Loire Valley (R) Flashcards
Where does the Loire River start and end?
Originates center of country at Massif Central; ends in Atlantic Ocean
True or False: The Loire River is the longest river in France.
TRUE
How long is the Loire River?
629 miles
The wine regions along the Loire River’s banks are remarkable diverse with distinct __________, __________, __________, and __________.
- Micro-climates
- Wine Styles
- Grape Varieties
- Growing Conditions
Name the four major sub-regions of the Loire Valley.
- Pays Nantais
- Anjou-Saumur
- Touraine
- Central Vineyards
Pays Nantais - location?
Atlantic Coast
Pays Nantais - climate?
Cool and wet maritime; affected by proximity to Atlantic Ocean
Pay Nantais - soil?
Gravel and sand over schist and granite
Pays Nantais - grape varieties?
Melon de Bourgogne
Pays Nantais - what is important about the aging of wines here?
Sure Lie Aging
Define sur lie aging.
Technique of aging wine on the post-fermentation yeast cells, or “lees”.
How does sur lie aging impact a wine?
Complexity and richness (aromas too - yeast, bread dough, toast, white flowers, nuts)
Pays Nantais - appellations?
- Muscadet AOP
2. Muscadet-Sevre-Et-Maine AOP
Anjou-Saumur - location?
East of Pays Nantais
Anjou-Saumur - climate?
Maritime/continental (shifting as vineyard locations move inland); humid
Anjou-Saumur - grape varieties?
- Chenin Blanc
2. Cabernet Franc
Anjou-Saumur - wine styles?
- Dry Red
- Dry White
- Sweet White
- Sparkling (Chenin based - Saumur AOP)
Anjou-Saumur - number of AOP’s?
5
List the five AOP’s of Anjou-Saumur.
- Savennieres
- Quarts-de-Chaume
- Bonnezeaux
- Anjou-Villages
- Saumur
Anjou-villages AOP - grape varieties and styles?
Cabernet Franc; dry
Saumur AOP - grape varieties and styles?
Chenin Blanc (sparkling); Cabernet Franc (dry)
Savennieres AOP - north or south of Loire River?
North
Savennieres AOP - aspect?
Steep hillsides; south-facing
Savennieres AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?
100% Chenin Blanc; dry
Bonnezeaux AOP - north or south of the Loire River?
South
Bonnezeaux AOP - this AOP is located on what river bank?
Layon River
Bonnezeaux AOP - climate?
Humid (proximity to two rivers)
Bonnezeaux AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?
100% Chenin Blanc; sweet
Bonnezeaux AOP - what characters the viticultural practices here?
Late harvest; Botrytis-affected grapes
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - north or south of the Loire River?
South
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - this AOP is located on what river bank?
Layon River
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - climate?
Humid (proximity to two rivers)
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?
100% Chenin Blanc; sweet
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - what characters the viticultural practices here?
Late harvest; Botrytis-affected grapes
Touraine - location?
East of Anjou-Saumur
Touraine - climate?
Contintental (less maritime since it is further inland)
Touraine - soil?
Tuffeau
What is tuffeau?
soft limestone
Touraine - grape varieties and wine styles?
Chenin Blanc (sparkling, dry, off-dry, sweet); Cabernet Franc (dry)
Touraine - number of AOP’s?
3
List the AOP’s on Touraine.
- Chinon AOP
- Bourgueil AOP
- Vouvray AOP
Chinon AOP - location re: Loire River?
South
Chinon AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?
Cabernet Franc; dry
Bourgueil AOP - location re: Loire River?
North bank of Loire River
Bourgueil - grape varieties and wine styles?
Cabernet Franc; dry
Vouvray AOP - location re: Loire River?
North bank Loire River
Vouvray AOP - soil?
Tuffeau
Vouvray - grape varieties and wine styles?
Chenin Blanc (sparkling, dry, off-dry, sweet “Moelleux”)
What does Moelleux mean and what does it refer to?
Sweet, soft, tender, smooth, mellow; sweet wines
Central Vineyards - location?
Center of France
Central Vineyards - climate?
Continental
Central Vineyards - soil?
- Silex (flint)
- Limestone
- Kimmeridgian Clay
Central Vineyards - grape varietes?
- White - 100% Sauvignon Blanc
2. Red - 100% Pinot Noir
Central Vineyards - wine styles?
Dry red and white
Central Vineyards - number of AOP’s?
2
List the AOP’s in the Central Vineyards of Loire Valley.
- Sancerre
2. Pouilly-Fume
Pouilly-Fume AOP - location re: Loire River?
Eastern bank
Pouilly-Fume AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?
100% Sauvignon Blanc; dry
Sancerre AOP - location re: Loire River?
West bank
Sancerre AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?
- White - 100% Sauvignon Blanc (dry)
2. Red - 100% Pinot Noir (dry)