Loire Valley Flashcards
List the Loire regions east to west
Central Vineyards, Touraine, Anjou-Saumur, Pays Nantais
What are the 4 AOC’s for Muscadet
Muscadet AOP
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP (accounts for 75%-80% of Production)
** Sèvre and Maine are bisecting tributaries that lead to the Loire
What is the climate of Pay Nantais
cool wet maritime
What are the styles of wine for Muscadet AOP, are reds authorized
Only Blanc:
- 100% Melon de Bourgogne
- “Sur Lie”
* All Muscadet wines may include the geographical designation “Val de Loire” on the label
What are the Sur Lie requirements for Muscadet AOP
- kept on its lees (in either tank or barrel) after fermentation until at least March 1 of the year following the harvest
- wine is bottled directly off its fine lees between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest, and not marketed until at least March 8
What are the sub-zones for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP
Clisson, Gorges, Le Pallet
Cru Communaux (Cru system used for Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine) wines grow on schist soil and age longer then 18 months
**** Added July 2019: Goulaine, Mouzillon-Tillières, Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, Château-Thébaud
Clisson: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least November 1 of the second year following the harvest (24 months) - Granite soils - dried fruits and most concentrated profile of the 3 crus
Gorges: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least November 1 of the second year following the harvest (24 months) - Clay and gabbro (igneous rock) - minerality & smokey notes
Le Pallet: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least April 1 of the second year following the harvest (approx. 18 months) - pronounced floral element - Gneiss, quartz, and gabbro (igneous rock is formed from molten or partially molten material)
What does the term Sur Lie imply
Sur lie wines are aged on their lees
What is the meaning of the term “Hermine d’Or”
unofficial label term that promotes terroir and stresses ageability
Guy Bossard adopted this
What are the 3 non Muscadet AOP’s of the Nantais
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais, Coteaux d’Ancenis, and Fiefs Vendéens
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais: white wines from Folle Blanche (Gros Plant locally)
Coteaux d’Ancenis: Blanc: 100% Pinot Gris (semi-sweet)
Rosé and Rouge: 100% Gamay
Varietally-Labeled “Malvoisie”: 100% Pinot Gris
Fiefs Vendéens: red ,white (chenin blanc) ,rose
What is another name for Gros Plant in Pay Nantais
Folle Blanche
What is another name for Pinot Gris in the Loire
Malvoisie
What are the 2 rock/soil types shown
Tuffea top - soft limestone ie., Turonian Chalk (the name Touraine comes from this time frame) - a combination of sand and marine fossils; this soil is extremely porous, absorbing water rapidly and disseminating it slowly.
sandstone-rich, chalky limestone as found in the Loire, particularly around Touraine - calcium rich with high acidityall chalk is technically limestone, Turonian chalk in French 89-93mmillion years old
Schist bottom -
What is the synonym for Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley
Pineau de la Loire, Gros Pineau
What are the sparkling catergories (not styles) of the Loire
Pétillants, Mousseaux, Crémant
Pétillants: half the pressure (1-2.5 atms) of Mousseux and Cremant - traditonal method - Fizzy
Mousseux: min 3 atm, min 9 months sur lie, less demand - Mousseux means frothy or bubbly
Crémant: The wines must spend a min. 9 months on the lees prior to dégorgement, and may not be released for a min. 12 months after the date of tirage
Min. 4 atmospheres of pressure
What is the town most Anjou appellations are centered around
Angers
Anjou-Saumur Map
- 85 grams a liter
- Bonnezeaux - 51 g/l - Unlike Quarts du Chaume, chaptalization is legal, Min. Must Weight: 238 g/l
