Chapter 13 - Gewurz, Viognier, and Albarino

Question 1

Describe Gewurztraminer

Answer 1

Aromatic variety. Best in cool to moderate climamtes.
Powerfully scented wines, dry to sweet.
Since it ripens to high levels of sugar, a dry will be a high alcohol wine.
Typical is full bodied with low-medium acid. Floral aromas with stonefruit and tropical flavors.
Typically unoaked.
Very good/outstanding can develop honey/dried fruit in bottle

Question 2

Where is notable Gewurztraminer produced?

Answer 2

Alsace AOC where it produces some of the regions highest quality grand cru wines alongside Riesling and Pinot Gris.

Question 3

Describe Viognier

Answer 3

aromatic grape mainly grown in moderate climates
Typically dry with low-medium acidity
high alcohol, medium-full body
pronounced floral aromas (blossom) and stonefruit flavors (peach apricot)
Most in inert but some oak are made.
Good blending to add floral notes and body.

Question 4

Where is notable Viognier produced? Describe it.

Answer 4

Widely planted, but some of the best can be found in:
Condrieu AOC, in Northern Rhone
Dedicated to single varietal viognier. Common to find light oak (vanilla) flavors here.

Question 5

Describe Albarino

Answer 5

typically dry with high acidity
Medium bodied
flavors of citrus (lemon,grapefruit), stone fruit (peach, apricot)
most commonly unoaked to be drunk young
sometimes a small amount of lees contact is used to add body and complexity
Recently more popular and has seen an increase in plantings

Question 6

Where is notable Albarino grown?

Answer 6

Rias Baixas DO - NW corner of Spain
Close to Atlantic, this region is notable cooler, wetter, and cloudier than spains other regions. Well suited for refreshing white wines.