Enchanted land of vineyards, floral gardens and hundreds of Châteaux. Worcester Chapter

Transcription

1 Enchanted land of vineyards, floral gardens and hundreds of Châteaux August 23 rd, 2014 Worcester Chapter

2 Agenda Greeting wine/introductions Wine education/discussion Wine tasting with appetizers Exchange dollars for wine Test AWS announcements Wine and friendly discussion

3 2013 Domaine des Trois Versants, Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Grape variety: Melon de Bourgogne Vineyard: 37 acres Vine age: years Soil: schist Harvest: by-hand in late September Fermentation: temperature-controlled, stainless-steel vats with native yeasts Maturing: sur lee, bottled in early March Tasting notes: crisp, lively citrus and mineral flavors and a bouquet reminiscent of the sea

4 French Wine Regions

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9 Overview Called Le Jardin de la France, (the Garden of France), because of its green, rich landscape and the scale and diversity of vegetation Crops ranging from grapes to melons, apples, cherries, quinces and pears The center of the Loire Valley is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site The Loire Valley is an outstanding cultural landscape along a major river which bears witness to an interchange of human values and to a harmonious development of interactions between human beings and their environment over two millennia 87 different appellations and 14 sanctioned grape varieties Loire wines are light, airy, and fresh. Fruitiness with fresh, crisp flavors White wines do not undergo MLF One of the only regions to offer all types of wine: red, rosé, white, sparkling and dessert 2 nd largest sparkling wine producer in France after Champagne About 75% of the Loire Valley production is white wine 185,000 acres of planted under vine, 33 million cases of wine produced million gallons of wine produced annually Chaptalization is permitted

10 Major Grapes of the Loire Reds: Cabernet Franc Gamay Pinot Noir Côt Whites: Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc Melon de Bourgogne

11 Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc originated in Bordeaux Limestone soil of the Loire better expresses its characteristic qualities Widely planted the world over: California, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Washington, Chile, northern Italy (Friuli and Alto Adige) Sauvignon Blanc buds late and ripens early, making it ideal for a region prone to severe frosts Made for early drinking Grassy and citrus aromas, passion fruit, flavors of grapefruit and gooseberries, elderflower notes In warm climates more tropical fruit, less aromatics Pairs well with fish or cheese, particularly Chèvre

12 Middle Loire Sauvignon Blanc Left Glass Right Glass 2013 Domaine des Corbilliéres, Sauvignon de Touraine 2011 Domaine Augis, Valençay

13 2013 Domaine des Corbilliéres Sauvignon de Touraine Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc Vineyard: 40 acres Vine age: 13 to 43 years Soil: Sand on a clay bed Viticulture: No chemical fertilizers Fermentation: Tasting notes: Artisanal Sauvignon Blanc has a very attractive varietal nose with delicious aromas of gooseberry, pear and lychee. It has herbaceous hints on the palate rounded by a crisp citrus acidity. The small winery produces wonderfully well made, interesting wine - and as a bonus, they are organic Ratings: WA: 90

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15 2011 Domaine Augis, Valençay Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc Vineyard: 10 acres Soil: clay and silex soils Viticulture: No chemical fertilizers Fermentation: 2-5 year 400 liter oak barrels, no stainless steel Aging: 4-8 months in neutral 400 liter barrels, 1 year in the bottle Tasting notes: It offers a beautiful nose of quince and fresh peaches. It is slightly more citrusy than tropical, has a nice weightiness to compliment its bright flavors and clean finish

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17 Terroir Continental in the east Sancerre: cold, harsh winters and severe frost threats in spring More ocean-influenced to the west: the Atlantic is warmed by the Gulf Stream, keeping winters warmer and summers milder The two meet in the middle, somewhere around the town of Anjou Never gets super hot in the summer Vines can only grow here because of the river and its tributaries, which raise the temperature just those few vital degrees Numerous microclimates and soil types

18 Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé The most revered Sauvignon Blanc wines in the world are made here setting the standard Wines that reflect the place more than the grape Sancerre produces much more wine than Pouilly-Fumé Style: Restrained, perfumed with citrus and chalk rather than bold fruit Subtle and more complex than other Sauvignon Blancs The aromas and flavors are of lime, grapefruit, lemon, flowers, herbs, and minerality Wines have texture and depth Yields are kept low, and fully ripe grapes are harvested by hand Some capable of aging for at least 10 years Pouilly-Fumé only produces Sauvignon Blanc. Tend to be creamier and rounder than Sancerre Don t confuse Pouilly-Fumé with Pouilly-Fuissé California Sauvignon Blancs may also be called Fume Blanc

