Loire Valley Flashcards
White grapes of the Loire?
Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet) Romorantin Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Gros Plant (Folle Blanche) Chenin Blanc Arbois Chasselas Colombard
Red grapes of the Loire?
Cab Franc (Breton) Malbec (Cot) Pinot Noir Cab Sauv Groslot (Grolleau) Gamay Noir Pineau d'Aunis
What are the main regions in the Loire Valley? East to West
Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, Central Vineyards
What is the main geographical influence in the Loire and what does it do?
Loire River. Brings breezes and air flow, moderating temperatures (diversity in plantings) river slopes to plant vineyards
Loire was the birthplace of what?
AOC system in 1936.
Qunicy, Sancerre, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, Cabernet a’Anjou, Rose d’Anjou, and Vouvrey were some of the first.
Is there a generic AOC for all of the Loire?
No. But they do have Cremant de Loire AOP and Rose de Loire AOP
What is the most important AOP in Pays Nantais?
Muscadet Sevre et Maine
100% Muscadet
What winemaking technique is practiced in Muscadet Sevre et Maine
must have lees contact
What are the subregions of Muscadet Sevre et Maine?
Clisson, Le Pallet, Gorges
Where is Anjou AOP and what grows there?
In Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley. Cab Franc, Cab Sauv. Anjou Gamay = 100% Gamay.
Some Chenin and Chard/Sauv Blanc for white and sparkling
Where in Savennieres AOP and what is it known for?
In Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley. Known for 100% Chenin Blanc. Med + alch at least because grapes are harvested late and fermented dry.
Where is Coteaux de Layon AOP and what wine is it known for?
In Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley. Known for 100% Chenin blanc fermented sweet
What are the two AOP regions within Savennieres AOP?
Coulee de Serrant AOP (2011) and Roche aux Moines AOP (2011)
What are the two AOP regions within Coteaux de Layon AOP?
Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts de Chaume AOP
Where is Saumur AOP and what is made there?
In Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley. Makes red, white and sparkling. Chenin Blanc, Cab Franc + Cab Sauv/Pineau d’Aunis
Where is Saumur-Champigny AOP and what is made there?
In Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley. Red only - Cab Franc + Cab Sauv/Pineau d’Aunis
In a nutshell what is Touraine known for?
Compelling Cab Franc and Chenin Blanc in all forms
White grapes of Touraine AOP
Mostly Sauvignon Blanc, sometimes Chenin
Red grapes of Touraine AOP
Combined Cab Franc and Cot (Malbec)
Touraine Gamay = 85% Gamay Noir
Touraine Noble-Joue AOP
Rose only, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
Where is Vouvray AOP located and what wine is made?
Touraine, Loire Valley. min 95% Chenin Blanc
sec, demi sec, moelleux, doux
still, petulant, mousseux (12 mo on lees)
Describe Vouvray compared to Savenieres
Vouvray has less alcohol, high acid, delicate - like Mosel Riesling
Where is Mountlouis-sur-Loire AOP located? What wine is made?
Touraine, Loire Valley, across the river from Vouvray. Makes wine very similar to Vouvray, 100% Chenin Blanc
Where is Chinon AOP and what wine is made there?
In Touraine, Loire Valley. Makes red, white and rose. Cabernet Franc (with max 10% Cab Sauv) and 100% Chenin Blanc.