Pays Nantais & Central France Flashcards
The Loire produces more wine of what color than any other French region?
White, and is also second only to Champagne in sparkling.
Authorized grapes for Cremant de la Loire
Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Orbois, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis
What notable Loire grapes are NOT authorized for Cremant de la Loire?
Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Romorantin, Gros Plant, Cot, Gamay
What are the four AOP’s for Melon de Bourgogne?
Muscadet AOP
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOP
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP
What are the major soil types in Sèvre et Maine?
Gneiss, silica, clay, granite
What are the requirements to label Sur Lie?
- origin in one of the three sub-appellations -aged on the lees until at least March 1, and no later than Nov 30 of the year following the harvest (6-12 months, essentially)
- bottled unfiltered
What is the only Muscadet AOP north of the river?
Coteaux de la Loire, and the warmest of the three
What is the newest Muscadet AOP?
Côtes de Grandlieu
What is “Hermine d’Or?”
An (unofficial) designation in Muscadet granted to wines that express minerality, ageability, and typicity (think Cru Bourgeois).
Three Producers who frequently produce Hermine d’Or worthy wines
Jo Landron, Domaine de la Louvetrie (Cuvée Hermine d’Or) Luneau-Papin (Pierres Blances) Guy Bossard, Domaine de l’Ecu (Gneiss, Orthogneiss, Granite)
What is “Cru Communaux”?
A designation proposed in 2001 that require eligible wines from schist soils to spend 18mos sur lie, resulting in the three subzones. Final subzone requirements are extended lees aging, 11% minimum abv, 45 hl/ha max yields (v. 55 hl/ha for Sur Lie and 65 hl/ha for AOC)
What are the three subzones of Muscadet Sèvre et Maine?
North to South: Le Pallet Gorges Clisson Following the Sèvre downstream
Clisson: Soil & Lees Aging?
Granite On the lees until November 1st of the second year following the harvest (2 years aging)
Gorges: Soil & Lees Aging?
Clay and Gabbro (igneous) On the lees until November 1st of the second year following the harvest (2 years aging)
Le Pallet: Soil & Lees Aging?
Gneiss, quartz, gabbro One the lees until April 1st of the second year following the harvest (19 months aging)
Minimum alcohol for Cru Communaux v. AOC?
10% for AOC and subzones 11% for Cru Communaux Coteaux de la Loire carries a maximum ABV of 12%
Why will you never see Sur Lie on a bottle from one of the subzones?
The required minimum aging on the lees is longer than legally allowed for Sur Lie.
Cru Communaux Bottlings
Clisson: Pepière Gorges: André-Michel Brégeon Le Pallet: Vignerons du Pallet
In what other Loire AOP will you see the term Sur Lie?
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP
What are the varietal requirements and styles of the Fiefs Vendéens?
Blanc: min. 60% Chenin Blanc
Rosé: min. 80 Gamay and Pinot Noir
Rouge: Cabernet Franc, Negrette, Pinot Noir
What are the subzones of Fiefs Vendéens?
Brem
Mareuil
Chantonnay
Pissotte
Vix
Where is the Coteaux d’Acenis, and what are the styles and varietal requirements?
Pays Nantais: Whites are 100% Pinot Gris; Reds/Roses are 100% Gamay
What is the sole varietal in the Côte Roannaise AOP and Côtes du Forez AOP?
Gamay, in both red and rosé.
What are the styles and varietal requirements of Châteaumeillant AOP?
Rouge: min. 60% Gamay plus Pinot Noir Vin Gris: min. 60% Gamay plus Pinot Noir, max 15% Pinot Gris
What is the southernmost AOP in Central France?
Côtes d’Auvergne AOP
What are the styles and varietal requirements of Saint-Pourçain AOP?
Blanc: 50-80% Chardonnay, 20-40% Sacy, max 10% Sauvignon Blanc
Rouge: 40-75% Gamay plus Pinot Noir
Rosé: 100% Gamay
What are the styles and varietal requirements of Côtes d’Auvergne AOP?
Blanc: 100% Chardonnay Rouge/Rosé: min. 50% Gamay plus Pinot Noir
AOP’s of Central France, west to east
Chateaumeillant Saint-Pourçain (north) Côtes d’Auvergne (south) Côte Roannaise (north) Côtes du Forez (south)
Where do you see varietally labeled Gamay in the Loire?
Anjou Touraine (but as of 2009 you can varietally label whatever…)
