Above + Beyond: Not on the Exam, but Fun to Know Flashcards
A deep dive into regional details to expand your knowledge. You won't need to know these for the exam.
Where can Vitis vinifera trace its origin to?
How long ago did it first appear?
Vitis vinifera is a Eurasian grape that can trace its roots back 6000-8000 years to the Caucasus region (modern day countries of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaïdjan, and a few others).
What are high-trained and low-trained vines?
High-trained vines are vines that are trained high off the ground to avoid frost and humidity.
Low-trained vines are vines that are trained closer to the ground so the grapes can benefit from radiating heat coming off the ground.
Image of a biodynamic vineyard.
Note the biodiversity in this vineyard and how happy the vines look.
(These vines are also cordon trained)
Image of a conventional vineyard.
Note the compacted soil, the crushed plastic cup, the difference in the color of the grass, and how the vineyard looks as though it were napalmed.
What are the minimum hours of sun a vine needs during the growing season?
1500 hours minimum
Do red grapes or white grapes generally need more sun to reach full ripeness?
Red grapes generally need more sun to reach full ripeness.
What is the minimum amount of rain per year a vine needs to survive and grow?
700mm (27.6 inches) rainfall per year
Name the cold ocean current that affects California.
California Current
Name the southwesterly wind that cools Swan District in Australia.
Fremantle Doctor
Name the southeasterly wind that cools down Cape Town, South Africa.
Cape Doctor
The Cape Doctor blows up through False Bay from spring (August/September) through late summer (May/April) clearing away smog, etc. and replacing it with fresh sea air.
Describe the ‘Table cloth’ phenomenon in South Africa.
The ‘Table cloth’ in South Africa is air that blows up from False Bay and picks up warm moisture from the Bay, then runs up against the eastern side of Table Mountain creating clouds, and then rainfall, on the eastern side of Table Mountain.
What is the Heat Summation Index and where is it generally used?
The Heat Summation Index, also known as the Winkler Index, is used predominantly in New World countries to classify their climates.
The Heat Summation Index is classified by Regions I, II, III, IV, and V.
This Index is based on the assumption that vines are not active below 50ºF. Each day between April 1 - October 31 (the growing season) is considered a “degree day.” Each degree day has a value which is determined by taking the average daily temperature for that day and subtracting 50 from it (e.g. 90º as an average, subtract 50º from it, giving that degree day a value of 40º). When each degree day’s value is added up between April 1- Oct 31, that sum determines what Region class that appellation is in.
Region I - 1500 - 2500 degree days (e.g. Champagne)
Region II - 2500 - 3000 degree days (e.g. Bordeaux)
Region III - 3000 - 3500 degree days (e.g. Rioja)
Region IV - 3500 - 4000 degree days (e.g. Napa Valley)
Region V - 4000+ degree days (e.g. Jerez)
How do Europeans classify their climates?
By Zones.
Zone A - coldest, e.g. the UK and Mosel
Zone B - e.g. Alsace, Slovenia
Zone C1 - e.g. Bordeaux, Burgundy, northern Italy
Zone C2 - e.g. Languedoc-Roussillon, central Italy
Zone C3a - e.g. northern Greece, Bulgaria
Zone C3b - hottest, e.g. southern Italy, Corsica
What are the differences between:
- Macroclimate
- Mesoclimate
- Microclimate
Macroclimate
- refers to the climate of a region, e.g. Burgundy;
Mesoclimate
- refers to the climate of a village or a cluster of vineyards on a slope, e.g. the village of Puligny-Montrachet or the Grand Cru slope of Chablis;
Microclimate
- refers to the climate of a very small area, such as a single vineyard or even the climate within the vines and around the canopy, e.g. vines at the top of the hill vs. the bottom of the hill in Clos Saint-Jacques (Gevrey-Chambertin) or the terraces in Valtellina, Lombardy.
How can a viticulturist tweak a vine’s microclimate?
Through canopy management.
The viticulturist can either allow the canopy to become lush – which allows for more shade and cooling effect in the fruit zone – or by pulling shoots off the vine to allow the grapes more sun exposure.
