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WSET Diploma Study > The Loire Valley > Flashcards

The Loire Valley Flashcards

1
Q

Which two French regions are 2nd only to Champagne in volume of Sparkling wine production?

A

Saumur and Vouvray

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2
Q

What grapes are used in the best sparkling Saumur?

A

Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc

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3
Q

Which grapes are permitted in Vouvray?

A

min. 95% Chenin Blanc
max. 5% Orbois

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4
Q

Working east from the coast what are the 4 key regions of the Loire Valley?

A

Nantais

Anjou-Saumur

Touraine

Central Vineyards

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5
Q

What is the climate of Nantais?

What is the soil type?

A

Cool, wet Maritime

Volcanic (gneiss, silica), clay and Granite; warming and good drainage.

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6
Q

What is the climate of Anjou Saumur?

What is the soil type?

A

Continental

Varied, some clay soils and some warm and stony

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7
Q

What is the climate of Touraine?

A

Cool Continental

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8
Q

What is the climate of Central vineyards?

What is the soil type?

A

Continental

Chalky and stony = well drained

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9
Q

What grape is Muscadet made from?

A

Melon Blanc (Melon de Bourgogne)

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10
Q

What 4 appellations of Nantais are based on Melon de Bourgogne?

A

Muscadet

Muscadet Sevre et Maine

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire

Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu

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11
Q

Considering climate risks why is Melon Blanc a vine-grower’s friend?

A

The grape ripens early and is frost resistant.

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12
Q

What is the style of basic Muscadet and how is Muscadet Sevre et Maine “sur lie” different?

A

Neutral, bone dry to dry, high in acid, and designed for youthful consumption

Sevre et Maine is a superior appellation and ‘sur lie’ wines are bottled between March 30 and November 1 following harvest having spent the Winter on its lees.

Adds complexity, richness, and a slight sparkle to the finished wines.

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13
Q

As a modern winemaker how would you ferment Muscadet?

A

Key objective retain varietal delicacy and freshness so ferment in temp controlled s. steel or concrete

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14
Q

What are the 3 major and 5 minor white grapes of the Loire Valley?

A

Major: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne.

Minor: Chardonnay, Orbois, Romorantin, Gros Plant (Folle Blanche), and Chasselas.

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15
Q

What are the key appellations of Anjou Saumur?

A

Saumur, Saumur Champigny

Anjou

Savennieres, Coteaux de Layon

Rose d’Anjou, Cabernet d’Anjou, Rose de Loire

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16
Q

What are the differences between Rose de Loire, Cabernet d’Anjou, Rose d’Anjou, Sancerre Rose?

A

Rose de Loire - Made mainly in Anjou-Saumur. Always dry.

Cabernet d’Anjou - Medium sweet and made from a blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sav

Rose d’Anjou - less sweet than Cab d’Anjou and largely made from Grolleau blended with Cab Franc and others.

Sancerre Rose - Must be made 100% Pinot Noir. Pale colour,light in body and dry with delicate fruit flavours

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17
Q

Savennieres and Coteaux du Layon are both made in Anjou-Saumur from Chenin Blanc. How do the wines differ and why?

A

Savennieres - Dry, austere and rigid in youth, develops complexity and richness with age. Good air circulation around the vines enables late harvest, steep south-facing slope, whilst impeding Noble Rot.

Coteaux de Layon - Renowned sweet wine. Lies in a sheltered valley of R. Layon that encourages Noble Rot

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18
Q

Chenin Blanc can be used to make many styles, what are it’s charcteristics and where does it stand out?

What is it locally known as?

Characteristics when young / aged?

A

High acid non aromatic grape stands out in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine.

Locally known as Pineau de la Loire

Young - rigid and austere.

Aged - greater complexity and honeyed richness.

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19
Q

Why can Chenin Blanc be a pain to harvest and what is the countermeasure?

A

Takes a long time to ripen.

