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WSET Level 2 > 10. Chardonnay > Flashcards

10. Chardonnay Flashcards

1
Q

Chardonnay grapes can be grown in which climates?

A

Warm, moderate and cool

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2
Q

A typical cool climate Chardonnay displays what characteristics?

A

High acidity, light to medium body, flavours of green fruits, citrus fruits and wet stones

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3
Q

A typical moderate climate Chardonnay displays what characteristics?

A

Medium to high acidity, medium to full body, flavours of lemon, stone fruits, and sometimes tropical fruits

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4
Q

A typical warm climate Chardonnay displays what characteristics?

A

Medium acidity, full bodies, flavours of stone fruit and tropical fruit

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5
Q

What adjustment is often used by warm climate Chardonnay producers to improve the balance of the wine?

A

Acidification

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6
Q

Which winemaking process is often used by Chardonnay producers to soften harsh acids and add dairy flavours?

A

Malolactic conversion

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7
Q

Malolactic conversion is often used by Chardonnay producers to do what?

A

Soften harsh acids and add dairy flavours

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8
Q

Which adjustments / winemaking processes are often used in the production of Chardonnay wines

A 
Acidification (in warm climate)
Malolactic conversion (to soften harsh acids)
Less contact (to add body and bread flavours)
Oak maturation (add body and flavours)
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9
Q

What common tertiary flavours can be developed in bottle aged Chardonnay?

A

Mushroom and hazelnut

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10
Q

The use of stainless steel tank fermentation is more likely in which climate for Chardonnay production?

A

Cool climate

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11
Q

What type of vessel is often used for fermentation or maturation in warm climate Chardonnay production?

A

Oak barrels (or other oak use)

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12
Q

Which six countries are most well known for the production of Chardonnay?

A

France, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa

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13
Q

Which wine region in France is famed for the production of Chardonnay?

A

Burgundy

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14
Q

What is the lowest level of PDO production of Chardonnay in Burgundy?

A

Bourgogne AOC

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15
Q

What are the 5 key village level appellations of Chardonnay production in Burgundy?

A

Chablis
Cote d’Or: Mersault, Puligny-Montrachet
Maconnais: Macon, Pouilly-Fuisse

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16
Q

What are the typical chardonnay characteristics of Chablis?

A

Dry, high acidity, flavours of apple, lemon and wet stones

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17
Q

What climatic influence can negatively impact the production / yields of Chardonnay in Chablis?

A

Cool climate = increased chance of frost

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18
Q

What adjustments / winemaking processes are often used in the production of Chablis?

A

Typically limited use of winemaking options to preserve the delicacy of cool climate fruit flavours. Use of inert vessels most common

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19
Q

The Cote D’Or is a ___ climate

A

Moderate climate

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20
Q

What primary aromas are common in a Cote D’or Chardonnay?

A

Riper fruit (compared to Chablis), often stone fruits - peach and melon

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21
Q

Which two villages in the Cote d’Or are famed for the production of high quality Chardonnay?

A

Mersault

Puligny-Montrachet

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22
Q

Mersault and Puligny-Montrachet are most well known for the production of which grape?

A

Chardonnay

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23
Q

The Cote d’Or is a sub-region of which famous wine producing region?

A

Burgundy - best known for the production of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines

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24
Q

Which regions and appellations are best known for the use of oak and lees contact in Burgundy chardonnay?

A

Cote d’Or: Mersault & Puligny Montrachet

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25
Q

Outstanding quality wines from Mersault and Puligny-Montrachet can produce which tertiary flavours / aromas?

A

Chardonnay wines - hazelnut and mushroom

26
Q

Wines from which two appellations in Burgundy are often considered to be the pinnacle of Chardonnay production in the world, commanding high prices?

A

Mersault & Puligny Montrachet in the Cote d’Or

27
Q

Macon AOC wines are produced from which grape?

A

Chardonnay

28
Q

Which characteristics best describe a wine produced in the Macon AOC

A

Fruity
Usually unoaked
Simple flavours: lemon, peach and melon

29
Q

Pouilly Fuisse is located in which wine producing region?

A

Maconnais, Burgundy

30
Q

Pouilly Fuisse is best known for the production of which grape?

A

Chardonnay (NOT Sauvignon Blanc!)

31
Q

Which appellation of the Maconnais is best known for production of Chardonnay using oak barrels?

