Loire Valley Flashcards
Are still rosé wines allowed for Saumur AOP?
No
Can Anjou wines be bottled as Saumur AOP?
No - many Saumur wines may be bottled as Anjou AOP, but not vice versa
Can the subzones of Sèvre-et-Maine be labeled sur lie?
No, the min length of aging for each subzone precludes the use of sur lie
(Le Pallet - on lees til April 2 of 2nd year
Gorges and Clisson: on lees til November 1 of 2nd year)
How large is Quarts de Chaume?
54 ha ≈10,000 cases
Name 2 highly regarded producers of Savennières.
- Domaine des Baumard
- Chateau Pierre-Bise
Name a producer of Bonnezeaux.
Chateau des Fesles
Name the 4 regions of the Loire Valley?
(East to West)
- Pays Nantais
- Anjou-Saumur
- Touraine
- Central Vineyards
T or F - Touraine AOP can also be pétillant, mousseux, and primeur.
True
What 3 AOPs set the bar for classic Loire Cab Franc?
- Chinon
- Bourgueil
- St-Nicholas-de-Bourgueil
What 3 VDQS of Pays Nantais were upgraded to AOC status in 2011?
- Gros Plant du Pays Nantais
- Coteaux d’Ancenis
- Fiefs Vendéens
What 5 villages are allowed to append their name to Touraine AOP?
- Mesland
- Azay-le-Rideau
- Amboise
- Oisly
- Chenonceaux
What AOP is entitled to the “Grand Cru” moniker from 2010 forward?
Quarts de Chaume AOP
What AOP is located in the Allier department? What colors are produced?
- Pourçain
- Red, rosé and white
What AOP is located in the Cher department? What color/grapes are used?
- Chateaumeillant
- Red and rosé - Gamay
What AOP of the Central Vineyards is reserved 100% Cab Franc?
Orléans-Cléry AOP
What AOP of the Central Vineyards produce rosé from a pale vin gris from Pinot Gris?
Reuilly
What appellation of Muscadet was created in 1994?
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
What are the 3 broad soil distinctions of Chinon?
- tuffeau (marine limestone)
- clay
- varennes - alluvial
What are the 3 main soils of Sancerre?
- Silex - flint
- Terres blanches - kimmeridgian clay
- Caillottes - stony, fossils
What are the 3 subzones for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine?
- Clisson
- Le Pallet
- Gorges
What are the 4 AOPs for Melon in Pays Nantais?
- Muscadet
- Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire
- Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu
- Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine
What are the aging requirements for Muscadet Sur Lie?
Wines are aged on their lees over the winter, and are bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between 3/1 and 11/30 of the year following the harvest, cannot be markested until 3/8
What are the best and most ageworthy red wines historically produced in the Loire?
Chinon and Bourgueil in Touraine
What are the colors/grapes of Cotes du Forez and Cote Roannaise?
Red and rosé - Gamay
What are the grapes used for Touraine AOP white wines?
Sauvignon Blanc and a max 20% Sauvignon Gris
What are the major grapes used for red and rosé Touraine AOP wines?
- Gamay
- Groslot
- Pineau d’Aunis
- Cab Franc
What are the soils of Saumur?
soft tuffeau limestone
What color and grape is used for the Orléans-Cléry AOP?
Red only - 100% Cab Franc
What color can be produced under the Pouilly-Fumé AOP?
White only
What color wines and what grapes are used for Cheverny AOP? Where is it located?
- Light reds - Pinot Noir and Gamay based
- White - SB
- Touraine
What color wines are produced under the Chinon AOP? From what grapes?
- Red, rosé - Cab Franc + 10% Cab Sauv
- White - Chenin Blanc
What color wines are produced under the Quincy AOP?
White only - Sauv Blanc
What colors are produced for Cotes d’Auvergne and St-Pourçain?
Red, rosé and white
What colors/grapes are used for Coteaux du Giennois AOP? Where is it located?
- Central Vineyards
- White - SB
- Red and rosé - req blended PN and Gamay
What colors/grapes are used for Reuilly AOP?
