Loire Valley Flashcards
What are the four sub-regions of the Loire?
Nantais - Anjou Saumur - Touraine - Central Vineyards
Name the IGP that covers the Loire
Val de Loire
Climate of the Loire?
Overall Cool
Maritime in the Nantais - Atlantic Ocean
Continental going inland
What’s the climate like in Anjou?
Anjou has proximity to the Atlantic Ocean but the climate is slightly warmer and drier than might be expected as the region is protected by the Mauges Hills.
(Some vineyards benefit also from warm stony soils.)
What’s the climate and main soil type of Touraine?
Touraine is inland and has a cooler and wetter climate
Clay soils
In Loire, Sauvignon Blanc is mostly grown in ..
Touraine
Central Vineyards
Why would a winemaker encourage MLF with Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire?
Vintage variation
The vineyards lie at the northern limit for the production of the grape varieties grown, and variations
in the weather patterns from year to year can mean that vintages differ widely. Most likely to be encouraged in cooler vintages in order to lower the acidity of the wines.
Describe best vineyard locations in the Loire
Vineyards of the Loire Valley lie along the river for reflected light and heat.
South facing, mid-slopes receive sunlight best
Name main grape varieties of the Loire
Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Melon Blanc
Cabernet Franc
What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé?
Chalky Well-drained Stony
Where does the majority of Sauvignon Blanc come from in the Loire?
Touraine
Name the region that uses varietal label for white wines in Loire
Touraine
“Sauvignon de Touraine”
Describe wines of Touraine appelation?
Generic appellation that covers whole Touraine region
Usually made from Sauvignon Blanc in a simple fruity style
Have less concentration than those from more prestigious appellations
What is a particular issue related to the weather in Loire?
Vintage variation
Fungal disease caused by rain
What is the “IGP” that covers the Loire?
Val de Loire
unlike most other French regions there is no regional generic appellation for the whole of the Loire
Describe Val de Loire wines
Typically straightforward
Fresh
Light body
Simple fruit flavours.
Which area of the Loire has the smallest production area?
The Central Vineyards area has by far the smallest production of the four sub-regions in Loire
What are the most prestigious appellations for Sauvignon Blanc wines in Loire?
Sancerre
Pouilly-Fume
What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé like?
Very chalky
Well-drained stony soil
Name main grape varieties of Central Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc
Name main grape varieties of Touraine
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Franc
Gamay
Name main grape varieties of Anjou-Saumur
Chenin Blanc (sparkling in Saumur, dry in Anjou) Cabernet Franc (Saumur) Gamay (Anjou)
Name main grape varieties of Nantais
Melon Blanc
Name two prestigious appelations from Central Vineyards of Loire Valley
Pouilly-Fumé
Sancerre
Describe Pouilly-Fumé wine from Central Vineyards of Loire Valley
Dry High Acidity Green Apple Wet stones Subtle Smoky Notes
Name general winemaking techniques in Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blancs
Gentle pressing (pneumatic)
Ferment in stainless steel for fresh and fruity wines
Some ferment and mature in old oak vessels and on lees for broader texture. Only a few use new oak
MLF encouraged on cool vintage to reduce acidity.
What is the difference btw Sauvignon Blancs from Sancerre and Menetou Salon?
Wines are made in the same style but Menetou-Salon is moderately priced
Which AOC from Loire Valley would you offer to a customer looking for a Sauvignon Blanc that is wallet friendly but non-generic wine?
At what temperature would you serve?
Which food would you recommend for pairing?
Menetou-Salon AOC from the Central Vineyards makes SB wine in same style as prestigious Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume but is more moderately priced.
Serve chilled btw 7-10 C
Fish and green salad
State one peculiarity with Chenin Blanc and explain how this peculiarity influences the wine style.
It is common for grapes to reach different levels of ripenesswithin one bunch
Depending on the degree of ripeness at time of picking, the wine can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling.
Barely ripe fruit is used for sparkling wines.
Dry, medium and sweet styles of still wine reflect the use of increasingly ripe berries, including
those shrivelled in the sun or affected by noble rot .
Name the great lands for Chenin Blanc in Loire Valley
Touraine
Anjou-Saumur
Climate and soil can both have an important influence on the style of Chenin Blanc.
Compare climate, soil and resulting wines from Vouvray and Savennieres.
Vouvray has cool climate and clay soils
Wines tends to be light to medium in body, with fresh fruity and floral notes. It is rarely fermented or matured in new oak.
The still wines range in style from dry to lusciously sweet depending on the vintage. Also makes sparkling.
Savennieres produces full-bodied Chenin Blanc
in a dry style.
Less floral.
Concentrated from late-harvest grapes (well aireated)
Able to make complex wines with ability to evolve for decades in the bottle.
Fungal disease can be a particular issue in Loire Valley due to high levels of rainfall.
Name one region that benefits from development of rot and one region that enables enables late-harvesting of healthy grapes for complex dry wines
Coteaux du Layon makes some of the most renowned sweet wines. The appellation is located in the sheltered valley of the River Layon, where noble rot develops well.
Air circulation around well-exposed vineyards of Savennieres impedes the development of noble rot, but enables late-harvested Chenin Blanc grapes to be used for full-bodied, complex dry wines with ability to evolve for decades in the bottle.
Why is Melon Blanc suited to cool climates?
Ripens early
Frost-resistant
What is the grape used in Menetou-Salon?
Sauvignon Blanc
How may the problem of varying ripeness in Chenin Blanc grapes be tackled?
By harvesting in several passes to pick the grapes at a desired level of ripeness
Explain how Chenin Blanc grapes can make versatile wines.
Chenin Blanc grapes can make dry, sweet, still or sparkling wines.
Dependng on the degree of ripeness from barely ripe fruit to grapes shrivelled in the sun or affected by noble rot.
What is the maximum permitted alcohol for Muscadet wines?
12% abv
Describe wines from the Muscadet Sevre et Maine
Muscadet Sevre et Maine is a highly regarded AOC in Nantais, Loire. White dry wine from Melon Blanc grapes Subtle green fruit flavours High acidity Light body Max alcohol permitted is 12% abv Young wines *All Muscadet wines are dry *Recently fermenting in stainless stell or concrete is more common vs tradition of large old oak
Describe how Muscadet (Sevre et Maine) Sur Lie is made
The wine is handled very little, to retain delicacy and freshness.
Spends the winter on its lees and is bottled in the spring following the vintage
*Lees contact gives the wines a richer texture.
Where is Gamay mainly planted in the Loire?
In what style?
Touraine
Anjou
Where can be Rosé de Loire produced?
Mainly Anjou-Saumur
Also Touraine
How may Loire Rosés be vinified?
Direct Pressing
Short Maceration
Which grapes are allowed for Rosé de Loire?
Must be 30% Caberenet Franc and/or Caberenet Sauv
Which grapes are used for Rosé d’Anjou?
Predominantly Grolleau (a local high yielding black grape) Blended with Cabernet Franc and other local varieties
Which grapes are allowed for Cabernet d’Anjou?
A blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Which of below wines is always dry?
a) Cabernet d’Anjou
b) Rose de Loire
c) Rose d’Anjou
Rose de Loire
Cabernet d’Anjou : always medium-sweet
Rose d’Anjou : less sweet
