Loire Valley Pt 6 -Anjou Appellations Flashcards
What are the production % for each AOC in Anjou/Layon?
Cabernet d’Anjou AOC- 60%;
Rose d’Anjou AOC- 19%;
Anjou AOC - 11%;
Coteaux du Layon AOC - 7%;
Other 3%.
How many appellations are in Anjou? List them.
Thirteen:
Anjou AOC, Anjou Villages, Anjou Brissac, Cabernet d’Anjou, Rose d’Anjou, Coteaux de Layon,Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru,Bonnezeaux, Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire, Coteaux de l’Aubance, Savennieres, Savennieres Roche au Moines, Coulee de Serrant.
Which two appellations cover the whole of the Middle Loire?
Cremant de Loire AOC;
Rose de Loire AOC.
When was Anjou AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes?
Awarded 1936 for dry white, red, semi-sweet to sweet,sparkling white, sparkling Rose. (Note no Rose).
White: (P) Chenin Blanc;
Rose:
Red: (P) Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon.
What % Gamay is Anjou Gamay? Can it be Primeur?
100%. Can be vinified as Primeur and sold 3rd Thursday in November following harvest.
What is the blend in Anjou AOC reds?
Mainly the two Cabernets with some Grolleau and Pineau d’Aunis.
What is the production split for Anjou AOC wines?
2/3 rds red, 1/3 white.
What is the main grape in white Anjou?
Chenin with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc can be added.
What wine style is now growing in popularity in Anjou?
Dry white chenin Blancs reflecting the distinct terroirs - chalk and schist.
Which grapes are generally used in the mousseux of Anjou?
Mainly Chenin Blanc in white. The rose can be from any of the red or gris grapes and there are no blend regulations.
When was Anjou Villages AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes?
Awarded 1991 for dry red form Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Always a blend of both grapes. Highlights the best terroirs in Anjou.
How many Anjou villages are permitted to add their name to the wine label?
There are 46 villages authorised to produce this level **HOWEVER they cannot add their name to the label. ** They have lower yields.
When was Anjou Brissac AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes?
Awarded 1998 for dry red from Cabernet Franc (mainly) and Cabernet Sauvignon.
What distinguishes Anjou Brissac wine from Village wine?
It has lower yields. The area is also warmer and drier than its neighbours due to a forest which shelters it from ocean breezes.
How many Rose AOCs in Anjou?
Two which are co-terminous with Anjou AOC. Cabernet d’Anjou (medium sweet) and Rose d’Anjou ( off-dry)
What % of total production of all of Anjou is rose?
50% approx. (ie the two rose AOCs)
When was Cabernet d’Anjou AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Is it dry or sweet?
Awarded 1964 for Rose (slightly sweet) with minimum sweetness of 10g/l (1%).
(P) Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
How is Cabernet d’Anjou vinified? What does the method give the wine?
By direct press mainly but saignee is permitted. Wine has a characteristic onion skin colour.
When was Rose d’Anjou AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Sweet or dry?
Awarded 1957 for Rose (off-dry) with minimum sweetness of 7g/l (0.7%).
Rose: (P) Grolleau Gris;
Red: (P) Grolleau,Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Cot, Pineau d’Aunis.
What is the backbone of Rose d’Anjou?
Grolleau. There is no dominant production method.
How many sweet wine appellations in Anjou?
Five - Coteaux de Layon, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, Bonnezeaux, Coteaux de l’Aubance, Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire.
Which grape is used in the sweet wines of the Layon River vineyards?
Exclusively Chenin Blanc.
What does the Layon River area boast that no other area of the Loire has?
It has the only Grand Cru and Premier Cru in the Loire.
When was Coteaux du Layon AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Minimum sweetness levels?
Awarded in 1950 for Semi-sweet to sweet wines from Chenin Blanc only.
Minimum sweetness is 3.4%/ 34g/l - Premier Cru is 8%/80g/l.
What are the soils of Coteaux du Layon and the aspect of the vineyards?
Soils are schist, sand and gravel. The vineyards face south and southwest giving a lot of sunshine and heat.
How does the vineyard aspect and mesoclimate of the Layon area contribute to the grapes’ sweetness?
The orientation and climate provide damp humid mornings with warm, sunny dry afternoons, which allows grapes to overripen and the noble rot to develop.
How many DGCs in Coteaux du Layon AOC?
Six which can add their name to the label.
Which village in Layon is a Premier Cru?
Chaume which can add its name plus “Premier Cru” to the label.
What is the harvest method for Chaume 1er Cru?