- Red - PN
- Rosé - PG
- White - Sauv Blanc
What communes are Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume located in?
- Bonnezeaux - Thouarcé
- Quarts de Chaume - Rochefort-sur-Loire
What former “Grand Crus” of Savennières finally received their own AOCs in 2011? Which is a monopole of Nicolas Joly?
- Roche aux Moines
- Coulée de Serrant - monopole of Nicolas Joly
What former part of Vouvray now has its own AOP?
Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP - 100% Chenin Blanc
What former VDQS of Central Vineyards was promoted in 2006? What colors/grapes?
- Orléans AOP
- Red and rosé - Pinot Meunier
- White - Chardonnay
What former VDQS of Pays Nantais was upgraded to AOC in 2011? Where is it located?
- Haut-Poitou
- 50 miles due south of Chinon
What grape dominates Anjou blanc?
Chenin Blanc
What grape dominates the Saumur-Champigny AOP? Where is produced?
- Cabernet Franc
- The commune of Champigny and the eight surrounding villages
What grape is used for the Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP?
Chasselas
What grapes are used for red Saumur AOP wines?
CF, CS, and Pineau d’Aunis
What grapes are used for Vouvray AOP? Where is it located?
- Chenin Blanc + 5% Orbois
- Touraine
What is “Cru Communaux”?
A designation that was proposed in 2001, requiring eligible wines from specified schist soils to spend a min 18 months sur lie
- In 2011, this proposal introduced 3 subzones for Sevre-et-Maine:
- Clisson
- Le Pallet
- Gorges
What is “Hermine d’Or”?
An unofficial label term that promotes terroir and stresses ageability for Muscadet
What is Cabernet Franc called in the Loire Valley?
Breton
What is Chenin Blanc known as in Anjou?
Pineau de la Loire
What is Folle Blanche called in the Loire Valley?
Gros Plant
What is Groslot called in the Loire Valley?
Grolleau
What is Jasnières AOP?
A sub-appellation to Coteaux du Loir (Touraine), produces Chenin Blanc
What is Malbec called in the Loire Valley?
Cot
What is Menetou-Salon AOP located? What grapes are used?
- Central Vineyards
- Sauv Blanc/Pinot Noir
What is Orbois called in the Loire Valley?
Menu Pineau
What is Pinot Meunier known as in the Loire Valley?
Gris Meunier
What is the AOP for red wines produced in the Coteaux l’Aubance boundaries?
Anjou Villages Brissac AOP
What is the AOP for sweet wines produced under the Anjou Villages Brissac boundaries?
Coteaux l’Aubance
What is the basic AOP in Anjou for Gamay?
Anjou Gamay AOP - but Gamay may not be blended in standard rouge bottlings
What is the Coteaux du Vendômois AOP?
(Touraine) Located NE of Coteaux du Loir, a newer appellation specializing in dry rosé of Pineau d’Aunis
What is the major soil of Pouilly-Fumé?
Silex - flint
What is the min residual sugar for Coteaux du Layon and Coteaux du l’Aubance?
34g/l of RS
What is the min RS required for the wines of Chaume?
min 80 g/l of RS
What is the southernmost AOP in the Loire? What colors are produced?
- Cotes d’Auvergne AOP
- Red, rosé, and white
What is the Terres blanches soil of the Central Vineyards?
A continuation of the same Kimmeridgian clay that extends into Chablis
What is Touraine Noble-Joué AOP for? When was it created?
- 2001
- It recreates a historical vin gris style of a blend of Gris Meunier (Pinot Meunier), Malvosie (PG) and Pinot Noir
What moniker is used for Didier Dagueneau’s “Grand Cru” bottling of Pouilly-Fumé?
“Silex”
What other AOP of the Loire other than Muscadet can be labeled sur lie?
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais
What portion of Anjou’s total production is devoted to rosé? What grape dominates these?
- 45%
- Grolleau
What range of sweetness levels are produced under Vouvray?
- Sec
- Sec-tendre (off-dry)
- Demi-sec
- Moelleux
- Liquereux
What regions can blend into Crémant de Loire AOP?
Touraine, Anjou and Saumur
What river are Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé located on?
Loire River
What seven villages are entitled to add their names to the basic Coteaux du Layon AOP? What is required for these wines?
- Beaulieu-sur-Layon
- Rochefort-sur-Loire
- Faye d’Anjou
- St-Lambert du Lattay
- St-Aubin de Luigné
- Rablay-sur-Layon
- Chaume
- Higher min must weights, lower max yields
What southern Touraine AOP is for both wine and goats’ milk cheeses? What grapes are used?
-Valençay AOP
White - SB
Rosé/Red - Gamay, PN, Cot
What style of wine is produced under the Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP? Where is it located?
- Sweet botrytis Chenin Blanc
- Anjou
What style of wines are produced under the Bourgueil and St-Nicholas-de-Bourgueil AOPs? From what grapes?
- Red and rosé
- Cab Franc + 10% Cab Sauv
What style of wines are produced under the Coteaux du Loir AOP?
- Red and rosé - Pineau d’Aunis
- White - Chenin Blanc
What style wines are produced under the Anjou-Villages AOP? What are the major varieties?
Red only - CF and CS
What styles of wine are produced under Coteaux du Layon AOP? Where is located?
- Sweet botrytis Chenin Blanc
- Anjou
What styles of wines are produced under the Anjou AOP?
- Red
- White
- Sparkling
What tributary of the Loire is Chinon located on?
Vienne
What was the second demarcated appellation in France?
Quincy (Central Vineyards)
What white grapes are used for Saumur AOP? The recipe is shared with what AOP?
- Chenin Blanc - until 2016 max combined 20% Chard and SB
- a recipe identical to Anjou Blanc
What wines are produced under the Saumur AOP?
- Red
- Dry white
- Sparkling white
- Sparkling rosé
What wines of Anjou can carry the “Premier Cru” moniker?
- Chaume
- Quarts de Chaume complained enough to have it banished back into the fold in 2009. When Quarts de Chaume was bestowed with “Grand Cru” the INAO allowed “1er cru” on Chaume
Where are Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume located? What wines are produced?
- Coteaux du Layon (Anjou)
- Sweet Chenin Blanc
Where is Chasselas produced in the Loire Valley?
Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP (Central Vineyards)
Where is Cour-Cheverny located? What grape is it?
- Touraine
- Romorantin
Where is the Loire’s center for sparkling wine?
Saumur
Which sub-region of Muscadet is the leanest wine?
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP - the most northerly appellation
What is the cepage of Chinon rouge & rosé?
Cab Franc + max 10% Cab Sauv
What is the max yield and max RS for Quarts de Chaume? Chaume?
Quarts de Chaume (as of 2011):
•20hl/ha
•85g/l RS
Chaume:
•25hl/ha
•80g/l RS (as of 2011)
Classic white varietals of Loire
Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc, & melon de Bourgogne
Secondary white grapes of Loire
Chardonnay, orbois, romorantin, Gros plant (folle Blanche), & chasselas
Red wine grapes of Loire
Cabernet franc, Pinot noir, gamay, cab Sauvignon, Malbec, pineau d’aunis, groslot
Pays Nantais climate
Cool, wet maritime
Most planted grape of Pays Nantais
Muscadet/ melon de Bourgogne
4 appellations for muscadet in pays Nantais
Muscadet AOP, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP, Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOP, & Muscadet Serve et Maine AOP
Soils of Muscadet Serve et Maine AOP
Gneiss, silica, clay,& granite
3 subzones of Muscadet serve et Maine
Clisson, Le Pallet, & Gorges
Where is Anjou saumur?
Between pays Nantais and touraine
Location of saumur
It’s an eastern sub-region of Anjou, adjacent to chinon
Anjou produces:
Dry and sweet wines from Chenin blanc as well as rosés from Groulleau, which accounts for 45% of production
Soils/ topography of savennieres
North bank of Loire, steep southern exposure, blue schist mixed with volcanic debris
2 sub appellations of Coteaux du Layon
Bonnezeaux & Quarts de Chaume
Where is Bonnezeaux AOP?