- Loir River
- Coteaux de l’Aubance (Chenin sweet min. 34g/l) & Anjou Villages Bressac (CF&CS)
- Coteaux du Layon AOP: Chaume (“Premier Cru”) 80 g/l RS, others min. 34g/l
<em>7 villages may append their name: Faye d’Anjou/Faye, Rochefort, Rochefort (sur-Loire), Rablay, Beaulieu (sur-Layon), St. Aubin de Luigné/St. Aubin, St. Lambert du Lattay/St. Lambert, Chaume</em>
- Grolleau
- Saumur-Champigny - rouge only
- Saumur “Puy Notre-Dame” rouge CF- Coteaux de Saumur AOP - chenin (liquoreaux)
- Savennières Coulée de Serrant AOP (N. Joly monopole) , Savennières Roche Aux Moines AOP
What section is Saumur located in and what is style of wine is it best known for
Eastern sub-region of Anjou, Saumur is Loire’s center for sparkling production
What is the Loire Valley called or refered as
Jardin de la France
Garden of France
True or False
Saumur AOP wines may be labeled as Anjou but not vice versa
True
What styles does Anjou AOP cover
No ROSE
- Blanc: min. 80% Chenin Blanc + max. 20% SB ands Chard
- Rouge: 70% CF and CS + max. 30% combined Pineau d’Aunis and Grolleau (max. 10% Grolleau)
- Anjou Gamay: 100% Gamay
***Rouge can be vinified as premeur/nouveau
- Vin Mousseux Blanc: Min. 70% Chenin Blanc, plus Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pineau d’Aunis, Gamay, and max. 20% Chardonnay (traditional method, min. 9 months on lees)
- Vin Mousseux Rosé: Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pineau d’Aunis (traditional method, min. 9 months on lees)
What styles of wine does Anjou Villages and Anjou Villages Brissac produce
rouge only from Cabernet Franc and Cab Sauvignon
What is the difference between between Anjou Villages and Anjou Villages Brissac
A-V Brissac covers the same 10 communes as Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP, smaller production
they don’t over lap
What are the 2 rose AOP’s of Anjou
Cabernet d’Anjou AOP - Minimum Residual Sugar: 10 g/l
Rose d’Anjou AOP - mainly Grolleau (Groslot), - Minimum Residual Sugar: 7 g/l
What is the difference between Cabernet d’Anjou AOP and Rosé d’Anjou AOP
Caberbet d’Anjou is made exclusively from CF and CS - min. 10 g/l RS (off-dry to sweet)
Rosé d’Anjou primarily from Grolleau (Groslot) min. 7 g/l RS (off-dry)
What are the 2 general AOP’s of Loire Valley
Rosé de Loire AOP and Crémant de Loire AOP
grapes sourced from middle Loire area (Anjou, Saumur and Torraine)
What are the styles of Crémant de Loire AOP with encépagement and aging requirements
- Vin Mousseux Blanc:
Vin Mousseux Rosé - Encépagement: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Orbois, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis
- Traditional Method Secondary Fermentation
The wines must spend a min. 9 months on the lees prior to dégorgement, and may not be released for a min. 12 months after the date of tirage
Min. 4 atmospheres of pressure
What AOP of Anjou-Saumur no longer exist since the 2016 vintage
Cabernet de Saumur AOP
absorbed by Saumur AOP
What is the 1er Cru of Coteaux du Layon, min. RS
Chaume 80 g/l RS, min. must weight 272 g/l
other Coteaux du Layon 34 g/l
Quarts de Chaume: 85g/l RS, min. must weight 298 g/l
How many villages may append their name to the Coteaux du Layon, which is a 1er Cru
7
34 g/l RS other than Chaume
- Faye d’Anjou/Faye
Rochefort-sur-Loire/Rochefort
Rablay-sur-Layon/Rablay
Beaulieu-sur-Layon/Beaulieu
St. Aubin de Luigné/St. Aubin
St. Lambert du Lattay/St. Lambert
Chaume (“Premier Cru”): 80 g/l RS
What is the minimum RS and must weight for Quart de Chaume
85 g/l RS and 298 g/l must weight
Styles and Encépagement:
Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc
***As of the 2010 harvest, “Grand Cru” may be added to the label
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 18% (11% acquired)
Minimum Must Weight: 298 g/l (Cryoextraction is currently prohibited by law, but a transitional agreement allows the practice through 2019.)
