Loire Valley Flashcards
What is the particularity of the Loire River?
- This is the longest river of France
- 629 miles= more than 1,000 km
- This is also the last wild river in Europe
What is the longest wild river of France?
Loire River
The source of the river is in the Masif Central (central France), and ends on the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes
What is the nickname of the Loire valley region?
- *Jardin de la France**
- = Garden of France*
When did the Loire Valley receive its World Heritage Site award?
In 2000
patchwork of agriculture, history and natural beauty
When was the first vine culture within the Loire Valley?
At least since the 1st century CE
When did Chenin blanc appear for the first time?
And where?
In 845 near Angers
Where does Cabernet Franc is originated from?
South west France.
Recent researches mentioned Basque county of Spain. DNA may be linking with the Hondarriby Beltza grape variety
Name 5 synonyms for Cabernet Franc
- Breton: Loire Valley
- Vidure: Graves
- Bouchet: Saint Emilion
- Carmenet: Medoc
- Tsapournako: Greece
- Bordo: Romania
When did first Cabernet Franc been cultivated in the Loire Valley?
- Origin from the South West of France;
- It migrated to the Loire Valley around the 16th century;
- First mention in books by a French Writer François Rabelais in a 1534 publication;
Why Loire Valley wines were important in the French history?
- Closest quality vineyard to Paris during the Middle Ages;
- Wine were served at the French court;
Why and when did Loire Valley wines lost their noblesse?
- After King Louis XIV’s coronation in Reims, kings discovered the beauty of Champagne wines;
- With the help of the Industrial Age; new markets open their doos the Paris and export, like CHampagne, Bordeaux or Burgundy;
- Finally, Phylloxera ravaged the vineyard and disclosed any vineyards of the Loire Valley
Give some synonym of Orbois?
- Menu Pineau
- Arbois
What is the first name of the Menu Pineau variety?
Orbois
What are the mains cities of the Loire valley from West to East?
- Nantes
- Angers
- Saumur
- Tours
- Orleans
- Nevers
What grape is known as Breton?
Where from?
- Cabernet Franc
- On the Loire Valley
What is the nickname of Malbec on the Loire Valley?
Côt
Name the all wine districts of the Loire Valley West to East?
- Pays Nantais
- Anjou-Saumur
- Touraine
- Central Vineyard
- Central France
What is the climate of the Pays Nantais area?
cool and wet maritime climate
When did Melon de Bourgogne variety became important in “Pays Nantais”?
- On the 17th century.
- Early time used in distillation for fodder for Dutch.
- it gained prominence after the strong frost of 1709, and switch the region from red to white wine region.
Name the all AOPs of the Pays Nantais with their main grape varieties?
- Muscadet: Melon De Bourgogne
- Muscadet Coteau de la Loire: Melon De Bourgogne
- Muscadet Sèvre et Maine: Melon De Bourgogne
- Muscadet Côte de Grandlieu: Melon De Bourgogne
- Fiefs Vendéens: blend
- Coteaux d’Ancenis: Pinot Gris (AKA Malvoisie)
- Gros plan du Pays Nantais: Folle Blanche
Explain Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOP?
- White wine AOP of the Loire Valley - Pays Nantais
- Based on Melon de Bourgogne
- soils rank from Gneiss, silica, clay and Granite
Explain the term Sur Lies;
Where is it a speciality?
- On the Pays Nantais in Loire Valley;
- Apply for Muscadet and Folle Blanche varieties
- Wines are matured on their lees (tank or barrel) at least until March 1st the year after harvest
- Wines must be bottled without filtration before November 30th the year following harvest
What is the most recent AOP for Melon de Bourgogne variety on the Pays Nantais?
- Muscadet côte de Grandlieu
- Received it status in 1994
Explain the term Hermine d’Or?
- Introduced by Guy Bossard: winemaker in the Muscadet region;
- Wanted to created an high quality wine from Melon de Bourgogne variety;
- This is an unofficial term, used for wines with longer ageing on their lees
What are official sub-regions of Muscadet Sèvre et Maine?
Precise any ageing regulation?
Since 2011
- Gorges: 1/11/H+2: Clay Gabbros
- Le Pallet: 1/04/H+2: Gneiss, Quartz
- Clisson: 1/11/H+2: Granite
Since 2019
- Chateau Thébaud: Stony and sandy over a Gneiss
- Monnières-Saint-Fiacre: Sandy loam and clay
- Goulaine: Clay with Gneiss and Quartz
- Mozillon-Thillières: Clay, sand and Gabbro
What is the largest sub-zone of the Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine AOP?