Even within one bunch common for grapes to reach different levels of ripeness.

Several passes through the vineyard might be necessary to pick grapes at desired ripeness.

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20
Q

What are the 4 key appellations of Touraine?

A

Vouvray - Dry –> Sweet, Still and sparkling

Chinon

Bourgueil

Touraine

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21
Q

Where is the center of Loire Valley sparkling wine production?

What are these wines made from?

A

Saumur.

Min. 60% Chenin Blanc. Max. 10% Sauvignon Blanc.

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22
Q

What grape are the wines of Chinon and Bourgueil based on?

How do flavours differ based on soil type?

A

Cabernet Franc

Sandy soil - Light and fruity

Limestone and clay slopes - Riper - Full bodied and tannic

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23
Q

What are the key appellations of Central Vineyards?

A

Sancerre (Sancerre Rose)

Pouilly Fume

Menetou Salon

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24
Q

What are the key grapes of Central Vineyards?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

Pinot Noir

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25
Q

What are the tasting notes of classic Sancerre and Pouilly Fume?

A

High acidity, meduim body, hints of green apple and wet stones.

Pouilly Fume is also known for subtle smoky notes

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26
Q

How are the sauvignon blanc grapes gently treated in winemaking to preserve the fresh, fruity, varietal flavours?

A

Pneumatic pressing, temp controlled fermentation in stainless steel

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27
Q

Despite Sauvignon Blanc being an aromatic grape what 2 things might winemakers allow / use in cool vintages?

A

MLF

Lees contact

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28
Q

Despite Sancerre and Pouilly Fume heroics where is the majority of Sauvignon Blanc made into wine?

A

Touraine

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29
Q

What is Grolleau?

A

A red grape variety used to make Rosé still and sparkling wines in Anjou

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30
Q

Fill in the blanks

A
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31
Q

Describe the style

A
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36
Q

Working West to East what are the key appellations of Nantais?

A

Muscadet

Muscadet Sevre et Maine

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37
Q

Working West to East what are the key appellations of Anjou-Saumur?

A

Savennieres, Coteaux de Layon

Anjou

Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

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38
Q

Working West to East what are the key appellations of Touraine?

A

Bourgueil, Chinon

Vouvray

Touraine

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39
Q

Working West to East what are the key appellations of Central Vineyards?

A

Menetou-Salon

Sancerre

Pouilly-Fume

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40
Q

Which appellations in Anjou-Saumur produce sweet wine?

What grapes are used, and how is swetness attained?

A

Bonnezeaux AOP

Quarts-de-Chaume AOP

Coteaux du Layon SGN AOP

All 3 wines are made from 100% Chenin Blanc, late-harvested, botrytis-affected grapes.

41
Q

What styles of wine are made in Vouvray?

What is the primary grape?

How do these wines range in style?

A

Dry / Sweet, Still / Sparkling.

White wines made from Chenin Blanc.

Wines range in style from dry to lusciously sweet, light-medium body, fresh fruity and floral notes.

42
Q

In which region of the Loire Valley is Vouvray located?

43
Q

Which wines in the Loire Valley are made from Cabernet Franc?

A

Saumur-Champigny

Chinon

Bourgeil

44
Q

Which Loire Valley Rosé style is always dry?

Which are sweet?

A

Dry: Rosé de Loire

Sweet: Cabernet d’Anjou, Rosé d’Anjou

45
Q

What type of wines are produced in Menetou-Salon, and from which grapes?

Why would you recommend these wines to a guest?

A

White: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Red: 100% Pinot Noir

Rosé: 100% Pinot Noir

More moderately-priced alternatives to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

46
Q

Bonnezeaux is a botrytis-affected sweet wine from which sub-region?

A

Coteaux du Layon, within Anjou-Saumur

47
Q

What are the main grapes are used for the following appellations?

