Commercially Significant Black Cultivars Flashcards
1
Q
Cabernet Franc Synonyms
A
Bouchet Franc (St. Emilion and Pomerol, Bordeaux, France)
Breton (Loire, France)
Bordo (Veneto, Italy)
2
Q
What are the viticultural characteristics of Cabernet Franc?
A
Early budding
Mid Ripening
Susceptible to Spring Frost and Coulure
3
Q
What is the structure of Cabernet Franc?
A
Moderate Acid
Moderate Tannins
Moderate Alcohol
4
Q
Cabernet Franc Profile
Cool Climate
A
Raspberry
Herbaceous
(Grassy, Leafy)
High Acid
Low-Medium Tannins
Low-Medium Alcohol
Low-Medium Body
5
Q
Cabernet Franc Profile
Moderate Climate
A
Raspberry
Plum
Medium-High Acid
Medium Tannins
Medium Body
6
Q
Cabernet Franc Profile
Oak Flavors
A
Toast
Vanillin
Smoke
7
Q
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Under-ripeness
A
Herbaceous
Green Bean, Grassy, Green Pepper
8
Q
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Over-ripeness
A
Jammy
Baked Fruit
9
Q
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Age
A
Tobacco/Cedar
Earth
Vegetal
10
Q
What grapes are Cabernet Franc commonly blended with?
A
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
11
Q
Cabernet Franc Profile
Oak
A
Toast
Vanillin
Smoke
12
Q
Cabernet Franc Profile
Over-ripeness
A
Jammy
Dried Fruit
13
Q
Cabernet Franc Profile
Age
A
Tobacco/Cedar
Vegetal
Savory
14
Q
What atypical flavors might be evident in certain styles/terroirs of Cabernet Franc?
A
Fragrant Violet
Graphite
Pencil Shavings
Tobacco
15
Q
Where is Cabernet Franc grown?
A
Loire Valley, France
Bordeaux Right Bank, France
California and Washington, USA
Canada
Australia
16
Q
Cabernet Sauvignon Synonyms
A
Vidure (Graves, Bordeaux, France)
Bouchet (St. Emilion and Pomerol, Bordeaux, France)
17
Q
Which cultivars are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon?
A
Cabernet Franc x Sauvignon Blanc
18
Q
What are the viticultural characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?
A
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
19
Q
What gives Cabernet Sauvignon its high concentration of phenolics?
A
A high pip (seed) to pulp ratio
20
Q
What is the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon?
A
High Acid
High Tannin
High Alcohol
Medium Body (in cooler climates)
Deep color
21
Q
Why does Merlot make such a good blending partner for Cabernet Sauvignon?
A
Merlot can soften the firm structure of Cabernet Sauvignon.
22
Q
What grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon commonly blended with? Where?
A
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.
23
Q
Where did Cabernet Sauvignon originate? How does it ripen there?
A
Bordeaux, France
It is the cooler limit of Cabernet Sauvignon’s ripening range
24
Q
In which country is the Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend popular?
A
Australia
25
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
26
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Hot Climate
Black Fruit
(Black Cherry)
Medicinal
(Menthol)
Black Olive
Medium Acid
High Tannin
27
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Oak
Toast
Coffee
Vanillin
Nuttiness
28
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
29
Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
Moderate Climate
Black Fruit
(Blackcurrant)
Herbaceous
(Cedar, Mint)
High Acid
High Tannin
30
What are some negative characteristics of Cabernet Franc?
In the shadow of Cabernet Sauvignon
Low profile
31
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
32
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
33
Garnacha Synonyms
Grenache Noir (France)
Cannonau (Sardegna, Italy)
Iladoner (Catalunya, Spain)
34
Before 1900, what was the world's most planter black cultivar? Which cultivars have surpassed it?
Garnacha
```
Current Leaders:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Tempranillo
Syrah
```
35
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
36
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
37
What effect does vine age have on the structure of Garnacha?
Older vines produce grapes with more color, tannins, and acid.