Grapes must be handpicked in successive passes selecting only overripe grapes with or without noble rot.
How does 1er Cru differ from Coteaux du Layon wine?
It has lower yields and must have a minimum 80g/l(8%/l) of sweetness.
When can SGN be used on Coteaux du Layon labels?
If the grapes have noble rot and potential 19% ABV. Rarely used.
Is chaptalisation permitted in Coteaux du Layon?
No.
What are ageing rules in Coteaux du Layon?
Wines are aged until June 1st of second year after harvest and vintage date must be on label.
When was Quarts de Charme Grand Cru AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Minimum sweetness levels?
Awarded in 1954 for sweet wines from Chenin Blanc only. Grand Cru awarded in 2011.
Minimum sweetness is 8.5%/85g/l.
How are grapes chosen for Charmes Grand Cru?
Either affected by botrytis or by passillerage.
What is the aspect and soils of Charmes Grand Cru vineyards?
South facing on combination of schists and sandstone. They overlook the Layon River which brings autumn mists to develop noble rot.
When was Bonnezeaux AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Minimum sweetness levels?
Awarded in 1951 for sweet wines from Chenin Blanc only.
Minimum sweetness is 5.1%/51g/l.
How does Bonnezeaux compare to the other sweet wines of Layon?
It’s sweetness level is higher than most other AOCs but less than Chaume 1er and Grand Cru. More refreshing acidity.
When was Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Minimum sweetness levels?
Awarded in 1946 for semi-sweet to sweet wines from Chenin Blanc only.
Minimum sweetness is 3.4%/34g/l.
Where is Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOC located?
It is sandwiched between Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire and Savennieres, on both sides of the Loire.
How does the Loire impact Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire AOC.
It is very close so it moderates temperatures and provides autumn fogs.
When was Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Minimum sweetness levels?
Awarded in 1950 for semi-sweet to sweet wines from Chenin Blanc only.
Minimum sweetness is 3.4%/34g/l
Where is Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC located?
It lies on both sides of the Aubance River. It is the warmest AOC as it is protected by surrounding forests from ocean breezes.
Where was Chenin Blanc first planted in the Loire?
By monks in Savennieres. Two particularly famous places - La Roche aux Moines and Coulee de Serrant.
Name the three AOCs of Savennieres?
Savennieres AOC;
Savennieres Roche aux Moines AOC;
Coulee de Serrant AOC.
When was Savennieres AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Minimum sweetness levels?
Awarded in 1952 for dry white, semi-sweet to sweet wines from Chenin Blanc only.
EU sweetness levels apply.
Where are the vineyards of Savennieres located?
Located on five steep hills perpendicular to right bank of the Loire.
What is the soil and aspect of Savennieres vineyards?
Soils of slate, schist, volcanic rocks and aeolian (wind blown) sands. South-facing hills.
What is distinctive about the winegrowing family traditions of Savennieres?
Throughout its history women played a major role. Many estates are passed from mother to daughter.
What are the aromas of Savennieres dry whites?
Dried fruits, honey, peaches and beeswax. These wines are thought to be Frances most age-worthy.
When was Savennieres Roche aux Moines AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Minimum sweetness levels?
Awarded in 2011 for dry white, semi-sweet to sweet wines from Chenin Blanc only.
Sweetness levels - Semi-sweet to sweet white - 30g/l(3%)
When and who planted the original vineyards in Roche aux Moines?
In the 12th century it was planted by monks from Abbey Saint Nicolas of Angers.
How does viticultural practice in Roche aux Moines AOC differ from Savennieres AOC?
It has lower yields and mandates hand-harvesting with a minimum of two passes in the vineyard. No chaptalisation.
In what circumstances are sweet wines made in Roche aux Moines AOC?
In years where botrytis is developed on the grapes.
When was Coulee de Serrant AOC awarded? For which styles? Which grapes? Minimum sweetness levels?
Awarded in 2011 (as Savennieres-Coulee de Serrant)for dry white, semi-sweet to sweet wines from Chenin Blanc only.
Sweetness levels - Semi-sweet to sweet white - 30g/l(3%)
When and who planted the original vineyards in Coulee de Serrant AOC?
Cistercian monks in the 11th Century.
What is distinctive about the Coulee de Serrant AOC?
It is a monopole.
How does Coulee de Serrant viticulture practice differ from Savennieres AOC?
It is farmed biodynamically. It has lower yields and mandates hand-harvesting with a minimum of two passes in the vineyard. No chaptalisation.
What is the main style focus in Coulee de Serrant AOC?
Whilst sweet is permitted it focuses only on DRY White.
