Loire Valley Flashcards
What grape is known as Gros Plant in the Pays Nantais? What is the appellation dedicated to it?
Folle Blanche
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP
What appellation shares roughly identical geographical boundaries with Muscadet AOP?
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP
What is the min % of Folle Blanche that must be present in wines from Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP?
min 70%
What IGP does much of the Loire Valley fall under?
Val de Loire IGP
What wine has been given the nickname “poor man’s Muscadet”?
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais
Wha are the 7 sub zones of Muscadet Sévre et Maine AOP?
Goulaine Château-Thébaud Monnières-Saint-Fiacre Mouzillon-Tillières Le Pallet Gorges Clisson
What are the aging requirements for Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine AOP “sur lie” without mention of subzone?
Wines must be aged on their fine lees March 1 of the year following harvest.
Wines must be bottled between March 1 and December 31. Wines may not be marketed until March 8.
What are the aging requirements for Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine “sur lie” AOP with mention of sub zone?
For Goulaine and Le Pallet wines must be aged on their fine lees until April 1 of the second year following harvest.
All other sub zones must be aged on the fine lees until October 1 of the second year following harvest.
This includes Gorges, Clisson, Mouzillon-Tillères, Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, and Château Thébaud
What major event led to the Muscadet region being largely planted to Melon de Bourgogne in lieu of red grapes?
Frost of 1709
What appellation of the Loire valley accounts for more production annually than the rest?
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP
What is the northern-most Muscadet regional appellation and what is the dominant soil type here?
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Igneous and metamorphic rock soils of gneiss and granite.
Which appellation for dry, still red/rosé from Gamay and dry, still white from Malvoisie (Pinot Gris) is located within the Muscadet Côteaux de la Loire AOP?
Côteaux d’Ancenis AOP
What are the colors, styles, sweetness levels and grapes for wines from the Côteaux d’Ancenis AOP?
Dry, still red/rosé from 100% Gamay
Dry, still white from 100% Malvoisie/Pinot Gris
What is the southernmost Muscadet regional appellation and what is the dominant soil type there? What is the name of the lake which the region is built around?
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
Gneiss, Granite, and Mica Schists with more Sand in the soils.
Lac de Grandlieu
How to the Muscadet regional appellations compare to each other stylistically?
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP is leaner in style
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP which is riper and more supple.
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOP produces the liveliest, and most aromatic of the three; the most complete and depth of flavor.
What is the maximum abv for wines labeled Muscadet? Why is this peculiar? Why is this set?
Max 12% abv
it is the only appellation in France for non-fortified wine that specifies a maximum for abv
Because Melon de Bourgogne is so neutral its signature salinity and freshness are its defining characteristics. If its allowed to get to ripe it runs the risk of being flabby and bland. A max abv helps to preserve the integrity of the style of these wines by preserving freshness.
What are the colors, styles, sweetness levels, and grapes for wine in the Fiefs Vendéens AOP?
Dry, still white wine from mostly Chenin Blanc plus Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Grolleau Gris depending on commune.
Dry, still rosé from mostly Gamay and Pinot Noir
Dry, still red from Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, and Negrette
What 3 appellations of the Pays Nantais were granted AOP in 2011?
Gros Plants du Pays Nantais AOP
Côteaux d’Ancenis AOP
Fiefs Vendéens AOP
What is the max yield for wines labeled Muscadet “Sur Lie”? What if a subzone or geographic designation (cru commonaux) is listed?
“Sur Lie”: 55hl/ha
Subzone/Cru Commonaux: 45hl/ha (applies to Sevre et Maine only)
What are the 7 appellations of the Pays Nantais?
Muscadet AOP (encompasses all regional AOP) Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP Muscadet Côteaux de la Loire AOP Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOP Fiefs Vendéens AOP Côteaux d'Ancenis AOP
What is the southern-most AOP in the Pays Nantais?
Fiefs Vendéens AOP
What is the eastern-most AOP within the Pays Nantais?
Côteaux d’Ancenis
What does sur lie aging contribute to Muscadet wines?
Adds more complexity of aroma and flavor while enhancing the textural element of the wine which is further optimized by the lees binding to any remaining tannin elements that may have been left in the fermented wine.
