| The Loire valley encompasses France's most varied and longest wine region stretching as it does from the port of Nantes in the west to the Central Vineyards, a distance of almost 1000 kms. The vineyards are located along the river Loire and its tributaries, the Cher and the Loir (correct spelling). The climate, like the terrain is very varied, from the temperate Atlantic influence of the west to the harsher continental climate of the centre. Spring frosts are a problem as evidenced in 1991 when the crop was almost totally destroyed in some of the Loire regions. Grape ripening in cooler summers can be difficult and the region is ideally suited for making sparkling wines. Wine styles very across the region as do grape plantations. Muscadet, the name of the grape and the wine, comes from the Pays Nantais region around the port of Nantes. It produces quite a neutral wine, which is often enhanced by leaving it on its sediment or lees to extract flavour and character. These wines are known as 'sur lie' and though a little more expensive are worth the money. Anjou-Saumur is noted for both rosé and sparkling wines, the latter produced from the Chenin Blanc grape which produces sufficiently high acidity in this cooler area. The Chenin features again in Touraine where the sweet wines of Vouvray and Montlouis are made in the best years when the grape ripens to its full potential. A top Vouvray can last for upwards of 50 years. Red wines feature here too, based on the Cabernet Franc grape in a softer style to Bordeaux but with high acidity. Many would view them as an acquired taste. Perhaps the most famous white wines of the Loire come from the Central Vineyards close to the town of Orleans, namely Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé (pronounced Poo-ee). Here the Sauvignon Blanc reigns supreme, thriving in the cooler climate and yielding forth its varietal characteristics - crisp acidity, pronounced gooseberry and nettle aromas - with concentration and finesse. These wines will stand amongst the best Sauvignons in the world and, for many, they are. A small quantity of red Sancerre is made from the Pinot Noir grape which can be good but lack the depth and concentration of its Burgundian neighbour. Sancerre is best enjoyed young and rarely improves beyond three years.
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|  | | | | France at a glance... 
Wineries: 160,000Area under vine:
850,000 hectares Production volume per annum:
65 million hectolitres Main Regions:
- Alsace
- Bordeaux
- Burgundy
- Champagne
- Languedoc
- Loire
- Rhône
- South West What to expect in 2000:
Everything to do with Champagne. Future Aims:
Continuous reduction of overall grape plantations in favour of quality wine sites. Expanding the varietal label market. Further Information:
SOPEXA
105 Lr.Baggot Street,
Dublin 2. |
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