Module 6: Chapter 9 - France (after Bordeaux) Flashcards
Grape variety of the Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOC.*
Folle Blanche
The Reuilly AOC is located on the River _______.*
Cher
Red grape variety of Chinon.*
Cabernet Franc
Two regional appellations for rose in the Anjou area.*
Rose d’Anjou
Cabernet d’Anjou
Type of wine produced in the Saumur-Champigny AOC.*
Red wines only; minimum of 85% Cabernet Franc
Five main zones of the Champagne region.*
Montagne de Reims Vallee da le Marne Cote des Blancs Cote de Sezanne Cote des Bar
Two types of juice (in terms of two sets of pressings) used in the production of Champagne.*
Cuvee (first pressing) and taille (second pressing)
Term used for the third pressing of grapes, as used in the Champagne region.*
Rebeche (not used for sparkling wine production)
Regional name for Chenin Blanc used in the Loire.*
Pineau de la Loire
Grape variety used in Muscadet.*
Melon de Bourgogne
Regional name for Cabernet Franc used in the Loire.*
Breton
Two subregions of Coteaux du Layon.*
Bonnezeaux
Quarts du Chaume
The Loire Valley’s only Grand Cru.*
Quarts du Chaume
Grape variety of Vouvray.*
Chenin Blanc
Three red wine appellations of Touraine.*
Chinon
Bourgeuil
St-Nicolas-de-Bourgeuil
Grape variety of Sancerre.*
Sauvignon Blanc (white), Pinot Noir (red)
Three leading grape varieties of Champagne.*
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier (formerly Pinot Meunier)
Four minor grape varieties of Champagne.*
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier, Arbane
Minimum total aging for vintage Champagne.*
3 years
Number of Grand Cru villages in Champagne.*
17
RM*
Recoltant-Manipulant (“Grower Champagne”)
AOC for still wines that covers most of the land within the Champagne region.*
Coteaux Champenois
Two main regions of Alsace.*
Bas-Rhin
Haut-Rhin
Three types of AOCs in Alsace.*
Alsace AOC
Alsace Grand Cru
Cremant d’Alsace
Four “noble grapes” of Alsace.*
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Gris
Late-harvest wine made in Alsace.*
Vendage Tardive
Two main grapes of Burgundy.*
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Number of Burgundy Grand Crus.*
33
The seven parcels of Chablis Grand Cru.*
Les Clos Vaudesir Valmur Blanchot Bougros Les Preuses Grenouilles
Minor white grape of Burgundy, grown mostly in the Cote Challonaise.*
Aligote’
Largest communal appellation of the Cote Challonaise.*
Mercurey
The three appellations of Chablis.*
Chablis AOC, Chablis Grand Cru AOC, Petit Chablis AOC
Number of Grand Cru vineyards in the Cote de Nuits.*
24
Number of Grand Cru vineyards in the Cote de Beaune.*
8
The only Grand Cru of the Cote de Beaune to produce red wine.*
Corton (approved for both red and white)
Two largest communcal AOCs in the Maconnais; approved only for white wine.*
Pouilly-Fuisse’, St-Veran
Term used in Burgundy to describe plots of land whose boundaries have been defined by terroir.*
Climat
Main grape variety of the Cahors AOC.*
Malbec (the “black wine of Cahors”)
Grape variety on Condrieu.*
Viognier
Main grape variety of the Madiran AOC.*
Tannat
Leading grape variety of Beaujolais.*
Gamay
Grape variety (varieties) allowed in Cornas AOC.*
Syrah (must be 100%)
Fortified wine of the Rousillon produced in a “Christmas style.”*
Muscat de Rivesaltes
The ten Beaujolais Cru.*
Brouilly, Cote de Brouilly, Julienas, Regnie, Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Morgon, Chiroubles, Fleurie,St.-Amour
Grape variety (varieties) allowed in Saint-Peray AOC.*
Marsanne and Rousanne
Main grape variety of the Blanquette de Limoux AOC.*
Mauzac
Top grape variety of the Rhone Valley.*
Grenache (Noir)
Two Rhone AOC the produce vin doux naturel.*
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venice
Rasteau
IGP that covers the Languedoc-Rousillon region.*
Vin de Pay d’Oc (Pays d’Oc IGP)
Leading red grape variety of the NORTHERN Rhone valley.*
Syrah
Rhone appellation that produces 100% rose’ wine.*
Tavel
Type of wine produced in the Banyuls AOC.*
Vin doux naturel (fortified) - mainly sweet, red wines using Grenache, but white wines (based on Grenache blanc and/or Muscat) and amber styles are produced as well.
