Loire Valley

Question 1

Where does the Loire River originate, and what does it empty into?

Answer 1

Origin: Massif Central

Empties into: Atlantic Ocean

ICYMI: the Massif Central is an area in south-central France consisting of mountains and high-elevation plateaus.

Question 2

TRUE or FALSE:

The Loire Valley has the same climate, soil, and grape varietals from end to end.

Answer 2

False

The Loire Valley is incredibly diverse, from soil to climate to grapes to styles.

Question 3

What are the 4 regions of the Loire Valley from west to east?

Answer 3

1. Pays Nantais
2. Anjou-Saumur
3. Touraine
4. Central Vineyards

Question 4

Pays Nantais is located:

• just north of Paris
• on the Atlantic Coast
• on the Pacific Coast

Answer 4

On the Atlantic Coast

Question 5

What is the climate of Pays Nantais?

Answer 5

Cool, wet maritime (because it’s on the Atlantic Coast)

Question 6

What are the soils of Pays Nantais?

Answer 6

Gravel + sand over schist + granite

Question 7

What is the white grape of Pays Nantais?

Answer 7

Melon de Bourgogne

Question 8

What style of wine does Melon de Bourgogne make in Pays Nantais?

Answer 8

Still, dry white wines

Question 9

What are the 2 most important Muscadet appellations in Pays Nantais?

Answer 9

1. Muscadet
2. Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP

Question 10

What winemaking technique do winemakers use for Muscadet and Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine?

Why?

Answer 10

Lees aging

In the cool, wet maritime climate Melon de Bourgogne grapes struggle to ripen; aging wines sur lie adds complexity, richness, and flavor to an otherwise thin, mild wine.

Question 11

Anjou-Saumur is located to the:

• east
• west

of Pays Nantais?

Answer 11

East

Remember: Pays Nantais is furthest west on the Atlantic coast.

Question 12

What is the climate of Anjou-Saumur?

Answer 12

Maritime/continental and humid

More maritime in western part, becomes more continental in eastern part (as you move inland).

Question 13

What are the white and red grapes of Anjou-Saumur?

Answer 13

White: Chenin Blanc

Red: Cabernet Franc

Question 14

What are some traits to know about Chenin Blanc from Anjou-Saumur?

Answer 14

• prone to oxidation (develops nutty flavors)
• always has Med+ to High acidity
• versatile with foods due to its acidity

Question 15

What are some traits to know about Cabernet Franc from Anjou-Saumur?

Answer 15

• medium body
• bright, underripe red fruit
• green bell pepper notes

Question 16

Name 5 AOPs of Anjou-Saumur.

Answer 16

1. Anjou-Villages AOP (dry red wine ONLY)
2. Saumur AOP (red, white, sparkling)
3. Savennières AOP (dry white wine ONLY)
4. Bonnezeaux AOP (sweet white wine ONLY)
5. Quarts-de-Chaume AOP (sweet white wine ONLY)

Question 17

What is the one style of wine allowed to be made in Anjou-VIllages AOP?

Answer 17

Still, dry, red wine ONLY made from Cab Franc

Question 18

What are the styles of wine allowed to be made in Saumur AOP?

Answer 18

• White
• Red
• Sparkling - and lots of it!

Question 19

What is the main grape that goes into Saumur AOP sparkling wines?

Answer 19

Chenin Blanc

Question 20

What is the one style of wine allowed to be made in Savennières AOP?

Answer 20

Dry, still white wines ONLY made from Chenin Blanc.

Question 21

On what side of the Loire River is Savennières AOP located and what is that significance?

Answer 21

Savennières AOP is located on the north side of the Loire River which means its vineyards face south, capturing loads of sunlight.

Question 22

Are the vineyards of Savennières AOP on flat land or steep hills?

Answer 22

Steep hills

These steep, southern-facing hills help mature the grapes due to their aspect towards the sun.

Question 23

What are the 2 sweet wine AOPs located south of the Loire River?

Answer 23

1. Bonnezeaux AOP
2. Quarts-de-Chaume AOP

Question 24

Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP are actually located on the banks of which river (which flows south of the Loire River)?

Answer 24

Layon River

Question 25

What makes the wines sweet in Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?

Answer 25

**Botrytis**, aka noble rot

Question 26

Why is botrytis prevalent in Bonnezeaux AOP and Quarts-de-Chaume AOP?

Answer 26

**Both AOPs are humid** due to moisture generated by and their proximity to the Loire and Layon Rivers.

Question 27

Touraine is located: * east * west of Anjou-Saumur?

Answer 27

East ## Footnote *Or, further inland*

Question 28

What is the climate of Touraine?

Answer 28

Continental

Question 29

What are the soils of Touraine?

Answer 29

**Tuffeau** (soft limestone)

Question 30

What are tuffeau soils made of?

Answer 30

Soft limestone

Question 31

What are the grapes of Touraine?

Answer 31

White: **Chenin Blanc** Red: **Cabernet Franc**

Question 32

Name 3 AOPs of Touraine.

Answer 32

1. **Chinon AOP** (dry red wines) 2. **Bourgueil AOP** (dry red wines) 3. **Vouvray AOP** (all styles made from Chenin Blanc)

Question 33

What are the similarities and differences between Chinon AOP and Bourgueil AOP?

Answer 33

Similarities * both made from **Cab Franc** * both made in **dry, still** style Difference * **Chinon on SOUTH** side of Loire River * **Bourgueil on NORTH** side of Loire River

Question 34

Vouvray is located on the \_\_\_\_\_ side of the Loire River.

Answer 34

North

Question 35

What are the soils of Vouvray?

Answer 35

Tuffeau (soft limestone)

Question 36

What is the only grape allowed in Vouvray?

Answer 36

Chenin Blanc

Question 37

What styles of wine are allowed to be made in Vouvray?

Answer 37

All styles: * Dry, still whites * Off-dry, still whites * Sweet, still whites * Sparkling whites of all dryness/sweetness levels

Question 38

Sweet wines in Vouvray can be labeled as \_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 38

Moelleux (pronounced mwah-luh)

Question 39

Is the Central Vineyards region located furthest west or furthest east in the Loire Valley?

Answer 39

**Furthest east** (most inland)

Question 40

What is the climate of the Central Vineyards region?

Answer 40

Continental

Question 41

What are the soils of Central Vineyards?

Answer 41

* Silex, limestone * Kimmeridgian clay

Question 42

What is silex soil also known as, and in which of the four major Loire regions will you find it?

Answer 42

**Flint**, found in **Central Vineyards** (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé)

Question 43

What are the grapes grown in Central Vineyards?

Answer 43

White: **Sauvignon Blanc** Red: **Pinot Noir**

Question 44

What are the 2 most important AOPs of Central Vineyards?

Answer 44

1. **Sancerre AOP** (dry red + white wines) 2. **Pouilly-Fumé AOP** (dry white wines ONLY)

Question 45

Sancerre AOP and Pouilly-Fumé AOP both make dry white wines from the \_\_\_\_\_\_ grape.

Answer 45

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 46

Which red grape is allowed in Sancerre AOP?

Answer 46

Pinot Noir

Question 47

Sancerre is on the \_\_\_\_\_\_ bank of the Loire River. Pouilly-Fumé is on the \_\_\_\_\_\_ bank of the Loire River.

Answer 47

**Sancerre: western** bank **Pouilly-Fumé: eastern** bank