Chenin Blanc, Semillon and Furmint Flashcards
In what climates does Chenin Blanc grow?
Cool
Moderate
Warm
What flavours will you typically get from Chenin Blanc when it is the
-least ripe?
-most ripe?
green fruit (apple) and citrus (lemon)
stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (pineapple, mango)
True or false: Chenin Blanc is susceptible to botrytis.
True
What characteristic of Chenin Blanc makes it well suited to later harvesting?
Its high natural acidity
Is Chenin Blanc of very good or outstanding quality suitable for bottle aging? Why?
Yes, thanks to its high acidity
What is the name of the classic region in France for Chenin Blanc where it is the only permitted variety?
Vouvray AOC
Will a wine labelled Vouvray typically have oak flavours?
No
True or false: Vouvray is produced in a range of sweetness levels (from dry to off-dry to medium to fully sweet)?
True
True or false: Vouvray can only be made into still wines.
False, sparkling wines are also produced.
Which South African region are inexpensive, high-volume brand Chenin Blanc wines often labelled under?
Western Cape
If an inexpensive Western Cape Chenin Blanc has flavours of vanilla, how has the winemakers achieved these flavours?
Oak chips
How are higher quality South African wines produced?
Lower yields = smaller quantities of concentrated fruit
What grape variety is sometimes blended with Chenin Blanc in inexpensive, high-volume Chenin Blanc in South Africa?
Chardonnay
What grape variety is sometimes blended with Chenin Blanc in South Africa to produce a floral style?
Viognier
What aromas and flavours are commonly found in south African Chenin Blanc?
Tropical flavours (pineapple, mango)
Vanilla, smoke (oak)
In what type of climates does Semillon primarily grow?
Moderate and warm climate
What flavours can you expect in a youthful Semillion?
Apple, lemon, grass
True or false: Semillon is particularly susceptible to botrytis.
True
True or false: the acidity level and body of Semillon wines depends on the ripeness of the grapes.
True. Semillon wines can range from medium to high acidity depending on the level of ripeness, and they can range from light to full body.
What tertiary flavours can you expect from a very good to outstanding quality Semillon which has been bottle matured?
Dried fruit, nuts, honey
What is the most important wine region in France for Semillon?
Bordeaux (and the smaller appellations that exist within its borders)
What variety is often blended with Semillon in Bordeaux to make both dry and sweet wines?
Sauvignon Blanc
Are very good to outstanding white wines in Bordeaux commonly matured in oak?
Yes, and they can develop in bottle for many years too.
What is the name of the small AOC within Bordeaux which exclusively produces sweet wines?
Sauternes AOC
What causes the wines of Sauternes AOC to be sweet?
Botrytis/noble rot
What grape varieties are used in Sauternes?
Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Describe a typical wine from Sauternes (sweetness, acidity, body, alcohol, flavours, quality).
Sweet
High acidity
Medium to high alcohol
Full bodied
Pronounced flavours of stone fruit (apricot) and oak maturation (vanilla, smoke)
Very good to outstanding
Can mature for many years in bottle (dried fruit, honey, caramel)
Which 2 Australian wine regions are well known for producing single variety Semillon wines?
Hunter Valley
Barossa Valley
Describe the distinct style of Hunter Valley Semillon wines (sweetness, acidity, body, alcohol, flavours).
Dry
High acidity
Light body
Low alcohol
Neutral flavours in youth (lemon, grass, apple)
Complex tertiary flavours develop in bottle (honey, nuts)
True or false: Barossa Valley Semillon wines are always made in a style similar to those of the Hunter.
False. They can sometimes be fuller bodied and oak matured.
Name the white grape variety which is mostly grown in the region of Tokaji in Hungary.
Furmint
Why is Furmint so well suited to producing sweet wines? (2)
It’s susceptible to botrytis
It has very high natural acidity
What labelling term will indicate that a Tokaji wine is sweet/was made with botrytis affected grapes?
Tokaji Aszú
True or false: wines made with Furmint are always sweet.
False. Furmint can also be made in dry or medium styles (however the sweet wines are the most famous)
True or false: Tokaji Aszú wines are always sweet.
True. if the label says “Tokaji Aszú”, the wine is always made with botrytis affected Furmint (and othe rlocal varieties) and is always sweet)
What labelling term on a Tokaji Aszú will indicate the expected amount of residual sugar/sweetness?
Puttonyos
(5 Puttonyos or 6 Puttonyos, with 6 being sweeter than 5)
What is the typical colour of a Tokaji Aszú wine? Why?
Amber
They traditionally spend a significant amount of time ageing in oak.
Describe a typical Tokaji Aszú wine (sweetness, acidity, body, flavours, quality).
Sweet
High acidity
Full body
Pronounced flavours of fresh and dried stone fruits, citrus, oak-derived flavours (vanilla, smoke) and tertiary aromas (dried fruit, caramel, nuts)
Very good to outstanding quality