A

Pouilly Fusse

32
Q

Which characteristics best describe a wine produced in the Pouilly Fusse AOC

A

Concentrated stone fruit and tropical fruit flavours

Often fermented in oak barrels

33
Q

Which warm climate IGP is situated close to the Mediterranean coast, producing high volumes of ripe, fruity Chardonnay with flavours of peach, pineapple and banana?

A

South of France

34
Q

Which four regions of California are best known for their production of Chardonnay?

A

Carneros, Sonoma, Napa Valley and Santa Barbara County

35
Q

The inland Central Valley of California is a warm climate region producing what style / characteristics of Chardonnay wines?

A 
High volume
No GI - labelled California
Peach and Pineapple flavours
Medium acidity
Medium body
Often uses oak chips or staves
36
Q

What climatic influence provides excellent growing conditions for Chardonnay in Carneros?

A

Coastal fog coming in from the San Pablo Bay area cools the vineyards, allowing for a longer, slower ripening season

37
Q

What climatic influence provides excellent growing conditions for Chardonnay in Sonoma?

A

Cool sea breezes coming from the Pacific Ocean allow the grapes to retain acidity while developing complex fruit flavours

38
Q

What growing conditions & style of Chardonnay would you expect from vineyards towards the northern end of Napa Valley?

A

Increasing warm weather and sun
Full bodied wines
Tropical fruit forward
Use of new oak - vanilla and spice flavours

39
Q

What climate would you find in Oregon?

40
Q

What style of Chardonnay would you find in Oregon?

A

Refreshing high acidity

Range of flavours - citrus through to tropical

41
Q

South Eastern Australia is a GI that describes what style of Chardonnay wines?

A

High volume
Generic grape grapes from a wide region
Often warm, irrigated inland vineyards
Often blended with Semillon or cooler vineyard wine

42
Q

What climatic influence allows for the production of Chardonnay in Adelaide Hills?

A

Cool altitude

43
Q

What climatic influence allows for the production of Chardonnay in Yarra Valley?

A

Cool ocean currents from the south

44
Q

What style of Chardonnay is produced in Adelaide Hills and Yarra Valley?

A

Medium to high acidity
Ripe stone fruits (peach)
Sometimes tropical fruits (pineapple, banana)
Some use of oak

45
Q

What style of Chardonnay is produced in Margaret River?

A

Small production
Medium to full body
Ripe stone fruits (peach)
Tropical fruit (pineapple)

46
Q

Which three regions of Australia are best known for the production of Chardonnay?

A

Adelaide Hills
Yarra Valley
Margaret River

47
Q

Which two regions of New Zealand are best known for the production of Chardonnay?

A

Marlborough

Hawkes Bay

48
Q

What style of Chardonnay is produced in Marlborough?

A

High acidity
Ripe lemon, peach and melon
Subtle use of oak

49
Q

What climate can be found in Hawkes Bay?

A

Moderate climate

50
Q

What style of Chardonnay is produced in Hawkes Bay?

A

Full bodied
High acidity
Pronounced stone fruit flavours

51
Q

What is the key difference between the climates of Casablanca Valley and Central Valley?

A

Casablanca Valley is exposed to sea breezes and fogs from the Pacific Ocean, creating a cooler climate that elongates the growing season.

52
Q

What is the prominent region that produces high quality Chardonnay in Chile?

A

Casablanca Valley

53
Q

What style of Chardonnay is produced in Casablanca Valley?

A

Refreshing wines
Citrus (lemon)
Stone fruits (peach)
Varied use of oak

54
Q

What region of Chile produces high volume, lower quality Chardonnay?

A

Central Valley

55
Q

Hawkes Bay, Adelaide Hills and Casablanca Valley are all regions which produce high quality versions of which white grape?

A

Chardonnay

56
Q

South Africa’s Western Cape is well known for high volume production of which white grape, often blended with other white varietals such as Chenin Blanc?

A

Chardonnay

57
Q

Which region of South Africa allows for a cool enough climate to produce high quality Chardonnay?

A

Walker Bay

58
Q

What climatic influence allows for the production of high quality Chardonnay in Walker Bay?

A

Exposure to strong cooling sea breeze from the south

59
Q

What style of Chardonnay is produced in Walker Bay?

A

High acidity
Ripe stone fruits (peach)
Tropical fruits (pineapple)
Use of oak

60
Q

Which grape varietal is prized for its ability to produce outstanding quality wines in all three climates?

A

Chardonnay

WSET Level 2 (24 decks)

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