Loire Valley Pt 1 - Introduction and Viticultural History Flashcards
Why is Loire Valley so diverse?
It has a large growing area with a climate ranging from maritime in the west (Pays Nantais) to continental in the east in Central and Upper Loire. It has a range of soilsand topography which allows a range of grapes to be grown and different styles of wine to be produced.
What types of wine are made in the Loire Valley?
Red and white, Rose, dry, sweet and sparkling
What are the 5 main regions in Loire Valley? Are they AOCs?
Pays Nantais, Anjou-Samur, Touraine, Central Vineyards, Upper Loire
No they are not Appellations
How many IGPs in Loire Valley
Six - one regional, one departmental and four zonal.
Which IGP is most important in Loire?
Val de Loire IGP awarded in 2007 for white, rose and red. It encapsulates all of the Loire grape varieties.
How does Loire Valley compare to other regions in production terms?
It is the :
1. largest producer of white wine;
2. 2nd largest sparkling wine producer;
3. 3rd largest producer of AOC wines.
What is the output of the Val de Loire IGP?
Largest IGP by area in France;
Covers 14 Departements;
90% varietal;
60% white.
Who brought organised viticulture to the Loire and when?
The Romans circa 1 CE.
How did the Loire River contribute to the wine industry in Loire in the early centuries?
It provided river traffic which ensured the wines’ commercial success.
Why did Loire wines become popular in England in 12th century?
The marriage of Henry Plantagenet to Eleanor of Aquitaine included a large part of Loire Valley. This meant the English imported a lot of it’s wine for the next 300 years.
Which City in Loire did Joan of Arc persuade Charles VII to accept the French crown and challenge English rule?
Chinon in 1429.
What decree in 1577 significantly increased the number of vineyards in the Loire region?
The Parliament of Paris decreed that all wine must be purchased more than 20 leagues outside the city. The demand led to an increase in vineyards around Orleans, Blois and Touraine.
What did Dutch traders convince the vignerons of the Loire to do in the 1600’s?
To plant more white cultivars such as Folle Blanche.
Why did Dutch traders want more white grapes to be planted in the Loire Valley?
They needed them for production of Brandewijn, which they distilled from these grapes and sold across N. Europe.
What impact did the French Revolution have on the Loire Valley wine industry?
Those around Nantes and Angers were particularly hard hit by the Vendee wars.