Type of wine produced in Bandol.*
Red (but some rose’) made from a Mourvedre-based blend.
What is the longest river in France?
The Loire.
As a whole, what is the Loire Valley known for?
Primarily for crisp white wines, light reds, roses, and some fine sweet and sparkling wines.
How much of the length of the Loire is covered by vineyards?
Only about half as much as Bordeaux, producing only 45 million cases, 3/4 of which is at the AOC level. (33.75 million cases)
Where does the Loire originate?
In the Massif Central, before flowing north through Sancerre, and then heading west to the Atlantic, south of Brittany.
How many distinct winegrowing regions comprise the Loire valley?
4. (From west to east) Pays Nantais (Nantes County) Anjou-Saumur Touraine, to the east of Anjou-Saumur Upper Loire (eastern Loire) the area around Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume
Given the large span of territory, the regions of the Loire don’t have a lot in common. What DO they have in common?
Same northerly latitude and therefore cool-climate.
What are the three climatic zones of the Loire Valley?
Pays Nantais- Low-lying terrain, chilly maritime climate.
Middle section: More sunshine, decreased maritime influence. Humidity remains high, providing ideal botrytis conditions.
Upper Loire- Far enough inland to have continental climate, moderated by sea breezes up the valley.
The Loire is perhaps the most diverse producer of wine styles in France. What does it produce?
Dry whites, sweet whites. dry and off-dry roses, sparkling wines, dry reds.
What are the key white varieties of the Loire Valley?
Melon de Bourgogne Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc
Small amounts of Arbois, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Folle Blanche are planted as well.
Describe Melon de Bourgogne.
Originally from Burgundy though very little remains there. Fairly neutral, produces a light-bodied, very crisp white wine. It is limited in the Loire to the Pays Nantais area, where it makes the well known wines of the Muscadet AOC.
What is the other name for Chenin Blanc in Loire Valley?
Pineau de la Loire. It is very versatile, making dry whites, sweet whites, and delightful sparkling wines.
What are the best known Chenin-based wines of the Loire?
Vouvray and Savennieres. They are markedly different despite their shared heritage.
Why is Chenin the base for Loire’s highly acclaimed dessert wines?
It’s thin skins make it highly susceptible to botrytis, which is instrumental to the quality of the dessert wines.
Sauvignon Blanc is planted throughout what region? What is best known for?
It is planted throughout Anjou and Touraine, but is best known for the wines of the Upper Loire.
It produces its most classic flavor profiles with vibrant acidity and fine aromatics in Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre.
What are the well known roses (both dry and off-dry) of the Loire made from?
Generally a blend of grapes that can include Cabernet Franc, Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Grolleau, and Malbec.
What is the local Loire name for Cabernet Franc?
Breton
What is the local Loire name for Malbec?
Cot.
What are the general characteristics of Loire Valley dry reds?
Using the same grapes as those in rose, the wines are nicely acidic, light reds. Specific examples include Cabernet Franc from Chinon and the Pinot Noir of Sancerre.
How are the sparkling wines of the Loire made?
By Traditional Method, under the name Fines Bulles (fine bubbles). They are generally based on Chenin Blanc with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay sometimes used as minority components.
Red grapes are allowed, but not common, including Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Grolleau, and Gamay.
A variety of sparkling styles are produced, including white and rose of varying sweetness.
Why is there no Loire Valley appellation similar to Bordeaux AOC, covering the entire geographical region?
There is significant dissimilarity in terroir and grape varieties. The general geographical role is played at the IGP level by IGP Val de Loire, one of the seven regional vins de pays, since 2009 (when it replaced the old Vin de Pays du Jardin).
What is Melon de Bourgogne known locally as in Pays Nantais?
