Carmenere, Malbec. Pinotage Flashcards
Which country is Carmenère associated with as in, where is it widely grown)?
Chile
True or false: Carmenère ripens easily in a moderate climate.
False. It can struggle to ripen in all but the warmest and sunniest sites.
Describe the flavours of Carmenère:
-When harvested not fully ripe
-When harvest fully ripe
-When harvested not fully ripe: Pungent herbaceous characters (capsicum, tomato leaf)
-When harvest fully ripe: fresh black fruit flavours (blackberry) and often secondary flavours from ageing in oak (coffee, chocolate)
Describe the characteristics of Carmenère:
-Body
-Acidity
-Tannins
-Body: full
-Acidity: medium to high
-Tannins: high
True or false: Carmenère is often blended with other varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
True
It can also be found as a single variety wine.
Malbec is which country’s most important grape variety?
Argentina
Name the high altitude wine region where most of the plantings of Malbec are found.
Mendoza
Describe the characteristics of Malbec:
-Body
-Tannins
-Flavours
-Body: full
-Tannins: high
-Flavours: black fruits (blackberry, black plum), flavours from oak ageing (clove, vanilla)
Which grape varieties can Malbec sometimes be seen blended with?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Although it’s common to see it as a single variety wien
Which country is Pinotage associated with?
South Africa
Describe the characteristics of Pinotage;
-tannins
-acidity
-flavours
-tannins: medium
-acidity: high
-flavours: range from red fruit flavours (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry) to sometimes concentrated black fruit (blackberry) in some more powerful and full bodied wines
What aromas are associated with Pinotage which has been aged in oak?
They can take on pronounced aromas of coffee, chocolate and smoke
What term can be used to refer to wiens made with blends of Pinotgae with other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Cape Blend