19 Upper Loire Sauvignon Blanc Left Glass Right Glass 2012 Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre 2010 Marc Deschamps Vinealis, Pouilly Fumé

20 2012 Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc Vineyard: 84 acres Harvest: By hand Soil: Mix of flint, chalk, clay and limestone Viticulture: organic/biodynamic Aging: Stainless steel tanks for 8 months Tasting notes: Aromas suggest grapefruit zest and gunflint; in the mouth the wine is pure and fresh, with plenty of mineral energy and citrus flavors Ratings: WS: 89, WA: 88

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22 2010 Marc Deschamps Vinealis Pouilly Fumé Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc Vine age: 60+ years Harvest: By hand Soil: Mix of flint, chalk, clay and limestone Production: 4 to 8 barrels or 1,200 to 2,400 bottles in the vintages when it is produced, 600 or so bottles allocated to the US market Fermentation: Only natural yeasts fermented in small oak barrels, with extensive lees contact Tasting notes: A broad, rich wine which maintains a lively acidity in the finish; it is round and fleshy with a hint of menthol and citrus on the palate

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24 Chenin Blanc Produces wines both dry and sweet, still and sparkling Some wine critics claim that the sweet Chenin Blanc wines will last 100+ years Most widely planted variety in South Africa, also known as Steen Was a popular grape in California, but its late-ripening and the warm weather promoted over-cropping and the wine produced a neutral and bland product Plantings are steadily declining Soils are often the defining factor of a Chenin style Heavier, clay-based soils are best for fostering late ripening, sweet Chenin Blanc Chalky, more limestone-based soils are responsible for many of the lighter, crisper styles of the grape Juice is sweet but high in acid with a full-bodied fruity palate Common descriptors: honey, damp straw, green apple, floral, mineral, quince, honeydew, cantaloupe DNA evidence shows that Chenin Blanc shares a sibling relationship with Sauvignon Blanc Related as an aunt/uncle variety to Cabernet Sauvignon which is the offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc

25 Middle Loire Chenin Blanc Left Glass Middle Glass Right Glass 2012 Guy Saget Marie de Beauregard, Vouvray 2011 Cave de Vendôme, Lieu-dit Cocagne, Coteaux du Vendômois 2012 Château Soucherie Cuvée Les Rangs de Longue, Anjou Blanc

26 2012 Guy Saget Marie de Beauregard Vouvray Grape variety: Chenin Blanc Aging: 9 months in 2- to 3-year old oak barrels Production: 1,200 cases Tasting notes: This has weight and depth, but remains stylish, with ginger and glazed pear notes in reserve while persimmon, green almond and piecrust notes lead the way. Lovely cut on the finish keeps the ginger edge echoing. Should develop nicely in the cellar. Drink now through 2020 Ratings: WS: 92, Wine Spectator Top Wines of 2012

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28 2011 Cave de Vendôme, Lieu-dit Cocagne Coteaux du Vendômois Grape variety: Chenin Blanc Soil: Turonian limestone topped with flint clay Fermentation: stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures Tasting notes: Dry, full of honeyed aromas, earth, white flowers and mineral Ratings: WS: 87

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30 2012 Château Soucherie Cuvée Les Rangs de Longue Anjou Blanc Grape variety: Chenin Blanc Vine age: 25 years Vineyard: vineyard site Les Rangs de Longue on the northern part of the estate but with south-southeastern exposure Harvest: hand harvested Soil: clay and sand and limestone with some schist Production: 1,000 cases Fermentation: stainless steel tanks Aging: aged on the fine lies for 8-9 months before being bottled Tasting notes: golden, full-textured with notes of fresh peach, honeydew, and white flowers, all balanced by a crisp acidity

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32 History Romans planted the first vineyards 2,000 years ago 4 th century monasteries take over 582 Gregory of Tours mentions the Touraine vineyard in his writings From the Middle Ages to the 15 th century, vineyards were encouraged by the bourgeoisie and they entered an era of prosperity Most esteemed wines in England and France, even more prized than those from Bordeaux 1532, Francois 1 authorized the states of Brittany to maintain trade rights with foreign countries; exports reach 10,000 barrels of wine 18 th century difficulties: 1709 frost, the Revolution and then the wars of Vendée. 19 th century difficulties: Railroad introduces competition with wines from other parts of France Phylloxera plague 20 th century creation of 48 AOCs such as Muscadet, Sancerre and Vouvray to ensure a good wine quality

