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DipWSET 🏆 > WINES OF THE WORLD 🇫🇷 France - The Loire Valley > Flashcards

WINES OF THE WORLD 🇫🇷 France - The Loire Valley Flashcards

1
Q

Main subregions of the Loire Valley

A
  • Pays Nantais
  • Anjou-Saumur
  • Touraine
  • Central Vineyards
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2
Q

Types of businesses that operate in the Loire Valley

A

Family-owned businesses. Négociants are very important (50% volume). Estates sell 41% and co-operatives under 10%.

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3
Q

Climate of Pays Nantais

A

Cool maritime climate, with cool springs, warm and humid summers. Rainfall at any time, especially in March/April and September.

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4
Q

Main grape varieties of Pays Nantais

A

Melon (the only for Muscadet appellations) and Folle Blanc.

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5
Q

Hazards in Pays Nantais

A

Rain during flowering and harvest. Spring frost (1991). Protection against spring frost using wind machines, heaters and burning straw bales.

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6
Q

Type of soils in Pays Nantais

A

Well-drained soils.

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7
Q

Main appellations within Pays Nantais

A
  • Muscadet AOC
  • Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine AOC
  • Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC
  • Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOC
  • Muscadet cru communaux
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8
Q

Number of Muscadet cru communaux within Pays Nantais

A

10

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9
Q

Key winemaking operations for Muscadet wines in Pays Nantais

A

Chaptalisation up to 12% abv (cool years). Fermentation in large, shallow underground glass-lined concrete vats, also stainless steel. Neutral style, waiting for the ageing on the lees. No malo to preserve high acidity.

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10
Q

Key maturation practices for Muscadet wines in Pays Nantais

A

Maturation in the same vats of fermentation.

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11
Q

Grapes permitted in the Muscadet appellations

A

Melon. Since 2018 vintage max 10% Chardonnay in Muscadet AOC.

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12
Q

Sur Lie

A

Technique to improve the body (usually it’s very light). One racking after fermentation to remove gross lees and the wine remains on the fine lees through the following winter and until bottling. The term ‘sur lie’ may be added in any of the four appellations, bottling between 1 March and 30 November of the year following the harvest and in the winery in which the wine was made.
More body, retain the freshness and produces a small amount of carbon dioxide. Longer ageing gives rounder wines, more complexity and a longer finish.

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13
Q

When bottling Muscadet sur lie wines

A

Between 1 March and 30 November of the year following the harvest and in the winery in which the wine was made (no added if longer ageing).

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14
Q

Ageing requirements for Muscadet cru communaux

A

18 months (Le Pallet) or 24 months (Clisson, Gorges).

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15
Q

Main Muscadet cru communaux

A

Le Pallet, Clisson, Gorges

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16
Q

InterLoire

A

Interprofession des Vins du Val de Loire, the promotional body for the wines of the Loire Valley. It only represents Pays Nantais, Anjou, Saumur, and Touraine.

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17
Q

BIVC

A

Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre, the promotional body for the wines of the Central Vineyards.

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18
Q

The promotional bodies for the wines of the Loire Valley

A

InterLoire and BIVC.

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19
Q

Climate of Anjou-Saumur

A

Maritime climate. Lower moderating influence by the Atlantic Ocean. Adequate rainfall (700 mm). Misty conditions in autumn by the River Layon.

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20
Q

Type of soils in Anjou-Saumur

A

Wide range of soils (clay-limestone, flint-clay, sand, gravel and tuff) with more schist and limestone. Good drainage and water retention.

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21
Q

Hazards in Anjou-Saumur

A

Rain during flowering and harvest. Use of Ferchal and Riparia Gloire de Montpellier roostocks to protect the vines from chlorosis (high lime content).

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22
Q

Main grape varieties of Anjou-Saumur

A

Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Grolleau Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay.

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23
Q

Key winemaking operations for Chenin Blanc in Anjou-Saumur

A

Chenin Blanc ferments at cool to mid-temperatures (can last several months), large old oak or stainless steel, no malo.

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24
Q

Key winemaking operations for Cabernet Franc in Anjou-Saumur

A

Crushing and fermentation in concrete or old wood vats (punching down and/or pumping over), ambient yeast. Used as a single varietal or part of a rosé blend (Grolleau Noir).

