Chapter 14 - Other Black Grape Varieties And Red Wines Flashcards
What is the classic home of Gamay? What climate does this region have and what wines does it produce (including oak)?
Beaujolais directly south of Burgundy. Moderate climate produces light and medium body wines with medium to high acidity and low tannin. Usually unoaked with pronounced red fruit aromas (strawberry, raspberry, cherry) and sometimes a hint of spice (cinnamon or pepper).
When should Beaujolais be consumed?
Best when young and fruity though some from Beaujolais Cru can improve with bottle age.
What is the main region for Tempranillo? What climate does it have and what style does it produce?
Rioja DOCa is the main region and has a moderate climate. Wine of mediums. Gives full or medium bodied reds wth medium acidity medium tannins and red fruit (strawberry).
What is often blended with Tempranillo?
Grenache is often blended and adds high alcohol and spicy notes with light tannins. Often Grenache is dominant in inexpensive Rioja.
How is oak used with Rioja? What does age brig to this wine?
Much of the character of traditional Rioja comes from
Oak which softens the tannins and gives sweet coconut and vanilla flavours. Some savoury animal and vegetal flavours develop with age especially in Gran Reserva wines.
What are the other premium regions for Tempranillo? What other regions produce Tempranillo? What is the difference due to climate?
Ribera del Douro DI produces wines with black fruit and toasty oak. Navarra DO often sees it blended with other varieties like Merlot and Cab Sav.
Good quality reds are made in Catalina using Tempranillo Grenache and other international
Varieties.
Otherwise Tempranillo and Grenache are grown throughout Spain and the same oak techniques as those in Rioja are used. That said many regions with similar wines to Rioja (soft tannins, strawberry and oak flavours) are hot and therefore produce wines with less intensity and complexity.
What region produces Touriga Nacional and what is this wine like? What climate does this area have?
Portugal, Douro DOC is the best established area and produces fortified port and dry red wines from this grape. Hot climate. Touriga nacional gives low yields that are deep in colour, high in acidity and tannin, with intense flavours of dark berry fruits and spices. Usually aged in oak.
What is the classic region for Nebbiolo and Barbera? What are the main appellations? What are these wines like?
The Piemonte region in Italy.
Nebbiolo- Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG. Gives full bodied red wines with high tannins alcohol and acidity. Red fruit flavours accompanied by floral and earthy elements which evolve with age into complex aromas of tobacco, mushrooms and tar.
Barbera (the variety) is from Piemonte too and has light to medium tannins and high acidity with aromas of red fruit and pepper. Moderate tannins mean it is often aged in oak adding toast vanilla and sweet spice.
What regions are known for producing win with the Sangiovese grape? What are the wines like?
Chianti (including chianti classico) DOCG in Tuscany is Sangiovese although some small amounts of other varieties are permissible.
Much basic Chianti is simple and inexpensive but those from subregions like Chianti Classic DOCG are among Italy’s finest.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is made from 100% Sangiovese and produces medium to full bodied red with high tannin and acid and is suited to long ageing. Flavours include plum earth red cherries and herbal notes (green tea).
What grape is used for Valpolicella and what region produces these wines? Name the main appellations and describe inexpensive and more expensive styles.
North east of Italy in the Veneto you will find Valpolicella and Valpolicella DOC. These are made with Corvina and vary greatly. Inexpensive wines have light body, pale to medium ruby colour low tannin and high acidity with sour red cherry. More expensive ones come from the hills behind and west of Verona and have more concentration and complexity with baked fruit like plums dried cherries and prunes.
What is an Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG wine?
Very complex, full bodied dry wine with high tannins made from grapes partially dried to concentrate the flavours. Alcohol levels among the highest in Italy.
What region is famous for Montelpuciano? What is this wine like?
Abruzzo in east central Italy, specifically Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC. Deep in colour, high acid, medium to high tannin and alcohol with flavours of black cherry, blackberry and plums. Inexpensive examples are simple wth jammy black fruit.
Note it is not the same and Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG which is a chianti style red wine from Sangiovese grapes
Where is famous for Malbec? What are its characters and what are common blends?
Argentina, mostly in Mendoza. Full bodied with medium or high tannin which can make it suitable for ageing. Dark fruit with spicy flavours like clove and pepper, the best benefit from oak ageing.
Common blend with Cab Sav but mostly single varietal.
Where is Carmenere mostly produced? What would you expect of it? What are common blends? What climate does it need and what happens if it is underripe?
Chile, needs hot climates to fully ripen so seen mostly in Central Valley and Aconcagua. Often blended with Cab Sav or Merlot.
Deep in colour medium or full bodied with medium to high acid and high tannins. Dark fruit (blackberry) and peppery spice. When underripe it can show pungent green pepper and green bean.
What is Pinotage and where is it produced?
A South African grape developed especially for their hot conditions. Close to Pinot noir but withstands hotter conditions. Comes in a range of styles and is full bodied with medium tannins and red fruit (strawberry raspberry cherry). Often has vegetal and animal notes (tar, leather)
