3.10 | Regionally Important Variety - Gamay, Grenache & Tempranillo

Question 1

characteristics of Gamay?

Answer 1

black grape
high acidity
low-medium tannins, light-bodied
red-fruit (raspberry, red cherry, red plum)

Question 2

True/False - Gamay is usually oaked

Answer 2

False. Gamay is usually made in inert vessels and rarely displays aromas of oak

Question 3

What is the most important region for Gamay and where is it located? What is its climate?

Answer 3

Beaujolais, located south of Burgundy.

Climate: moderate

Question 4

True/False - when making Gamay, winemakers employ techniques that maximize color extraction, while minimizing extraction of tannins. This gives aromas of banana and candy

Answer 4

True

Question 5

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?

Answer 5

cru apellations

Question 6

True/False: Beaujolais is usually served room temperature.

Answer 6

False. Beaujolais is commonly served lightly chilled to highlight acidity and preserve its delicate fruit flavors

Question 7

What are the three categories of labelling in Beaujolais, and what are characteristics of each?

Answer 7

1. Beaujolais Crus: 10 villages have cru status. Fleurie AOC is one of the best known. Some can develop in bottle.
2. Beaujolais Villages AOC: villages in north. Less fertile, stonier soils -> more body/flavor
3. 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

Question 8

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.

Answer 8

Grenache

Question 9

What are common blending partners for Grenache?

Answer 9

Tempranillo and Syrah (which add color, acid, and tannin to Grenache)

Question 10

True/False: All Grenache is unoaked

Answer 10

false. simple Grenache is usually unoaked. very good Grenache is oaked to add complexity.

Question 11

What are the important regions for Grenache?

Answer 11

France: Southern Rhône, South of France

Spain: Navarra, Catalunya

Australia: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale

Question 12

How is the Southern Rhone different from Northern Rhone in terms of climate?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

True/False: Southern Rhone reds are often a blend of Grenache with local varieties

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What distinguishes Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC from Cotes de Rhone Villages and generic Cotes du Rhone AOC?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

What are examples of Rhones Crus?

Answer 15

Crozes Hermitage, Cote Rotie, Condrieu (Northern Rhone, Syrah-based blends)
Chateauneuf du Pape (Southern Rhone, Grenache-based blend)

Question 16

True/False: Grenache is often blended with local grape varieties like Syrah in Minervois AOC (South of France)?

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Which regions in Spain is Grenache commonly blended with wines from the region?

Answer 17

Rioja DOCa
Navarra DO (also known for dry rose)
Priorat DOCa in Catalunya

Question 18

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?

Answer 18

Priorat DOCa in Catalunya (these wines evolve dried fruits and caramel in bottle)

Question 19

Which Australian regions are known for their old Grenache vines, which yield outstanding wines with long ageing potential?

Answer 19

Barossa Valley
McLaren Vale

these wines are sometimes similar to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. They are used in blends with Shiraz and other varieties.

Question 20

what are the characteristics of Tempranillo?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Why is Tempranillo often blended with other varieties?

Answer 21

to increase acidity and tannin, for long term ageing

Question 22

what is the traditional way to mature Tempranillo? what secondary aromas does this produce?

Answer 22

in small new oak barrels.

aromas: vanilla, smoke, cedar

Question 23

what tertiary aromas are associated with tempranillo?

Answer 23

dried fruit, mushroom, leather

Question 24

which regions are most important for Tempranillo?

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

what are the 4 Spanish labelling terms that denote the minimum required ageing period before release?

Answer 25

joven (no minimum age required), crianza (aged in oak), reserva (aged in oak and bottle. develops tertiary), gran reserva (highest minmum ageing, most pronounced secondary and tertiary)