The Loire Valley Flashcards
Which two French regions are 2nd only to Champagne in volume of Sparkling wine production?
Saumur and Vouvray
What grapes are used in the best sparkling Saumur?
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
Which grapes are permitted in Vouvray?
min. 95% Chenin Blanc
max. 5% Orbois
Working east from the coast what are the 4 key regions of the Loire Valley?
Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Central Vineyards
What is the climate of Nantais?
What is the soil type?
Cool, wet Maritime
Volcanic (gneiss, silica), clay and Granite; warming and good drainage.
What is the climate of Anjou Saumur?
What is the soil type?
Continental
Varied, some clay soils and some warm and stony
What is the climate of Touraine?
Cool Continental
What is the climate of Central vineyards?
What is the soil type?
Continental
Chalky and stony = well drained
What grape is Muscadet made from?
Melon Blanc (Melon de Bourgogne)
What 4 appellations of Nantais are based on Melon de Bourgogne?
Muscadet
Muscadet Sevre et Maine
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire
Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu
Considering climate risks why is Melon Blanc a vine-grower’s friend?
The grape ripens early and is frost resistant.
What is the style of basic Muscadet and how is Muscadet Sevre et Maine “sur lie” different?
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.
As a modern winemaker how would you ferment Muscadet?
Key objective retain varietal delicacy and freshness so ferment in temp controlled s. steel or concrete
What are the 3 major and 5 minor white grapes of the Loire Valley?
Major: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne.
Minor: Chardonnay, Orbois, Romorantin, Gros Plant (Folle Blanche), and Chasselas.
What are the key appellations of Anjou Saumur?
Saumur, Saumur Champigny
Anjou
Savennieres, Coteaux de Layon
Rose d’Anjou, Cabernet d’Anjou, Rose de Loire
What are the differences between Rose de Loire, Cabernet d’Anjou, Rose d’Anjou, Sancerre Rose?
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
Savennieres and Coteaux du Layon are both made in Anjou-Saumur from Chenin Blanc. How do the wines differ and why?
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
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?
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.
Why can Chenin Blanc be a pain to harvest and what is the countermeasure?
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.
What are the 4 key appellations of Touraine?
Vouvray - Dry –> Sweet, Still and sparkling
Chinon
Bourgueil
Touraine
Where is the center of Loire Valley sparkling wine production?
What are these wines made from?
Saumur.
Min. 60% Chenin Blanc. Max. 10% Sauvignon Blanc.
What grape are the wines of Chinon and Bourgueil based on?
How do flavours differ based on soil type?
Cabernet Franc
Sandy soil - Light and fruity
Limestone and clay slopes - Riper - Full bodied and tannic
What are the key appellations of Central Vineyards?
Sancerre (Sancerre Rose)
Pouilly Fume
Menetou Salon
What are the key grapes of Central Vineyards?
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
What are the tasting notes of classic Sancerre and Pouilly Fume?
High acidity, meduim body, hints of green apple and wet stones.
Pouilly Fume is also known for subtle smoky notes
How are the sauvignon blanc grapes gently treated in winemaking to preserve the fresh, fruity, varietal flavours?
Pneumatic pressing, temp controlled fermentation in stainless steel
Despite Sauvignon Blanc being an aromatic grape what 2 things might winemakers allow / use in cool vintages?
MLF
Lees contact
Despite Sancerre and Pouilly Fume heroics where is the majority of Sauvignon Blanc made into wine?
Touraine
What is Grolleau?
A red grape variety used to make Rosé still and sparkling wines in Anjou
Fill in the blanks
Describe the style
Working West to East what are the key appellations of Nantais?
Muscadet
Muscadet Sevre et Maine
Working West to East what are the key appellations of Anjou-Saumur?
Savennieres, Coteaux de Layon
Anjou
Saumur, Saumur-Champigny
Working West to East what are the key appellations of Touraine?
Bourgueil, Chinon
Vouvray
Touraine
Working West to East what are the key appellations of Central Vineyards?
Menetou-Salon
Sancerre
Pouilly-Fume