Goulaine
What is the Massif Armoricain?
- Granitic / Gabbros base soil
- Stretch the North-West of France:
- Influence the soil of the Pays Nantais and Anjou Noir
What were the 3 first sub-region of Muscadet to be classified?
When does it happens?
2011
- Clisson
- Gorges
- Le Palet
What is the crossing of Muscadet?
- Off-spring of Gouais Blanc x Pinot Noir
- It makes it a sibling to Chardonnay or Gamay…
What were all three new AOP created in 2011 in Pays Nantais?
- Fiefs Vendéens
- Coteau d’Ancenis
- Gros Plant du Pays Nantais
What are the grape varieties of Fiefs Vendéens AOP?
- White: 60% Chenin + Chardonnay, Grolleau Gris
- Rose: 80% Gamay and PN combined + Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Negrette
- Red: Cabernet Franc, Négrette and Pinot Noir + Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the 5 sub-zone of Fiefs Vendéens AOP?
- Vix
- Pissottes: Smallest
- Chantonnay
- Brem
- Mareuil: Largest
What appellations can produce red wines in Pays Nantais?
- Fiefs Vendéens AOP: blend of Cabernet Franc, Négrette, Pinot Noir
- Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP: 100% Gamay
What is the Eastern most appellation of Pays Nantais wine region?
Coteau d’Ancenis
- Red: 100% Gamay
- White: 100% Pinot Gris
Explain Coteau d’Ancenis AOP?
Loire Valley - Pays Nantais
AOP since 2011
-
White: 100% Pinot Gris (AKA Malvoisie)
- RS: 20-40 g/L
-
Red/Rose: 100% Gamay
- RS: 3g/L max
What is the residual sugar range for Coteau d’Ancenis white?
-
20-40 g/L
- 100% Pinot Gris (AKA Malvoisie)
What is the red Grape for Coteau d’Ancenis?
- *100% Gamay**
- produce red and rosé wine*
What are the generic appellations of the Loire Valley?
-
Crémant de Loire AOP:
- Traditional method for white and rose wines
- Aged for a minimum of 9 months on the lees
-
Rosé de la Loire AOP
- Dry rose wines
- based on Grolleau, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Pinot d’Aunis
Explain Rosé de Loire AOP?
- Can be produce anywhere into the Loire Valley
- The production is mostly concentrated between Touraine and Anjou
- Varieties: Grolleau, Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Pinot d’Aunis
- Exclsivelly dry rose wine
- established in 1974
Explain Crémant de Loire AOP?
- Can be produced anywhere within the Loire Valley delimitation
- Mostly made around the Touraine and Anjou area
- Varieties: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Orbois, Cab Franc, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Cab Sauv, Pinot d’Aunis
- Made in the Traditional Method
- wine must be aged for a minimum of 9 months on the lees
- cannot be release prior 12 months after tirage
- must benefit a 4 atmosphere of pressure –
- Established in 1975
Name all the AOP of the Anjou-Saumur area?
- Anjou AOP
- Anjou Village AOP
- Anjou Village Brissac AOP
- Rosé d’Anjou AOP
- Cabernet d’Anjou
- Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP
- Bonnezeaux AOP
- Coteaux du Layon AOP
- Quarts de Chaume AOP
- Savennières AOP
- Savennières Coulée de Serrant AOP
- Savennières La Roche aux Moines AOP
- Saumur AOP
- Saumur Champigny AOP
- Coteaux de Saumur
- Cabernet de Saumur
- Haut Poitou AOP
What are the RS regulation for the white wine in Anjou Region?
Sec: max 3 g/L Demi sec: max 18 g/L Moelleux: 18-45 g/L Doux: More than 45 g/L
What is the range of sugar allow in white Anjou Demi-sec?
Max 18 g/L
What is the range of sugar allow in white Anjou Moelleux?
18 to 45 g/L
What is the range of sugar allow in white Anjou Doux?
More than 45 g/L
What style of wine can be produce under Anjou AOP?
- White (from “Sec” to “Doux”): Chenin + Chardo / SB - Vin Mousseux: sparkling wine in TM - Rouge: CF, CS base - Rouge Primeur: Gamay 100%
What is the sub-region of Saumur AOP?
Puy Notre Dame: CF + 15% max CS Does not received its own AOP yet
What style of wine can be produce in Saumur AOP?
- White: 100% Chenin - Red: CF + 30% max CS/Pineau d’Aunis - Saumur “Puy-Notre-Dame”: CF - Mousseux: 60% Chenin + Chardo / SB
Is Rosé wine can be produce under the Saumur AOP or Anjour AOP?
No Those appellation stand only for white, red and sparkling wine (white and rosé)
Which of this following AOPs allow the higher sugar content? What similarities can you find in all of them? - Cabernet de Saumur - Cabernet d’Anjou - Rosé d’Anjou
Cabernet d’Anjou is the sweetest (10 g/L min) 3 of this AOP stand for rosé wine in the Anjou-Saumur area - Both Cabernet are based in CF + CS Rosé d’Anjou is a blend of Grolleau, CF, CS, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis
What style of wine is produce in Anjou Village?
Only for red wine based on Cab Franc and Cab Sauv Established in 1991
What are the 2 type of soil in Anjou?
Anjou Noir: Dark Schist Anjou Blanc: Limestone (Tuffeau)
What Anjou village has it own AOP in Anjou? What other appellation share the same delimitation border?
Anjou Village Brissac – Only for red wine base on Cabernet Franc and Cab Sauvignon – Coteaux de l’Aubance: sweet wine based on chenin
Is Anjou Village Brissac AOP set on the North or South bank of the Loire River?
Southern Bank – Same delimitation than Côteaux de l’Aubance
What are the 2 Grand Cru appellation of the Loire Valley?
- Savennières La Coulée de Serrant - Savennières La Roche aux Moines
Who’s the owner of the Clos de la Coulée de Serrant? Where is it located?
Within the Savennières AOP Nicolas Joly estate is the owner 7 Ha parcel enclose by stone wall in steep slopes
What is the particular soil type of the Clos de la Coulée de Serrant AOP?
- Blue Schist with volcanic débris - Steep slopes south facing vineyard
What are the 3 sections of the “Clos de la Coulée de Serrant” vineyard?
- Le Grand Clos de la Coulée - Le Clos du Château - Les Plantes
What is the Grape variety for Savennières Coulée de Serrant AOP? What are the RS regulations?
100% Chenin Blanc - Sec: max 4 g/L - Moelleux / Doux: min 30 g/L (15,5% ABV potential - 11,5% acquired )
Who’s the owner of the Domaine de la Roche Au Moines?
Laroche Family: purchase by Monique 30 years ago, now runs by her daughter, Tessa. Natural / Organic vineyard approach
Who’s producing “Cuvée de Nonnes” and “Cuvée de l’Abbesse”
Domaine de la Roche aux Moines -Savennières - Cuvée des Nonnes: Vin Moelleux (35 g/L average) - Cuvée de l’Abbesse: vin Doux Only produced in best vintages
What are the most recents vintages of “Cuvée des Nonnes” produced?
Domaine de la Roche aux Moines 1997 - 2002 - 2005 - 2007 - 2010 - 2011 - 2015
What is the largest region of the Loire Valley?
Anjou-Saumur
Where is the central region for sparkling wine in Loire Valley?
Saumur
What is the local name for Chenin Blanc in Anjou?
Pineau de la Loire
In wine from Saumur area can be bottled as Anjou AOP?
Yes it can, as Saumur is a sub-district of Anjou. But it can not happens on the over way round
What is the min residual sugar for Coteau de l’Aubance AOP?
34 g/L Must weight blanc: 238 g/L SGN: 323 g/L
What is the min Residual sugar regulations for Coteaux du Layon? What type of harvest is mandatory?
- Coteaux du Layon: 34 g/L
- Coteaux du Layon chaume Premier cru: 80 g/L (68 prior to 2011)
All grapes must be hand harvest by “tries successif”
Name the all villages can appear on the Coteaux du Layon wine label?
Rochefort sur Loire Chaume (“premier cru”) Rablay sur Layon Beaulieu sur Layon Faye d’Anjou Saint Lambert d Lattay Saint Aubin du Luigné
What are the min must weight for Coteau du Layon?
CdL: 221 g/L CdL with village designation: 238 g/L Chaume Premier cru: 272 g/L SGN: 323 g/L
What are the 4 newest sub-region of the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOP?
When does it became official?
2019
- Chateau Thébaud
- Goulaine (largest one)
- Monnière Saint Fiacre
- Mouzillon-Tillières
- Gorges; Le Pallet; Clisson were upgraded in 2011
