Loire Valley Flashcards
The Loire Valley produces more _______ than any other region in France, and is second only to _________ for __________.
White wine
Champagne–sparkling wine
Primary white varietals in the Loire Valley
Chenin Blanc
Melon de Bourgogne
Sauvignon Blanc
Secondary varietals in the Loire Valley
Chardonnay Orbois Romorantin Gros Plant (Folle Blanche) Chasselas
Red varietals in the Loire Valley
Cabernet Franc Pinot Noir Gamay Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec (Cot) Pineau d'Aunis Groslot (Grolleau)
What are the regions of the Loire from West to East?
Pay Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
The Central Vineyards
What grape predominates Pay Nantais?
Melon de Bourgogne
What are the four melon de bourgogne appellations in Pay Nantais?
- Muscadet AOP–basic appellation but most producers qualify for one of the other classifications
- Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP–northern most appellation–>leaner wines
- Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOP–newest appellation (1994) and wines are struggling to achieve quality
- -Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP–confluence of the Sevre and Maine rivers, these wines account for 80% of Muscadet
Nearly half of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine wines are bottled as what?
Sur lie–wines must come from one of the three subzones of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine and must be aged on their lees over the winter and then bottled directly, without filtering, between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest
Subzones (“crus”) of Muscadet-Sevre-et-Maine and how long must the wine be aged on lees to be labeled sur lie in these areas?
Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges
18 months on lees
What is the largest, most diverse, and most dynamic region in the Loire Valley?
Anjou-Saumur
This region makes every style of wine the Loire Valley offers
What region is the center of sparkling wine production in the Loire?
Saumur
What wines does Anjou produce?
- Dry and sweet chenin blanc (called pineau de la Loire locally)
- Rose (45% of their production; blended with Grolleau grape)
- Cabernet franc (1/3 of the plantings)
What styles does Anjou AOP cover and how does Saumur AOP fit into the designation?
Anjou covers red, white, and sparkling wines–the general appellation for the region.
Saumur wines can be classified as Anjou, but not vice versa.
Where is Savennieres AOP?
Within Anjou, on the north bank of the Loire
What are the two sub-appellations (the unofficial grand crus) of Savennieres that finally achieved their own AOC status in 2011?
Roche aux Moines
Coulee de Serrant–a monopole of Nicolas Joly
Where is Coteaux du Layon AOP and Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP located and what are they known for?
South of the Loire in Anjou, chenin blanc is harvested later with the hope of botrytis. These are the sweet wine AOPs, mandating harvesting in tries.
What are the two AOPs within Corteaux du Layon and what makes them significant?
High quality sweet wines:
Bonnezeaux AOP
Quarts de Chaume AOP–entitled to label as grand cru from 2010 on, located on the banks of the Layon river.
What red wines are produced in Anjou AOP and Anjou-Villages AOP? What wines can/cannot be blended to add structure and balance?
Cabernet franc is the primary varietal. Some producers add cabernet sauvignon to create sturdier, fuller wines.
Gamay is produced to create light reds but cannot be blended in Anjou rouge bottlings.
What wine styles does Saumur AOP cover?
Red, dry white, and sparkling white/rose wines