WINES OF THE WORLD ๐ซ๐ท France - The Loire Valley Flashcards
Main subregions of the Loire Valley
- Pays Nantais
- Anjou-Saumur
- Touraine
- Central Vineyards
Types of businesses that operate in the Loire Valley
Family-owned businesses. Nรฉgociants are very important (50% volume). Estates sell 41% and co-operatives under 10%.
Climate of Pays Nantais
Cool maritime climate, with cool springs, warm and humid summers. Rainfall at any time, especially in March/April and September.
Main grape varieties of Pays Nantais
Melon (the only for Muscadet appellations) and Folle Blanc.
Hazards in Pays Nantais
Rain during flowering and harvest. Spring frost (1991). Protection against spring frost using wind machines, heaters and burning straw bales.
Type of soils in Pays Nantais
Well-drained soils.
Main appellations within Pays Nantais
- Muscadet AOC
- Muscadet de Sรจvre et Maine AOC
- Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC
- Muscadet Cรดtes de Grandlieu AOC
- Muscadet cru communaux
Number of Muscadet cru communaux within Pays Nantais
10
Key winemaking operations for Muscadet wines in Pays Nantais
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.
Key maturation practices for Muscadet wines in Pays Nantais
Maturation in the same vats of fermentation.
Grapes permitted in the Muscadet appellations
Melon. Since 2018 vintage max 10% Chardonnay in Muscadet AOC.
Sur Lie
Technique to improve the body (usually itโs 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 โsur lieโ 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.
When bottling Muscadet sur lie wines
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).
Ageing requirements for Muscadet cru communaux
18 months (Le Pallet) or 24 months (Clisson, Gorges).
Main Muscadet cru communaux
Le Pallet, Clisson, Gorges
InterLoire
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.
BIVC
Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre, the promotional body for the wines of the Central Vineyards.
The promotional bodies for the wines of the Loire Valley
InterLoire and BIVC.
Climate of Anjou-Saumur
Maritime climate. Lower moderating influence by the Atlantic Ocean. Adequate rainfall (700 mm). Misty conditions in autumn by the River Layon.
Type of soils in Anjou-Saumur
Wide range of soils (clay-limestone, flint-clay, sand, gravel and tuff) with more schist and limestone. Good drainage and water retention.
Hazards in Anjou-Saumur
Rain during flowering and harvest. Use of Ferchal and Riparia Gloire de Montpellier roostocks to protect the vines from chlorosis (high lime content).
Main grape varieties of Anjou-Saumur
Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Grolleau Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay.
Key winemaking operations for Chenin Blanc in Anjou-Saumur
Chenin Blanc ferments at cool to mid-temperatures (can last several months), large old oak or stainless steel, no malo.
Key winemaking operations for Cabernet Franc in Anjou-Saumur
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 rosรฉ blend (Grolleau Noir).
Key winemaking operations for rosรฉ wines in Anjou-Saumur
Rosรฉ is made by direct press, possibility of short maceration.
Key maturation practices for rosรฉ wines in Anjou-Saumur
Short ageing (3-4 months).
Key maturation practices for Cabernet Franc in Anjou-Saumur
Maturation in used oak barrels to retain primary fruit. Some use new French oak barriques.
Key maturation practices for Chenin Blanc in Anjou-Saumur
Maturation in neutral vats to retain primary fruit.
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
- Savenniรจres AOC
- Rosรฉ de Loire AOC
- Rosรฉ dโAnjou AOC
- Cabernet dโAnjou AOC
- Saumur AOC
- Coteaux de Saumur AOC
- Saumur-Champigny AOC
Anjou AOC
AOC in Anjou-Saumur. Anjou Blanc (80+% Chenin Blanc) and Anjou Rouge (70+% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon).