Lower Loire: Pays Nantais

Question 1

Where is pays Nantais located in the Loire Valley? hows topography?

Answer 1

pays Nantais is the westermost Loir Valley subregion, located near the city of Nantes. It’sgenerally flat or slightly south facing, between 6 to 60 miles from the atlantic.

Question 2

How’s pays Nantais Climate?

Answer 2

Pays Nantais climate is MARITIME. influenced by the Gulf Stream which increases the temperature of the costal area. 2000 hrs sunshine.
Winters are cold, damp but little snowfall. It has frost and ice storms.
Springs are cold, damp, often cloudy but warming towards summer.
Summer is warm and mild with plenty sunshine.(high humidity can cause rot and mildew.
Autumn are warm and mild with some rainstorms.

Question 3

Is Chaptalization permitted in the Loire?

Answer 3

Yes, but they chaptalize only when necesary.

Question 4

Hows the soil in Pays Nantais?

Answer 4

It’s a predominatly flat coasline, bisected by the rivers Sèvre and Maine.
Was a hotbed of volcanic activity(mya) GNEISS dominates top soil: a very porous Volcanic rock with critical drainage.
Subsoil is cristaline igneous rocks.

Question 5

What are the White grapes grown in Pays Nantais?

Answer 5

• Chardonnay
• Chenin Blanc = Pineau de la Loire, Gros Pineau
• Folle Blanche = Gross Plant
• Muscadet = Melon de Bourgogne
• Pinot Gris = Malvoisie
• Sauvignon Blanc

Question 6

What are the Red grapes grown in Pays Nantais?

Answer 6

• Cabernet Franc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Gamay
• Négrette
• Pinot Noir

Question 7

Name most important Pays Nantais AOC’s and what color and style they are

Answer 7

• Muscadet AOC - White - dry
• Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC: White - dry
• Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC: White - dry
• Muscadet S et M: Clisson, Georges, Le Pallet:White, dry

Question 8

Name the other not so important Pays Nantais AOCs

Answer 8

• Coteaux d’Ancenis AOC + Grape name: Pineau de la Loire, Cabernet, , Malvoisie, Gamay
• Fiefs Vendéens AOC + subregional designation.
• Gross Plant du Pays Nantais AOC: produced with Folle Blanche, grows on sand riversides.

Question 9

describe Muscadet AOC:

Answer 9

Muscadet AOC encompases all Pays Nantays but is responsible for only 20% of production. Produced Sur Lie

Question 10

Describr Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC

Answer 10

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC is the SMALLEST of the regional Muscadet AOCs, located north of nantes in both sides of the river, wines with pronounced minerality. Produce White, dry, sur lie

Question 11

describe Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOC

Answer 11

Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOC. located southwest of Nantes around lake Grand Lieu. Produce white, dry, sur lie.

Question 12

What is the smallest AOC in Pays Nantais?

Answer 12

Muscadet Cotes de la Loire AOC is the smallest.

Question 13

Describe Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC.

Answer 13

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC is responsible for 75% of all AOC Muscadet wine. Named after riversLa Sèvre Nantaise and La Petite Maine.

Question 14

Who produce most of the wine in the Pays Nantais?

Answer 14

Most wine production is carried out by big NEGOCIANTS and COOPS.

Question 15

What means Sur Place?

Answer 15

Sur place means consumed locally. Paris is Muscadet largest Client.

Question 16

What is sur lie? who can use it in Pays Nantais?

Answer 16

Sur lie is ageing on the lees, this gives nuttier flavors to wine.ALL APPELATIONS CAN BE AGED SUR LIE.

Question 17

What are Mannoproteins?

Answer 17

Mannoproteins are molecules of a sugar-protein bond imparted by the dead yeast that gives the wine creaminess and rounded mouth feel.

Question 18

When a wine labeled Sur Lie must be bottled in Pays Nantais?

Answer 18

It must be bottled between April 1st and November 30st of the year after harvest.

Question 19

Name Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Crus, how many?

Answer 19

3 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC Crus:

• Clisson
• Georges
• Le Pallet

Question 20

Describe Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clisson AOC

Answer 20

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clisson AOC is one of the 3 crus.
Granitic gravels and galets. MOST concentrated flavors of the Crus, dried fruits, minimum 24 month sur lie.
Must be HAND harvested and May NOT put Sur lie on label

Question 21

Describe Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Georges AOC, what is it?

Answer 21

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Georges AOC is one of the 3 crus.
Situated on Clay soil rich in quartz and grained GREEN volcanic rock named GABBROS. Mineral and SMOKY.
minimum 24 month Sur Lie butsometimes 40 months to achieve full flavor. Must be HAND harvested and May NOT put Sur lie on label

Question 22

Describe Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Le Pallet AOC, what is it?

Answer 22

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Le Pallet AOC is one of the 3 crus.

Located on Greiss and Gabross. Floral, minimum 17 month sur lie. Must be HAND harvested and May NOT put Sur lie on label