Chapter 3 - Grape Varieties Flashcards
What genus do grapes belong to?
Vitis
What is the most widely used grape for winemaking?
Vitis vinifera
Where were vinifera vines developed?
Caucasus Mountains between Europe and Asia, spreading across southern Europe and into the Middle East.
What is the second most important grape species?
Vitis labrusca, which includes Concord grapes.
What advantage do native North American grapes have?
Natural resistance to phylloxera, aphid-like insects that ravaged European vineyards in the 19th century.
What is the scion?
Vinifera part of the vine that can be grafted onto the rootstock of North American vines to produce a phylloxera resistant plant.
What are other native North American vine species?
Vitis riparia, Vitis aestivalis, and Vitis rupestris
What is a species?
Scientific grouping of plants or animals that are genetically similar, have broad characteristics in common, and can sexually reproduce.
What is a variety?
Subspecies. An identifiable group of vines of the same species that share appearance, flavor, and growth.
What is a clone?
Grapes slightly different from their parent.
What is a mutation?
Derived from a vine that has developed different characteristics from its parents or fellow clones through the imperfect reproduction of cells as it grows.
What is a cross?
Offspring between different subspecies within the same species.
What is a hybrid?
Result of sexual reproduction between two closely related but different species.
What are international varieties?
A select group of grapes varieties that thrive in a wide range of growing conditions and are grown in many areas throughout the world.
What are indigenous (autochthonous) varieties?
Grape varieties that either have not been widely transplanted or have been tried with unimpressive results to date.
What are white grapes/wines?
Grapes and wines that do not have any red or purple pigmentation.
What characteristics are common in warmer climate Chardonnay?
Ripe, tropical fruit flavors. High alcohol and considerable body.
What characteristics are common in cooler climate Chardonnay?
Citrus flavors and green fruit aromas. Crisp acidity and light to medium body.
Well known examples of Chardonnay
White burgundy, champagne, “California style” New World versions
Top producing countries of Chardonnay
France, United States, Australia
Characteristic aromas of Chardonnay
Cool climate - green apple, melon, pears
Warm climate - tropical fruit
Malolactic fermentation - butter
Oak-aged - vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, toast
Acidity and alcohol of Chardonnay
Acidity - medium to high
Alcohol - medium to high
What percentage of South African plantings is Chenin Blanc?
18%
What is Chenin Blanc known for?
High acidity, especially in cool-climate vineyards, ideal as a base for sparkling wines. Very versatile from dry to very sweet, still or sparkling.
Well known examples of Chenin Blanc
Vouvray, Savennières, Saumur
Top producing countries of Chenin Blanc
South Africa, France, United States
Characteristic aromas of Chenin Blanc
Green apple, melon, green plum, citrus blossoms, earth, mineral, wet wool
Aged - honey, quince
Acidity and alcohol of Chenin Blanc
Acidity - medium-plus to high
Alcohol - medium to high
Muscat family of varieties
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (white Muscat with small berries)
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat Ottonel
Best climate for Muscat
All - Warm to hot
Muscat Ottonel - cool
Well known dessert Muscats
Vins doux naturels from Southern France
Rutherglen Muscats - Australia
Moscatels - the south of Spain
Well known examples of Muscat
Southern France
Northern Italy
Australia
Top producing countries of Muscat
Italy
France
Chile
Australia
Characteristic aromas of Muscat
Musk, honey, Orange blossom, floral, apricot, table grapes
Acidity and alcohol of Muscat
Acidity - low to medium
Alcohol - medium to high
Best known Muscat based wine
Moscato d’Asti of northwestern Italy
What does Pinot Gris/Grigio mean?
Gray Pinot, referencing the grapes dusky or light pink color.
Where is Pinot Gris produced?
Alsace region of France
Oregon since mid 1960s
Germany as Ruländer or Grauburgunder
Characteristics of cool climate Pinot Gris?
Medium-plus acidity, medium to full body, neutral aromas that have apple, pear, or almond-like character, sometimes a moderate amount of residual sugar.
Where is Pinot Grigio found?
Italy
California since late 1970s
Australia
Differences between California/Australia and Italy Pinot Grigio?
Medium-minus acidity and higher alcohol
Well known examples of Pinot Grigio/Gris
Northeastern Italy
Alsace
Oregon
Top producing countries of Pinot Gris/Grigio
Italy United States Germany France Australia
Characteristic aromas of Pinot Gris/Grigio
Apple Lemon Melon Peach Minerals Almond
Acidity and alcohol of Pinot Gris/Grigio
Acidity - low to high
Alcohol - medium
Well known examples of Riesling
Germany: Mosel Rheingau Rheinhessen Pflaz
France: Alsace
Australia:
Clare Valley
Eden Valley
US
Finger Lakes New York
Washington State
Top producing countries for Riesling
Germany
Australia
France
United States
Characteristics of Riesling
Lime Peach Nectarine Apricot Honeysuckle Wet stone Petrol/kerosene (depending upon ripeness and bottle age) Baking spices (well aged)
Acidity and alcohol of Riesling
Acidity - high to very high
Alcohol - very low to high
Commonly blended with Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc - Bordeaux and Bordeaux influenced blends.
Chardonnay - Australia
Well known examples of Sauvignon Blanc
Sancerre Pouilly-Fumé White Bordeaux Fumé Blanc New Zealand
Top producing countries of Sauvignon Blanc
France New Zealand Chile United States South Africa
Characteristic aromas of Sauvignon Blanc
Cool climate: Grass Hay Grapefruit Green pepper
Warm climate:
Asparagus
Melon
Loire:
Flint
New Zealand:
Gooseberry
Oak-aged
Toast
Smoke
Acidity and alcohol of Sauvignon Blanc
Acidity: medium plus to high
Alcohol: medium
Characteristics of Sémillon
Waxy or oily on the palate
Aromas of citrus (lemon, yellow grapefruit), flowers (honeysuckle, lemon blossom), and tree fruit (peach, pear, green apple)
Underripe may display Sauvignon Blanc-like herbal notes
Where is Viognier found?
Northern Rhône Australia California South America Texas East Coast of the US
Characteristics of Viognier
Rich, viscous, full bodied heft and potent aromas of flowers, peach, and tangerine
What is Pinot Blanc also known as?
Pinot Bianco in Italy
Weissburgunder in Germany
Characteristics of Gewürztraminer
One of the most aromatic whites
Perfume of flowers, spice, lychee, and rose
Uses for Trebbiano Toscano
Italy:
White wines
Commercial balsamic vinegar
France, as Ugni Blanc:
Production of Brandy, including cognac
Argentina whites
Torrontés Riojano
Austria whites
Grüner Veltliner
France whites
Aligoté
Marsanne
Roussanne
Germany whites
Müller-Thurgau
Silvaner
Greece whites
Assyrtiko
Moschofilero
Rhoditis
Hungary whites
Furmint
Italy whites
Cortese Garganega Glera Verdicchio Vermentino Vernaccia
Portugal whites
Alvarinho
Arinto
Fernão Pires
Loureiro
Spain whites
Albariño Godello Macabeo/Viura Palomino Parellada Pedro Ximénez Verdejo Xarel-lo
Switzerland whites
Chasselas
