Loire Valley (R)

Question 1

Where does the Loire River start and end?

Answer 1

Originates center of country at Massif Central; ends in Atlantic Ocean

Question 2

True or False: The Loire River is the longest river in France.

Answer 2

TRUE

Question 3

How long is the Loire River?

Answer 3

629 miles

Question 4

The wine regions along the Loire River’s banks are remarkable diverse with distinct __________, __________, __________, and __________.

Answer 4

1. Micro-climates
2. Wine Styles
3. Grape Varieties
4. Growing Conditions

Question 5

Name the four major sub-regions of the Loire Valley.

Answer 5

1. Pays Nantais
2. Anjou-Saumur
3. Touraine
4. Central Vineyards

Question 6

Pays Nantais - location?

Answer 6

Atlantic Coast

Question 7

Pays Nantais - climate?

Answer 7

Cool and wet maritime; affected by proximity to Atlantic Ocean

Question 8

Pay Nantais - soil?

Answer 8

Gravel and sand over schist and granite

Question 9

Pays Nantais - grape varieties?

Answer 9

Melon de Bourgogne

Question 10

Pays Nantais - what is important about the aging of wines here?

Answer 10

Sure Lie Aging

Question 11

Define sur lie aging.

Answer 11

Technique of aging wine on the post-fermentation yeast cells, or “lees”.

Question 12

How does sur lie aging impact a wine?

Answer 12

Complexity and richness (aromas too - yeast, bread dough, toast, white flowers, nuts)

Question 13

Pays Nantais - appellations?

Answer 13

1. Muscadet AOP

2. Muscadet-Sevre-Et-Maine AOP

Question 14

Anjou-Saumur - location?

Answer 14

East of Pays Nantais

Question 15

Anjou-Saumur - climate?

Answer 15

Maritime/continental (shifting as vineyard locations move inland); humid

Question 16

Anjou-Saumur - grape varieties?

Answer 16

1. Chenin Blanc

2. Cabernet Franc

Question 17

Anjou-Saumur - wine styles?

Answer 17

1. Dry Red
2. Dry White
3. Sweet White
4. Sparkling (Chenin based - Saumur AOP)

Question 18

Anjou-Saumur - number of AOP’s?

Answer 18

5

Question 19

List the five AOP’s of Anjou-Saumur.

Answer 19

1. Savennieres
2. Quarts-de-Chaume
3. Bonnezeaux
4. Anjou-Villages
5. Saumur

Question 20

Anjou-villages AOP - grape varieties and styles?

Answer 20

Cabernet Franc; dry

Question 21

Saumur AOP - grape varieties and styles?

Answer 21

Chenin Blanc (sparkling); Cabernet Franc (dry)

Question 22

Savennieres AOP - north or south of Loire River?

Answer 22

North

Question 23

Savennieres AOP - aspect?

Answer 23

Steep hillsides; south-facing

Question 24

Savennieres AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 24

100% Chenin Blanc; dry

Question 25

Bonnezeaux AOP - north or south of the Loire River?

Answer 25

South

Question 26

Bonnezeaux AOP - this AOP is located on what river bank?

Answer 26

Layon River

Question 27

Bonnezeaux AOP - climate?

Answer 27

Humid (proximity to two rivers)

Question 28

Bonnezeaux AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 28

100% Chenin Blanc; sweet

Question 29

Bonnezeaux AOP - what characters the viticultural practices here?

Answer 29

Late harvest; Botrytis-affected grapes

Question 30

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - north or south of the Loire River?

Answer 30

South

Question 31

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - this AOP is located on what river bank?

Answer 31

Layon River

Question 32

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - climate?

Answer 32

Humid (proximity to two rivers)

Question 33

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 33

100% Chenin Blanc; sweet

Question 34

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP - what characters the viticultural practices here?

Answer 34

Late harvest; Botrytis-affected grapes

Question 35

Touraine - location?

Answer 35

East of Anjou-Saumur

Question 36

Touraine - climate?

Answer 36

Contintental (less maritime since it is further inland)

Question 37

Touraine - soil?

Answer 37

Tuffeau

Question 38

What is tuffeau?

Answer 38

soft limestone

Question 39

Touraine - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 39

Chenin Blanc (sparkling, dry, off-dry, sweet); Cabernet Franc (dry)

Question 40

Touraine - number of AOP's?

Answer 40

3

Question 41

List the AOP's on Touraine.

Answer 41

1. Chinon AOP 2. Bourgueil AOP 3. Vouvray AOP

Question 42

Chinon AOP - location re: Loire River?

Answer 42

South

Question 43

Chinon AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 43

Cabernet Franc; dry

Question 44

Bourgueil AOP - location re: Loire River?

Answer 44

North bank of Loire River

Question 45

Bourgueil - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 45

Cabernet Franc; dry

Question 46

Vouvray AOP - location re: Loire River?

Answer 46

North bank Loire River

Question 47

Vouvray AOP - soil?

Answer 47

Tuffeau

Question 48

Vouvray - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 48

Chenin Blanc (sparkling, dry, off-dry, sweet "Moelleux")

Question 49

What does Moelleux mean and what does it refer to?

Answer 49

Sweet, soft, tender, smooth, mellow; sweet wines

Question 50

Central Vineyards - location?

Answer 50

Center of France

Question 51

Central Vineyards - climate?

Answer 51

Continental

Question 52

Central Vineyards - soil?

Answer 52

1. Silex (flint) 2. Limestone 3. Kimmeridgian Clay

Question 53

Central Vineyards - grape varietes?

Answer 53

1. White - 100% Sauvignon Blanc | 2. Red - 100% Pinot Noir

Question 54

Central Vineyards - wine styles?

Answer 54

Dry red and white

Question 55

Central Vineyards - number of AOP's?

Answer 55

2

Question 56

List the AOP's in the Central Vineyards of Loire Valley.

Answer 56

1. Sancerre | 2. Pouilly-Fume

Question 57

Pouilly-Fume AOP - location re: Loire River?

Answer 57

Eastern bank

Question 58

Pouilly-Fume AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 58

100% Sauvignon Blanc; dry

Question 59

Sancerre AOP - location re: Loire River?

Answer 59

West bank

Question 60

Sancerre AOP - grape varieties and wine styles?

Answer 60

1. White - 100% Sauvignon Blanc (dry) | 2. Red - 100% Pinot Noir (dry)