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NEWA - CMS Master Sommelier Study > Loire Valley Study Guide > Flashcards

Loire Valley Study Guide Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

What is France’s longest river?

A

Loire River

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2
Q

The headwaters of the Loire Valley come from which mountain?

A

Massif Central

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3
Q

What is the Loire Valley affectionately called?

A

Le Jardin de la France

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4
Q

Loire Valley is second in French sparkling wine production behind what wine region?

A

Champagne

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5
Q

What is the synonym for Folle Blanche in Loire Valley?

A

Gros Plant

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6
Q

What is the local synonym for Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley?

A

Breton

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7
Q

What is the synonym of Malbec in the Loire Valley?

A

Côt

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8
Q

What is the synonym for Groslot in the Loire Valley?

A

Grolleau

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9
Q

What is the star grape of the Pays Nantais? Secondary grape?

A

Melon de Bourgogne is the star

Folle Blanche is the secondary grape in the region.

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10
Q

What kind of climate does Pays Nantais experience?

A

cool, wet maritime climate

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11
Q

What event paved the way for Melon de Bourgogne to take center stage in the Pays Nantais? What was it previously used for there?

A

Frost of 1709

Melon de Bourgogne was previously used for distillation

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12
Q

What are the four appellations that exist for Melon de Bourgogne in Pays Nantais?

A

Muscadet AOP
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP

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13
Q

At what abv or below do Muscadet wines show best preserving their lighter, fresher character?

A

12%

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14
Q

Describe the wines of basic Muscadet AOP in general terms in regards to structure and style?

A

neutral, bone dry to dry, high in acid, and designed for youthful consumption

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15
Q

Which Muscadet AOP accounts for over 80% of Muscadet production?

A

Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP

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16
Q

What are the 4 classic soil types of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine?

A

gneiss, clay, silica, and granite

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17
Q

How does a wine qualify for the “sur lie” designation? What does this aging add to the wine?

A

The wine must originate from land qualifying for one of the three sub-appellations of Muscadet AOP.

Aged on their lees over winter and are bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between March 1 and November 30 of the year following harvest.

The process adds complexity, richness, and a slight sparkle to the finished wines.

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18
Q

Where is Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP compared to the other Muscadet appellations and how does it compare stylistically?

A

North of the others and correspondingly leaner in style though excellent source of grapes in warmer vintages.

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19
Q

Which is the lowest quality of the Muscadet sub appellations?

A

Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP

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20
Q

What is the unofficial label term championed that is meant to promote terroir and stresses ageablity? Who is a producer that uses this?

A

Hermine d’Or

Guy Bossard

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21
Q

What are the three subzones of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP? What does this Cru Communaux designation require?

A

Le Pallet
Clisson
Gorges

Requires the wines to spend a minimum 18 months sur lie which is longer than than the sur lie term allows.

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22
Q

Which three Appellations were established in Pays Nantais with the elimination of the VDQS level of quality in 2011?

A

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP
Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP
Fiefs Vendéens AOP

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23
Q

What is the star grape of Gros Plant Nantais AOP? What does it have in common with Muscadet in regards to production?

A

Folle Blanche

May also be subjected to sur lie aging

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24
Q

What is considered the most dynamic region in the Loire Valley? Between which two regions is it located?

A

Anjou

Pays Nantais and Touraine

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25
Q

What is the center of sparkling wine production in the Loire Valley?

A

Saumur

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26
Q

What is Chenin Blanc known as in Anjou?

A

Pineau de la Loire

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27
Q

What % of Anjou’s total production annually is devoted to rosé? What is the star grape of this style?

A

45%

Grolleau

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28
Q

Anjou AOP is a designation for which three styles of wine?

A

red, white, and sparkling

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29
Q

Which is true? Saumur AOP may be bottled as Anjou AOP or Anjou AOP may be bottled as Saumur AOP?

A

Saumur AOP may be bottled as Anjou AOP

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30
Q

What is the star appellation for Chenin Blanc in Anjou?

A

Savennières

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31
Q

What grapes are permitted for the production of Savennières AOP?

A

100% Chenin Blanc

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32
Q

On what bank of the Loire Valley is Savennières and thus what is its exposure?

A

North bank of the river with full south exposure

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33
Q

What is the unique soil structure of Savennières composed of?

