Loire Valley - Cremant, Saumur & Vouvray Mousseux

Question 1

What percentage of Loire Valley Wine production is sparkling?

Answer 1

13%

Question 2

Where in the Loire Valley is production centred?

Answer 2

Saumur

Question 3

Why is there a connection between Champagne and the Loire Valley

Answer 3

Major companies are owned by Champagne houses. Bouvet-Ladubay was owned by Taittinger for more than 40 years from the early 1970s. Graiten & Meyer is owned by Champagne Alfred Graiten. Langlois-Chateau is majority-owned by Bollinger

Question 4

Cremant de Loire is 90% white, what is the key grape variety?

Answer 4

chenin blanc

Question 5

typical tasting notes of a cremant de Loire

Answer 5

medium intensity apple and citrus, lightly toasty autolytic notes and high acidity. Wines with 2-3 years of age can develop honeyed aromas. Most wines are Brut in style, but Demi Sec is also made. Brut Nature is increasingly popular, with few wines at premium prices

Question 6

Vineyard area for cremant de loire?

Answer 6

1600ha in 2012, 2600 ha by 2017

Question 7

Where in the Loire Valley is fruit grown for cremant production?

Answer 7

Middle Loire districts of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine

Question 8

Loire Valley climate for Cremant growing region?

Answer 8

Cool climate, which is provided by the Atlantic Ocean, reaching just east of Tours

Question 9

Hazards for Cremant de Loire vineyards?

Answer 9

Fungal disease and untimely rain during flowering, fruit set and harvest can be an issue

Question 10

Soil types in Loire Valley

Answer 10

clay-limestone, flint-clay, sand, gravel and tuff. More schist and limestone in Anjou and more chalk in Touraine

Question 11

What rootstocks are used in Loire? Why?

Answer 11

Fercal and Riparia Glorie de Montpellier are common as the soils have a high lime content and the vines need protection from chlorosis

Question 12

Grape varieties used in Cremant de Loire?

Answer 12

Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon (max. 30%) Grolleau Noir & Gris, Pineau d’Anuis (max. 30% including Cab Sauv), Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Question 13

Which common Loire grape is not allowed in Cremant production?

Answer 13

Sauvignon Blanc - maximum 10% allowed in Saumur Mousseux

Question 14

Yield for cremant de Loire? When must producers declare their vineyards?

Answer 14

74hl/ha. Winemakers must declare in July the vineyards that will produce cremant

Question 15

What are the lees requirements of cremant de Loire?

Answer 15

9 months minimum, up to 24 months for more autolytic styles

Question 16

Use of reserve wines?

Answer 16

Not common. Yes in some premium wines, same with oak fermentation and malo for base wines

Question 17

Prestige de Loire

Answer 17

Launched in 2018, initiative of InterLoire. Applies across the Cremant de Loire, Anjour, Saumur and Vouvray appellations. White wines only, made from Chenin, Cab Franc, Chardy or Pinot Noir, single or blended. Minimum 24 months on lees, wines must be vintage dated and Brut style (inc. Brut Nature and Extra Brut). Producers must achieve a set of environmental standards, aiming at sustainable viticulture within five years.

Question 18

Structure of the Cremant de Loire industry?

Answer 18

Divided between 19 merchant houses, 10 co-operatives and 400 producers. Nine large houses account for 80% of productions.

Question 19

Key producers of Cremant de Loire?

Answer 19

Ackerman, Bouvet-Ladubay, Gratier & Meyer, Veuve-Amiot, Langlois-Chateau

Question 20

How much cremant de Loire is exported? Who are the key markets?

Answer 20

50%, with key markets being Germany, UK and USA

Question 21

Saumur Mousseux and Mousseux Rosé assemblage

Answer 21

Minimum 60% Chenin Blanc, max 10% Sauvignon Blanc.

Rosé minimum 60% Cabernet Franc, max 10% Sauvignon Blanc

Question 22

Harvest techniques for Cremant de Loire, Saumur Mousseux and Vouvray Mousseux?

Answer 22

Cremant de Loire must be hand harvested.
Saumur & Vouvray Mousseux allow machine harvesting.

Question 23

Vouvray Mousseux assemblage

Answer 23

Majority Chenin Blanc, Orbois also allowed as minority

Question 24

Max yield for Vouvray and Saumur Mousseax production?

Answer 24

65 hl/ha Vouvray
67 hl/ha Saumur

Question 25

Notable external sparkling wine specialist for cremant de Loire (2)

Answer 25

Berger Elaborateau in Saint-Martin-le-Beau (Cher Valley) and Cave de Vouvray