Enrichment: Chaptalization is prohibited
Minimum Residual Sugar: 85 g/l (34 g/l prior to 2011)
Harvest Method: Grapes, affected either by passerillage or botrytis, must be harvested by hand in successive tries
True or False
Chaptalization is legal in Bonnezeaux but not Quarts de Chaume
True
Bonnezeaux: Min. RS 51 g/l - Min. must weight 238g/l
Quarts de Chaume: Min. RS 85g/l - must weight 298g/l
What is the minimum RS for Bonnezeaux
51 g/L
What is the RS for Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire, Coteaux du Layon and Coteaux de l’Aubance
34 g/l
*** exception - Coteaux du Layon Chaume Premier Cru: 80 g/l (68 g/l prior to 2011)
What is the style of Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP
white from Chenin blanc, min. 34 g/l same area as Anjou Villages Brissac
Who are 2 highly regarded producers of Quart de Chaume
Domaine des Baumard and Château Pierre-Bise
What are the styles and encépagement of Savennières AOP
Blanc (Sec to Doux): 100% Chenin Blanc only
Sec: Max. 4 g/l (max. 8 g/l if total acidity is within 2 g/l of the residual sugar)
Demi-Sec: Max. 18 g/l (no longer explicitly stated as of 2011)
Moelleux: 18-45 g/l (no longer explicitly stated as of 2011)
Doux: more than 45 g/l (no longer explicitly stated as of 2011)
Which producer has a monople on the Coulée de Serrant AOP
Nicolas Joly
What are the 2 climats of Savenniéres and when did they acheive AOC staus
Savennières Coulée de Serrant AOP
Savennières Roche Aux Moines AOP
2011
What side of the Loire River is Savenniéres postioned, what is the exposure
North side of river with a steep southern exposure
What is the soil of Savenniéres
blue schist with volcanic debris
What are the styles of Saumur AOP, can the AOP make still rose?
- *Blanc**: 100% Chenin Blanc
- *Rouge**: Cabernet Franc, plus a max. 30% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis
- Saumur “Puy Notre-Dame”: Cabernet Franc, max. 15% Cabernet Sauvignon*
- *Vin Mousseux Blanc & Rosé**: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris
No still Rosé authorized
True or False
Saumur is the Loire’s largest sprakling production area
True
What is the style of Saumur-Champigny AOP
Rouge only
- Principal Variety: Cabernet Franc
Accessory Varieties: Max. 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis
What does the name Champigny mean
“Field of Fire” originated from Latin campus igni because of the area’s particularly warm microclimate during the summer.
What is the sweet wine producing AOC of Saumur
Coteaux de Saumur AOP
100% Chenin Blanc
34 g/l RS
What style of wine does Cabernet de Saumur AOC produce
Trick question, was absorbed by Saumur AOP
formely
rose wine from Cab Sauv and Cab Franc, max. 7 g/l RS
dry to off-day styles
Where is Haut-Poitou located and what does it produce
south of Saumur and Torraine area
Blanc: Min. 60% Sauvignon Blanc, plus Sauvignon Gris
Rouge:
Principal Variety: Min. 60% Cabernet Franc
y
What is another name for Malbec in the Loire Valley
Cot
What ia another name for Breton in the Loire Valley
Cabernet Franc
What river flows through Chinon
Vienne river
True or False
Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil only produce red and rosé wines
False, Chinon produces blanc also (Chenin Blanc)
Which three AOPs in Touraine set the classic standard for Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley?
Chinon AOP
Bourgueil AOP
St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP
What are the three main soil types in Chinon AOP?
tuffeau
clay
varennes
What type of soil is Varennes
sandy, alluvial varennes soils are closest to the river Vienne—a Loire tributary that runs through Chinon
What river bisects Vouvray and Montlouis-Sur-Loire and which side of the river do you find the AOP’s
Loire River, Vouvray is on the north side and Montlouis-Sur-Loire south.