Muscadet. It makes up 3/4 of the Nantais vineyards.
Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne) is the ONLY grape allowed in four appellations, name them.
Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC, Muscadet AOC, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC, Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu
Can sur lie be applied to the labels of Muscadet?
Yes. Many producers do this to allow for a fuller bodied version of what is otherwise a fairly neutral, high acid wine to be consumed young.
Three news AOCs were approved in Pays Nantais in 2011. What were they?
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOC: for whites based on Folle Blanche (Gros Plant)
Coteaux d’Ancenis AOC: for whites (100% Pinot Gris, locally Malvoisie), for rose (100% Gamay), for red (100% Gamay)
Fiefs Vendeens AOC: for whites (Chenin with small Chard and others), rose (Gamay/PN blends), and red (Blends of CF, PN, and Negrette.
Anjou-Saumur and Touraine together are considered what?
The Central Loire
What does Anjou produce?
A red wine from primarily Cab Franc or Cab Sauv, and a white from Chenin Blanc with up to 20% Sauvignon Blanc of Chardonnay.
There are also basic appellations for sparkling (mousseux) and lightly sparkling (petillant) wines, and for red wines made from Gamay.
Where is Savennieres?
On the north bank of the Loire. Produces whites from 100% Chenin Blanc, typically dry, and called “the most cerebral wine in the world.”
There are two regional rose appellations in Anjou. Name them, and what they’re made from.
Rose d’Anjou: Typically off-dry, from the Grolleau grape.
Cabernet d’Anjou: from Cab Franc and Cab Sauv, somewhat sweeter.
Dry roses are likely to use the Rose de Loire appellation, which covers Touraine, Anjou, and Saumur.
Sweet dessert wines are a specialty of Anjou. What is the primary sweet wine area of Anjou?
The Coteaux du Layon AOC
There are two subregions to Coteaux du Layon AOC. What are they?
Bonnezeaux and Quarts du Chaume. They produce 100% Chenin based dessert wines.
What is special about Quarts du Chaume?
As of 2011, it became the first Grand Cru of the Loire, prompting the creation of a secondary appellation, Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Chaume.
What AOC is much of the wine in Saumur produced under?
Saumur AOC, which allows for white, red, and rose still wines, along with white and rose sparkling wines.
There is one small red wine only appellation in Saumur. What is it?
Saumur-Champigny, which makes a unique, spicy red based of Cabernet Franc, up to 15% of which can be Cab Sauv or Pineau d’Aunis (aka Chenin Noir)
Saumur is particularly known for sparkling wines. What is the main appellation for sparkling?
Saumur Mousseux (sometimes seen simply as Saumur).
Made in Traditional method, can be white or rose.
Saumur is also the chief source of grapes for Cremant de Loire, sparkling that can be produced anywhere in the Central Loire.
What must be contained in Saumur Mousseux?
In whites, must be at least 60% Chenin Blanc. In Rose, must be at least 60% Cab Franc. Both versions may contain ay other permitted grapes of the region in the remainder.
Touraine is also part of the Central Loire, where is it located?
To the east of Anjou-Saumur. It is home to Vouvray, one of the best known of the Loire appellations.
What is just across the river from Vouvray, producing wines of very similar style?
Montlouis-sur-Loire.
Touraine is home to three well-respected appellations for red wines, mostly based on Cabernet Franc. Name them.
Chinon, Bourgueil, St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. All must be made with a majority of Cab Franc, and Chinon is considered the most elegant.
Do any of the three red appellations in Touraine produce anything else?
Yes. Chinon produces a small amount of 100% Chenin Blanc whites, while Bourgueil and St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil produce rose.
Touraine AOC covers the entire area. What does it allow production of?
Red, white, rose, as well as sparkling white and rose. The majority of the vineyards that produce wine for the regional AOC are east of Vouvray, and more closely mirror the wines of the Upper Loire.
What are the majority of Touraine AOC wines made of?
As they mirror Upper Loire, the whites are predominantly Sauvignon Blanc, while reds and roses are a blend based on Cab Franc and Malbec (Cot)
What are the easternmost vineyards of Touraine?
