Ch3-GrapeVarieties Flashcards
What is the genus for grapes?
Vitis
What is the most common species of grapes?
Vinifera
Where did vitis vinifera vines develop?
Caucasus mountains region between Europe and Asia
What is a vine subspecies?
grape variety
What is the second most important species of grapes?
vitis labrusca
Where were labrusca vines found?
growing wild in america during the colonia period
Why are labrusca grapes important?
they are sweet, flavorful, including Concord. Make table grapes for fresh consumption and plain grape juice
Why are labrusca grapes not good for wine making?
high acidity and foxy flavor / aroma
What is an advantage of american vines over vinifera?
natural resistance to phylloxera
How did american vines help vinifera?
grafted the scion from vinifera onto the american trunk (rootstock) to make phylloxera resistant vine
What is a species?
grouping of plants / animals that are genetically similar. Broad characteristics in common; produce viable offspring through sexual reproduction.
What is a variety?
a subspecies in grapes; share characteristics of appearance, flavor, growth. i.e Chardonnay and Syrah
What is a clone?
copies of a parent grape, propagated by asexual means. Can also mean slightly different from parent when genetic variations occur due to different surroundings
What is a mutation?
Vine developed different charactertiscs from parents due to imperfect reproduction of calls. This is a slow process
What is a cross?
offspring of sexual reproduction between different subspecies i.e. Cab Sauv is the result of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc
What is a hybrid?
result of sexual reproduction between 2 different species i.e. between vitis vinifera and vitis labrusca
Examples of 3 well known hybrid varieties.
Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Baco Noir
What are hybrids challenging for wine making?
struggle to develop tannins, can have high acid
what is an indigenous grape variety?
one that hasn’t been widely transplanted or successfully grown outside a specific country or region
What are 3 other terms for indigenous variety?
traditional, native, autochthonous
What is the worlds most popular white grape variety?
Chardonnay
Where does Chardonnay come from?
Burgundy, France
What soil gives Chardonnay the best flavor?
limestone
What is a California style Chardonnay?
less acid, fuller body
What white wine grape does well with oak?
Chardonnay
What are top Chardonnay producing countries?
France, United States, Australia
Aromas of cool climate Chardonnay.
green apple, melon, pear
Aromas of warm climate Chardonnay.
tropical fruit
Aromas of oak aged Chardonnay.
vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, toast
Acidity level for Chardonnay.
medium - high
Alcohol level for Chardonnay.
medium - high
What grape varietal is most versatile and why?
Chenin Blanc. Produce wines in all sweetness levels, still or sparkling, and botrytized.
What are the top Chenin Blanc producing regions?
Loire Valley, South Africa, Central Valley CA
Aromas of Chenin Blanc.
green apple, melon, green plum, citrus blossoms, earth, mineral, wet wool. Aged: honey and quince
Acidity level for Chenin Blanc
medium plus - high
Alcohol level for Chenin Blanc
medium - high
Where is Chenin Blanc most widely planted?
South Africa; twice as much as France
What is another name for Chenin Blanc?
steen (South Africa)
Name an ancient grape variety
muscat
What wine style is typically produced with Muscat?
sweet wines
What are the 3 main varieties of Muscat?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat Ottonel
Name 4 well known examples of dessert muscat
Moscato d’Asti, Rutherglen Muscat (Australia), vin doux naturels from Southern France, Moscatels South Spain
Top producing Muscat countries
Italy, France, Chile, Australia
Aromas of muscat
fresh white grapes, floral aroma, musk, honey, orange blossom, apricot
Acid level of muscat
low to medium
Alcohol level of muscat
medium to high
What is another name for Pino Gris?
Pinot Grigio
Where was Pinot Gris developed?
Burgundy; was a mutation of Pinot Noir
what does Pinot Gris mean?
gray pinot in reference to the lightly pink color skin
What is the wine style of Pinot Gris?
cool climate, med plus acid, med to full body, apple, pear, almond aroma. Sometimes with residual sugar
Where can you find Pino Gris wine style?
Alsace, France; Oregon; Germany
What is Pinot Gris called in Germany (2)?
rulander, grauburgunder
What is the wine style of Pinot Grigio?
warmer style (California, Australia). Med minus acid, higher alcohol, dry, neutral, unoaked
Top producing Pinot Gris / Grigio countries.
Italy, US, Germany, France, Australia
Aromas of Pinot Gris / Grigio
apple, lemon, peach, melon, minerals, almond
Acid level of Pinot Gris / Grigio
low to high
Alcohol level of Pino Gris / Grigio
medium
Where is the Riesling grape from?
Germany
What style of wines are made from Riesling?
all styles of sweetness - dry to sweet dessert wine
What is the typical stype of Riesling?
off dry to medium sweet
What white wine has the most ageability and why?
riesling because of the high acid and residual sugar in the wine
Is white Riesling the same as Riesling?
yes
Top producing Riesling countries
Germany, Australia, France, US
Aromas of Riesling
petrol / kerosene, lime, peach, nectarine, apricot, honey suckle, wet stone. Baking spice, if aged.
Acid level for Riesling
high to very high; grapes naturally high in acid; does not go down when grapes ripen.
Alcohol level of Riesling
very low to high; some offdry wines as low as 7 - 8%
Where does Sauvignon Blanc come from?
France - Loire Valley and Bordeaux
What is the style of NZ Sauvignon Blanc?
herbal characters, grape fruit, tropical fruit, aromatic ‘zesty’ style