38
What is the traditional style of Garnacha-based varietal wines?
Still, dry red wine with high alcohol and full body
39
Garnacha Profile
Hot Climate
Red Fruit
(Strawberry,Cherry, Raspberry)
White Pepper
High Alcohol
Full Body
Soft Tannins
40
Garnacha Profile
Ripeness
Baked Red Fruit
(Strawberries, Cherries, Raspberries)
Dried Red Fruit
Jammy
41
Garnacha Profile
Age
Caramel
Toffee
Meat
42
Garnacha Profile
Rosé Wines
Strawberries
43
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
44
What grapes are commonly blended with Garnacha?
Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and other Rhône reds (Rhône Valley, France)
Tempranillo (Spain)
45
What are some positive characteristics of Garnacha?
Suitable for hot, dry, windy conditions
High quality potential
46
What are some negative characteristics of Garnacha?
Needs long, hot summers to ripen
Wines can lack color, tannin, and acid and oxidize easily
47
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)
48
What genetic relationships does Merlot have with other cultivars?
Cabernet Franc (Parent)
Cabernet Sauvignon (Half Sibling)
49
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
50
What is the structure of Merlot?
Low-Medium Acid
Low-Medium Tannins
Medium-High Alcohol
Medium-Full Body
Affinity with new oak
51
Merlot Profile
Moderate Climate
Red Fruit
(Raspberry, Plum)
Herbaceous
(Cool Mint, Green Pepper)
Medium Acid
Medium Body
Medium-High Alcohol
Low-Medium Tannin
52
Merlot Profile
Hot Climate
Black Fruit
(Black Cherry, Blackberry, Plum)
Baked Fruit
(Fruit Cake)
Low-Medium Acid
Full Body
Soft, Ripe Tannins
High Alcohol
53
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.
54
Merlot Profile
Oak
Toast
Coffee
Vanillin
Nuttiness
55
Merlot Profile
Over-ripeness
Jammy
Baked Fruit
Fruit Cake
Chocolate
56
Merlot Profile
Age
Tobacco/Cedar
Earth
Vegetal
57
What is the "International Style" of varietal Merlot wines?
Still, dry red wine
Deep Color
Full Body
High Alcohol
Baked/Jammy Fruit
Toasty Oak Influence
58
How is Merlot commonly produced?
In blends
Less commonly found as a varietal
59
Where does Merlot reach its highest quality?
Pomerol, Bordeaux
It is typically blended with Cabernet Franc and sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon
60
Which Bordeaux producer makes a wine almost exclusively from Merlot?
Château Petrus
61
What are some positive characteristics of Merlot?
Easy to understand and enjoy
Popular and fashionable
Easy to grow (high yielding, easy ripening)
Very high quality potential
Suited to damp soils
62
What are some negative characteristics of Merlot?
Can be bland and lacking in structure
Early budding, thus prone to spring frosts
Prone to coulure
63
What are the viticultural characteristics of Nebbiolo?
Early Budding
Late Ripening
Resistant to Grey Rot
Susceptible to Powdery Mildew
64
What are the two most important Nebbiolo clones? Why are they used?
Nebbiolo Lampia produces reliably
Nebbiolo Michet is higher quality but affected by Grapevine Fanleaf Virus
65
What is the structure of Nebbiolo?
High Acid
High Tannin
Medium-High Alcohol
Modest Color that fades quickly
Deceptively Full Body
66
Nebbiolo Profile
Moderate Climate
Floral
Red Fruit
Savory
Tar
High Acid
High Tannin
Medium-High Alcohol
Full Body
67
Where does Nebbiolo perform best? Why?
In Piemonte around the town of Alba where it has been cultivated since the 14th Century. The long, dry, warm growing season ensures the grapes will ripen.
Nebbiolo has been shown to create the finest wines on the calcareous soils in the South-West of the Barolo zone and the North-West in the Barbaresco zone.
68
Nebbiolo Profile
Oak
Toast
Vanillin
69
Nebbiolo Profile
Age
Disappearance of Fruit
Meaty/Savory
70
What grapes are often blended with Nebbiolo?
