’s terres blanches vineyards?

A

Kimmeridgian marl.

91
Q

What is Domaine Vacheron known for in Sancerre?

A

Biodynamic farming and single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines.

92
Q

What makes Domaine des Baumard significant in the Loire Valley?

A

Produces exceptional dry and sweet Chenin Blanc wines from Quarts de Chaume and Savennières.

93
Q

What Loire Valley producer is associated with pioneering biodynamic viticulture?

A

Nicolas Joly.

94
Q

What is the significance of Domaine Alphonse Mellot in Sancerre?

A

Known for single-vineyard wines, particularly ‘La Moussière.’

95
Q

Which Vouvray producer is noted for outstanding moelleux wines?

A

Domaine Huet.

96
Q

What historical role did monasteries play in Loire Valley viticulture?

A

They established many vineyards and developed early viticultural techniques.

97
Q

Which Loire AOC was one of the first recognized under the AOC system in 1936?

A

Quincy.

98
Q

What is clos, and how does it appear in Loire Valley vineyard names?

A

A walled vineyard; examples include Clos Rougeard and Clos de la Coulée de Serrant.

99
Q

What producer is considered the benchmark for Bourgueil wines?

A

Domaine de la Chevalerie.

100
Q

Which Loire AOC is known for producing light red wines from Gamay?

A

Châteaumeillant.

Advanced Sommelier (7 decks)

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