Pays Nantais

Question 1

What is the main grape varietal of the Pays Nantais?

Answer 1

M80%elon de Bourgogne

Question 2

Name the 4 appellations of that exist for Muscadet.

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Which sub-appellation accounts for 80% of Muscadet Production?

Answer 3

Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine

Question 4

Which sub-appellation provides a leaner style of Muscadet?

Answer 4

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire

• due to its northern location
• excellent source in warmer years

Question 5

What are the 2 rivers that are near the 23 communes where the Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine wines are sourced from?

Answer 5

Sevre

Maine

Question 6

What are the soils of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine?

Answer 6

gneiss
silica
clay
granite

Question 7

What are the requirements for “sur lie” labeling for Muscadet?

Answer 7

• wine must originate from one the the 3 sub-appellations
• aged on their lees over winter bottled directly off the fine lees without filtering between March 1 and November 30 the year following harvest.

Question 8

What does sur lie aging contribute to the finished wines?

Answer 8

• complexity
• richness
• slight sparkle

Question 9

What is the best abv level for Muscadet wines?

Answer 9

12%abv or below

Question 10

Describe Muscadet wines.

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What is Hermine d-Or?

Answer 11

• an unofficial label term that promotes terroir and stressed age-ability
• used by some producers such as Guy Bossard in the Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine

Question 12

In what year were the 3 subzones of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine introduced?

Answer 12

2011

Question 13

What are the 3 subzones of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine?

Answer 13

Clisson
Le Pallet
Gorges

Question 14

In what year was the VDQS tier eliminated?

Answer 14

2011

Question 15

What did the cru communaux designation proposal of 2001 require?

Answer 15

it required eligible wines from specified schist soils to spend a minimum 18 mos sur lie-longer than the actual sur lie term allows

Question 16

With the elimination of the VDQS tier in 2011, What 3 new regions in Pays Nantais gained AOP status?

Answer 16

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais
Coteaux d’Ancenis-(Pinot Gris/Gamay)
Fiefs Vendeens-(min. 60% Chenin Blanc)

Question 17

What is the newest appellation for Muscadet?

Answer 17

Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP in 1994

-AOP in 1994 for basic Muscadet

Question 18

True or False:

Gros Plant may be produced as a sur lie wine.

Answer 18

True

-but it may require some effort on the part of the region’s producers to improve perceptions