Title: WSET Level 3 / WSET Level 3 C18 - The Loire Valley

Front: What are the four sub-regions of the Loire from east to west?
Back: Central vineyards
Touraine
Anjou Saumur
Nantais

Front: What is the regional generic appellation covering the whole of the Loire?
Back: There isn't one

Front: What is the IGP that covers the Loire?
Back: Val de Loire

Front: Describe Val de Loire wines
Back: Straightforward wines with freshness, light body and simple fruit flavours

Front: What is the climate of the Loire?
Back: CoolContinental inlandMaritime in the Nantais
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: What is the overall climate of the Loire?

Front: What's the climate like in Anjou? Why?
Back: Slightly warmer and drier than might be expectedProtected by Mauges hillsSome vineyards are warmed by stony soils
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: What's the climate like in Anjou?

Front: What's the climate of Touraine?
Back: Wetter and cooler than Anjou, with clay soils

Front: Why is vintage important in Loire?
Back: Weather varies wildly in the region

Front: What is a particular issue related to the weather in Loire?
Back: Fungal disease caused by rain

Front: Describe the best vineyards in the Loire
Back: They are south facing, mid-slope and often facing the river for reflected light and heat

Front: How many grape varieties are permitted in the Loire?
Back: Many

Front: What are the main grape varieties of the Loire?
Back: Sauvignon BlancChenin Blanc Melon BlancCabernet Franc

Front: Where in the Loire is Sauvignon Blanc mostly grown?
Back: Central Vineyards
Touraine

Front: Which area of the Loire has the smallest production area?
Back: Central Vineyards

Front: What appellations are found within the Central Vineyards?
Back: SancerrePouilly-Fumé

Front: What are the soils of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé like?
Back: ChalkyWell-drainedStony

Front: What are the wines of Central Vineyards like?
Back: Dry
High acidity
Hints of green apple and wet stone
Subtle smoky notes from Pouilly-Fumé

Front: Name a village and a vineyard in Sancerre, noted for particularly expressive wines
Back: ChavignolLes Monts Damnés

Front: How long can wines from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé be aged?
Back: Generally they're not designed to be

Front: How are fresh, fruity wines created in the Loire?
Back: Gentle pneumatic pressingTemperature controlled, stainless steel vats

Front: How are certain Loire wines given a broader texture?
Back: Wines are fermented and matured in old oak vesselsWines are kept on their lees

Front: Is new oak used in the Loire?
Back: By some producers

Front: Does MLF take place in the Loire?
Back: Dependent on vintage (cooler weather produces a greater need due to higher acidity)

Front: What is the most important appellation to the west and south of Sancerre?
Back: Menetou-Salon

Front: What is the grape used in Menetou-Salon?
Back: Sauvignon Blanc

Front: How are the vineyards to the south and east of Sancerre located?
Back: On the tributaries of the Loire

Front: What are the wines of Menetou-Salon like?
Back: More moderately priced wines made in the same style as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

Front: Where does the majority of Sauvignon Blanc come from in the Loire?
Back: Touraine

Front: What is the next region west of Menetou Salon? What is produced here?
Back: TouraineSauvignon BlancChenin Blanc
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: What is the next appellation west of Menetou Salon? What is produced here?

Front: What is the generic appellation covering Touraine?
Back: Touraine

Front: How do the generic wines of Touraine often appear?
Back: Under a varietal label such as Sauvignon de Touraine

Front: Describe wines of Touraine
Back: Made from Sauvignon BlancOften less concentration than more prestigious appellationMade in a simple fruity style

Front: Give a broad description of Chenin Blanc
Back: High acid
Non-aromatic

Front: Which grape is responsible for the greatest wines of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur?
Back: Chenin Blanc

Front: What is the key viticultural peculiarity with Chenin Blanc?
Back: It is common for grapes to reach different levels of ripeness, even within one bunch

Front: What can be the result if Chenin Blanc is not harvested carefully?
Back: Green, herbaceous aromas

Front: How may the problem of varying ripeness in Chenin Blanc grapes be tackled?
Back: By harvesting in several passes to pick the grapes at a desired level of ripeness

Front: What styles are Chenin grapes made into?
Back: Dry, sweet, still or sparkling

Front: What dictates the style into which Chenin is made?
Back: The ripeness when it is picked

Front: Barely ripe Chenin is used for what in Loire?
Back: Sparkling wines

Front: What is the ripest Chenin gets when it is picked in Loire?
Back: Shrivelled by the sun or affected by noble rot

Front: What has been the recent harvesting trend for Chenin Blanc in Loire?
Back: To seek greater ripeness, even for dry wines

Front: What has been the result of recent trends for riper Chenin in Loire?
Back: Higher alcohol wines

Front: Describe flavours of young Chenin Blanc wines in the Loire
Back: They vary from fresh apple to tropical fruit depending on grape ripeness

Front: Describe flavours that dry Chenin can show in the Loire
Back: Steely, smoky character

Front: Describe the flavours that sweet Chenin-based wines of the Loire can have
Back: Apricot and citrus peel flavours of noble rot

Front: Can dry/sweet Chenins age?
Back: Yes, for decades

Front: Describe aged Chenins in the Loire
Back: Richer and rounderAromas of honey, toast and hayHigh acidity

Front: Why are Chenins different from region to region?
Back: Soil and climate both have an important influence on the character of Chenin

Front: Where in the Loire is Vouvray?
Back: To the east of the city of Tours, in Touraine

Front: What are the styles of wine made in Vouvray?
Back: Sparkling and stillDry to lusciously sweet

Front: What dictates the style in which Vouvray is vinified?
Back: The vintage
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: What dictates the style in which Chenin Blanc is vinified?

Front: What is the soil and weather like in Vouvray?
Back: Clay soilsCool climate

Front: How do the clay soils and cool climate of Vouvray affect the wine?
Back: Light bodyFresh, fruity and floral flavours

Front: What is the role of new oak in Vouvray?
Back: It is rarely used

Front: Which villages lie to the west of Vouvray?
Back: Anjou and Saumur

Front: What is the climate of Anjou and Saumur?
Back: Similar to that of Vouvray (cool climate and clay soils)

Front: How is Saumur renowned?
Back: As a source of sparkling Chenin, made in the traditional method

Front: How is Anjou best known?
Back: For dry wines often matured in new oak

Front: Which areas are just to the west part of Anjou-Saumur?
Back: Savennières and Coteaux du Layon

Front: What is the climate like in Savennières and Coteaux du Layon?
Back: Warmer than Touraine

Front: What is the effect that the warmer climate of Savennières and Coteaux du Layon has on its wines?
Back: Medium to full-bodied
Less floral

Front: Describe wines of Savennières
Back: Full bodied CheninDryCan be complex and age worthy

Front: Is noble rot used in Savennières? Explain
Back: NoThe vineyards are well exposed, so circulation of air impedes the development of noble rot

Front: Describe wines of Coteaux du Layon
Back: Some of the most renowned sweet wines of the region

Front: How is the Coteaux du Layon situated?
Back: It's located in the sheltered valley of the river Layon to the south of the Loire

Front: What is the viticultural effect of the sheltered valley of the river Layon?
Back: It encourages noble rot to develop

Front: What are the most favoured sites/appellations of the Coteaux du Layon?
Back: BonnezeauxQuarts de Chaume
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: What are the most favoured sites of the Coteaux du Layon?

Front: What du Quarts du Chaumes and Bonnezeaux produce?
Back: Among the world's greatest sweet wines

Front: How else is Melon Blanc known?
Back: MuscadetMelon de Bourgogne

Front: What are Melon's key viticultural characteristics? Why is this beneficial in the Nantais?
Back: It ripens early and is frost-resistantIt's suited to the cool climate
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: What are Melon's key viticultural characteristics?

Front: Where is the Nantais?
Back: To the far west of the Loire region and mostly south of the river

Front: How are the wines of Nantais generally known?
Back: As Muscadet

Front: Which appellation of Nantais covers the widest area?
Back: Muscadet

Front: Where does the greatest wine production of Nantais come from?
Back: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation

Front: Describe wines from Muscadet appellations
Back: Dry
Medium alcohol
High acidity
Light body
Subtle green fruit flavours

Front: What is the maximum permitted alcohol for Muscadet wines?
Back: 12% abv

Front: Describe maturation of Muscadet
Back: Traditionally in large, old oak vesselsNow more commonly in stainless steel or concrete