Generally speaking, in what regions will one find the most vintage variation?
In regions that are *just* suitable for growing vines as they are susceptible to changes in weather. These just-suitable growing areas do not have a consistent or stable climate year-in and year-out.
Regions such as Bordeaux, Chablis, and Mosel can have more vintage variation because they can be affected by heavy rainfall at harvest, springtime frost, or summertime hail.
Regions such as Mendoza, McLaren Vale, and Central California will not have as much vintage variation because they have much more stable, predictable climates.
List the 3 AOPs of Chablis.
- Petit Chablis AOP
-
Chablis AOP
- Chablis 1er Cru is within Chablis AOP
-
Chablis Grand Cru AOP
- 1 AOP separated into 7 Grand Cru plots
What is unique about the Chablis Grand Cru AOP?
The Chablis Grand Cru AOP covers all 7 Grand Cru plots under the same appellation of origin.
By contrast, every other Grand Cru vineyard in the Côte d’Or is designated as its own AOP.
What is the main soil type in Chablis?
Kimmeridgian limestone
What is the sole AOP in Burgundy to allow Sauvignon Blanc?
Saint-Bris AOP
Saint-Bris is in Yonne, near Chablis.
Name all 7 Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis Grand Cru AOP.
From west to east:
- Bougros
- Les Preuses
- Vaudésir
- Grenouilles
- Valmur
- Les Clos
- Blanchot
Who first planted vines in Burgundy?
Romans first introduced vines to the region in the 1st century A.D.
What is Napoleonic Code and how does it affect Burgundy?
- Prior to the 18th century land in France was owned by the nobility and the Catholic church;
- During the French Revolution in 1789, lands were taken away from the Church and divided among local farmers and tradesmen;
- Napoleonic Code, written in the 1800s, required lands to be divided equally between all heirs;
- Today, landowners continue to divvy up their properties equally amongst all their children; hence Burgundy’s fragmented ownership.
Define what a négociant is in Burgundy.
A négociant in Burgundy is a producer who:
- purchases grapes, juice, or finished wine from grape growers to supplement their own production;
- from these purchases, they are capable of producing larger quantities at more affordable prices.
Most négociants are based in the city of Beaune. Some négociants own land and purchase additional grapes as a supplement; others do not and simply blend finished wine or make wine from purchased grapes.
Name some famous négociants in Burgundy.
- Bouchard Père et Fils
- Louis Latour
- Louis Jadot
- Joseph Drouhin
- Chanson
- Boisset
- Faiveley
In Burgundy, what are the two AOPs produced from Aligoté?
- Bourgogne Aligoté AOP
- Bouzeron AOP
Where is Chassagne-Montrachet AOP, and what styles of wine does it produce?
Chassagne-Montrachet is in the Côte de Beaune.
Chassagne-Montrachet makes primarily still, dry white wines from Chardonnay and some red wines from Pinot Noir.
What are the 5 Grand Crus located in the villages of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet?
- (Le) Montrachet Grand Cru AOP
- Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru AOP
- Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru AOP
- Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru AOP
- Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru AOP
Where is Meursault AOP, and what styles of wine does it produce?
Meursault is in the Côte de Beaune.
Meursault is best known for its still, dry, white wine made from Chardonnay, but some dry red wines are also produced here.
Which wine is most likely to be fat and full in body with buttery characteristics?:
- Chassagne-Montrachet
- Puligny-Montrachet
- Meursault
Meursault AOP
There are some pundits who say that it’s Meursault’s soils, which are lower in humidity due to a lower water table, which help attribute that fatness.
What is the Hospices de Beaune?
Historically, the Hospices de Beaune (also known as Hôtel-Dieu) was a charity hospital for the sick and poor founded in 1443 by Chancellor Nicolas Rolin.
Having been bequeathed vineyards over the centuries, the Hospices de Beaune is one of the largest landholders (58ha) in the Côte de Beaune. It began auctioning its wines in 1859 to cover the costs of patient care.
Now a museum, the Hospices de Beaune holds a charity auction to cover building renovations and general upkeep.
Which river created the formal topography of Burgundy?