Cheverny AOC, producing whites from a blend based on Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, and reds from Pinot Noir blended with Gamay (Malbec optional).
Two of the most famous appellations of the Loire are in the Upper Loire. What are they, and here are they located?
Sancerre, on the west bank of the Loire, and Pouilly Fume on the east bank.
Both are famous for 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
What is the distinction between Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume?
Chalky soils give Sancerre its crisp acidity, while the flint of Pouilly-Fume imparts a smokiness.
What is the only red produced in Sancerre?
A small amount of Pinot Noir.
There are three other smaller appellations in the Upper Loire. What are they and what do they produce?
All three produce Sauvignon Blanc
Menetou-Salon and Reuilly produce small amounts of Pinot Noir. Quincy does not.
What accounted for the early demand for the wines of Champagne?
Proximity to Paris and the English market, which at the time were light white wines and Pinot Noir.
What caused suspended fermentation in the early wines of Champagne?
The region’s cold climate would lend a few bubbles.
Who were the first to intentionally create bubbles in the bottle?
The English, after noticing the Champagne wine merchant’s habit of adding sugar to the bottle to balance the wine’s natural acidity.
Who led the improvement following the discovery of secondary fermentation?
Dom Perignon and his contemporaries in the early years, later Veuve Clicquot, Louis Roederer, and other leading houses of Champagne.
How much wine is made in Champagne?
32 million cases per year, roughly 18% of the world production of sparkling wines.
Describe the climate of Champagne.
It is one of the coldest and most northerly wine regions in the world. Summers are cool, and winters can be quite cold and snowy, with no protection from storms out of the north.
What are the five main zones of Champagne?
Montagne de Reims: A plateau between the Marne River and city of Reims.
Vallee de Marne: Stretches more than 40 miles along the Marne River west of the town of Epernay.
Côte des Blancs: a ridge running south and southwest from Epernay.
Cote de Sezanne: A region southwest of the Cote des Blancs, stretching in a long, thin line beyond the town of Sezanne.
Cote des Bar: An isolated area in the Aube department, 60 miles southeast of Epernay.
What are the two particular subsoils that make the unique terroir of Champagne?
Chalk, and limestone-rich marl.
These allow the roots to dig freely, while retaining moisture and allowing excess moisture to drain away.
They also keep the soil at a somewhat constant temperature throughout the year.
What is historical about the chalk in Champagne?
Most of the Grand Cru vineyards are on the two subsoils, but the Romans mined the chalk, creating miles of subterranean cellars that still exist to this day. These cellars are used to store millions of bottles of Champagne at the perfect temp and humidity level.
What does the Cote des Bar lay on?
A ridge of Kimmeridgian marl. This is limestone rich, from fossilized marine deposits mixed with clay. This soil extends to the White Cliffs of Dover and Salisbury Plain.
What are the characteristics of Kimmeridgian marl?
Excellent water retention, heat retention, and heat reflection; when heat is reflected back onto the vine, it helps the vine’s ability to reach phenolic ripeness in less than ideal conditions.
Where else is Kimmeridgian marl found?
Loire Valley and Burgundy.
What are the four secondary grape varieties of Champagne?
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier, and Arbane.
They are somewhat obscure, but appreciated by some producers.
Give an example of a wine that emphasizes the uniqueness of the secondary grapes of Champagne.
House of Aubry - Le Nombre d’Or (The Golden Number)
Which Champagne zones are dominated by Chardonnay plantings?
Cote des Sezanne and Cote des Blancs.
Which Champagne zones are dominated by Pinot Noir plantings?
Cote des Bar. Montagne de Reims is largely planted, but also supports a good deal of Chardonnay and Meunier.
Which zone is dominated by Meunier?
Vallee de la Marne; Meunier buds late and ripens early, perfect for a place that is frost-prone.
Why are Champagne producers very careful in their handling of the high-acid, low-sugar grapes at harvest?
Most are intended to be white, even despite the use of red grapes. Most press houses are located in or near the vineyards, and small boxes are used during the harvest to ensure the grapes don’t break open and expose the juice to skin contact.
True or false: There are not many criteria to follow once Champagne grapes are ready to press.
False. There are more than 20, including press types, and pressing and racking capacity.