Loire Valley Pt 9 - Centre-Loire Flashcards
Where do the AOCs of Centre-Loire lie?
They lie south of Orleans and west of Grand Auxerrois in Bourgogne
What is the climate of Centre-Loire?
It is continental with high continentality
What are the climate hazards of Centre-Loire?
Summer hail mainly but also spring frosts around Quincy, Reuilly and Pouilly-Fume.
How does annual rainfall and elevation affect the vine crops of Centre-Loire?
There is ample rainfall but it can vary from year to year. Elevation also varies (from 450 -1150 ft/120-350m). These differences can lead to large harvest differentials.
What are the soil types in Centre-Loire?
There are 4 main types:
Caillottes;
Terres Blanches;
Silex;
Sand and Gravel.
What are Caillottes?
They are pebbles of limestone rich Portlandian Marl.
What is Terres Blanches
Clay and Limestone - Kimmeridgian marl rich in oyster fossils.
What is Silex?
Flint (Silex) and clay with flint (Argiles a Silex)
Why did the vignerons of Centre-Loire switch grape varieties after Phylloxera?
Previously the region was planted with Chasselas but this was hard to graft after Phylloxera so the vignerons switched to Sauvignon Blanc.
What are the principal white grapes of Centre-Loire?
Sauvignon Blanc
Note Chasselas is grown and vinified in Pouilly-sur-Loire.
What are the principal rose/gris grapes of Centre-Loire?
Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Gris - but only significant in Reuilly and Quincy respectively.
What are the principal red grapes of Centre-Loire?
Pinot Noir ( with Gamay in some AOCs)
How many AOCs in Centre-Loire?
Eight - Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, Chateaumeillant.
Which AOCs lie in a cluster NE of the city of Bourges?
Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon.
Which AOCs lie on the Cher River and its tributaries?
Quincy and Reuilly
When was Sancerre AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?
Awarded for Dry White, Rose and Red.
White (P); Sauvignon Blanc;
Red: (P) Pinot Noir.
How much of Sancerre production is white?
82% Dry white.
How many soil types in Sancerre AOC? What kind of wines are they said to express?
Three:
Argiles a Silex - (gunflint);
Caillottes - (perfumed with maturing quickly);
Terres Blanches - (Powerful and Age-worthy)
What is the topography of Sancerre?
It is much higher in elevation than surrounding area. There is high rainfall, mostly outside growing season, but steep slopes provide excellent drainage.
When was Pouilly-Fume AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?
Awarded in 1937 for dry white form Sauvignon Blanc only.
Where is Pouilly-Fume located?
On the right bank of the Loire facing Sancerre.
What is Sauvignon Blanc known as in Pouilly-Fume and why?
It is known as Blanc-Fume. Fume means smoked and is a reference to the gunflint aromas found in wines produced from flinty-clay soils.
What are the soils of Pouilly-Fume?
There are 4 types:
Argiles a Silex;
Caillottes;
Terres Blanches;
Sand.
How do vignerons utilise grapes grown on the four soil types of Pouilly-Fume?
They create blends but also wines from the single soil types or single plots.
When was Pouilly-sur-Loire AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?
Awarded 1937 for dry white from CHASSELAS.
When was Menetou-Salon AOC awarded, for which styles and grapes?
Awarded 1959 for dry white, rose and red.
White: (P) Sauvignon Blanc;
Red: (P) Pinot Noir.
Why is Menetou-Salon regarded as the sister of Sancerre AOC?
It shares the same terroir and grapes. However it is flatter than Sancerre and exposed to cold SW winds and additional risk of frost. Wines dont have the same complexity.
How many villages in Menetou-Salon AOC?
Ten villages which can add name to label if grapes 100% sourced from the village.
When was Quincy AOC awarded, which styles and grapes?
Awarded 1936 for Dry White.
White:(P) Sauvignon Blanc
Rose/Gris: (S) Sauvignon Gris.
Where is Quincy located?
It is east of Bourges along the left bank of the River Cher.
Why did the vineyards of Quincy languish in late-19th early 20th Century?
After phylloxera the vignerons rebuilt quality wines but they could not sustain momentum after WW2. Younger generations moved to cities to find work.
Since when has there been a renaissance in Quincy?
Since the 1980’s.
Where are vineyards planted in Quincy?
On plateaus near the Cher River on sands and gravels.
When was Reuilly AOC awarded, which styles and grapes?
Awarded in 1937 for Dry white, rose and Red.
White: (P) Sauvignon Blanc;
Rose/Gris: Pinot Gris;
Red:(P) Pinot Noir.
Why is Reuilly first to harvest in Center-Loire?
It has a dry mesoclimate.
Which method is used for Rose in the Reuilly AOC?
Direct press or Saignee but roses are pale either way. Made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
What are the two lesser known AOCs of Centre-Loire?
Coteaux du Giennois and Chateaumeillant.
What is the main wine styles of Coteaux du Giennois?
Whites which are minerally with bracing acidity.
Reds and roses which are Pinot Noir dominant.
What is the main wine styles of Chateaumeillant?
Gamay dominant reds and roses.
Why is Chateaumeillant location of note?
It is the most central AOC in France.
It is also the smallest and most southerly in the Centre-Loire
