3.10 | Regionally Important Variety - Gamay, Grenache & Tempranillo Flashcards
characteristics of Gamay?
black grape
high acidity
low-medium tannins, light-bodied
red-fruit (raspberry, red cherry, red plum)
True/False - Gamay is usually oaked
False. Gamay is usually made in inert vessels and rarely displays aromas of oak
What is the most important region for Gamay and where is it located? What is its climate?
Beaujolais, located south of Burgundy.
Climate: moderate
True/False - when making Gamay, winemakers employ techniques that maximize color extraction, while minimizing extraction of tannins. This gives aromas of banana and candy
True
What types of appellations in Beaujolais produce the most concentrated and structured wines with medium to pronounced red-fruit aromas (red cherry, raspberry, red plum) and medium to long finishes?
cru apellations
True/False: Beaujolais is usually served room temperature.
False. Beaujolais is commonly served lightly chilled to highlight acidity and preserve its delicate fruit flavors
What are the three categories of labelling in Beaujolais, and what are characteristics of each?
- Beaujolais Crus: 10 villages have cru status. Fleurie AOC is one of the best known. Some can develop in bottle.
- Beaujolais Villages AOC: villages in north. Less fertile, stonier soils -> more body/flavor
- Beaujolais AOC: produced from vines anywhere in the Beaujolais region. High-yielding vines in flat, fertile vineyards to the south. Lightest-bodied and simplest Beaujolais
which variety is this:
Dry with low acidity, low or medium tannins, high alcohol (due to high sugar content in the grapes) and medium or full bodied.
Red wines have flavors of red fruit (strawberry, red plum, red cherry) and sometimes spice (white pepper, licorice).
Rosé wines can be dry or up to medium in sweetness, with red fruit flavors.
Grenache
What are common blending partners for Grenache?
Tempranillo and Syrah (which add color, acid, and tannin to Grenache)
True/False: All Grenache is unoaked
false. simple Grenache is usually unoaked. very good Grenache is oaked to add complexity.
What are the important regions for Grenache?
France: Southern Rhône, South of France
Spain: Navarra, Catalunya
Australia: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale
How is the Southern Rhone different from Northern Rhone in terms of climate?
Flatter, warmer climate in Southern Rhone (due to southerly latitude). grapes that require warm climate to ripen like Grenache, are able to grow successfully in Southern Rhone
True/False: Southern Rhone reds are often a blend of Grenache with local varieties
True
What distinguishes Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC from Cotes de Rhone Villages and generic Cotes du Rhone AOC?
Its vineyards are covered with large, round stones which enable the vineyard to receive more heat and grapes to ripen fully. Chateaneuf-du-Pape is full bodied with high alcohol.
Very good chateauneuf du Pape develops tertiary aromas (dried fruit, caramel) unlike Cotes du Rhone or Cotes du Rhone Villages.
What are examples of Rhones Crus?
Crozes Hermitage, Cote Rotie, Condrieu (Northern Rhone, Syrah-based blends)
Chateauneuf du Pape (Southern Rhone, Grenache-based blend)
True/False: Grenache is often blended with local grape varieties like Syrah in Minervois AOC (South of France)?
True
Which regions in Spain is Grenache commonly blended with wines from the region?
Rioja DOCa
Navarra DO (also known for dry rose)
Priorat DOCa in Catalunya
In which Spanish region is Grenache often made from old vines that yield small amounts of concentrated grapes, and makes wines that can mature for a long time?
Priorat DOCa in Catalunya (these wines evolve dried fruits and caramel in bottle)
Which Australian regions are known for their old Grenache vines, which yield outstanding wines with long ageing potential?
Barossa Valley
McLaren Vale
these wines are sometimes similar to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. They are used in blends with Shiraz and other varieties.
what are the characteristics of Tempranillo?
black grape variety that is a key component of Spain’s most famous red wines.
medium acidity
medium tannin
red-fruit (strawberry, red cherry) and black fruit (blackberry, black plum)
versatile grape that ranges from simple and fruity to complex
Why is Tempranillo often blended with other varieties?
to increase acidity and tannin, for long term ageing
what is the traditional way to mature Tempranillo? what secondary aromas does this produce?
in small new oak barrels.
aromas: vanilla, smoke, cedar
what tertiary aromas are associated with tempranillo?
dried fruit, mushroom, leather
which regions are most important for Tempranillo?
Spain: Catalunya (range from simple and fruity to oak-aged and powerful), Rioja (tempranillo dominates the best of these blends), Ribera del Duero (very good and outstanding, warm days cool nights. full-bodied)
