Loire Valley Flashcards
Primary grape of the Pays Nantais? In which style? Pairs with?
- Melon B (Muscadet is the region)
— Formerly known as Melon de Bourgogne - Dry, light, tart, citrus, mineraly
- Best examples aged SUR LIE
— Bâttonage (lees stirring) common - Consumed young: 1-3 years
- Pair with seafood and fried food
Which two rivers flow through the Pays Nantais wine region?
- Sèvre and Maine rivers
What is the historical significance of the Pays Nantais region in terms of trade?
- Historical port for the export of wine.
What is the typical serving temperature for Muscadet wine?
Chilled, around 8-10°C (46-50°F)
What type of soil is prevalent in the Pays Nantais wine region?
Gneiss and granite soils
Four regions of Loire Valley
West to East:
- Pays Nantais
- Anjou-Saumur
- Touraine
- Central Vineyards
Special soil of Vouvray
- Tuffeau
Pays Nantais
(climate, grapes, AOPs,)
- Cool, wet, maritime
- Melon de Bourgogne (Melon B)
—————— - Muscadet AOP
- Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine AOP
— At the confluence of Sèvre and Maine rivers
— Sur lie!!
— 80% of Muscadet production
Savennières AOP
- Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Dry, age worthy
- North bank of the Loire
- Unique soil: blue schist and volcanic debris
Famous producer:
Nicolas Joly
- Savennières AOP, Loire Valley
- Biodynamic KING
- Coulee de Serrant is his MONOPOLE
Saumur AOP
- Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley, France
- Dry white, rose, red and sparkling
Bonnezaux AOP & Quarts de Chaume AOP
- Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley, France
- High quality SWEET wine
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Botrytis affected grapes
What is special about Rosé de Loire, Cabernet d’Anjou and Rosé d’Anjou?
- They ONLY make rosé wines
Saumur-Champigny AOP
- Saumur, Loire Valley, France
- Red wine ONLY
- Cabernet Franc
- Can age up to 20 years
Chinon AOP & Bourgeil AOP
- Touraine, Loire Valley, France
- Important RED AOC’s of Touraine
- Classic Cabernet Franc
- Raspberry, green tobacco, silky tannins
Vouvray AOP
- Touraine, Loire Valley, France
- WHITE from Chenin Blanc
- Range of sweetness levels: sec, demi-sec, moelleux, liquoreux
- Sparkling also made
— pétillant is semi sparkling
— Famous producer: Domaine Huet - Ageable!
Loire Valley’s local name for Chenin Blanc?
- Pineau de la Loire
Sancerre AOP
- West side of Loire River, Central Vineyards, Loire Valley
- Sauvignon Blanc
- More subtle in body and nose than Pouilly-Fumé
- Sloped vineyards
- Great with seafood
Pouilly-Fumé AOP
- EAST side of Loire River, Central Vineyards, Loire Valley
- Sauvignon Blanc
- More body and nose than Sancerre
- Flat vineyards
- Kimmeridgian Clay
- Great for chicken
- Flint soil (Silex)
Domaine Huet
*Prodcues a wide range of styles
*a staple of Chenin
*founded in 1928