The Saône River
What wines are produced in Aloxe-Corton AOP ?
Both red and white wines are produced in Aloxe-Corton, but it is better known for its reds than its whites.
The soil in Aloxe is rich in iron which makes sturdy, structured Pinot Noirs.
Corton Grand Cru can produce which of the following:
- only white wine
- only red wine
- either white or red
Either white or red, although the majority of production is red wine.
What villages share Corton Grand Cru AOP?
- Aloxe-Corton
- Pernand-Vergelesses
- Ladoix-Serrigny
Where is Chambolle-Musigny AOP located, and what style of wine does it produce?
Chambolle-Musigny is in the Côte de Nuits.
Chambolle-Musigny produces only still, dry red wine.
Where is Morey-Saint-Denis AOP located, and what style of wine does it produce?
Morey-Saint-Denis is in the Côte de Nuits.
Morey-Saint-Denis is famous for its still, dry red wine from Pinot Noir, but some dry white wines are also produced here.
What are the main differences between a Burgundian Pinot Noir and a new world Pinot Noir?
Burgundy: Wines tend to have higher acidity, moderate alcohol, and tarter, red fruit flavors.
New world: Wines are usually fuller in body, have higher alcohol, and a riper fruit expression.
Which appellations in the Côte Châlonnaise make white wine only?
- Montagny AOP - Chardonnay
- Bouzeron AOP - Aligoté
In Burgundy, are Grand Cru vineyards ever blended with other Grand Crus?
Grand Crus in Burgundy are rarely ever blended together, although when it does happen the wine is declassified to the 1er Cru level, e.g. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s Cuvée Duvault Blochet.
Only 1er Crus are allowed to be blended with other 1er Crus and maintain their 1er Cru classification.
What is the largest Grand Cru in Burgundy?
Corton
What are the 2 Grand Crus of Chambolle-Musigny?
- Musigny
- Bonnes Mares
What are the Grand Crus of Morey-Saint-Denis?
- Clos de la Roche
- Clos Saint-Denis
- Clos des Lambrays
- Clos de Tart
There is a smidge of the Bonnes Mares Grand Cru in Chambolle that bleeds into Morey-Saint-Denis.
What styles of wine are produced under the Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains AOP?
What are the required grape varieties, and what are their minimum percentages?
Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains AOP makes only light red or rosé wines.
Blending Regulation:
- Minimum 30% Pinot Noir
- Minimum 15% Gamay
What is the primary style of wine produced in Puligny-Montrachet AOP?
Still, dry, white wines made from Chardonnay.
Who are the winemakers in the “Gang of Four”?
How did they get this moniker?
- Marcel Lapierre
- Guy Breton
- Jean-Paul Thévenet
- Jean Foillard
These four winemakers were dubbed the “Gang of Four” by their importer, Kermit Lynch, in the 1980s. All followed a more natural approach to winemaking by using old practices while “technology” was rising around them. They eschewed chemical fertilizers and pesticides, added minimal sulfur dioxide (or none at all), harvested late, and used only the healthiest grapes by sorting rigorously.
What is the most famous vineyard in Morgon (it’s also Morgon’s highest point of elevation)?
Côte du Py
Known for its black granite and manganese-rich decomposed schist, Côte du Py makes structured, long-lived wines.
Climate-wise, is Beaujolais closer to Burgundy or Rhône?
Beaujolais is closer to the Rhône as far as climate goes.
The soils in Beaujolais (granite and schist) are also more similar to the Rhône than they are to Burgundy.
Europe’s largest lake is in Hungary. What is the lake?
Lake Balaton
What are some other white grapes grown in Hungary?
- Olasz Rizling (Welschriesling)
- Cserszegi Füszeres
- Kiralyleányka
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Gris
What are the red grapes of Hungary?
- Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch)
- Kékoportó (Portugieser)
- Zweigelt
What is Bull’s Blood?
Bull’s Blood in Hungarian is Egri Bikavér, a style of red wine from the region Eger. Eger is between Budapest and Tokaj.
Historically Egri Bikavér was made predominantly with Kadarka, but this grape has grown out of fashion.
