Loire Valley- Pays Nantais

Question 1

Name the white grape varieties found in Loire Valley?

Answer 1

Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Melon de Bourgogne
Chardonnay
Orbois (Arbois/Menu Pineau)
Romorantin
Gros Plant (Folle Blanche)
Chasselas

Question 2

Name the red grape varieties found in Loire Valley?

Answer 2

Cabernet Franc (Breton)
Pinot Noir
Gamay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec (Cot)
Pineau d’Aunis
Groslot (Grolleau)

Question 3

Where is located Pays Nantais, and what is is known for?

Answer 3

A cool, wet maritime region located to the west near the Atlantic coast, planted primarily to the Melon de Bourgogne grape.

Question 4

Name the 4 appellations for Melon de Bourgogne grape?

Answer 4

*Muscadet AOP

*Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP

*Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOP

*Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP

Question 5

Regulations for Muscadet AOP?

Answer 5

*Min 90% Melon Blanc, Max 10% Chardonnay
*Min potential alcohol 9.5%
*Max residual sugar 5 g/l
*Wine must be separated from their lees no later than July 31 of the year after the harvest

Question 6

Regulations for Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP?

Answer 6

• 100% Melon Blanc
• “Sur Lie” (Must be vintage-dated)
  *Min alcohol 10%
  *Max residual sugar 3 g/l
  *The wine must be kept on its lees ( in either tank or barrel) after fermentation until March 1 of the year following the harvest
  *The wine is bottled directly off its fine lees between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest, and not marketed until at least March 8

Question 7

Regulations for Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOP?

Answer 7

• Shares the same regulations with Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP!

Question 8

Regulations for Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP?

Answer 8

*100% Melon Blanc
*Min alcohol levels 10%
*There are 12 sub-zones which requires min alcohol levels 11%
*Wines labeled by sub-zone may not include “Sur Lie” on the label
*The wine is bottled directly off its fine lees between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest, and not marketed until at least March 8
ELEVAGE FOR SUB-ZONES:

*Goulaine and Le Pallet: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least April 1 of the second year following the harvest

*Gorges, Clisson, Mouzillon-Tillières, Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, and Château-Thébaud: Wines must be aged on their fine lees until at least October 1 of the second year following the harvest

Question 9

What would you expect from Muscadet AOP Appellation?

Answer 9

Basic Appellation for Melon de Bourgogne, the wines are dry, with high acid and designed for youthful consumption.

Question 10

What a winemaker must do to label its Muscadet wine Sur Lie?

Answer 10

The wine must originate from land qualifying for one of the three Sub-Appellations.

Sur Lie wines are aged on their lees over the winter, and are bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest.

The process adds richness and complexity to the finished wine.

Question 11

Name the 3 Sub-Zones of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP, that requires minimum of 18 months Sur Lie ageing?

Answer 11

Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges

Question 12

Which 3 new other regions in Pays Nantais gained AOC status?

Answer 12

*Gros plant du Pays Nantais = Folle Blanche, plus Montils and Max 10% Colombard

*Coteaux d’Ancenis = 100% Pinot Gris, (red & rose from Gamay with max 10% Cabernet Franc). Varietally labeled “Malvoisie” 100% Pinot Gris

*Fief Vendeens = Chenin Blanc & Chardonnay plus Grolleau Gris & Sauvignon Blanc