South facing aspects in the commune of Thouarcé in Coteaux du Layon
Where is Quarts de Chaume AOP
South facing aspect in the commune of Rochefort-Sur-Loire in Coteaux du Layon in Anjou Samur
Where is Quarts de Chaume AOP
South facing aspect in the commune of Rochefort-Sur-Loire in Coteaux du Layon in Anjou Samur
Quarts du Chaume soils/ climate
Small band of sandstone and schist hillsides on the banks of the Layon River and is protected from winds and touched by morning mists.
Anjou Villages Brissac AOP covers the same 10 communes as
Coteaux de l’Aubance
Champigny soils
Harder limestone that is iron rich and inflected with shale.
How many appellations of Anjou Saumur are there?
18
Soils of Bourgueil
Sand and limestone
Soil of St Nicolas de Bourgueil
Lighter alluvial soils.
Grapes of chinon, bourgueil and st Nicolas
Cab franc with up to 10% cab sauv. Only chinon can produce whites, from Chenin blanc
Which appellation is across the river from vouvray?
Montlouis sur Loire
Montlouis sur Loire AOP
Formerly part of vouvray, similar in style, may be made in the same spectrum of styles. Orbois is not permitted.
Synonym for Pinot Gris in Touraine
Malvosie
Coteaux du Vendômois AOP
Dry roses from pineau d’aunis
Chevrey AOP
Light reds from Pinot noir and gamay. Whites from sauv blanc
Cour-Cheverney AOP
100% Romorantin bottled varietally
Climate of the central vineyards
Chiefly continental; cold winters and brisk days during harvest and bud break bring the dangers of frost. Short summers do not assure easy ripening.
Caillottes
Stoney soil littered with fossils. (found in Sancerre)
Who appropriated the “silex” moniker for his Pouilly Fune Grand Cru
Didier Dagueneau
Sancerre rouge/ rose is made from
Pinot noir
Pouilly sur Loire AOP
White wines from chasselas
Menetou Salon AOP
Sauv blanc and Pinot noir
Reuilly AOP
Sauv blanc and Pinot noir. Roses in vin Gris style from Pinot Gris.
Chateaumaillant AOP
Reds and roses from gamay.
Where is Fiefs Vendeens?
Pays Nantais
Where is savennieres?
Anjou-Saumur
Where is valençay?
Touraine
Where is menetou salon?
Central vineyards
Where is Sancerre?
Central vineyards
Where is Muscadet?
Pays Nantais
Where is Bonnezeaux?
Anjou-Saumur
Where is quarts de Chaume?
Anjou-Saumur
Where is Vouvray?
Touraine
Where is chinon?
Touraine
Where is Coteaux d’Ancenis?
Pays Nantais
Where is Coteaux du Layon?
Anjou-Saumur
Where is Bourgueil?
Touraine
Where is Quincy?
Central vineyards
Where is Pouilly Fume?
Central vineyards
Where is Champigny?
Anjou-Saumur
Where is Reuilly?
Central vineyards.
St Nicolas de Bourgueil does not produce___ wines
White
Grape of cour- Cheverney
Whites from Romorantin
Grape of Pouilly fumé
Sauv blanc
Grape of Bourgueil
Cab franc
Grape of Muscadet serve et Maine
Melon de Bourgogne
Grape of Coteaux du Layon
Chenin blanc
Chasselas is the main grape for which appellation
Pouilly sur Loire
Where is Muscadet cotes de Grandlieu?
Pays Nantais
Where is Orleans Clery?
Central vineyards
Where is st pourçain?
Allier (central France)
Where is Coteaux du Loir?
Touraine
Nicolas Joly owns what monopole?
Clos de Coulée des Serrant
Grape of Coteaux du Loir?
Pineau d’aunis
Grape of Touraine noble Joué
Pinot meunier
Grape of Quincy
Sauv blanc
Grape of Orleans Clery
Cab franc
What is the longest river in France and the last wild river in Europe?
