Commercially Significant Black Cultivars Flashcards
Cabernet Franc Synonyms
Bouchet Franc (St. Emilion and Pomerol, Bordeaux, France)
Breton (Loire, France)
Bordo (Veneto, Italy)
What are the viticultural characteristics of Cabernet Franc?
Early budding
Mid Ripening
Susceptible to Spring Frost and Coulure
What is the structure of Cabernet Franc?
Moderate Acid
Moderate Tannins
Moderate Alcohol
Cabernet Franc Profile
Cool Climate
Raspberry
Herbaceous
(Grassy, Leafy)
High Acid
Low-Medium Tannins
Low-Medium Alcohol
Low-Medium Body
Cabernet Franc Profile
Moderate Climate
Raspberry
Plum
Medium-High Acid
Medium Tannins
Medium Body
Cabernet Franc Profile
Oak Flavors
Toast
Vanillin
Smoke
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Under-ripeness
Herbaceous
Green Bean, Grassy, Green Pepper
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Over-ripeness
Jammy
Baked Fruit
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Age
Tobacco/Cedar
Earth
Vegetal
What grapes are Cabernet Franc commonly blended with?
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc Profile
Oak
Toast
Vanillin
Smoke
Cabernet Franc Profile
Over-ripeness
Jammy
Dried Fruit
Cabernet Franc Profile
Age
Tobacco/Cedar
Vegetal
Savory
What atypical flavors might be evident in certain styles/terroirs of Cabernet Franc?
Fragrant Violet
Graphite
Pencil Shavings
Tobacco
Where is Cabernet Franc grown?
Loire Valley, France
Bordeaux Right Bank, France
California and Washington, USA
Canada
Australia
Cabernet Sauvignon Synonyms
Vidure (Graves, Bordeaux, France)
Bouchet (St. Emilion and Pomerol, Bordeaux, France)
Which cultivars are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Franc x Sauvignon Blanc
What are the viticultural characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Vigorous in a wide variety of soils and climates
Low Yielding
Winter Hardy (-15°C)
Late Budding
Late Ripening
Susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Esca, and Eutypa
What gives Cabernet Sauvignon its high concentration of phenolics?
A high pip (seed) to pulp ratio
What is the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon?
High Acid
High Tannin
High Alcohol
Medium Body (in cooler climates)
Deep color
Why does Merlot make such a good blending partner for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Merlot can soften the firm structure of Cabernet Sauvignon.
What grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon commonly blended with? Where?
Merlot and Cabernet Franc (Bordeaux, France and similar styles)
Syrah (Especially Australia, for premium and quality wines)
Often supplies color, acidity, tannin, and aromatic fruit to other varieties.
Where did Cabernet Sauvignon originate? How does it ripen there?
Bordeaux, France
It is the cooler limit of Cabernet Sauvignon’s ripening range
In which country is the Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend popular?
Australia
What popular non-French wine regions may use small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance the characteristics of the wine?
Chianti, Toscana, Italy
Ribera del Duero, Spain
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Hot Climate
Black Fruit
(Black Cherry)
Medicinal
(Menthol)
Black Olive
Medium Acid
High Tannin
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Oak
Toast
Coffee
Vanillin
Nuttiness
What are some positive characteristics of Cabernet Franc?
Gives some similar structure and flavors as Cabernet Sauvignon but ripens in cooler, wetter conditions
High quality potential
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Moderate Climate
Black Fruit
(Blackcurrant)
Herbaceous
(Cedar, Mint)
High Acid
High Tannin
What are some negative characteristics of Cabernet Franc?
In the shadow of Cabernet Sauvignon
Low profile
What are some positive characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?
High quality potential
Wines can age well
Popular and well-recognized
Distinct varietal character that shows in a wide range of growing conditions
What are some negative characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Can be austere and hollow on its own
Ripens late and can be difficult to ripen fully
Low yields despite high vigor
Garnacha Synonyms
Grenache Noir (France)
Cannonau (Sardegna, Italy)
Iladoner (Catalunya, Spain)
Before 1900, what was the world’s most planter black cultivar? Which cultivars have surpassed it?
Garnacha
Current Leaders: Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Tempranillo Syrah
What are the viticultural characteristics of Garnacha?
Vigorous
Productive
Early Budding
Late Ripening
Tolerant of drought, heat, and wind (strong stalks)
Susceptible to poor fruit set, Downy Mildew, Grey Rot, and Berry Moth
What is the structure of Garnacha?
Low Color
Low Tannins
Low Acid
Easily obtains high sugar levels (15%-16% ABV possible)
The wines have a propensity to oxidize
What effect does vine age have on the structure of Garnacha?
Older vines produce grapes with more color, tannins, and acid.
What is the traditional style of Garnacha-based varietal wines?
Still, dry red wine with high alcohol and full body
Garnacha Profile
Hot Climate
Red Fruit
(Strawberry,Cherry, Raspberry)
White Pepper
High Alcohol
Full Body
Soft Tannins
Garnacha Profile
Ripeness
Baked Red Fruit
(Strawberries, Cherries, Raspberries)
Dried Red Fruit
Jammy
Garnacha Profile
Age
Caramel
Toffee
Meat
Garnacha Profile
Rosé Wines
Strawberries
What is the range of style for Garnacha-based varietal wines?
Light bodied, fragrantly red fruited, low tannins
Full bodied, spicy, meaty with concentrated sweet, semi-dried fruit with modest tannins that are supplemented by new oak
What grapes are commonly blended with Garnacha?
Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and other Rhône reds (Rhône Valley, France)
Tempranillo (Spain)
What are some positive characteristics of Garnacha?
Suitable for hot, dry, windy conditions
High quality potential
What are some negative characteristics of Garnacha?
Needs long, hot summers to ripen
Wines can lack color, tannin, and acid and oxidize easily
What is the main role of Garnacha?
As a blending partner in
Rioja, Spain (with Tempranillo)
Southern Rhône (with Syrah)
Languedoc (with Carignan and Mourvèdre)
What genetic relationships does Merlot have with other cultivars?
Cabernet Franc (Parent)
Cabernet Sauvignon (Half Sibling)
What are the viticultural characteristics of Merlot?
Early Budding
Mid Ripening
High Yields
Less vigorous but more productive than Cabernet Sauvignon
Sensitive to Downy Mildew, Salinity, and Grey Rot
What is the structure of Merlot?
Low-Medium Acid
Low-Medium Tannins
Medium-High Alcohol
Medium-Full Body
Affinity with new oak
Merlot Profile
Moderate Climate
Red Fruit
(Raspberry, Plum)
Herbaceous
(Cool Mint, Green Pepper)
Medium Acid
Medium Body
Medium-High Alcohol
Low-Medium Tannin
Merlot Profile
Hot Climate
Black Fruit
(Black Cherry, Blackberry, Plum)
Baked Fruit
(Fruit Cake)
Low-Medium Acid
Full Body
Soft, Ripe Tannins
High Alcohol
Merlot became popular in which part of the world? When? Why?
Merlot experienced a planting boom in California during the 1990s. Easily appreciable, seemingly sweet fruit coupled with soft (comparable to Cab Sauv) structure made the cultivar popular.
Merlot Profile
Oak
Toast
Coffee
Vanillin
Nuttiness
Merlot Profile
Over-ripeness
Jammy
Baked Fruit
Fruit Cake
Chocolate
Merlot Profile
Age
Tobacco/Cedar
Earth
Vegetal