OW - FR - Loire Flashcards
Loire
??”How long is the Loire River?”
629 mi
Loire
How long has there been wine making in the Loire?
1st century AD
Loire
When did Chenin Blanc first appear in the Loire?
845
Loire
When did Cabernet Franc get introduced into the Loire?
1089 with the Abbey at Bourgeil
Loire
By when were the wines of the Loire being exported to England?
11th century
Loire
When were the wines of the Loire popular with royalty in France?
High and Late Middle ages, until Louis XIV’s coronation at Reims
Loire
What are the white varietals of the Loire?
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Melon de Bourgogne
Chardonnay
Orbois
Romorantin
Gros Plant (Folle Blance)
Chasselas
Loire
What are the red varietals of the Loire?
Cabernet Franc (Breton)
Pinot Noir
Gamay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec (Cot)
Pineau d’Aunis
Groslot (Grolleau)
Loire
What are the appellations of Pays Nantais?
Muscadet
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire
Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu
Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine
Fiefs Vendeens
Gros Pland du Pays Nantais
Coteaux d’Ancenis
Loire
What is the climate of the Pays Nantais?
Maritime, cool and wet
Loire
What is the origin of Melon de Bourgogne?
Brought to the Loire by the Dutch to be used for distillation
Came to prominence after 1709 frost hurt red grapes
Loire
What are the characteristics of wines from Muscadet AOP?
Neutral, dry, high in acid
Loire
What are the characteristics of the Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP?
80% of Muscadet production
23 communes from Sevre and Maine Rivers
Complex soils including gneiss, silica, clay and granite
1/2 production is bottled sur lie
Loire
What are the qualifications to have sur lie on Muscadet?
Must originate from one of the three sub-appellations
Aged on lees over winter and bottled directly off the lees between March 1 and Nov 30 the following year
Loire
What are the characteristics of the Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP?
Most northerly appellation
Wines are leaner
Loire
What are the characteristics of the Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu AOP?
Newest Muscadet appellation - 1994
Wines struggle for quality
Loire
What is Hermine d’Or?
Unofficial labeling term for Muscadet that stresses terroir and ageability
Loire
What is Cru Communaux?
Proposed designation in 2001 for Muscadet, requiring wines from schist soils to spend 18 mo sur lie
Loire
What are the three sub-zones for Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine AOP?
Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges
Introduced in 2011 and follows Cru Communaux guidelines
Loire
What is Anjou-Saumur?
Region east of the Pays Nantais
Saumur is eastern sub-region of Anjou
Loire
How much of Anjou’s production is rose?
45% dominted by Grolleau
Loire
How much of Anjou’s plantings are Cab Franc?
1/3
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What is Anjou AOP?
Umbrella AOP for the entiore region. Saumur wines may be bottles as Anjou AOP.
Loire
Describe Chenin Blanc from Anjou?
High acidity because of slow ripening
Astringent from high levels of extraction
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What is Savinerres AOP?
100% Chenin Blanc, can be sec to doux
On the north bank of the Loire with steep southern exposure
Blue schist mixed with volcanic debris