Class 6: Warm Climate Reds Flashcards
HOST 9112 Sensory Development and Wine Styles
What is a lateral for Riesling?
Chenin blanc
What is a lateral for Chenin Blanc?
Riesling
What is green harvest?
The cutting of bunches of before veraison.
What 2 factors that will cause a warm climate?
Latitude:
* Somewhat closer to the equator
* Limited seasonal variation in temperature
Topography:
* Lower elevations
* Deserts
* Far from major bodies of water like the coast, lakes etc.
Name 2 factors that can moderate a warm climate.
- Bodies of Water
* Rivers, Coasts, Inland Seas and large lakes - Elevation/Aspect
* Planting to limit sun
* Valleys open to coastline – allows cool air to reach far inland
Describe principle Warm Climate Regions.
What concerns grape growers?
Places with warm climate as baseline whether they like it or not
Places where winemakers are thinking more about how to:
* Slow ripening down
* Management water is a chief concern
Where are the warmer regions in California?
Inland areas.
How are regions in California cooled?
Direct coastal influences
East-west gaps in mountains (e.g., Petalunya Gap)
Elevation
Describe the general climate of Chile and Argentina.
Similar to California
* Warm inland areas
* For an areas to be cool, there must be:
* Direct coastal influence
* High elevation or combination of both.
Name 4 ways a winemaker respond to the pressures of a warm climate in the vineyard.
- Train vines lower bush train to reduce water needs
- Planting choices
* Aspect
* Row orientation.
* Shading fruiting zone - Earlier harvest
- Nighttime pick to preserve acid
Name 4 ways a winemaker respond to the pressures of a warm climate in the winery.
- Drying grapes
- Passito winemaking
- Watering back
- Reverse osmosis post fermentation
- Fortified, Rancio or Sherry style wines
Warm climate wines share similar structural profiles. What are they?
Sugar: dry(ish)
Acid: Medium (-) to Medium (+)
Tannin: Medium to High
Alcohol: Medium (+) to High
Body: Medium (+) to Full
Blind tasting warm climate reds: how to differentiate structurally similar wines?
Look for:
1. Varietal character and fruit condition in aromatic and flavor profile
2. Structural standouts like higher than expected acid
3. Appearance based indicators that suggest Oak aging or thin skinned variety
4. Knowledge of regional winemaking styles and traditions to narrow options down
Describe Grenache.
Sugar: dry
Acid:
Tannin: M - M+
Alcohol: High
Body: full
Thin skinned
Prone to oxidation
Where can you find Grenache?
- Barossa
- Priorat
- CNDP
- Rioja
Describe Zinfandel.
Acid: M - M+ acid
Tannin: M - M+
Alcohol: M+ - High
Thin skinned
Infamous for uneven ripening so range of fruit conditions in glass
Where is Zinfandel grown?
California:
Dry Creek
Lodi
Describe
Cabernet Sauvignon.
Acidity: M - M+
Tannin: M - H
Alcohol: M to H
Noted for:
1. Pyrazines
2. Often aged in new oak
3. Thick skinned
4. Late ripening
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown?
Bordeaux
Chile - Central Valleys
Napa
Coonawarra
Describe Malbec.
Acid: M - M+
Tannin: M+ - H
Alcohol: High
Originates in Cahor. Now in Mendoza
Famous in Argentina
Thrives in a warmer climate
Thick skinned
Purple
Usually sees new oak.
Describe Syrah.
Acid: M - M+
Tannin: M+ H
Alcohol: M+ - H
Thick skinned; more purple than ruby
Sometimes sees new oak
White pepper, cured meat, olives, violet, garrigue.
Where is Syrah grown?
Originally: Northern Rhône
Now: Barossa
Describe Tempranillo.
Acid: M - H
Tannins: M+ to High
Alcohol: M+ to High
Many clones planted through Iberian peninsula
Early ripening (“Tempranillo”)
More purple inky when grown in warmer climates
Often aged in new oak
Where is Tempranillo grown?
Rioja
Ribera del Duero
What should dishes in high in sugar be paired with?
A wine that has the same or MORE sugar than the food.
What will bitter dishes do?
Emphasize bitterness in the wine.
What do high-acid dishes do?
Increases body, sweetness and fruitiness in the wine.
Decreases acidity in the wine.
What does salt in dishes do?
Increases perception of body, fruit and sugar in the wine.
Decreases perception of acid and bitterness in the wine.
What do fat and proteins in food do to a wine?
Makes wine seem less tannic.
What does umami in food do to a dish?
Decreases perception of body and sweetness.
Decreases bitterness.
Name 1 bone dry white wine.
Melon de Bourgogne
Name 7 dry white wines.
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Grenach Blanc
- Albarino
- Viognier
- Grüner Veltliner
- Torrontès
