Pays Nantais

Question 1

Name the four Muscadet appellations

Answer 1

• Muscadet AOP
• Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire (the northernmost appellation; wines tend to be leaner)
• Muscadet Sevre et Maine (accounts for over 80% of Muscadet production)
• Muscadet Côte de Grandlieu (the newest appelation, southwest of Nantes, created in 1994)

Question 2

“Sur Lie” designation

Answer 2

The wine must originate from land qualifying for either Muscadet Coteaux-de-la-Loire, Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine, or Muscadet Côtes-de-Grandlieu. Sur lie wines are aged on their lees over the winter and are bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest. Wines labeled by a sub-zone (in Sevre-et-Maine) may not include “Sur Lie” on the label.

Question 3

Muscadet Sévre-et-Maine subzones

Answer 3

• Clisson
• Gorges
• Le Pallet
• Goulaine
• Mouzillon-Tillières
• Monnières-Saint-Fiacre
• Château-Thébaud

Question 4

“Hermine d’Or”

Answer 4

A designation developed by Guy Bossard. A group of producers schedules three “must attend” tastings a year to select the Hemine d’Ors. The wines are tasted blind and must receive scores of no less than 15 out of 20.

Question 5

Gros Plant du Pay Nantais AOP

Answer 5

• Established in 2011 after the elimination of VDQS
• Principal variety is Folle Blanche (min. 70%)
• All Gros Plant wines may include Val de Loire on the label

Question 6

Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP

Answer 6

• Established in 2011 after the elimination of VDQS
• Blanc: 100% Pinot Gris
• Rosé: Gamay along with max. 10% Cabernet Franc
• Rouge: Gamay along with max. 10% Cabernet Franc
• Varietally-Labeled “Malvoisie”: 100% Pinot Gris
• All Coteaux d’Ancenis wines may include the geographical designation “Val de Loire” on the label

Question 7

Fiefs Vendéens AOP

Answer 7

• Established in 2011 after the elimination of VDQS

Blanc: Principal Variety (Min. 60%): Chenin Blanc

Complementary Variety (Min. 10%): Chardonnay

Accessory Varieties:

Brem: Grolleau Gris

Vix: Sauvignon Blanc

Rosé: Principal Varieties (Min. 50%):

Brem, Chantonnay: Pinot Noir

Mareuil, Vix, Pissotte: Gamay Noir

Complementary Varieties (Min. 10%):

Brem, Chantonnay: Gamay Noir

Mareuil, Vix, Pissotte: Pinot Noir

Accessory Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Négrette (also Grolleau Gris in Brem)

Rouge: Principal Varieties (Min. 50%):

Brem, Pissotte: Pinot Noir

Chantonnay, Mareuil, Vix: Cabernet Franc

Complementary Variety (Min. 10%): Négrette

Question 8

Muscadet Map

Answer 8