Chinon

Sancerre Blanc

Bourgeil

Muscadet Sevre et Maine

Savennieres

Pouilly-Fumé

Vouvray

Sancerre Rouge

A

Chinon: Cabernet Franc

Sancerre Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc

Bourgeil: Cabernet Franc

Muscadet Sevre et Maine: Melon Blanc

Savennieres: Chenin Blanc

Pouilly-Fumé: Sauvignon Blanc

Vouvray: Chenin Blanc

Sancerre Rouge: Pinot Noir

48
Q

Where is Savanierres located, what kind of exposure does it have and what is its soil made of?

A
  • North bank of the river Loire, south of Angers.
  • Steep south-facing aspect.
  • Soil is a unique mixture of blue schist and volcanic debris.
49
Q

Chinon’s soils can be divided in 3 broad categories:

A

Clay

“Tuffeau”: Chalky, fine-grained limestone.

“Varennes”: Sandy, alluvial soils.

50
Q

What are the 3 soil types of found in Sancerre/Pouilly-Fumé?

A

“Terres blanches”: a continuation of the same Kimmeridgian clay that extends into Chablis.

“Caillottes”: a stony soil, littered with fossils.

“Silex”: higher proportion of flint, continuing into the communes of Pouilly-Fumé across the river.

51
Q

What is the 1 major and 6 minor red grapes of the Loire Valley?

A

Major: Cabernet Franc.

Minor: Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pineau d’Aunis, and Groslot (Grolleau).

52
Q

What is Cabernet Franc locally known as in the Loire Valley?

53
Q

What are the 2 sub-appellations of Savennieres, long regarded as unofficial grands crus?

What is unique about 1 of them?

A

Roche Aux Moines

Coulée de Serrant.

Coulée de Serrant is a monople of the biodynamic winemaker Nicolas Joly.

54
Q

Which appellation is Didier Dageaneau associated with?

What is the name of his top bottling?

What is notable about his winemaking style?

A

Pouilly-Fumé, Loire Valley.

“Silex”

He experimented with aging his Sauvignon Blancs in new oak, rather than stainless steel.

55
Q

Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire are separated by the _____ river.

56
Q

What wine is produced by the producer below?

What grape is used?

A

Vouvray

Chenin Blanc

57
Q

Put the following appellations in order from West to East:

Vouvray

Sancerre

Savennieres

Chinon

Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine

Quincy

A
  1. Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine
  2. Savennieres
  3. Chinon
  4. Vouvray
  5. Quincy
  6. Sancerre
58
Q

Vouvray AOP may produce red wines from Pinot Noir.

True or False?

59
Q

What is the sole permitted style of Muscadet AOP?

A

Dry white wine

60
Q

What style constitutes the majority of Anjou wine production?

A

Grolleau-based Rosé

61
Q

Which major region produces the most white wine in France?

A

The Loire Valley

62
Q

Which regions are labeled on the map below as A,B,C,D,E and X?

A

A: Vouvray

B: Montlouis-sur-Loire

C: Bourgeuil

D: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgeil

E: Coteaux de Loire

X: Chinon

63
Q

What is the synonym in Pays Nantais for Gros Plant?

A

Folle Blanche

64
Q

Name the sub-region within the Loire that corresponds to the following appellations:

  1. Coteaux d’Ancenis
  2. Coteaux de l’Aubance
  3. Jasnieres
  4. Quincy
A
  1. Coteaux d’Ancenis: Pays Nantais
  2. Coteaux de l’Aubance: Anjou-Saumur
  3. Jasnieres: Touraine
  4. Quincy: Central Vineyards
65
Q

St. Nicolas-de-Bourgeil may only produce what kinds of wine?

Based mainly on which grape?

A

Red and Rosé

Cabernet Franc, up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

66
Q

What kinds of wine may be produced in Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP?

Based on which grapes?

What about “Malvoisie”?

A

Dry OR Off-Dry White: 100% Pinot Gris

Red: 100% Cabernet Franc

Rosé: 100% Cabernet Franc

“Malvoisie” = 100% Varietally-labeled Pinot Gris

67
Q

Match the grape to the respective appellation.