33 Known as Breton in the Loire Cabernet Franc Cabernet Franc ripens earlier than its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon, that makes it ideal for the cool Loire Has been grown here since the 17 th century, not planted in Bordeaux until the 18 th century Aromas of tobacco, pencil shavings, spice and violets; delicious raspberry and black currant fruit flavors. Tannic when young, they have impressive aging ability Thrives in sandy, chalk soils, producing heavier, more full bodied wines there. Terroir based differences can be perceived between wines made from grapes grown in gravel terraces versus tuffeau slopes Young Cabernet Franc is an ideal red wine for summer Sufficiently fruity that it can be refreshing when served slightly chilled Enough structure to stand up to the flavors of a barbecue

34 Middle Loire Cabernet Franc Left Glass Middle Glass Right Glass 2008 Couly-Dutheil La Baronnie Madeleine, Chinon 2010 Château du Hureau Tuffe, Saumur- Champigny 2012 Catherine et Pierre Bréton Trinch!, Bourgueil

35 2008 Couly-Dutheil La Baronnie Madeleine Chinon Grape variety: Cabernet Franc Vineyard: 32 acres Harvest: hand harvested and manual sorting of grapes, made from the best parcels selected in only the great wine years Soil: Clay and limestone Viticulture: environmentally friendly treatments Production: 4,500 cases Tasting notes: Complex and intense aromas with a seductively silky palate of ripe fruit. A rock-solid, with ripe, structured layers of plum, black currant and black cherry offset by sweet olive tapenade, mineral and aged tobacco. The long, iron-filled finish shows impressive depth. Should age nicely Ratings: WE: 90

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37 2010 Château du Hureau Tuffe Saumur-Champigny Grape variety: Cabernet Franc Vineyard: 42 acres in 15 separate vineyard plots Harvest: manual and mechanical harvested Soil: clay and limestone with Tuffe 1-6 feet below the surface Viticulture: organic Production: 7,000 cases Aging: 24 months in tanks Tasting notes: Fruity nose with red berry, chalk and wildflower hints very pretty. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity and firm tannin good balance. Dark fruit core with sour cherry, tea leaf and wet stone notes Ratings: WE: 90

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39 2012 Catherine et Pierre Bréton Trinch! Bourgueil Grape variety: Cabernet Franc Vineyard: 12 acres Vine age: 20 years Harvest: hand harvested Soil: gravel clay and limestone Viticulture: organic Vinification: 18 days of maceration, low temperature to extract the fruity aromas Aging: 1 year in wood tanks Tasting notes: fruity nose with red berry, chalk and wildflower hints very pretty. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity and firm tannin good balance. Dark fruit core with sour cherry, tea leaf and wet stone notes

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41 Exchange Dollars for Wine Cost per person: 19 people: $13 18 people: $14 17 people: $15 16 people: $16

42 Lower Loire Pinot Gris Any Glass 2011 Vignoble Poiron-Dabin Pinot Gris Tradition Vin de Pays du Val de Loire

43 2011 Vignoble Poiron-Dabin Pinot Gris Tradition Vin de Pays du Val de Loire Grape variety: 100% Pinot Gris Appellation: Vin de Pays du Val de Loire Vine age: 25 years Vineyard: 12 acres Viticulture: sustainable Fermentation: extended skin contact to draw color from the grapes before beginning a 3-4 week fermentation with indigenous yeasts Tasting notes: This late harvest-style Pinot Gris offers a titillating aroma of white peach, apricot, smoke, and straw. The wine is sweet and oily in the mouth, but that smoke keeps things lively, and a spot of mineral helps. A touch of mint on the honey and straw finish. Very interesting take on Pinot Gris

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45 Test 1. What are the major Loire Valley grape varietals? 2. The most esteemed Sauvignon Blanc-based wines are made in which Loire appellations? 3. What does sur lie mean? 4. Chenin Blanc is mostly produced in Chinon, Sancerre, or Vouvray? 5. Name 3 aromas of Loire Chenin Blanc-based wine. 6. What is the synonym for Cabernet Franc in the Loire? 7. True or false: Loire wines are generally more expensive than Rhône, Bordeaux, or Burgundy wines? 8. True or fase: South Africa produces more Chenin Blanc wine than the entire Loire Valley?

46 AWS Announcements Next month Chile, location TBD Wine dinner at The People s Kitchen Jerry special events coordinator Tue., Sept. 16 th at 7:00 California wine dinner series at Ceres Bistro Wed., Aug. 27 th at 6:00 Southern California Wed., Sept. 24 th at 6:00 Sonoma County Wed., Oct. 22 nd at 6:00 Napa Valley $80 per event or $216 for the series, tax/tip inclusive

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