Additionally the lees help bind to any free oxygen in the wine which can help stave off spoilage in the form of oxidation.
What are the colors, styles, grapes and sweetness levels for wines labeled Anjou Coteaux de la Loire AOP?
Medium sweet or Moelleux, still, white wine only from 100% Chenin Blanc
What appellation is the westernmost of Anjou-Saumur and is adjacent to the easternmost appellation Coteaux d’Ancenis of Pays Nantais?
Anjou Coteaux de la Loire AOP
What are the color, styles, grapes and sweetness levels for wines under the Anjou Villages AOP?
Exclusively dry, still red from Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon
No specific assemblage.
What are the colors, styles, grapes and sweetness levels for wines under the Anjou AOP?
Sec, demi-sec, moelleux, and doux white form mostly Chenin Blan plus a max combined 20% Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
Dry, still red from either 100% Gamay or from Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc plus a max combined 30% Pineau d’Aunis and Grolleau (max 10% Grolleau)
Vin Mousseaux Blanc from min 70% Chenin Blanc plus max 10% Chard and Vin Mousseaux Rosé from Brut to Doux in style.
What are the aging requirements for Anjou Mousseaux?
min 9 months on the lees prior to disgorgment after traditional method.
What is the Loire’s first official Grand Cru vineyard? As of what harvest may “Grand Cru” be present on the lable?
Quarts de Chaume
2010
What river winds past Quarts de Chaume AOP?
Layon
What river runs parallel with the Layon creating ideal conditions for sweet late-harvested wines NE of Quarts de Chaume AOP? What is the name of the appellation here?
Aubance
Côteaux de L’Aubance AOP
What is the min RS and max yield for Quarts de Chaume AOP?
Min 85g/L
20hl/ha
What is the min RS for Quarts de Chaume AOP?
Min 85g/L
What is the max yield for Quarts de Chaume AOP?
20hl/ha
What is the min RS for Quarts de Chaume AOP vs Bonnezeaux AOP?
Quarts de Chaume: min 85g/L
Bonneazeaux: min 51g/L
What are the max yields for Quarts de Chaume AOP vs Bonnezeaux AOP?
Quarts de Chaume: 20hl/ha
Bonnezeaux: 25hl/ha
What is the min must weight for Quarts de Chaume AOP vs Bonnezeaux AOP?
Quarts de Chaume: 298g/L
Bonnezeaux: 238g/L
What is the min must weight for Quarts de Chaume AOP?
min 298g/L
What is the min must weight for Bonnezeaux AOP?
min 238g/L
What is the max yield for Bonnezeaux AOP?
max 25hl/ha
What is the min RS for Bonnezeaux AOP?
min 51g/L
Is Chaptalization legal for the production of Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts de Chaume AOP?
Not in Quarts de Chaume AOP however chaptalization is legal in Bonnezeaux
Which appellation is larger, Quarts de Chaume AOP or Bonnezeaux AOP?
Bonnezeaux AOP is almost 2.5 times larger that Quarts de Chaume AOP
What are the permitted grapes, styles, and sweetness levels for Anjou-Villages-Brissac AOP? What makes it different than Anjou Villages AOP?
Dry, still red only made from mostly Cabernet Franc plus Cabernet Sauvignon.
Brissac is considered the heartland of Anjou Villages and is the district known for producing the finest red wines of Anjou.
What makes it different than Anjou-Villages AOP are that the max yield is slightly lower (50hl/ha vs 55hl/ha) and the geographic boundaries are more strict as the appellation is within the larger Anjou Villages AOP
What are 3 rosé-exclusive AOP in Anjou? Which is the only produced exclusively in a dry/sec style?
Rosé d’Anjou AOP
Cabernet d’Anjou AOP
Rosé de Loire AOP (dry exclusively)
What are the grape and sweetness level requirements for Rosé d’Anjou AOP vs Cabernet d’Anjou AOP?
Rosé d’Anjou AOP can be produced from Cab, Cab Franc, Pineau d’Aunis, Gamay, Cot, Grolleau and/or Grolleau Gris with a min RS of 7g/L
Cabernet d’Anjou is produced from exclusively Cab and Cab Franc and is min 10g/L in RS
What river winds past Bonnezeaux AOP?