Cher river flows south of Montlouis-Sur-Loire
Montlouis-Sur-Loire and Vouvray must be 100% Chenin Blanc
False
Vouvray can have 5% Orbois
no reds
What other grape is allowed in Vouvray
5% Orbois max. is allowed
What is the grape of Cour-Cheverny
Romorantin
What are the styles of Cheverny
Blanc - mainly SB and S Gris
Rouge, Rose - mainly Pinot Noir
Blanc:
Principal Varieties: 60-84% combined Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris
Complementary Varieties: 16-40% combined Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Orbois
Rosé:
Principal Variety: 60-84% Pinot Noir
Complementary Variety: 16-40% Gamay
Accessory Varieties: Max. 25% combined Cabernet Franc and Cot (Malbec)
Rouge:
Principal Variety: 60-84% Pinot Noir
Complementary Variety: 16-40% Gamay
Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% combined Cabernet Franc and Cot
What style of wine does Touraine Noble-Joué AOP produce
rose from min. 40% Pinot Meunier
(Vin Gris style)
What river flows through Jasnieres, Coteaux du Loir and Coteaux du Vendomois
Loir River, Loir river runs north of Loire river
What is the predominat white and red grape of Coteaux du Vendômois AOP
Chenin Blanc and Pineau d’Aunis
What is the predominat white and red grape of Coteaux du Loir AOP, what AOP is nestled in the AOP
Chenin Blanc (100%) and Pineau d’Aunis
Jasniéres AOP
What are the styles of Touraine AOP
**Blanc from SB, Rose (min. 2 grapes),Reds from CF unless Gamay is stated, sparkling
Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc and max. 20% Sauvignon Gris
Rosé: Min. 2 varieties present, and no variety may exceed 70% of the vineyard. Cabernet Franc, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meunier, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pineau d’Aunis
Primeur Rosé: As for Rosé
Rouge:
Principal Varieties: Min. 80% combined Cabernet Franc and Cot (min. 50%). Vineyards west of Tours have a min. 80% Cabernet Franc.
Accessory Varieties: Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir
Primeur Rouge: 100% Gamay
Varietal-Labeled Gamay: Min. 85% Gamay, plus Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, and Pinot Noir
Vin Mousseux/Pétillant Blanc: Min. 60% Chenin Blanc OR Orbois, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Chardonnay, Pineau d’Aunis, Pinot Noir
Vin Mousseux/Pétillant Rosé: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pineau d’Aunis
How many subzones are there of Touraine AOP
5
Amboise*, Mesland*, Azay-le-Rideau*, Oisly**, Chenonceaux**
* Chenin Blanc based whites
** SB based whites
Red vary on area
Touraine Map
- Rosé from Pinot Meunier
- Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir
- Jasnières AOP - Chenin Blanc only
- Saint-Nicholas-de-Bourgueil: rouge/rosé from CF, lighter style on alluvial soil
- Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP: 100% Chenin,
- Blanc only: min 95% Chenin Blanc, plus a max. 5% Orbois
- Pineau d’Aunis - Chenin Blanc for whites
- Blanc: Sauv B
Rosé: Min. 2 CF, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, CS, Meunier, PN PG, Pineau d’Aunis
Rouge: Min. 80% combined Cabernet Franc and Cot (min. 50%).
Primeur Rouge: 100% Gamay - Varietal-Labeled Gamay: Min. 85% Gamay
Mousseux/Pétillant Blanc: Min. 60% Chenin Blanc OR Orbois +
Mousseux/Pétillant Rosé: CF, CS, Cot, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Meunier, PN, PG, Pineau d’Aunis
- Touraine Oisly:Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc (no reds)
Touraine Chenonceaux: Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc - Rouge: 50-65% Cot, 35-50% Cabernet Franc
Other 3 Touraine subzones:
Amboise: Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc
Rosé/Rouge: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay
Mesland: Blanc: Min. 60% Chenin Blanc - Rosé: Min. 80% Gamay - Rouge: Min. 60% Gamay
Azay-le-Rideau: Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc - Rosé: Min. 60% Grolleau; plus Cot, Gamay
Where is Valençay located and what are the predominate varietals
Touraine, off the river Cher, whites mainly SB, reds and rosés mainly Gamay
What style(s) does Orléans-Cléry AOP produce
Rouge only from 100% CF
* CF only starting in the 2020 vintage, CS was allowed before with max 25%
Where are Orléans-Cléry AOP and Orléans AOP in relation to each other, what are the style differences
Orléans AOP is mainly situated on the north side of the Loire river mainly near the city of Orléans, Orléans-Cléry AOP south of river
Orléans-Cléry AOP only produces red from CF
Orléans AOP produces blanc (chard), rose and rouge (Meunier)
What are the 3 main soils of Sancerre
silex, terres blanches, and caillottes
silex: flint
terres blanches: marl rich in oystyer fossils
caillottes: little limestone pebbles
Marl: a cool calcareous* clay-like soil (usually 50 per cent clay content) that delays ripening and adds acidity to wine.