Egri Bikavér now is made primarily with Kékfrankos and other red grapes.
What are the 3 regions of Hungary?
- Transdanubia
- Great Plain
- North Hungary
What are the soils around Lake Balaton?
Iron-rich volcanic debris.
What is a gönc?
A gönc is a traditional Hungarian oak barrel that holds approximately 136 liters. Gönci (plural) are used in the production of Tokaji Aszú.
Historically, aszú-filled puttony were dumped into gönci (barrels) and depending on the number of puttony used, the level of sweetness would be reflected in a level between 3-6. These levels indicating the sweetness have been eliminated as of the 2013 vintage, and Tokaji Aszú is now simply labeled Aszú.
The first vineyards in Bordeaux were planted where and by whom?
Romans first planted grapes in an area most likely near Saint-Emilion in the first century B.C.
Why was the 12th century marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II especially important for the Bordeaux region?
Eleanor of Aquitaine’s dowry included the region of Bordeaux, giving the English control of the region and making the wines of Bordeaux especially accessible to English wine drinkers.
This marriage established England as an important market for Bordeaux wines.
Where does the term Bordeaux come from?
Bordeaux gets its name from two French words, “bord” meaning border and “eau” meaning water. The region of Bordeaux does exactly that: borders the water of the Atlantic Ocean.
Where does the grape Merlot get its name from?
Merlot gets its name from the French word for blackbird,“Merle”.
The Bordelais named the grape after the blackbird because it is the number one pest at harvest for most of Bordeaux.
What is a “super-second”?
A “super second” is a château that consistently sells for a higher price and is seen as higher quality than where its placement in the 1855 Classification would suggest.
Super-seconds will often sell for a far greater price than other Second Growths, but less than First Growths.
What are some examples of “super seconds?”
A few examples widely considered to be “super seconds” are:
2nd Growths
- Château Cos d’Estournel
- Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
- Château Léoville Las Cases
- Château Léoville-Poyferré
- Château Montrose
- Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse Lalande
- Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
- Château Rauzan-Ségla
3rd Growths
- Château Palmer
5th Growths
- Château Lynch-Bages
- Château Pontet-Canet
What famous professor at the University of Bordeaux was instrumental in creating the concept of a “second label” wine?
Emile Peynaud
Peynaud was a major advocate of only using the best grapes to make the “Grand Vins” of Bordeaux and championed the concept of a “second label” as a way to keep the quality of the highest wines consistent.
What is a “second label?”
“Second labels” or “second wines” are wines made from cuvées not selected to go into a château’s Grand Vin.
A second label does not necessarily mean a wine that is lower in quality; some châteaux simply make second label wines from other vineyards, younger vines, or different grape blends than those used for their “Grand Vins.”
What are the five classifications of the Gironde?
- 1855 Classification
- Graves Classification
- Saint-Émilion Classification
- Cru Bourgeois du Médoc Classification
- Cru Artisans Classification
What is “La Place de Bordeaux?”
La Place de Bordeaux is a three-tier, de facto system of wine production (châteaux owners), brokerage (brokers), and sales (merchants) that controls the trade of wine in Bordeaux.
La Place de Bordeaux is a system, not a location.
List the 4 St. Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A châteaux as of the 2012 ranking.
- Château Angélus
- Château Ausone
- Château Cheval Blanc
- Château Pavie
Châteaux Angélus and Pavie were both elevated from Grand Cru Classé B in the 2012 classification.
What are the 4 satellites of Saint-Émilion?
From north to south, they are:
- Lussac-Saint-Émilion
- Montagne-Saint-Émilion
- Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion
- Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion
How many changes have been made to the 1855 Classification since it was introduced at the Universal Exhibition in Paris?
3
- Château Cantemerle was added as a Fifth Growth in 1855 while the Universal Exhibition was still running;
- Mouton-Rothschild was elevated from Second Growth to First Growth in 1973;
- Third Growth Margaux estate Château Dubignon was absorbed by Château Malescot St. Exupéry.
What style of wine is made in the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?
The Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP is authorized to produce semi-sweet white wines only.
The Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP should not be confused with the Côtes de Bordeaux group of AOPs which are approved for dry red and white wines as well as some sweet wines.
What exactly is Bordeaux Mixture and who invented it?
- Copper sulphate (CuSO4) and slaked lime (Ca(OH)2)
- Invented in Bordeaux by Pierre-Marie-Alexis Millardet
What two appellations of Bordeaux are named after their soils?
The Graves AOP and Graves de Vayres AOP are both named after their gravel soils.
What is the main beneficial impact of Botrytis on white grapes, and how does it change the resulting wine?
The main impact of botrytis is diminishing the proportions of liquids to solids inside the grape. This concentrates flavors and creates a more complex and intense finished wine, including notes of saffron, ginger, mushrooms, and honey.
Botrytis will change the resulting wine by:
- lowering the water content of the grape by 1/2
- reducing sugar by 1/3
- dropping tartaric acid by 5/6
- diminishing malic acid by 1/3
What is the only Premier Cru Supérieur (from Sauternes) of the 1855 Classification?
Château d’Yquem
Historically Château d’Yquem commanded much higher prices than any other Bordeaux wine. As the only Premier Cru Supérieur, Château d’Yquem is literally in a class by itself.
How much wine will one vine’s worth of botrytized grapes yield?
As a general rule, one vine’s worth of botrytized grapes will produce between 1-3 glasses of wine.
What smaller appellation contains all the wines that were classified in the Graves Classification?
All the wines that were classified in the Graves Classification lie within the newer appellation of Pessac-Léognan AOP, which was created in 1987.
The Graves Classification was created in 1953 and revised in 1959, both well before the Pessac-Léognan AOP was established.
What is the only château to be classified in both the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 and the Graves Classification?
Château Haut-Brion
Not only was Château Haut-Brion the only wine from Graves to be a Premier Cru Classé wine, but it was the only wine from Graves in the entire 1855 Classificaiton.
With the Graves Classification of the 1950s, Château Haut-Brion became the only estate in Bordeaux to be listed on two separate classifications.
Why was the Malbec grape more prevalent in older Bordeaux vintages but not more recent ones?
The frost of 1956 lead to a severe winter freeze that killed many of the Malbec vines in Bordeaux. Merlot replaced Malbec due to its ability to withstand the cold winter temperatures better than Malbec.
This is why many Bordeaux wines made before 1956 contain much higher Malbec content than current Bordeaux wines.
What is a “Petit Château”?
A “Petit Château” is an unoffical term given to unclassified properties in the Bordeaux region.
What does En Primeur mean and why is it important to the Bordeaux wine trade?
En Primeur means “in futures.”
En Primeur represents the uniquely Bordelais tradition of selling the wine in futures while still maturing in barrel.
What was Tuscany’s first Super Tuscan?
Tenuta San Guido’s ‘Sassicaia’, which is made predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Its inaugural release was 1968.
What is another name for Nebbiolo in Lombardy?
Chiavennasca
What are the four defining lakes of the Lombardy region?
- Lake Como
- Lake Garda
- Lake Iseo
- Lake Maggiore
Valtellina Superiore DOCG must be made from what percentage of Nebbiolo?
Valtellina Superiore DOCG must be made from at least 90% Nebbiolo.
What appellation in Lombardy is known for producing wines from the Lambrusco family of grapes?
Lambrusco Mantovano DOC
Lambrusco Mantovano DOC is unique in that it is the only Lambrusco made outside of Emilia-Romagna.
What grape variety has the greatest vineyard acreage in Lombardy?
Croatina
How many DOCGs are in Lombardy?
5
- Franciacorta
- Moscato di Scanzo (Scanzo)
- Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico
- Sforzato di Valtellina
- Valtellina Superiore
What are the subzones of the Valtellina Superiore DOCG?
From west to east:
- Maroggia
- Sassella
- Grumello
- Inferno
- Valgella
The Lugana DOC is shared between Lombardy and what other Italian region?
Veneto
What is the smallest DOCG in Lombardy in terms of geographical area?