The Loire River
Grape of cotes du Forez
Gamay
How long is the Loire river?
629 miles
Where does the Loire river begin?
Massif Central
What is another name for the Loire Valley?
Jardin de la France
When did Loire Valley become a World Heritage Site
in 2000
When does wine making in Loire date back to?
At least 1st century CE
Loire Valley as a whole produces more ____ than any other French region and is the second largest producer of ____
white wine; sparkling wine
Name a producer who makes Hermine d’Or
Guy Bossard
When did Muscadet Serve et Maine get three subzones?
in 2011
Where is Muscadet?
Pays Nantais
Where is Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire?
Pays Nantais
Where is Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu?
Pays Nantais
Where is Muscadet Serve et Maine?
Pays Nantais
Where is Fiefs Vendeens?
Pays Nantais
Where is Gros Plant du Pays Nantais?
Pays Nantais
Where is Coteaux d’Ancenis?
Pays Nantais
When was Quarts de Chaume AOP first entiteled to the grand cru moniker?
2010
What is the umbrella appellation for Anjou Samur?
Anjou AOP
In what year was Chaume temporarily “Chaume Premier Cru”? In what year was it bestowed again?
2009; 2011
Where is Beaulieu-sur-Layon?
Coteaux du Layon, Anjou-Samur
Where is Rablay-sur-Layon?
Coteaux du Layon, Anjou-Samur
Where is Rochefor-sur-Loire?
Coteaux du Layon, Anjou-Samur
Where is St Aubin de Luigne?
Coteaux du Layon, Anjou-Samur
Where is St. Lambert du Lattay?
Coteaux du Layon, Anjou-Samur
Where is Chaume 1er Cru?
Coteaux du Layon, Anjou-Samur
How many villages may produce Samur Champigny?
8
When did Haut Poitou receive AOP status?
in late 2011
Where is Coteaux de l’Aubance?
Anjou Samur
Where is Coteaux du Layon?
Anjou Samur
Where is Bonnezeaux?
Coteaux du Layon, Anjou Samur
Where is Quarts de Chaume?
Coteaux du Layon, Anjou Samur
Where is Savennieres?
Anjou Samur
Where is Savennieres-Roche aux Moines?
Anjou Samur
Where is Savennieres- Coulee de Serrant?
Anjou Samur
Where is Haut Poitou?
Anjou Samur (south of Saumur and Touraine)
What is the largest and most important white wine district of Touraine?
Vouvray
How many delimited communes of Vouvray are there?
8
Gamay bottlings of Touraine AOP are often sold locally as___
Primeur
When was Touraine Noble-Joue AOP created?
2001
What is the wine style of Touraine Noble-Joue?
Vin gris- from a blend of Gris Meunier, Malvoise and Pinot Noir
Where is Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny in Touraine?
On the eastern side
Where is Chinon?
Touraine
Where is Bourgueil?
Touraine
Where is St Nicolas de Bourgueil?
Touraine
Where is Vouvray?
Touraine
Where is Montlouis sur Loire?
Touraine
Where is Cheverny?
Touraine
Where is Cour Cheverny?
Touraine
Where is Valencay
Touraine
Where is Coteaux du Loir?
Touraine
Where is Jasnieres?
Touraine
Where is Coteaux du Vendomois?
Touraine
When was Orleans AOP promoted from VDQS?
in 2006
Where is Sancerre?
Central Vineyards
Where is Pouilly-sur-Loire?
Central Vineyards
Where is Pouilly Fume?
Central Vineyards
Where is Menetou-Salon?
Central Vineyards
Where is Quincy?
Central Vineyards
Where is Reuilly?
Central Vineyards
Where is Coteaux du Giennois?
Central Vineyards
Where is Orleans?
Central Vineyards
Where is Orleans-Clery?
Central Vineyards
Name the other appellations of central France
Chateaumeillant, Cote Roannaise, St Pourcain, Cotes du Forez, Cotes d’Auvergne
What part of Sancerre and Pouilly vineyards have Caillottes soils?
