Loire Valley Flashcards
1
Q
Loire Valley Climate
A
rages widely from
- temperate-maritime on the Atlantic coastline in the western portions of the region, to
- cool-continental in the eastern reaches
2
Q
Loire Valley Geography
A
- Loire Valley fallows the course of the Loire River
- northwestern France
3
Q
Loire River
A
- longest river flowing through France
- begins in the south-central, mountainous region called Massif Central flows north into Orleans before turning west and eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean
4
Q
Loire Valley Grapes
A
Top White -Sauvignon Blanc -Chenin Blanc Top Red -Cabernet Franc -Pinot Noir
5
Q
Loire Valley Top Regions
A
- Pays Nantais
- Anjou-Saumur
- Touraine
- Upper Loire(a.k.a. Central)
6
Q
The 2 top AOC regions producing 100% Sauvignon Blanc wines
A
- Sancerre
- Pouilly-Fumé
7
Q
Pays Nantais
A
- Western most area in Loire Valley
- maritime climate
- perfect to Melon de Bourgogne grape(aka Muscadet)
8
Q
Pays Nantais AOCs
A
Muscadet
9
Q
Muscadet AOC
A
-light crips white wines
-100% Melon de Bourgogne
-Blanc Nouveau/Primeur
-Blanc “Sur Lie”
“Appellation Muscadet Contrôlée”
10
Q
AOC Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
A
- wines made in a more specific and higher quality subregion of Muscadet
- 100% Melon de Bourgogne
11
Q
“Appellation Muscadet Sur Lie Contrôlée”
A
- can come from anywhere with in Muscadet region
- but must be allowed to rest sur lie (on their lees), in contact with the dead yeast cells that will eventually settle to the bottom of a storage vessel after fermentation concludes
- richer body, deeper flavors and sometimes slight carbonation
12
Q
Anjou-Saumur
A
- most important city: Angers
- slightly cooler than Pays Nantais
- dry reds, rosés as well as dry, sweet and sometimes sparkling wines
13
Q
Anjou-Saumur AOCs
A
- Savennières
- Coteaux du Layon
- Saumur-Champigny
14
Q
Savennières
A
- Blanc (Sec to Doux): 100% Chenin Blanc
- generally dry
- steep southern exposure and a unique soil structure composed of blue schist mixed with volcanic debris
15
Q
Savennières: sub-appellation AOCs in 2011
A
-Roche aux Moines
-Coulée de Serrant
(Sec, Moulleux, Doux): 100% Chenin Blanc