Layon
What are the differences in soil types between Quarts de Chaume AOP vs Bonnezeaux AOP?
Both contain Schist with sandstone soils
What river separates Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP from Vouvray AOP? Which is north of the river and which is south?
Loire River
Vouvray AOP (north) Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP (south)
Which must be exclusively produced from Chenin Blanc, Vouvray AOP or Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP?
Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP must be produced form exclusively Chenin Blanc
Vouvray can include up to 5% Orbois
Which must have higher potential min alcohol, Vouvray AOP or Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP?
Vouvray AOP is min 11% potential
Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP is min 10.5%
What is the min % of Cabernet Franc that must be present in Saumur-Champigny AOP?
min 85% Cab Franc
plus max 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis
What is the max % of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis that may be present in Saumur-Champigny AOP?
max 15% combined or alone
Which three producers produce “Clos du Papillon” and what is the appellation that this vineyard is within?
Domaine des Baumard
Domaine du Closel
Domaine des Forges
Savennières
What is a synonym for Cabernet Franc in Touraine?
Breton
What are the colors, styles, grapes, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Reuilly AOP?
Dry, still red from 100% Pinot Noir
Dry, still white from 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Dry, still rosé from Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris
What are the three types of soil in Sancerre AOP?
Silex
Caillottes
Terres Blanches
What department is Sancerre AOP in? Pouilly-Fumé AOP?
Sancerre: Cher
Pouilly-Fumé: Nièvre
What is the min potential alcohol for Sancerre AOP and Pouilly-Fumé AOP?
min 10.5%
What are the color, style, grapes and sweetness levels for Pouilly-sur-Loire AOP?
Dry, still white only from 100% Chasselas
What are the colors, styles, grapes, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Quincy AOP?
Dry, still white only produced from Sauvignon Blanc plus max 10% Sauvignon Gris
What is the principal soil type of Quincy AOP?
sand
What are the colors, styles, grapes, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Orléans AOP?
Dry, still white blanc from min 60% Chardonnay plus Pinot Gris
Dry, still rosé from min 60% Meunier plus Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
Dry still red from min 70% Meunier (max 90%) plus Pinot Noir
What are the colors, styles, grapes, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Orléans-Clery AOP?
Rouge only from 100% Cab Franc
What is the difference between Orléans AOP Rouge vs Orléans-Cléry AOP Rouge?
Orléans AOP Rouge is made mostly of Meunier plus Pinot Noir
Orléans-Cléry AOP is from 100% Cabernet Franc
What are the colors, styles, grapes, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Menetou-Salon AOP?
Dry, still white from 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Dry, still red and rosé from 100% Pinot Noir
What are the colors, styles, grapes, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Côteaux du Giennois AOP?
Dry, still white from 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Dry, still red and rosé from Pinot Noir and Gamay (neither may account for more than 80%)
Where is Menetou-Salon AOP?
Geographically it borders Sancerre AOP to the west/southwest
What are the colors, styles, grapes, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Cour-Cheverny AOP?
Dry and Off-Dry, still white wines from 100% Romorantin
What are the colors, styles, grapes, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Cheverny AOP?
Dry, still red and rosé from mostly Pinot Noir (min 50%) and Gamay (min 16%) plus Cot and Cab Franc
Dry, still white from a min 50% Combined Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris plus min 16% Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Orbois
What are the 13 appellations that are located in Touraine?
Touraine AOP Touraine Noble-Joué AOP Bourgueil AOP Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP Chinon AOP Cheverny AOP Cour-Cheverny AOP Jasnières AOP Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP Vouvray AOP Côteaux du Loir AOP Côteaux du Vendômois AOP
What is the minimum vine age in Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine AOP?
min 6 years
What is the minimum abv for Vourvray still wines?
min 11%
What is the producer associated with the Clos Naudin estate?
Phillippe Foreau
What is the dominant soil type of the Pays Nantais? Where does this come from?
Granite is the most heavily present soil type of the Pays Nantais
Amoricain Massif in Brittany is credited as the origin of most of this.
In what appellation does Louis Metaireau produce wine?
Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine AOP