Somm1 - Loire Valley Flashcards
How long is the Loire River and how does it affect the region?
Starting in the Cevennes mountains, it flows 620 miles through 12 departements. This is reflected through an immense variety of grapes, soils, and macroclimates within the 4 major wine producing districts of the Loire Valley.
What does this label mean: “Muscadet Sur Lie”
Pays Nantais
Indicates wines are matured on lees for 6-12 months following harvest.
Must be used in conjunction with one of the Pays Nantais AOCs.
The Loire Valley is A.K.A.:
The Garden of France.
What are the 3 Crus (sub-zones) of Pays Nantais?
Clisson.
Gorges.
Le Pallet.
What are the 4 major districts of the Loire Valley?
Pays Nantais.
Anjou-Saumur.
Touraine.
Central Vineyards.
What are the AOCs of Anjou-Samour?
Anjou. Rose d'Anjou/Cabernet d'Anjou. Anjou-Villages. Savennieres. Lanyon Valley. Saumur. Cremant de la Loire. Saumur Champigny.
What are the AOCs of Central Vineyards?
Sancerre. Pouilly-Fume. Menetou-Salon. Quincy. Reuilly.
What are the AOCs of Coteaux du Layon?
Bennezeaux.
Quarts de Chaume (Grand Cru).
Coteaux du Layon.
What are the AOCs of Touraine?
Vouvray.
Montlouis-sur-Loire.
Chinon.
Bourgueil/Nicolas-de-Bourgueil.
What are the other notable AOCs of Pays NantaisNantais?
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais ~Gros Plant/Folle Blanche ~Sur lie designation like Muscadet Fiefs Vendeens Coteaux d'Ancenis ~In hot vintages, can surpass Muscadet Sevre et Maine
What are the primary red grape varieties in the Loire Valley?
Cabernet Franc.
Pinot Noir.
Gamay.
Groslot.
What are the primary white grape varieties of the Loire Valley?
Chenin Blanc.
Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet).
Sauvignon Blanc.
What climate/soils most characterizes the Pays Nantais?
Climate: Maritime
Soils: Gravel/Sand over schist/granite/Basalt
What is Anjou AOC?
Whites from Chenin Blanc & Sauvignon Blanc.
Cabernet Franc based red.
What is Anjou-Villages AOC?
Red wines from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is Bourgueil/St. Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC?
Same styles as Chinon.
Sandy Soils.
What is Chinon AOC?
Red wines from primarily Cabernet Franc.
Tufa Soils.
What is Cremant de la Loire AOC?
Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wines.
Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and others.
What is Layon Valley AOC?
Sweet, botrytis, Chenin Blanc wines.
Appellation of Anjou.
Made only in exceptional years.
Coteaux de Layon AOCs.
What is Melon de Bourgogne A.K.A.?
Muscadet.
What is Menetou-Salon AOC?
White, Red and Rose from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Adjacent to Sancerre.
What is Montlouis-Sur-Loire AOC?
Chenin Blanc wines in the same styles as Vouvray.
What is Pouilly Fume AOC?
Limestone and Silex Soils.
Whites from Sauvignon Blanc.
What is Quincy AOC?
Whites from Sauvignon Blanc.
What is Reuilly AOC?
White, Red and Rose from Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
What is Rose d’Anjou/Cabernet d’Anjou AOC?
Rose from Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is Sancerre AOC?
Whites from Sauvignon Blanc.
Reds and roses from Pinot Noir
(25% total production).
Limestone-based soils.
What is Saumur AOC?
Sparkling (Mousseux) made by Methode Traditionnelle.
100% Chenin Blanc whites.
Cabernet Franc based reds.
What is Saumur Champigny AOC?
Cabernet Franc reds.
What is Savennieres AOC?
Dry Chenin Blanc. Tiny Appellation of Anjou. Very low yields legally enforced. Best wines have great aging potential. Two vineyards have own AOCs.
What is Sevre-et-Maine AOC?
Key AOC of Pays Nantais, Loire for quality Muscadet (Accounts for 85% Produced)
What is the most important grape of Pay Nantais?
Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet).
What is the most important grape of the Loire Valley?
Chenin Blanc. (Styles include: Dry, semisweet, sweet, & sparkling)
What is Vouvray AOC?
Whites from Chenin Blanc. Tufa Soils. Wide range of styles: ~Sec-demisec-moelleux/doux ~Still-Petillant-Mousseux
What vineyards of Savennieres have their own AOCs?
Coulee de Serrant.
Roche aux Moines.
