Pays Nantais & Central France Flashcards

1
Q

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

A

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

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2
Q

Authorized grapes for Cremant de la Loire

A

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

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3
Q

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

A

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

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4
Q

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

A

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

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5
Q

What are the major soil types in Sèvre et Maine?

A

Gneiss, silica, clay, granite

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6
Q

What are the requirements to label Sur Lie?

A
  • 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
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7
Q

What is the only Muscadet AOP north of the river?

A

Coteaux de la Loire, and the warmest of the three

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8
Q

What is the newest Muscadet AOP?

A

Côtes de Grandlieu

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9
Q

What is “Hermine d’Or?”

A

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

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10
Q

Three Producers who frequently produce Hermine d’Or worthy wines

A

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

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11
Q

What is “Cru Communaux”?

A

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)

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12
Q

What are the three subzones of Muscadet Sèvre et Maine?

A

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

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13
Q

Clisson: Soil & Lees Aging?

A

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

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14
Q

Gorges: Soil & Lees Aging?

A

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

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15
Q

Le Pallet: Soil & Lees Aging?

A

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

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16
Q

Minimum alcohol for Cru Communaux v. AOC?

A

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

17
Q

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

A

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

18
Q

Cru Communaux Bottlings

A

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

19
Q

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

A

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP

20
Q

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

A

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

21
Q

What are the subzones of Fiefs Vendéens?

A

Brem 
Mareuil
Chantonnay
Pissotte
Vix

22
Q

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

A

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

23
Q

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

A

Gamay, in both red and rosé.

24
Q

What are the styles and varietal requirements of Châteaumeillant AOP?

A

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

25
Q

What is the southernmost AOP in Central France?

A

Côtes d’Auvergne AOP

26
Q

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

A

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

27
Q

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

A

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

28
Q

AOP’s of Central France, west to east

A

Chateaumeillant

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

Côte Roannaise (north)
Côtes du Forez (south)

29
Q

Where do you see varietally labeled Gamay in the Loire?

A

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