Loire Valley Flashcards
Which river runs through the Loire Valley?
Loire River
From east to west, what are the four general sub-regions of the Loire?
Central Vineyards
Touraine
Anjou-Saumur
Nantais
There is no general Loire appellation, instead an IGP covers the whole region. What is it called?
Val de Loire
What is the overall climate in the Loire Valley?
Cool, ranging from Maritime in the West to Continental in the Central Vineyards
Despite being further inland, which region is cooler and wetter than Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
What type of soils keep Touraine cool?
Clay
What type of soils might you find in Anjou-Saumur?
Stony soils
What protects Anjou-Saumur from Atlantic influence?
Mauges Hills
What is the climate in Nantais?
Cool, maritime
Where is Sauvignon Blanc mostly found in the Loire?
Central Vineyards and Touraine (inland)
What type of soils would you find in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?
Very chalky, well-drained stony soils
Are you likely to age Sancerre or Pouilly-Fume?
No, but some are age-worthy
What are the characteristics of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume? (acid, flavours)
High acid
Green apple, wet stones
Subtle smoky aromas in Pouilly-Fume
What type of press is typical of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?
Gentle pneumatic press (most likely sealed)
Are oak and lees stirring ever used in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?
Yes, sometimes old oak and rarely new. Sometimes lees but not often.
What winemaking process might be employed during particularly cold vintages in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?
MLF to soften acids
What region is a good source of moderately priced, Sancerre-style Sauvignon Blanc? Which sub-region is it found in?
Menetou-Salon
Central Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine is made in what style?
Simple and fruity
Where does a majority of Sauvignon Blanc come from in the Loire?
Touraine
What is fairly unique about Chenin Blanc?
Grapes on the same bunch ripen at different rates
Chenin Blanc can make which styles, depending on ripeness?
Sparkling, Dry and Sweet
Chenin can age for decades, what flavours develop?
toast, hay and honey
In which subregion do we find Vouvray?
Touraine
What spectrum of sweetness can be seen in wines from Vouvray? Is oak used here?
Dry to Lusciously sweet
Rarely oaked
Body of Vouvray tends to be?
Light to medium
What style of Chenin Blanc is Saumur known for?
Sparkling
What style of Chenin Blanc is is Anjou known for?
Dry wines often matured in new oak
Where would you find well-exposed vineyards with high air-circulation?
Savennieres
Dry Chenin is increasingly being made with grapes that are…?
Fully ripe
What style of Chenin is produced in Savennieres?
Dry, full-bodied
Noted for ability to age for decades in bottle
Which appellation is known for some of the most renowned sweet wines in the region?
Coteaux du Layon
note sites: Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume produce some of the best sweet wines in the world
What are two other names for Melon Blanc?
Muscadet and Melon de Bourgogne
When does Melon Blanc ripen? What is significant about the grape on vine?
Ripens early
Frost resistant
Which grape is noble rot associated with in the Loire?
Chenin Blanc
What are the two appellations in the subregion of Nantais?
Muscadet and Muscadet Sevre et Maine
All wines from Muscadet are? (sweetness, alcohol/max ABV)
Dry with medium alcohol - max. permitted strength is 12%
Muscadet Sevre et Maine wines were traditionally matured in … but now in …?
Old oak but now in stainless or concrete
When is Muscadet Sur Lie bottled?
The Spring following vintage (it sees minimal handling to retain freshness and delicacy)
What characteristics of Cabernet Franc make it suited to the Loire Valley?
Flower and ripens early suiting the cool climate
Which two appellations in the sub-region of Touraine is Cab Franc most notable?
Chinon and Bourgueil
Cabernet Franc in Chinon and Bourgueil can be split into two styles based on soil type, what are they?
Light, fruity and early drinking from sandy soils
Fuller, more tannic from south-facing, limestone and clay slopes
Where would you find Cabernet Franc grown in a lighter, more perfumed, chill-able style?
Saumur-Chamigny
What is the second most planted black grape in the Loire?
Gamay
Where is Gamay mostly found?
Touraine and Anjou
Made in a light style, what is the third black grape of the Loire?
Pinot Noir
a minimum of which grapes at what percentage must be included in Rose de Loire?
30% of either Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon
Where is Rose de Loire allowed to be produced? Which is it most commonly from?
Touraine and Anjou-Saumur but most common in Anjou-Saumur
Cabernet d’Anjou is made from which grapes and must be what level of sweetness?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
Always medium-sweet
What is generally the predominant grape in Rose d’Anjou blends?
Grolleau
Sancerre also makes rose. It is made from which varietal?
Pinot Noir