  1. Romorantin
  2. Malvoisie
  3. Cabernet Franc
  4. Chasselas

A. Orléans-Clery

B. Cour-Cheverny

C. Coteaux d’Ancenis

D. Pouilly-sur-Loire

A
  1. Romorantin / B. Cour-Cheverny
  2. Malvoisie / C. Coteaux d’Ancenis
  3. Cabernet Franc / A. Orléans-Clery
  4. Chasselas / D. Pouilly-sur-Loire
68
Q

Vouvray must be made from at least 95% Chenin Blanc and up to 5% ___?

69
Q

What is “pourriture noble”?

A

A French synonym for botrytis cinera.

70
Q

What is the only permitted grape of Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP?

A

Chenin-Blanc

71
Q

What is the only type of wine made in Quincy AOP, and from which grape(s)?

A

White wine, from Sauvignon Blanc w/a max. 10% Sauvignon Gris

72
Q

What is the most appropriate alcohol range for Sancerre blanc?

73
Q

Producers of dessert wine in the Loire Valley typically make multiple passes through the vineyard during harvest, otherwise known as “_____ successives.”

A

“tries”

74
Q

Who produces the wine “Clos du Papillon”?

Where is it produced?

A

Domaine du Closel

Savennieres

75
Q

What is the grape of Jasnières AOP?

Where is it located?

A

Chenin Blanc

Coteaux du Loire, NW of Vouvray in Touraine

76
Q

What is the maximum residual sugar, in grams per liter, of Vouvray sec?

77
Q

What is the IGP of the Loire Valley?

A

Val de Loire IGP

78
Q

What are the 3 geographical subzones of Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine?

A

Clisson, Le Pallet, and Gorges

79
Q

The geographic designations of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine lie along the _____ river.

80
Q

In which direction does Touraine Noble-Joué AOP lie from the Loire River?

81
Q

Which of the following contains the most residual sugar by law?

A. Sec

B. Moulleux

C. Demi-Sec

D. Quarts de Chaume

A

D. Quarts de Chaume

82
Q

What is the only permitted grape of Montlouis-sur-Loire AOP?

A

Chenin Blanc

83
Q

What is the synonym in Pays Nantais for Gros Plant?

A

Folle Blanche

84
Q

What grapes are used in Reuilly AOP for:

Red

White

Rosé

A

Red: 100% Pinot Noir

White: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Rosé: Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris

85
Q

What are the 4 different Sweetness levels of Vouvray AOP?

A

Sec: 0-8 g/L residual sugar. Sometimes producers will specify their bone dry wines as Sec-Sec or “dry dry” and their slightly less dry wines as Sec-tendres or “gently dry”.

Demi-Sec: A “half-dry” style with 4-12 g/L

Moelleux: A sweet, often botrytized style with 12-45 g/L. The term Moelleux is French for “mellow”.

Doux: The sweetest style with > 45 g/L.

86
Q

The minimum amount of Cabernet Franc required in Saumur-Champigny is _____ %.

What other grapes are allowed?

A

Min. 85% Cabernet Franc.

Max. 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis.

87
Q

In which appellation is Francois Chidaine located?

A

Montlouis-sur-Loire

88
Q

Chateau de la Grille is associated with which wine/vineyard area?

A

Loire/Chinon

89
Q

Bouvet-Ladubay is associated with which wine/vineyard area?

A

Loire/Saumur

90
Q

4 Top Sancerre Producers:

A

Domaine du Nozay

Paul Cherrier et Fils

Henri Bourgeois

Alain Girard

91
Q

4 Top Muscadet Producers:

A

Domaine de la Chauvinere

Clos les Montys

Domaine de la Pepiere

Domaine de l’Ecu

92
Q

3 Top Chinon Producers:

A

Domaine Bernard Baudry

Domaine Breton

Domaine de Noiré

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