The Loire Flashcards

1
Q

How is Cabernet Franc from Saumur sometimes drunk, and why?

A

Chilled - it has light body and low tannins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 4 sub-regions of the Loire Valley, from the coast to inland?

A
  • Nantais
  • Anjou-Saumur
  • Touraine
  • The Central Vineyards
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the regional generic appellation for the whole of the Loire?

A

There isn’t one, but is does have an IGP (Val de Loire IGP)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Where is Rosé de Loire made?

A

Anjou

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the highest quality appellation for rosé in Anjou-Saumur?

A

Cabernet d’Anjou

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which appellation makes traditional method sparkling Chenin Blanc?

A

Saumur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

In what style is Cabernet d’Anjou made?

A

Medium-sweet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Is there much vintage variation in the Loire?

A

Yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is Anjou-Saumur’s centre of production for Cabernet Franc?

A

Saumur-Champigny

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

In which 2 Loire sub-regions are the best Chenin Blancs made?

A

Touraine and Anjou-Saumur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Which appellation produces full-bodied Chenin Blanc in a dry style?

A

Savennières

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the climate of the Loire?

A

Overall cool.

Maritime towards Nantais, and continental towards the Central Vineyards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Which appellation makes moderately priced Sauvignon Blanc in the style of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?

A

Menetou-Salon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Where is the majority of Sauvignon Blanc produced in the Loire?

A

Touraine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Name 3 aromas which aged Loire Chenin Blancs might acquire.

A

Honey, Toast, Hay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is added to dry wines in Savennières: late-harvested grapes, or grapes affected by noble rot?

A

Late-harvest Chenin Blanc adds body and complexity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

From which 2 grapes is Cabernet d’Anjou made?

A

Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Which Loire wine:

  • High acidity
  • Dry
  • Green Apple
  • Wet Stone
  • Not suitable for ageing
A

Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre / Pouilly-Fumé

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the 2 most prestigious appellations for Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire?

In which sub-region are they?

A
  • Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

- The Central Vineyards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is Touraine’s main soil type?

A

Clay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the 2 main appellations in Anjou-Saumur for white wines?

A

1) Savennières

2) Coteaux de Layon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are the 3 key white varieties of the Loire Valley?

A
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Melon Blanc
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the main variety for Rosé d’Anjou?

A

Grolleau

24
Q

What sort of wines are made in Coteaux de Layon?

A

Sweet wines from botrytised Chenin Blanc

25
Q

What choices might be made in the winery during the production of Loire Sauvignon Blanc?

(4 points)

A

1) Protective winemaking
2) Oak fermentation/maturation
3) Lees ageing
4) MLF

26
Q

Why is picking Chenin Blanc very labour-intensive in the Loire?

A

The grapes ripen at different times within the same bunch, so I requires several passes through the vineyard to pick grapes at the desired ripeness

27
Q

In which 2 appellations in Touraine is Cabernet Franc grown?

A

1) Chinon

2) Bourgueil

28
Q

What 2 methods of production are used to make Loire rosé?

A

1) Direct pressing

2) Short maceration on the skins

29
Q

Why can Loire Chenin Blanc have the full range of sweetness styles?

A

There are different degrees of ripeness at the time of picking

30
Q

What 3 attributes do the best vineyard sites in the Loire share?

A

1) Southerly aspect
2) Mid-slope
3) Facing the river

31
Q

Where is Crémant de Loire production focused?

A

Saumur

32
Q

Cabernet Franc is grown in 2 different soil types in Touraine. What sort of soil produces:

1) Light, fruity, early drinking
2) Full-bodied, tannic

A

1) Sandy soil

2) Limestone and clay

33
Q

What is the best appellation in Nantais for Melon Blanc?

A

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine

34
Q

What 2 natural factors give Vouvray Chenin Blanc a light to medium body with fresh and floral notes?

A

1) Cool climate

2) Clay soil

35
Q

What sort of Chenin Blanc grapes will be used for:

1) Sparkling
2) Sweet

A

1) Barely ripe grapes

2) Shrivelled in sun / affected by noble rot

36
Q

What is the most important black grape variety in the Loire?

A

Cabernet Franc

37
Q

What is the maximum ABV permitted for any Muscadet from the Loire?

A

12% ABV

38
Q

What is the soil type in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?

A

Well-drained chalk and stone

39
Q

Where are the appellations of:

1) Quarts de Chaume
2) Bonnezeaux

and what do they produce?

A

1) Coteaux de Layon
2) Anjou-Saumur
- World-class sweet wines

40
Q

What is white Touraine?

A

Generic, simple, fruity Sauvignon Blanc

41
Q

Which variety must be used to make Sancerre Rosé?

A

Pinot Noir

42
Q

Which Nantais wine is bottled during the spring after harvest?

Why?

A
  • Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie

- It spends the winter on its lees for richer texture

43
Q

For roughly how long can dry and sweet Chenin Blancs age?

A

Decades

44
Q

Of what must there be a minimum in a Rosé de Loire blend?

A

30% Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon

45
Q

In which appellation are:

  • The village of Chavignol
  • The vineyard of Les Monts Damnés
A

Sancerre

46
Q

What keeps Anjou warm and dry in spite of its proximity to the ocean?

A

The Mauges Hills

47
Q

Which Loire wine:

  • Dry
  • Medium alcohol
  • High acidity
  • Light body
  • Green fruit
A

Muscadet

48
Q

What is much of the soil like in Anjou?

A

Stony

49
Q

When might MLF be encouraged in a Loire Sauvignon Blanc?

A

To lower acidity in grapes from a cool vintage

50
Q

What is Touraine’s climate like in comparison with Anjou-Saumur’s?

A

Touraine is cooler and wetter

51
Q

What are 2 other names for Melon Blanc?

A

1) Melon de Bourgogne

2) Muscadet

52
Q

Other than Anjou-Saumur, where can Rosé de Loire be produced?

A

Touraine

53
Q

Which variety’s grapes ripen at different rates within the same bunch?

A

Chenin Blanc

54
Q

What are the 3 main black grape varieties in the Loire Valley?

A
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Gamay
  • Pinot Noir
55
Q

Why is Melon Blanc suitable for the cool climate of Nantais?

2 points

A

1) Frost resistant

2) Early ripening

56
Q

What issue does high rainfall cause in the Loire?

A

Fungal disease