Class 6: Warm Climate Reds

Question 1

What is a lateral for Riesling?

Answer 1

Chenin blanc

Question 2

What is a lateral for Chenin Blanc?

Answer 2

Riesling

Question 3

What is green harvest?

Answer 3

The cutting of bunches of before veraison.

Question 4

What 2 factors that will cause a warm climate?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Name 2 factors that can moderate a warm climate.

Answer 5

1. Bodies of Water
   * Rivers, Coasts, Inland Seas and large lakes
2. Elevation/Aspect
   * Planting to limit sun
   * Valleys open to coastline – allows cool air to reach far inland

Question 6

Describe principle Warm Climate Regions.

What concerns grape growers?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Where are the warmer regions in California?

Answer 7

Inland areas.

Question 8

How are regions in California cooled?

Answer 8

Direct coastal influences
East-west gaps in mountains (e.g., Petalunya Gap)
Elevation

Question 9

Describe the general climate of Chile and Argentina.

Answer 9

Similar to California
* Warm inland areas
* For an areas to be cool, there must be:
* Direct coastal influence
* High elevation or combination of both.

Question 10

Name 4 ways a winemaker respond to the pressures of a warm climate in the vineyard.

Answer 10

1. Train vines lower bush train to reduce water needs
2. Planting choices
   * Aspect
   * Row orientation.
   * Shading fruiting zone
3. Earlier harvest
4. Nighttime pick to preserve acid

Question 11

Name 4 ways a winemaker respond to the pressures of a warm climate in the winery.

Answer 11

1. Drying grapes
2. Passito winemaking
3. Watering back
4. Reverse osmosis post fermentation
5. Fortified, Rancio or Sherry style wines

Question 12

Warm climate wines share similar structural profiles. What are they?

Answer 12

Sugar: dry(ish)
Acid: Medium (-) to Medium (+)
Tannin: Medium to High
Alcohol: Medium (+) to High
Body: Medium (+) to Full

Question 13

Blind tasting warm climate reds: how to differentiate structurally similar wines?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Describe Grenache.

Answer 14

Sugar: dry
Acid:
Tannin: M - M+
Alcohol: High
Body: full

Thin skinned
Prone to oxidation

Question 15

Where can you find Grenache?

Answer 15

1. Barossa
2. Priorat
3. CNDP
4. Rioja

Question 16

Describe Zinfandel.

Answer 16

Acid: M - M+ acid
Tannin: M - M+
Alcohol: M+ - High

Thin skinned
Infamous for uneven ripening so range of fruit conditions in glass

Question 17

Where is Zinfandel grown?

Answer 17

California:
Dry Creek
Lodi

Question 18

Describe
Cabernet Sauvignon.

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown?

Answer 19

Bordeaux
Chile - Central Valleys
Napa
Coonawarra

Question 20

Describe Malbec.

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Describe Syrah.

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Where is Syrah grown?

Answer 22

Originally: Northern Rhône
Now: Barossa

Question 23

Describe Tempranillo.

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Where is Tempranillo grown?

Answer 24

Rioja
Ribera del Duero

Question 25

What should dishes in high in sugar be paired with?

Answer 25

A wine that has the same or MORE sugar than the food.

Question 26

What will bitter dishes do?

Answer 26

Emphasize bitterness in the wine.

Question 27

What do high-acid dishes do?

Answer 27

Increases body, sweetness and fruitiness in the wine.
Decreases acidity in the wine.

Question 28

What does salt in dishes do?

Answer 28

Increases perception of body, fruit and sugar in the wine.
Decreases perception of acid and bitterness in the wine.

Question 29

What do fat and proteins in food do to a wine?

Answer 29

Makes wine seem less tannic.

Question 30

What does umami in food do to a dish?

Answer 30

Decreases perception of body and sweetness.
Decreases bitterness.

Question 31

Name 1 bone dry white wine.

Answer 31

Melon de Bourgogne

Question 32

Name 7 dry white wines.

Answer 32

1. Chardonnay
2. Sauvignon Blanc
3. Grenach Blanc
4. Albarino
5. Viognier
6. Grüner Veltliner
7. Torrontès