Pays Nantais & Central France

Question 1

The Loire produces more wine of what color than any other French region?

Answer 1

White, and is also second only to Champagne in sparkling.

Question 2

Authorized grapes for Cremant de la Loire

Answer 2

Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Orbois, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis

Question 3

What notable Loire grapes are NOT authorized for Cremant de la Loire?

Answer 3

Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Romorantin, Gros Plant, Cot, Gamay

Question 4

What are the four AOP’s for Melon de Bourgogne?

Answer 4

Muscadet AOP
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOP
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP

Question 5

What are the major soil types in Sèvre et Maine?

Answer 5

Gneiss, silica, clay, granite

Question 6

What are the requirements to label Sur Lie?

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

What is the only Muscadet AOP north of the river?

Answer 7

Coteaux de la Loire, and the warmest of the three

Question 8

What is the newest Muscadet AOP?

Answer 8

Côtes de Grandlieu

Question 9

What is “Hermine d’Or?”

Answer 9

An (unofficial) designation in Muscadet granted to wines that express minerality, ageability, and typicity (think Cru Bourgeois).

Question 10

Three Producers who frequently produce Hermine d’Or worthy wines

Answer 10

Jo Landron, Domaine de la Louvetrie (Cuvée Hermine d’Or)
Luneau-Papin (Pierres Blances)
Guy Bossard, Domaine de l’Ecu (Gneiss, Orthogneiss, Granite)

Question 11

What is “Cru Communaux”?

Answer 11

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)

Question 12

What are the three subzones of Muscadet Sèvre et Maine?

Answer 12

North to South:
Le Pallet
Gorges
Clisson
Following the Sèvre downstream

Question 13

Clisson: Soil & Lees Aging?

Answer 13

Granite
On the lees until November 1st of the second year following the harvest (2 years aging)

Question 14

Gorges: Soil & Lees Aging?

Answer 14

Clay and Gabbro (igneous)
On the lees until November 1st of the second year following the harvest (2 years aging)

Question 15

Le Pallet: Soil & Lees Aging?

Answer 15

Gneiss, quartz, gabbro
One the lees until April 1st of the second year following the harvest (19 months aging)

Question 16

Minimum alcohol for Cru Communaux v. AOC?

Answer 16

10% for AOC and subzones
11% for Cru Communaux
Coteaux de la Loire carries a maximum ABV of 12%

Question 17

Why will you never see Sur Lie on a bottle from one of the subzones?

Answer 17

The required minimum aging on the lees is longer than legally allowed for Sur Lie.

Question 18

Cru Communaux Bottlings

Answer 18

Clisson: Pepière
Gorges: André-Michel Brégeon
Le Pallet: Vignerons du Pallet

Question 19

In what other Loire AOP will you see the term Sur Lie?

Answer 19

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP

Question 20

What are the varietal requirements and styles of the Fiefs Vendéens?

Answer 20

Blanc: min. 60% Chenin Blanc
Rosé: min. 80 Gamay and Pinot Noir
Rouge: Cabernet Franc, Negrette, Pinot Noir

Question 21

What are the subzones of Fiefs Vendéens?

Answer 21

Brem 
Mareuil
Chantonnay
Pissotte
Vix

Question 22

Where is the Coteaux d’Acenis, and what are the styles and varietal requirements?

Answer 22

Pays Nantais: Whites are 100% Pinot Gris; Reds/Roses are 100% Gamay

Question 23

What is the sole varietal in the Côte Roannaise AOP and Côtes du Forez AOP?

Answer 23

Gamay, in both red and rosé.

Question 24

What are the styles and varietal requirements of Châteaumeillant AOP?

Answer 24

Rouge: min. 60% Gamay plus Pinot Noir
Vin Gris: min. 60% Gamay plus Pinot Noir, max 15% Pinot Gris

Question 25

What is the southernmost AOP in Central France?

Answer 25

Côtes d’Auvergne AOP

Question 26

What are the styles and varietal requirements of Saint-Pourçain AOP?

Answer 26

Blanc: 50-80% Chardonnay, 20-40% Sacy, max 10% Sauvignon Blanc
Rouge: 40-75% Gamay plus Pinot Noir
Rosé: 100% Gamay

Question 27

What are the styles and varietal requirements of Côtes d’Auvergne AOP?

Answer 27

Blanc: 100% Chardonnay
Rouge/Rosé: min. 50% Gamay plus Pinot Noir

Question 28

AOP’s of Central France, west to east

Answer 28

Chateaumeillant

Saint-Pourçain (north)
Côtes d’Auvergne (south)

Côte Roannaise (north)
Côtes du Forez (south)

Question 29

Where do you see varietally labeled Gamay in the Loire?

Answer 29

Anjou
Touraine
(but as of 2009 you can varietally label whatever…)