The Loire Valley Flashcards
What are the four sub-regions of the Loire Valley?
Central Vineyards, Tourain, Anjou-Saumur and the Nantais
What are the two most prestigious appellations for Sauvignon Blanc?
Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Central Vineyards
What are the SB wines like from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?
The wines tend to be high in acidity, hints of green apple and wet stones. Pouilly-Fumé have subtle smoky notes. These wines are not for ageing.
Which villages/vineyards are known for particularly expressive wines?
Individual villages (Chavignol) and vineyards (Les Monts Damnés) both in Sancerre
Which region also produces Sauvignon Blanc but at more moderate prices?
Menetou-Salon (West and Southwest of Sancerre)
Which region produces the most Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley?
Touraine Region and white Touraine is made.
Labelled ‘Sauvignon de Touraine’
Describe the style of ‘Sauvignon de Touraine’
Less concentrated and simple fruity style.
What is the greatest wine variety of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur?
Chenin Blanc
What are the characteristics of young Chenin Blanc wines?
- Flavours range from fresh apple to tropical fruit, depending on grape ripeness.
- Both dry and sweet wines can age for decades.
- With ageing, develop aromas of honey, toast and hay.
- Dry wines have a steely, smoky character
- Sweet wines apricot and citrus peel flavours of noble rot
What is the style of wine in Vouvray?
- Still and sparkling Chenin Blanc
- Dry to lusciously sweet
- light to medium bodied
- fresh fruity and floral notes
- rarely fermented in oak
What is the style of wine in Saumur?
Sparkling Chenin Blanc made with the traditional method
What is the style of wine in Anjou?
Dry Chenin Blanc, often matured in oak
What is the style of wine in Savennières?
- Produce full-bodied Chenin Blanc in a dry style
- Air circulation allows for late harvest without noble rot.
- Best wines evolve for decades
What is the style of wine in Coteaux du Layon?
- renowned sweet wines
- Located in the valley of the River Layon where noble rot develops well.
- Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux are the most favoured sites.
What is Melon Blanc also known as?
Muscadet or Melon de Bourgogne
Which part of the Loire Valley is Muscadet grown?
Nantais
What is the most desirable appellation for Muscadet?
What is the style of wine here?
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine
- Dry, medium alcohol (max permitted is 12%abv)
- Traditionally fermented in large old oak, but now stainless and concrete is more common
- High acidity, light body, subtle green fruit flavours,
- Drink young
- ‘Sur lee’ gives the wine a richer texture.
Where is Cabernet Franc grown in the Loire Valley
Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Saumur and Saumur-Champigny
What are the two styles of Cabernet Franc from the Touraine region?
- Sandy soils produce light fruity wines for early drinking
- South-facing slopes with limestone and clay produce fuller-bodied more tannic versions
- Wines can age in oak and the best wines can evolve in bottle for many years.
What is the style of Cabernet Franc fromr the Saumur region?
Wines are lighter in body and tannin than Touraine appellation
- display juicy berry fruit and sometimes floral notes.
- drink young
- can be served chilled
Where is rosé wine produced in the Loire Valley?
Anjou-Saumur, Touraine and Sancerre
Where can Rosé de Loire be produced?
Anjou-Saumur and Touraine
What is the style of Rosé de Loire?
Always dry and must have a minimum 30% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the blend.
What is the style of Cabernet d’Anjou?
Highest quality rosé that is medium-sweet and made from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
