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