The Loire - Whites

Question 1

1. Name the IGP for the Loire

2. Characterise the styles

Answer 1

Val de Loire

Fresh, light and simple primary fruit.

Question 2

Name the important white grape varietals (3) grown in the Loire

Answer 2

Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Melon Blanc (aka Melon de Bourgogne)

Question 3

Sauvignon Blanc mainly grown in which two Loire areas?

Answer 3

Central Vineyards

Touraine

Question 4

Name the two prestigious appellations on the Central Vineyards

Answer 4

Sancerre
Pouilly-Fumé

Dry, high acidity, green apple, wet stone
Generally best drunk young.

Question 5

Name the appellation that is very similar to Sancerre and P-Fumé but cheaper.

Answer 5

Menetou-Salon

To the south and west of Sancerre

Question 6

White Touraine…

What is it good for?

Answer 6

It’s Sauvignon Blanc, typically “Sauvignon de Touraine”. Less concentration and simpler fruity style

Question 7

Chenin Blanc - is odd. Why?

Answer 7

Any given bunch of grapes will have a wide range of ripeness in the berries. Several passes are needed.

Question 8

Chenin Blanc is awesome… why?

Answer 8

Depending on ripeness at harvest, from steely and smokey in character to Noble Rot lusciously sweet.

It can be aged for decades, dry or sweet, thanks to acidity and being non-aromatic.

Old dry Chenin develops honey, toast and hay notes.

Question 9

Vouvray.

1. Makes wine still, sparkling or both?
2. Sweet, dry or full spectrum?

Answer 9

1. Both.

2. From dry to luscious - vintage dependant.

Question 10

Describe a dry Vouvray

Answer 10

Cool climate and clay soils deliver:

Light to medium body
Fresh, fruity, floral
Rarely fermented or matured in oak

Question 11

Saumur and Anjou are similar in climate and soil.

What basic style of white wines are each best known for?

Answer 11

Saumur, for traditional method sparkling whites from Chenin Blanc
Anjou, for dry wines, often oak matured.

Question 12

Savennières white wine. Discuss

Answer 12

1. Warmer, drier climate yields medium to full bodied wine. Less floral
2. Also full-bodied Chenin-Blanc, late harvested but fermented to dryness.
3. Air circulation impedes noble rot.
4. Best wines will keep for a g e s.

Question 13

Melon Blanc, in the Loire, aka (2) ?

Answer 13

Muscadet
Or
Melon de Bourgogne

Question 14

Melon Blanc (Muscadet) is grown in which Loire region?

Answer 14

Nantais

Question 15

Why is Muscadet suited to the cool Nantais climate?

Answer 15

1. It ripens early

2. It’s frost resistant

Question 16

Melon Blanc is grown for two Loire appellations. Name them.

Answer 16

Muscadet

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine

Question 17

Discuss the style (3) of Muscadet

Answer 17

High acidity, light body, subtle green fruit.

Drink young!

Question 18

Name the four Loire sub-regions

Answer 18

Nantes
Anjou-Saumur
Tourraine
Central Vineyards

Question 19

Name the appelations in the Loire’s Central Valley (3)

Answer 19

Pouilly-Fumé
Sancerre
Menetou-Salon

Question 20

Name the appelations for Touraine (4) plus (1)

Answer 20

TVC Bourgueil (Bowie TVC15)

Touraine
Vouvray
Chinon
Bourgueil
...and 
Rosé de Loire

Question 21

Name the appelations for Anjou-Saumur (5) plus (3)

Answer 21

Saumur-Champigny
Saumur
Coteaux du Layon
Anjou
Savennières

And…
Rosé d’Anjou
Cabernet d’Anjou
Rosé de Loire

Question 22

Name the appelations for Nantes (2)

Answer 22

Muscadet

Muscader Sèvre et Maine

Question 23

Vouvray’s fermentation… vessel and ABV

Answer 23

Max ABV is 12%
No oak flavours wanted, so either in large and very old oak,
Or steel / concrete.