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25
Key winemaking operations for rosé wines in Anjou-Saumur
Rosé is made by direct press, possibility of short maceration.
26
Key maturation practices for rosé wines in Anjou-Saumur
Short ageing (3-4 months).
27
Key maturation practices for Cabernet Franc in Anjou-Saumur
Maturation in used oak barrels to retain primary fruit. Some use new French oak barriques.
28
Key maturation practices for Chenin Blanc in Anjou-Saumur
Maturation in neutral vats to retain primary fruit.
29
Main appellations within Anjou-Saumur
- Anjou AOC - Anjou Villages AOC - Coteaux du Layon AOC - Coteaux du Layon AOC + named village - Coteaux du Layon AOC Premier Cru Chaume - Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru AOC - Savennières AOC - Rosé de Loire AOC - Rosé d'Anjou AOC - Cabernet d'Anjou AOC - Saumur AOC - Coteaux de Saumur AOC - Saumur-Champigny AOC
30
Anjou AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Anjou Blanc (80+% Chenin Blanc) and Anjou Rouge (70+% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon).
31
Anjou Villages AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Still reds only from Cabernet Franc (mostly) and Cabernet Sauvignon, lower yield than Anjou AOC. On the market in September following the harvest.
32
Coteaux du Layon AOC
Large appellation in Anjou-Saumur on the slopes on the right bank of the Layon River. Specialized in wines made from botrytis-affected Chenin Blanc grapes. If no botrytis, the grapes may also be dried on the vine. Coteaux du Layon AOC + named village: stricter regulations, lower max yield, grapes picked in several passes and higher alcohol than Coteaux du Layon AOC.
33
Savennières AOC
Small but prestigious appellation in Anjou-Saumur, mainly specialised in fully dry wine made from Chenin Blanc. S aspect, low fertility, rocky schist soils and low yields.
34
Rosé de Loire AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Grolleau Noir. Possibility to use this appellation outside Anjou but it's rare.
35
Rosé d'Anjou AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Mainly from Grolleau though other options include Cabernets, Cot, and Gamay. The best selling of the three rosé AOCs.
36
Cabernet d'Anjou AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Made from Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon.
37
Saumur AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. White (Chenin Blanc), red (Cabernet Franc), rosé (Cabernets) and sparkling wines.
38
Saumur-Champigny AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Reds only (85+% Cabernet Franc). Release as early as December of the year of the harvest. Soils with chalk, flint and clay, good drainage and water retention. Famous appellation thanks to Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg co-operative (1970s).
39
Coteaux de Saumur AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Sweet Chenin Blanc wines from over-ripe grapes, with or without botrytis.
40
Type of soils in Touraine
Wide range of soils (clay-limestone, flint-clay, sand, gravel and tuff) with more chalk. Good drainage and water retention.
41
Hazards in Touraine
Rain during flowering and harvest. Risk of chlorosis due to high lime content.
42
Soil differences between Anjou-Saumur and Touraine
There is more schist and limestone in Anjou and more chalk in Touraine.
43
Main grape varieties of Touraine
Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay, Malbec, Chardonnay.
44
Key winemaking operations for Chenin Blanc in Touraine
Fermentation at cool to mid-temperatures (can last several months), large old oak or stainless steel, no malo.
45
Key winemaking operations for Cabernet Franc in Touraine
Crushing and fermentation in concrete or old wood vats (punching down and/or pumping over), ambient yeast. Also blended with Cot (Malbec).
46
Key maturation practices for Chenin Blanc in Touraine
Maturation in neutral vats to retain primary fruit.
47
Key maturation practices for Cabernet Franc in Touraine
Maturation in used oak barrels to retain primary fruit. Some use new French oak barriques.
48
Main appellations within Touraine
- Touraine AOC - Vouvray AOC - Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC - Bourgueil AOC - St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC - Chinon AOC
49
Touraine AOC