Moscato di Scanzo DOCG
In terms of geographical area, Moscato di Scanzo is the smallest DOCG in all of Italy.
Still wines from the geographical area of Franciacorta must be labeled under what appellation?
Curtefranca DOC
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG is authorized to produce what style of wine?
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG are Nebbiolo-based wines, vinified dry, made using the appassimento (grape-drying) process.
The Lugana DOC is located nearest which lake?
Lake Garda
The Lugana DOC makes wines primarily from what grape variety?
Verdicchio
In Lombardy, Verdicchio is also known as Trebbiano di Lugana. For Laguna DOC white wines, 90% must be Verdicchio (Trebbiano di Lugana).
The Valtellina wine region runs along what river?
The Valtellina wine region runs almost perfectly east-west along the course of the Adda River.
What grapes are used to make the wines of Curtefranca DOC?
Curtefranca DOC whites are made from Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco.
Reds are made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Merlot.
What grape is allowed in the sparkling wines of Franciacorta DOCG but not the still wines of Curtefranca DOC?
Pinot Nero
In this part of Lombardy, Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) can be used exclusively for sparkling wines.
The Vespolina grape variety is more widely known as what in Lombardy?
Ughetta
Ughetta/Vespolina is more widely grown in Piedmont, but plays a significant role in the Nebbiolo-based wines of Lombardy as well.
What does the term Chiaretto mean on a bottle of Lombardian wine?
Chiaretto is a term for rosato (rosé) style wines made in certain parts of Lombardy.
Chiaretto is also used in the Veneto for rosato wines from the Bardolino DOC, called Bardolino Chiaretto.
The Croatina grape variety often goes by what other name in Lombardy?
Bonarda
What lake lies north of Franciacorta DOCG and Curtefranca DOC?
Lake Iseo
When did Vitis vinifera arrive in the Northern Rhône?
At least 2000 years ago with the arrival of the Romans, who planted hillside vineyards, stone walls and small terrasses.
What are échelas?
Largely seen in the Northern Rhône, échelas are wooden spikes used to support gobelet-trellised vines.
They are most often found in vineyards on steep slopes.
What are E. Guigal’s La La La wines?
La Mouline
- fantasy name, not a parcel; fruit sourced from Côte Blonde; always has a bit of Viognier in the blend;
La Turque
- parcel located on Côte Brune; always has a bit of Viognier in the blend;
La Landonne
- parcel located on Côte Brune; always 100% Syrah; usually the longest lived of the three.
What styles of wine are produced in Saint-Péray?
Still and sparkling dry white wines
Sparkling wines must be aged for minimum 12 months prior to release with no minimum lees aging.
What does the term Oeil de Perdrix refer to on bottles of Southern Rhône wines?
Oeil de Perdrix refers to the pale pink or salmon-like color of Southern Rhône rosé wines.
Oeil de Perdrix literally means “partridge’s eye.”
Which two cities define the Southern Rhône growing region?
Montélimar and Nîmes
What styles of wine are made in Rasteau AOP?
Rasteau AOP wines are made as dry, still reds, or as fortified white, tawny (tuilé), rosé, and red styles.
Rasteau AOP wines are mainly made from Grenache, and the red style is the most common.
The Banyuls AOP shares the same grape growing area as what other Roussillon appellation?
Collioure AOP
Banyuls AOP wines will always be fortified wines while Collioure AOP produces dry table wines.
There are more of what kind of wine producers in Roussillon than any other region of France?
Roussillon has more organic and biodynamic wine producers than any other wine region in France.
Roussillon’s unique climate of warm days, low rainfall, and low disease pressure allow more viticulturists to practice organic and biodynamic farming than in other regions of France.
What is Lledoner Pelut?
Lledoner Pelut is a red/black grape mostly grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. It is thought to be a mutation of Grenache Noir.
What appellation in Roussillon is known for producing sweet fortified wines?
Rivesaltes AOP
What are the sub-denominations of the Provence AOP?
- Fréjus
- La Londe
- Pierrefeu
- Sainte Victoire
The wines of Malepère AOP must be made from a minimum of 50% what grape?
Merlot