1. Wine Class May 12, 2015 (and Monday May 18 – in Villagio) French Connection X – Chenin Blanc/Melon de Bourgogne - Loire Valley (Part 1) Clifton Wine & Tasting Room 7145 Main St, Clifton, VA 703-266-1607 Major Wine Regions of France : 1.Bordeaux 2.Champagne 3.Burgundy 4.Beaujolais 5.Loire Valley 6.Alsace 7.Rhone 8.Languedoc-Roussillon 9.Provence 10.Southwest (~) 11.Jura 12.Savoy 13.Corsica

2. Loire Valley Characteristics: “The Garden of France” -France’s 4 th largest tourist destination (after {Paris, The French Riviera, and Provence); Largest white wine and 2 nd largest sparkling wine area in France; 3 rd overall in production including 70 Appellations (AOCs). Maritime to Continental climate, the Loire Valley runs 640 miles from Central France to the Atlantic. South of Normandy; North of Cognac. The Loire River is a major climate factor. The Loire is divided into three sub-areas: Lower (West or Pays Nantais); Middle (Anjou & Saumur/Touraine); and, Upper (East or Centre). Primary White grapes: Chenin Blanc; Sauvignon Blanc; Melon de Bourgongne (Muscadet); Others: Chardonnay; Pinot Gris; Folle Blanche Primary Red grapes: Cabernet Franc (Breton); Pinot Noir; Others: Cabernet Sauvignon; Gamay; Malbec Wine Producing in the Loire (And Key AOCs): Lower Loire (Pays Nantais): Maritime Climate; Primarily white wines. Many wines made in “Sur Lie” style. Key Grapes: Melon de Bourgogne. Key AOCs: Muscadet; Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Middle Loire (Anjou & Sumur/Touraine) : Maritime climate with continental influences. Largest and most diverse wines on the Loire. Major sparkling wine production area. Key Grapes: Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Blanc. Other grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Malbec, Gamay. Key AOCs: Anjou: Anjou Blanc and Rouge; Crémant de Loire; Savennières (White Age worthy wines) Saumur: Various Sparkling wines; Saumur Blanc. Touraine (Garden of France): Bourgueil (Red & Rosé); Chinon (Cab Franc & Chenin Blanc); Jasnière (Chenin Blanc); St. Nicolas de Bourgueil (Red, Rose); Touraine (Sav Blanc, Cab Franc); Vouvray (Chenin Blanc) Upper Loire (Centre): Continental Climate, perhaps the Loire’s most famous wines. Smallest oft eh three subregions 80 miles south of Paris and 70 miles east of Burgundy. Key Grapes: Savignon Blanc; Pinot Noir Others: Pinot Gris and Gamay. Key AOCs: Menetou- Salon (Sav Blanc and Pinot Noir Rosé); Pouilly-Fumé (Sav Blanc); Quincy (Sav Blanc); Reuilly (Sav Blanc & Rosé); Sancerre Sav Blanc but also red and Rosé). Sauvignon Blanc: Synonyms: Blanc Fumé; Fumé Blanc. Parent of Cab Sav. Very vigorous grape; early to mid ripening which makes distinctly aromatic wines with bracing acidity. Prefers sunny, cool climates. Aromas: Gunflint; herbs; hay; lemon-grass; grapefruit; melon; kiwi; pear; celery stick. Key growing areas: Loire; Bordeaux; Italy (Friuli); New Zealand (Best expressions of Sav Blanc!); California; Australia, Chile and S. Africa Chenin Blanc: Synonyms: Steen (S. Africa). Sibling of Sav Blanc. Loire and S. African specialties making long-lived wines with varying degrees of acidity. Originated in Loire. Very adaptable grape; cold hardy. Aromas: Peach; Quince; Apricot; Apple; Pear fresh strw and toasted nuts. Key growing areas: Loire (All styles); S. Africa; California Wines of Loire Valley (Part 1)

3. Loire Valley Wine Map Lower (West) Middle & Saumer Upper (East) or Centre

4. French Wines “Background Information” AOC/ AOPs IGP ( formerly Vin de Pays. Geographic based, Winemaking Rules) Most restrictive quality designation Vins sans IG (wines without geographic indication Formerly Table Wines) AOC: Appellation d’Orgine Contrôlée AOP: Appellation d’Origine Protégée Loire Valley Label Examples

5. “French Connection” Class Schedule Tuesdays at 4pm; 6pm; 7:30pm (The Following Monday a Trattoria Villagio (upstairs) Class with main course plate - 7:30-9pm) Jan 20: Intro & Chardonnay 1 (Burgundy – Chablis) Jan 27: Pinot Noir (Burgundy, the rest of the story!) Feb 3: Viognier (N. Rhone, Part I ) Feb 10: Syrah (N. Rhone, Part II ) Feb 17: Winter Break! Feb 24: Riesling (Alsace) Mar 3: Snow Break Mar 10: Grenache and S. Rhone (Part 1) Mar 17, 24, Break Mar 31: Mourvèdre & Carignan (S. Rhone part 2) April 7 (April 13 in Villagio): Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot & Bordeaux (Part 1) April 14: Cab Franc and Malbec (Côt) & Bordeaux (Part 2) April 20 (Villagio) & April 21: No Class – Fairfax Garden Show May 12 (May 18): Chenin Blanc & Melon – Loire Valley Part 1 May 19: Sauvignon Blanc & Loire Valley Part 2