Loire Valley

Question 1

Loire Valley Climate

Answer 1

rages widely from

• temperate-maritime on the Atlantic coastline in the western portions of the region, to
• cool-continental in the eastern reaches

Question 2

Loire Valley Geography

Answer 2

• Loire Valley fallows the course of the Loire River

- northwestern France

Question 3

Loire River

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

Loire Valley Grapes

Answer 4

Top White
-Sauvignon Blanc
-Chenin Blanc
Top Red
-Cabernet Franc
-Pinot Noir

Question 5

Loire Valley Top Regions

Answer 5

• Pays Nantais
• Anjou-Saumur
• Touraine
• Upper Loire(a.k.a. Central)

Question 6

The 2 top AOC regions producing 100% Sauvignon Blanc wines

Answer 6

• Sancerre

- Pouilly-Fumé

Question 7

Pays Nantais

Answer 7

• Western most area in Loire Valley
• maritime climate
• perfect to Melon de Bourgogne grape(aka Muscadet)

Question 8

Pays Nantais AOCs

Answer 8

Muscadet

Question 9

Muscadet AOC

Answer 9

-light crips white wines
-100% Melon de Bourgogne
-Blanc Nouveau/Primeur
-Blanc “Sur Lie”
“Appellation Muscadet Contrôlée”

Question 10

AOC Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine

Answer 10

• wines made in a more specific and higher quality subregion of Muscadet
• 100% Melon de Bourgogne

Question 11

“Appellation Muscadet Sur Lie Contrôlée”

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

Anjou-Saumur

Answer 12

• most important city: Angers
• slightly cooler than Pays Nantais
• dry reds, rosés as well as dry, sweet and sometimes sparkling wines

Question 13

Anjou-Saumur AOCs

Answer 13

• Savennières
• Coteaux du Layon
• Saumur-Champigny

Question 14

Savennières

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

Savennières: sub-appellation AOCs in 2011

Answer 15

-Roche aux Moines
-Coulée de Serrant
(Sec, Moulleux, Doux): 100% Chenin Blanc

Question 16

Coteaux du Layon

Answer 16

• right of the Layon river(tributary of the loire river) ideal for noble rot/botrytis
• sweet wine AOC
• 100% Chenin Blanc

Question 17

Coteaux du Layon AOCS

Answer 17

• Bonnezeaux

- Quarts de Chaume

Question 18

Quarts de Chaume AOC

Answer 18

top examples of Chenin Blanc-based dessert wines

Question 19

Saumur-Champigny

Answer 19

• best known red wine appellation

- delicate Cabernet Franc, plus a max. 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis

Question 20

Saumur Mousseux AOC

Answer 20

• Blanc-based on Chenin Blanc (not 100%)
• Rosé-based on Cabernet Franc (not 100%)
• both most be made in traditional method and aged 9 months on lees

Question 21

Touraine

Answer 21

• east of Anjou-Saumur
• Largest area in the Loire Valley
• many of top reds made in the Loire Valley are here from Cabernet Franc
• Chenin Blanc for whites

Question 22

Touraine AOCs

Answer 22

• Chinon
• Bourgueil
• Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
• Vouvray

Question 23

Chinon AOC

Answer 23

• Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc
• Rosé and Rouge: Cabernet Franc plus a max. 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Rouge and rosé wines may be produced solely from Cabernet Franc. If blended, Cabernet Franc must constitute the majority of the wine

Question 24

Bourgueil AOC

Answer 24

• Rosé and Rouge: Cabernet Franc plus a max. 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc must account for the majority of the blend.

Question 25

Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC

Answer 25

- Rosé and Rouge: Cabernet Franc plus a max. 10% Cabernet Sauvignon - Wines may be produced solely from Cabernet Franc. If blended, Cabernet Franc must constitute the majority of the wine

Question 26

Vouvray AOC

Answer 26

- Blanc: min 95% Chenin Blanc, plus a max. 5% Orbois - Vin Mousseux/Pétillant (méthode traditionnelle) - Chenin Blanc must comprise the majority of the blend

Question 27

Vouvray may be produced in a range of sweetness levels

Answer 27

-sec -sec-tendre (off-dry) -demi-sec -moelleux -liquereux The final decision on residual sugar is usually a response to the vagaries of each vintage

Question 28

Upper Loire/Central Vineyards

Answer 28

Same Kimmeridgian limestone found in Burgundy and Champagne - Sancerre - Pouilly-Fumé

Question 29

Sancerre AOC

Answer 29

- South of Orléans - Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc* - Rosé: 100% Pinot Noir - Rouge: 100% Pinot Noir - West of the Loire River, across from Pouilly-Fumé

Question 30

Pouilly-Fumé AOC

Answer 30

- Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc - East of the Loire River, across from Sancerre - flint in soil create smokier flavor than in Sancerre