White (Sauvignon Blanc), red (Cabernet Franc and Cot), rosé (Cabernets, Cot, Gamey, Grolleau), and spakling. If made from Gamay grapes, the name of the variety can be put on the label. Possibility to add also the name of six sub-zones (Touraine AOC Amboise), this reflects what is grown locally (Touraine AOC Amboise Blanc from Chenin Blanc) and different max yields.
50
Vouvray AOC
The most important appellation in Touraine, from 95+% Chenin Blanc (100% usually). Best vineyards on the slopes that overlook the Loire (ripening due sunlinght and influence from the river). Soils are flinty, clay and limestone over a tuff, good drainage. Difficult to know the sweetness without clearly marked on the label.
51
Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC
AOC in Touraine. Faces Vouvray from across the south bank of the river, similar wines, 100% Chenin Blanc. Dynamic appellations due to the influx of newcomers and cheaper lands than Vouvray.
52
Bourgueil AOC
AOC in Touraine. Red wines, also rosé, made from Cabernet Franc and max 10% Cab Sauvignon.
53
St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC
AOC in Touraine. From Cabernet Franc.
54
Chinon AOC
AOC in Touraine. Best known and highly regarded for red wines (Cabernet Franc and max 10% Cabernet Sauvignon). Also white (Chenin Blanc) and rosé. The most structured are released on the market 2 years after the harvest, (higher cost).
55
Main grape varieties of Central Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc (70%), Pinot Noir (20%).
56
Main appellations within Central Vineyards
- Sancerre AOC - Pouilly-Fumé AOC - Reuilly AOC - Quincy AOC - Monetou-Salon AOC
57
Caillottes
Type of soil in Sancerre, very shallow soils over limestone.
58
Silex
Type of soil in Sancerre, flinty soils.
59
Terre blanches
Type of soil in Sancerre, same limestone and marl found in Chablis.
60
Hazards in Central Vineyards
Risk of fungal diseases and spring frost.
61
Key winemaking operations for wines in Central Vineyards
Malo can be blocked. Fermentation temperatures for white wines are higher than in New World for more restrained fruit expression.
62
Key maturation practices in Central Vineyards
High quality wines age in old oak casks to fill out the body. In Sancerre, François Cotat uses old oak and extensive lees work to produce a wine for long ageing, while Henri Bougeois includes a heavily oaked wine in their range.
63
Sancerre AOC
AOC in Central Vineyards. White (Sauvignon Blanc only), red and rosé (Pinot Noir only). The largest appellation of the Central Vineyards and the most commercially successful. Historically, only Pinot Noir; Sauvignon Blanc after phylloxera. Vineyards on the steep hillside slopes, the river and the forests protect against spring frost.
64
Pouilly-Fumé AOC
AOC in Central Vineyards. Sauvignon Blanc only, same max yield as Sancerre.
65
Reuilly AOC
AOC in Central Vineyards. White (Sauvignon Blanc only), red (Pinot Noir only), rosé (Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir), same max yield as Sancerre.
66
Quincy AOC
AOC in Central Vineyards. White (90+% Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris), same max yield as Sancerre.
67
Menetou-Salon AOC
AOC in Central Vineyards. Same wine range and max yields as Sancerre. Vineyards on gentle south facing slopes (more prone to spring frost).
68
Types of Chenin Blanc style from the Loire Valley
- Dry - Demi-Sec - Sweet
69
Types of Cabernet Franc style from the Loire Valley
- Fruity, youthful, red wine - Oaked, age-worthy red wine - Medium sweet rosé
70
Bonnezeaux AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Within the area of Coteaux du Layon, high-quality reputation for sweet wines, stricter regulations.
71
Quarts de Chaume AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Within the area of Coteaux du Layon, high-quality reputation for sweet wines, stricter regulations. Quarts de Chaume became Loire's first grand cru in 2019.
72
Savenniéres La Roche aux Moines AOC
Within the Savennières area (Anjou-Saumur), lower max yield, slopes facing the Loire (riper fruit).
73
Coulée de Serrant AOC
Within the Savennières area (Anjou-Saumur), lower max yield, slopes facing the Loire (riper fruit). Monopole owned by Nicolas Joly.
74
Type of soils in Sancerre
- Caillottes - Silex - Terre blanches
75
Climate of Central Vineyards
Continental climate. Higher rainfall for a continental region (750 mm), so less chance of drought.
76
Climate of Touraine
Continental climate. Very low moderating influence by the Atlantic Ocean. Adequate rainfall (700 mm).

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