* mixture of soils, with an accumulation of calcium and magnesium carbonates, essentially alkaline
Flint: Sedimentary soil comprised of solidified mineral or organic deposits from the Earth, often left by bodies of water. siliceous (quartz-like) stone stores and reflects heat
What type of soil is pictured and where would you find it
Caillottes, limestone pebbles with fossils in Sancerre
What is Terre Blanche soil and where would you find it
rich marl/clay with oyster fossils (Kimmeridgian) that extends into Chablis
Marl: cold, calcareous clay-like soil (usually 50 per cent clay content) that delays ripening and adds acidity to wine
Sancerre Region
What is Silex soil
Flint: siliceous stone that stores and reflects heat and is often associated with a certain “gun-flint” smell that sometimes occurs in wines, although this is not actually proven and may simply be the taster’s auto-suggestion.
What is the varietal in Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP
Chasselas
Covers same AOP as Pouilly-Fumé
What 2 white wine producing AOP’s of the Central Vineyards share the same zone, produce exclusively white wines but different varietals
Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP (Chasselas)
Pouilly-Fumé AOP (SB)
What are the 2 AOP’s of Central Vineyards to exclusively produce blanc wines from Sauvignon Blanc or Gris
Pouilly-Fumé/Fumé de Pouilly AOP (100% SB)
Quincy AOP (10% Sauvignon Gris allowed)
True or False
Menetou-Salon AOP, Reuilly AOP and Sancerre AOP all produce blanc and rouge from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
True
Rosés different M-S AOP and Sancerre AOP use PN and Reuilly uses Pinot Noir and Gris
What AOP would you find Didier Dagueneau wines
Pouilly-Fume
“En Chailloux” in 1982, and later “Pur Sang” in 1988 where single vineyard expressions
What 2 AOP’s are found on the southern portion of the Cher River, west of Mentou-Salon
Quincy and Reuilly
Quincy only produces blanc: SB and SG
Reuilly produces blanc (SB), rouge (PN), rose (PN and PGris)
What is Passerillage
French term for leaving grapes on the vine past normal harvest so that they dry up and concentrate their flavors. Passerillage is distinct from noble rot in that these grapes are not exposed to the botrytis fungus. The Italian equivalent is passito though in Italy the grapes maybe harvested to dehydrate off the vine in special rooms.
Central Vineyards Map
- Both blanc only - Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP: Chasselas - Pouillt-Fumé AOP: Sauv Blanc
Producers: Dagueneau, Berthier
- Sancerre Commune: Chavignol (inside commune): Les Mont Damnés, Beaujeu, La Grande Côte
Bué Commune: La Poussie, Chêne Marchand
Others: Moussiére, Les Romains (silex), Belle Dame
- Coteaux du Giennois: Blanc: 100% SB - Rouge/Rosé: PN & Gamay
- Quincy AOP - only blanc from Sauv Blanc + 10% max Sauv Gris
- Orléans-Cléry AOP - rouge only 100% Cab Franc
- Orléans - blanc: min 60% chard - rouge/rosé: meunier
Côte Roannaise and Côtes du Forez run parallel with what area to the east, what area to the west, what grapes dominant, what AOP is south of Reuilly
- Beaujolais and Côteaux du Lyonnais -east
- Côtes d’Auvergne (Chard and Gamay + PN) - west
- Gamay production is prominent
- Châteaumeillant AOP: vin gris and rouge from Gamay and PN
- Saint-Pourçain AOP: Chard & Gamay
Part of Upper Loire Basin
Match the following producers to the respective appellation.
Saumur-Champigny, Menetou-Salon, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Sancerre, Chinon, Savennières
A. Alphonse Mellot
B. Louis Metaireau
C. Clos Rougeard
D. Olga Raffault
E. Henri Pellé
F. Nicolas Joly
A. Alphonse Mellot Sancerre
B. Louis Metaireau Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine
C. Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny
D. Olga Raffault Chinon
E. Henri Pellé Menetou-Salon
F. Nicolas Joly Savennières
The Great Frost of _____ caused the Dutch to place a moratorium on red grape plantings in Pays Nantais, deciding instead to plant more of the Melon de Bourgogne grape.
1709