Front: How long may Muscadet wines be aged?
Back: They should be drunk young

Front: What is the speciality wine from the Nantais area?
Back: Muscadet (Sèvre et Maine) Sur Lie

Front: When is 'Sur Lie' wine from Nantais bottled?
Back: The Spring following the vintage

Front: How long does Sur Lie Muscadet spend on its Lees?
Back: Winter

Front: What is the effect of Muscadet being on its Lees?
Back: It gives the wines a richer texture

Front: How is Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie vinified to retain delicacy and freshness?
Back: By being handled very little

Front: Why is Cabernet Franc well suited to the Loire?
Back: It flowers and ripens early

Front: What dictates the style in which Cabernet Franc is vinified into in the Loire?
Back: Site climate
Soil
Winemaking techniques

Front: Where is Chinon? What is grown there?
Back: To the south of the Loire in Touraine, just east of Saumur
Cabernet Franc

Front: Where else in Touraine is Cab Franc grown? Where is this?
Back: BourgueilSaint-Nicolas-de-BourgueilNorth of the Loire in Touraine
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Where else in Touraine is Cab Franc grown?

Front: Describe how Cab Franc wines vary within Touraine
Back: Sandy soils: Light, fruity wines for early drinking
Limestone/clay soils (south facing slopes): Fuller bodied, more tannic

Front: What is the approach to oak ageing in Touraine for Cab Franc?
Back: Some producers age in oak

Front: Can Touraine reds age?
Back: The best can evolve in bottle over many years

Front: What are the relevant red wine appellations to the west of Touraine?
Back: Saumur
Saumur-Champigny

Front: Describe the wines of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny
Back: Lighter in body and tannin than those of Touraine
Juicy berry fruit and floral notes
Young drinking
Can be served chilled
Some producers making fuller-bodied, age worthy reds

Front: What is the second most planted black variety in the Loire?
Back: Gamay

Front: Where is Gamay mainly planted in the Loire? In what style?
Back: Touraine and Anjou
Fruity, early drinking wines

Front: What is the third red grape planted in the Loire?
Back: Pinot Noir

Front: Where is Pinot Noir grown in the Loire?
Back: Central Vineyards

Front: Why is Pinot Noir so rare in Loire?
Back: The best sites are usually reserved for Sauvignon Blanc

Front: Broadly speaking, what style is Pinot Noir made into in the Loire?
Back: Light in style
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Broadly speaking, what style is Pinot Noir made into in the

Front: Where is Rosé produced in the Loire?
Back: Mainly Anjou-Saumur
Significant amounts in Touraine and Sancerre
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Where is Rose produced in the Loire?

Front: Where is Rosé de Loire produced?
Back: Anjou Saumur and Touraine
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Where is Rose de Loire produced?

Front: Where is the majority of Rosé de Loire produced?
Back: Anjou-Saumur
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Where is the majority of Rose de Loire produced?

Front: Where is sweet Anjou-Saumur produced?
Back: It is only dry

Front: How must Anjou-Saumur be blended?
Back: it must be a minimum of 30% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon

Front: Which are the two additional appellations within Anjou-Saumur which produce Rosé?
Back: Cabernet d'Anjou
Rosé d'Anjou
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Which are the two additional appellations within Anjou-Saumu

Front: Which is the highest quality of Anjou-Saumur's Rosé appellations? Describe it
Back: Cabernet d'Anjou
Always medium sweet
Made from a blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Which is the highest quality of Anjou-Saumurs Rose appellat

Front: Describe Rosé d'Anjou
Back: Less sweet than Cabernet d'Anjou
Made predominantly from Grolleau
Blended with Cab Franc and other local varieties
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Describe Rose dAnjou

Front: Describe the Rosé wines of Touraine
Back: Can be made from a wide array of black grape varieties
Usually dry, fresh and fruity
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: Describe the Rose wines of Touraine

Front: Describe Sancerre Rose
Back: Must be made from Pinot Noir
Usually pale in colour and light in body
Dry, with delicate fruit flavours

Front: How may Loire Rosés be vinified?
Back: Direct pressing or short maceration on the skins
Fermented in inert, temperature controlled vessels to retain fruit flavours
Other fields (not shown on cards):
Name: How may Loire Roses be vinified?