A

Blue schist mixed with volcanic debris

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34
Q

What are the two sub appellations of Savennières? When did they receive appellation status?

A

Roche Aux Moines AOP
Coulée de Serrant AOP

both received AOC status in 2011

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35
Q

What is the name of Nicolas Joly’s monopole appellation that is a subappellatoin of Savennières?

A

Coulée de Serrant

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36
Q

In relation to Angers and the Loire River where are the best sweet wines made? What are the four appellations for this style there?

A

South of Angers and the Loire Valley

Coteaux du Layon AOP
Coteaux de l’Aubance AOP
Bonnezeaux AOP
Quarts de Chaume AOP

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37
Q

Which two appellations are within the Coteaux du Layon AOP? What are their corresponding communes? Which direction do the vineyards in these two appellations face?

A 
Bonnezeaux AOP (Thouarcé)
Quarts de Chaume AOP (Rochefort-sur-Loire)

Face south

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38
Q

What are the minimum rs values for the four sweet wine producing appellations south of the Loire River? Which of the four qualify for the moniker “Grand Cru” from the 2010 vintage moving forward?

A

Coteaux du Layon (34g/L)
Coteaux de l’Aubance (34g/L)
Bonnezeaux (51g/L)
Quarts de Chaume (85g/L) was 34g/L prior to 2011

Quarts de Chaume qualifies for the grand cru moniker from the 2010 vintage moving forward

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39
Q

What are two top producers of Savennières that are also great producers of Quarts de Chaume?

A

Domaine des Baumard

Château Pierre-Bise

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40
Q

What is a top producer of Bonnezeaux?

A

Château des Fesles

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41
Q

Which appellation is larger, Bonnezeaux or Quarts de Chaume? Which is actually counterintuitively more difficult to find in the market place?

A

Bonnezeaux is larger but harder to find

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42
Q

What 7 villages are entitled to add their names to the basic Coteaux du Layon AOP? Which of the seven qualifies for 1er Cru?

A 
Beaulieu-sur-Layon
Rablay-sur-Layon
Rochefort-sur-Loire
Faye d'Anjou 
St. Lambert du Lattay
St. Aubin de Luigné
Chaume (1er Cru)
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43
Q

What styles of wine are made in the Anjou-Villages AOP?

A

Red wine only

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44
Q

Which appellation covers red wine production for the same communes of Coteaux de l’Aubance?

A

Anjou Villages Brissac AOP

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45
Q

Which red grape is not permitted in blends of standard Anjou rouge but may be bottled varietally?

A

Gamay

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46
Q

Anjou rouge is usually a blend featuring which two grapes?

A

Cabernet Franc with some Cabernet Sauvignon blended in.

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47
Q

What four style of wine are produced under the Saumur AOP?

A

red, dry white, sparkling white, and sparkling rosé

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48
Q

What are the grape requirements for Saumur Blanc? What grapes were permitted in the blend prior to 2016 vintage?

A

100% Chenin Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay were permitted in the blend prior to 2016

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49
Q

What three red grapes are permitted in Saumur Rouge?

A

Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pineau d’Anis

50
Q

What are the two sparkling wine appellations in Anjou-Saumur? Which is considered the better in quality? Why?

A

Saumur AOP
Crémant de Loire AOP

Crémant de Loire considered safer bet as it can blend from across Touraine and Anjou-Saumur and has more restrictions in regards to production.

51
Q

What does Champigny mean?

A

Field of Fire

52
Q

What is the main soil composition surrounding the commune of Champigny?

A

iron-rich limestone inflected with shale

53
Q

How are red wines from Saumur-Champigny described?

A

Light, bright, and elegantly floral

54
Q

The Loire’s best and most age worthy red wines are produced in what two appellations?

A

Chinon AOP

Bourgeuil AOP

55
Q

What are the four top appellations for Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley from west to east? Which are on the north bank of the Loire? Which are on the south?

A

Saumur-Champigny (south)
St-Nicolas-de-Bourgeuil (north)
Bourgeuil (north)
Chinon (south)

56
Q

What are the three main soil types of Chinon? Which if found more on the slopes? Which is found more on the river bank?

A

tuffeau, clay, and varennes

tuffeau is found on the slopes and varennes is found on the river banks.