Lower vineyard sites
What part of Sancerre has silex soils?
It is centered around the town and at Menetreol-sous-Sancerre
What part of Sancerre has terres blances soils?
The hillsides
Name 4 sub regions of Sancerre
Chavignol, Amigny, Bue, Champtin
Name a Pinot producer in Menetou-Salon
Henry Pelle
Name a Pinot producer in Reuilly
Domaine de Reuilly (Denis Jamain)
What two central vineyard appellations do not allow 100% pinot noir bottlings? What must it be blended with?
Coteaux du Giennois and Chateaumeillant; Gamay
Name 3 producers of Sancerre who vinify and age their wines in wood.
Alphonse Mellot, Benjamin Dagueneau, Domaine Vacheron
What is a foudres? What producer in Sancerre uses it?
a 12 hl barrel from an Autrian cooperage; Domaine Vacheron
What is the largest appellation in Central Loire?
Sancerre
Where in Sancerre is Henri Bourgeois based?
Chavignol
Where is Sancerre is Domaine Merlin-Cherrier based?
Bue
Where in Sancerre are Francois and Lucien Crochet based?
Bue
Name 2 bottlings from Pascal Cotat
La Grand Cote and Les Monts Damnes
Name 3 bottlings from Francios Cotat
La Grand Cote, Les Monts Damnes and Cul de Beaujeu
The appellation laws of Coteaux de Giennois prevents pure ______ bottlings.
Pinot Noir
Name the three small towns of Menetou-Salon
Morogues, Parassy, Menetou-salon
What styles of wine are made in Chateaumeillant? From what grapes?
Reds and roses only from Gamay with some PInot Noir and a small amount of Pinot Gris for the roses
Describe the climate of Eastern Touraine.
It is in the transition stage between the moderate climate of Anjou-Saumur and the more extreme climate of the central vineyards
What grape variety is unique to Saint Pourcain?
Tressalier
When is Pinot Gris customarily labeled Malvoisie?
When it is used for semi-sweet and sweet wines in Touraine Noble Joue
When does the law of Touraine change? What will the change be?
In 2016, whites must be made from Sauv Blanc with a max of 20% Sauvignon Gris. Chard, Chenin Blanc and Arbois will not be allowed. Roses must be made from a blend of 2 varieties (10 to choose from). Reds must be made from gamay or a blend of Cab Sauv and Cot
What are the grapes of Touraine Azay le Rideau?
Chenin Blanc ad Grouleau (roses)
What is the wine style of Touraine Noble Joue? What are the grapes?
Always a rose and from a blend of three Pinots- Gris, Meunier, Nior
What is the first vintage of Domaine Huet?
1928
In what direction do majority of the vineyards face in Montlouis?
South towards the Cher Valley
Jacky and Joelle Blot own two domaines. What are they? Where are they?
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups (Montlouis) and Domine de la Butte (Bourgueil)
Where are the sandy soils of Chinon found? What styles of wine are produced from this soil?
Mainly at the western end of the appellation- lightest of the wines from Chinon
Where are the gravel soils of Chinon found? What style of wines are produced from this soil?
Mostly on the north bank of the Vienne- wines are medium in body and can be aged 8-10 years
Where are the clay-limestone soils of Chinon found? What styles of wine are produced from this soil?
On the slopes- most structured, concentrated and ageworthy wines
How many communes are there in Saumur Champigny?
8
What are the soils of Anjou?
Slate, schist, phyllite and vaious carboniferous rocks
What is the climate of Anjou?
Gentle- spring generally starts early and is coupled with a frequently dry, sunny autumn
When was Quarts de Chaume awarded Grand Cru status? What came along with this?
Nov 2011- The minimum potential alcohol of grapes at the time of harvest was raised as well as lower yields per ha
What are the three Crus Communaux of Muscadet? When were they awarded?
Clisson, Gorges, Les Pallet in 2011
When was Les Fiefs Vendeens promoted from VDQS to AOC?
Feb 2011
What are the grapes of Les Fiefs Vendeens?
Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Negrette and Ragoutant