Loire Valley Flashcards
T/F: The regional appellation for Loire is Loire AC
False - there is none
Describe the two climates of the Loire and which regions experience each.
Nantais and Anjou are cool maritime
Touraine and Central Vineyards are cool with an increasing continental influence.
Describe the wine style of Chenin as it ages
young wines - fresh apple to exotic fruit
Can have botrytis - apricot flavours
Become richer, rounder honied with age
What are two synonyms for Muscadet in the Loire?
Melon Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne
What grape variety is Pays Nantais known for
Melon de Bourgogne
What is the difference between Sauvignon Blanc for Loire vs New Zealand?
Loire valley ferments at slightly warmer temperatures, and fermentation may take place in old oak. More restrained style without excessive herbaceous or fruity varietal character. Cool continental climate.
Small scale vineyard ownership and limited areas, high demand makes prices high
What two regions in the Loire will you find S.Blanc?
Tourraine and Central Vineyards
Describe the Cab Franc wine style in Loire
Light and fragrant, juicy, high acid
to more robust tannin and the use of oak
T/F: Cab Franc can be used for rose in Loire?
True
What environmental hazards occurs in the Central Vineyards?
summer hail
What are the three main Appellations in Central Vineyards?
Sancerre AC, Pouilly-Fume AC and Menetou-Salon AC
What is the soil in Sancerre?
Chalky, well drained
A band of flint rock (Chavignol and Les Monts Damnes)
What is the soil like in Pouilly -Fume
Chalky, well drained, more flint, more gentle slopes
T/F: Pouily-Fume is the only appellation that also makes red wines (in the central vineyards)
False - they don’t make Red
What are the main grape varieties in Sancerre and Menetou-Salon?
Sauv Blanc and Pinot Noir
What are the main AC’s in Tourraine
Chinon and Bourgueil
Vouvray and Tourraine
What are the 5 main grape varieties in Touraine AC?
Sauv Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Cab Franc, Gamay, Malbec
T/F: Vouvray makes red wine
False. Always Chenin Blanc
What is the famous soil in Vouvray?
Tuffeau soils (cave like)
What is the main grape variety in Chinon and Bourgueil?
Cab Franc
What are the three styles of wine that come from Chinon?
- lightest wines from sandy soils in the valley of the River Vienne
- firmer body from the Plateau has clay and gravel
- finest wines come from limestone hillside slopes
Explain oak use in Chinon.
Traditionally old casks were used, and now producers are experimenting with newer oak - can add to cost
What are the two main AC’s in Bourgueil?
Bourgueil AC and St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AC
What are the key AC’s in Anjou Saumur
Saumur, Anjou, Coteaux de Layon and Savennieres
What are the two sub appellations in Saumur and what are they known for?
Saumur Ac and Saumur-Champigny AC
-chenin blanc and cab franc
What are the three appellations in Anjou that make rose and what are their styles
Cabernet d’Anjou AC - always med sweet, Cab Franc and Cab Sauv
Rose d’Anjou - less sweet, made from Groulleau and Cab Franc
Rose de Loire AC - always dry, min 30% cab grapes in blend
What grape is only found in Anjou which gives large yields. It is used as a base for Rose d’Anjou and Sparkling wine
Groulleau
What are the two main grapes of Anjou AC
Chenin and Cab Franc
Roses use Groulleau, Cab Franc, Gamay (Cab Sauv)
What is the wine style in Coteaux de Layon?
Range of Botrytis affect Chenin - adds body and texture
fresh fruit character, 12-14% alc
What are the two main sites in Coteaux de Layon?
Quarts de Chaume AC and Bonnezeaux AC
Describe the wine in Savennieres.
Dry Chenin - full bodied, complex, can develop honey, smoke and mineral flavours as they develop
What are the three main AC’s in Nantais?
Muscadet AC, Muscadet Sevre et Maine AC and Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie
T/F: All wines from Nantais are dry
true
What is the max alch allowed for Muscadet in Nantais
12%
Describe Muscadet sur Lie
wine bottles directly from cask in the spring following the vintage. Wine is handled very little. May have fine bubbles. Contact with lees gives more body and slightly yeasty character
What is the name given to the IGP of the Loire Valley?
Val de Loire
How does the location of Coteaux de Layon affect the wine style
Coteaux de Layon is in a sheltered valley of Layon - best are south facing slopes, which encourages ripeness and the onset of Botrytis