57
Q

Where does the Varennes soil type get its name? Describe it

A

The Varennes river, a tributary of the Loire

Sandy, alluvial soil

58
Q

What is the most prized soil type in Chinon?

A

Tuffeau

59
Q

What direction do the best vineyards of Chinon and Bourgeuil face?

A

South

60
Q

Which of the major Cabernet Franc appellations of Touraine is considered the lightest in expression? Why?

A

St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgeuil because its situated almost entirely on lighter alluvial soils.

61
Q

Which of the three Cab Franc appellation in Touraine offer white wine?

A

Chinon offers white from Chenin Blanc

St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgeuil and Bourgeuil offer only red and rosé

62
Q

What are the two main Chenin Blanc appellations of the Touraine? Which is on the north bank? Which is on the south bank?

A

Vouvray (north)

Montlouis-sur-Loire (south)

63
Q

What is the main soil type of Vouvray?

A

tuffeau

64
Q

Wha are the grape requirements for Vouvray?

A

min 95% Chenin Blanc plus a max of 5% Orbois

65
Q

What are the sweetness designations for Vouvray from driest to sweetest?

A 
Sec
sec-tendre (off-dry)
demi-sec
moelleux
liquereux
66
Q

What style of wine is made more frequently by Vouvray producers in cooler vintages?

A

sparkling

67
Q

By what method is Vouvray sparkling wine made? What are the two effervescence designations for them?

A

traditional method

pétillant and mousseux

68
Q

What are the grape requirements for Montlouis-sur-Loire?

A

100% Chenin Blanc

69
Q

As of 2016 what grapes are mandated to be included in the white blends of Touraine AOP? What are their percentages?

A

Sauvignon Blanc max 70% and Sauvignon Gris max 20%

70
Q

Prior to 2016 what grape was the star of Touraine AOP whites that is no longer permitted?

A

Chenin Blanc

71
Q

What are the four major grapes of Touraine rouge and rosé?

A

Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pineau d’Anis, and Grolleau

72
Q

Gamay wines made in Touraine are often produced in what style?

A

nouveau

73
Q

What five villages are allowed to add their name to the basic Touraine AOP?

A 
Mesland
Azay-le-Rideau
Amboise
Oisly
Chenonceaux
74
Q

What is the vin gris rosé appellation of Touraine created in 2001? What are the three major grapes of this appellation?

A

Touraine Noble-Joué

Gris Meunier (Pinot Meunier)
Malvoisie (Pinot Gris)
Pinot Noir

75
Q

What is Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris called in Touraine?

A

Gris Meunier and Malvoisie

76
Q

What three styles are produced in Coteaux du Loir AOP? What is the main red and white grape here respectively?

A

Red, white, and rosé

Pineau d’Aunis for red and Chenin Blanc for white.

77
Q

What are the grape requirements for Coteaux du Loir AOP blanc?

A

100% Chenin Blanc

78
Q

How do the wines of Jasnières compare to Vouvray?

A

similar in style, yet often more green and herbaceous in character

79
Q

Coteaux du Vendômois specializes in what style of wine? Grape? What other styles are made there?

A

Vin Gris rosé from 100% Pineau d’Aunis

red and white are also made here

80
Q

What is the minimum % of Pineau d’Aunis in Coteaux du Vendômois rouge?

A

min 50%

81
Q

What are the grape requirements for Coteaux du Vendômois blanc?

A

Chenin Blanc with max 20% Chardonnay

82
Q

What styles of wine are made in Cheverny AOP? Grapes?

A

white (Sauvignon Blanc/Sauvignon Gris making up the majority with Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Orbois)

red (Pinot Noir and Gamay with Cab Franc and Côt)

83
Q

What are the grape requirements for Cour-Cheverny AOP?

A

100% Romorantin

84
Q

Which appellation in the Loire Valley is an appellation for both wines and cheese?

A

Valençay AOP

85
Q

What is the dominating white grape of Valençay?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

86
Q

Valençay is known also for red and rosé wines made from what three grapes?

A

Gamay, Pinot Noir, and Côt

87
Q

What are the top Sauvignon Blanc appellations in the Central Vineyards?

A

Sancerre AOP

Pouilly-Fumé AOP

88
Q

What are the three main soil types found in Sancerre? Which is a continuation of the soil rock found in Chablis?

A

Silex
Terres Blanches (found in Chablis)
Caillottes

89
Q

What is Terres Blanches called in Chablis?

A

Kimmeridgean clay

90
Q

Caillottes is a soil composed largely of what?

A

stones

91
Q

Silex soil has a higher proportion of what in the soil?

A

flint

92
Q

What are the grape requirements for Pouilly-sur-Lorie AOP?

A

100% Chasselas

93
Q

What are the top grapes for red and white in Menetou-Salon? Wines from this AOP are often compared to the wines from what other appellation?

A

Pinot Noir for red
Sauvignon Blanc for white

Often compared to Sancerre

94
Q

Other than Sancerre, what are 4 AOPs producing whites from Sauvignon Blanc in the Central Vineyards?

A

Quincy
Reuilly
Menetou-Salon
Coteaux du Giennois

95
Q

What are the grape requirements for Reuilly rouge?

A

100% Pinot Noir

96
Q

Reds and rosés from Coteaux du Giennois are blends of what two grapes?

A

Pinot Noir and Gamay

97
Q

Reuilly’s best vin gris rosé is produced from what grape?

A

Pinot Gris

98
Q

What white wine only appellation in the Central Vineyards is known for being France’s second demarcated appellation in France following Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

A

Quincy

99
Q

What are the grape requirements for Orléans blanc and rouge respectively?

A

Blanc
Min 60% Chardonnay with Pinot Gris

Rouge
Min 60% Meunier with Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir

100
Q

What are the grape requirements for the red wine only appellation of Orléans-Cléry?

A

100% Cabernet Franc

101
Q

What are the two exclusively Gamay appellation of Central France near the Loire Valley that are often compared to Beaujolais?

A

Côtes du Forez

Côte Roannaise

102
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Côtes d’Auvergne and Saint-Pourçain?

A

red, white, and rosé

103
Q

Wha style of wine are produced in Châteaumeillant AOP?

A

reds and rosés principally from Gamay

104
Q

Melon de Bourgogne is the sibling of what famous grape?

A

Chardonnay

105
Q

Which of the Muscadet AOPs is planted on sandy, stony soils and is known for more supple and riper expressions?

A

Muscadet Côte de Grandlieu

106
Q

What is the mountain located near Coteaux du Layon?

A

Monts Amoricain

107
Q

South of the Loire River what two rivers are known for creating ideal conditions for botrytized wines?

A

Layon (Coteaux du Layon)

Aubance (Coteaux de l’Aubance)

108
Q

What are the top two rosé appellations of Anjou? Which is more likely to be off-dry?

A

Rosé d’Anjou

Cabernet d’Anjou (more likely to be off-dry)

109
Q

What is the sub appellation of Saumur known for quality Cabernet Franc blended with Cabernet Sauvignon? Grape requirements?

A

Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame

Cabernet Franc with max 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

110
Q

What village east of Chinon is known for the appellation’s best wines? Which village west?

A

Cravant-les-Coteaux (east)

Beaumont (west)

111
Q

Rabelais described the white wines of what appellation as “taffeta”?

A

Chinon

112
Q

What are Huet’s three famous vineyards? Which is the most concentrated?

A

Le Mont (most concentrated)
Le Haut-Lieu
Clos du Bourg

113
Q

Between Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé which has the most terres blanches and which has the most silex? Where is the Caillottes soil type found?

A

Between the towns of Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire

114
Q

What are considered the top two vineyard sites in Sancerre? What are 2 other top vineyard sites in Sancerre?

A

Chêne Marchand
Monts Damnés

Le Grand Chemarin
Clos de la Poussie

115
Q

Vineyards around Ménétréol have soils with a higher percentage of what in the soil?

A

Silex

116
Q

What are considered the top two producers in Pouilly-Fumé?

A

Dagueneau

de Ladoucette

117
Q

What are three producers in Sancerre making wine like Dagueneau?

A

Vincent Pinard
Henri Bourgeois
Alphonse Mellot

118
Q

Where is Le Clos de la Meslerie? Name a producer of it.

A

Vouvray

Peter Hahn

119
Q

What parent to both Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc share?

A

Savagnin

120
Q

What are 5 top producers of Sancerre?

A 
Pascal Cotat
Lucien Crochet
Pascal Jolivet
André Neveu
Domaine Vacheron

NEWA - CMS Master Sommelier Study (60 decks)

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