3.20 Carmenere, Malbec and Pinotage

Question 1

Which country is most known for producing quality Carmenère?

Answer 1

Chile

Question 2

Where is Carmenère’s “home-land”? Is it still abundantly produced there?

Answer 2

Bordeaux, France.

It’s rare to find it there now.

Question 3

Why does Carmenère “show better” in Chile than in Bordeaux?

Answer 3

Carmenère needs a lot of warmth and sunshine to fully ripen.

Question 4

Describe the profile of ripe Carmenère.

Answer 4

• Dry
• Full body
• High tannin
• Medium to high acidity
• Black fruits (dark plum, blackberry, black raspberry)
• Herbal (eucalyptus)
• If oak aged, notes of coffee, chocolate, mocha

Question 5

Describe the aromas/flavors of uder-ripe Carmenère.

Answer 5

Unpleasant!
* Raw green bell pepper
* Tomato leaf
* Generally very herbaceous/not particularly fruity

Question 6

Is Chilean Carmenère single varietal or blended?
When blended, which grapes is it usually blended with?

Answer 6

Usually blended
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot

Question 7

Where in Chile does Carmenère receive enough warmth and sunshine to ripen successfully?

Answer 7

The Central Valley (it’s warm and sunny)

This is the location of the highest density plantings.

Question 8

Which country is most known for producing quality Malbec?
Why?

Answer 8

Argentina

It’s adapted well to the warmer South American climate

Question 9

Where is Malbec’s “home-land”?

Answer 9

Southwest France.

Question 10

Which region in Argentina has the highest density Malbec plantings?

Answer 10

Mendoza

Question 11

Is Mendoza “high altitude”?

Answer 11

Yes - this creates great growing conditions. The diurnal temperature variations preserve acidity and the warm sunshine allows flavors to fully ripen.

Question 12

Is Argentine Malbec single varietal or blended?
When blended, which grapes is it usually blended with?

Answer 12

Both
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot

Question 13

Describe the profile of Argentine Malbec.

Answer 13

• Dry
• Full body
• High tannin
• Medium acidity
• Concentrated black fruits
• If oak matured, flavors of vanilla, clove, coffee
• If aged, flavors of dried black fruit and cured meat
• Intensely dark in color, almost purple

Question 14

Which country is most known for producing quality Pinotage?

Answer 14

South Africa

Question 15

What grapes are the parents of Pinotage?

Answer 15

Pinot Noir and Cinsault (in South Africa…. aka “Hermitage”)

Question 16

Which South African region is home to the most Pinotage plantings?

Answer 16

Western Cape

Question 17

Describe the profile of Pinotage.

Answer 17

• Dry
• Medium to full body
• Medium tannin
• High acidity
• Red fruit (strawberry, cherry)
  Black fruit (blackberry, plum)
• If oak is used chocolate, coffee and smoke

Question 18

Is Pinotage single varietal or blended?
With which grapes is Pinotage usually blended with?

What are the blends called?

Answer 18

Both

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot

Cape Blends