Barbera
Bonarda
71
What are some positive characteristics of Nebbiolo?
High quality potential
Ages well
72
What are some negative characteristics of Nebbiolo?
Very difficult to grow and vinify successfully
Tannins can be very tough
73
Pinot Noir Synonyms
Spätburgunder (Germany & Austria)
Pinot Nero (Italy)
Blauburgunder (Switzerland)
74
Which two important cultivars are the most site specific?
Pinot Noir
Nebbiolo
75
What are the viticultural characteristics of Pinot Noir?
Early Budding
Early Ripening
Susceptible to Spring Frosts, Coulure, Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Leafroll, Fanleaf Virus, Grey Rot, and Heat Damage
76
What is the structure of Pinot Noir?
Medium-High Acid
Low-Medium Tannins
Moderate Color
Accumulates sugar quickly and can tend towards high alcohol even in cooler climates
77
Pinot Noir Profile
Cool Climate
Vegetal
Red Fruit
(Strawberry, Cherry, Raspberry)
Floral
(Violet, Rose)
High Acid
Low Tannins
78
Pinot Noir Profile
Moderate Climate
Red Fruit
(Strawberry, Cherry, Raspberry, Plum)
Medium-High Acid
Low-Medium Tannins
79
Pinot Noir Profile
Oak
Smoke
Toast
Savoriness
80
Pinot Noir Profile
Under-ripe
Vegetal
(Tomato, Herbs)
Cabbage
White Pepper
81
Pinot Noir Profile
Over-ripe
Jammy
82
What grapes are Pinot Noir typically blended with? Where?
Gamay (Beaujolais, France)
Chadonnay and Meunier (Champagne, France and related styles)
83
What are some positive characteristics of Pinot Noir?
High quality potential
Able to express terroir
Ripens in cool conditions
Takes up autolytic flavors well, ideal for sparkling wines
84
How does Pinot Noir contribute to sparkling wines?
Provides body and length
Accepts autolytic flavors
85
What are some negative characteristics of Pinot Noir?
Low yields
Prone to rot
Hard to grow and vinify well
Prone to spontaneous mutation
86
Sangiovese Synonyms
Brunello (Montalcino, Toscana, Italy)
Morellino (Scansano, Toscana, Italy)
Prugnolo Gentile (Montepulciano, Toscana, Italy)
Niellucio (Corsica, France)
Sangioveto (Toscana, Italy)
87
What genetic relationship does Sangiovese have with other cultivars?
Ciliegiolo (Parent)
Calabrese Montenuovo (Parent)
88
Which important cultivars have produced a large number of clones?
Pinot Noir
Nebbiolo
Sangiovese
89
Where is Sangiovese predominantly planted?
Throughout Central Italy
90
What are the viticultural characteristics of Sangiovese?
Vigorous
Productive
Slow and Late Ripening
91
What is the structure of Sangiovese?
High Acid
High Tannins
Medium Body
Medium Alcohol
Medium Color
Thin(ish) Skins
Susceptible to early oxidation
92
Sangiovese Profile
Moderate Climate
Dried Herbs
Rose
Cherry
(Fresh, Sour, Dried)
Red Fruit
(Raspberry, Plum)
Medium-High Tannins (Fairly Astringent)
High Acid
Medium Body
93
Sangiovese Profile
Hot Climate
Jammy
94
Sangiovese Profile
New Oak
Toast
Vanillin
95
Sangiovese Profile
Old Oak/Large Format
No oak flavor
96
Sangiovese Profile
Age
Savory
Dusty
97
What grapes are often blended with Sangiovese?
Canaiolo
Colorino
Mammolo
Ciliegiolo
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
98
What are some positive attributes of Sangiovese?
Good quality potential
Traditional
99
What are some negative attributes of Sangiovese?
Can lack fruit
Tends to have astringent tannins
100
Syrah Synonyms
Shiraz (Australia)
101
What are the viticultural characteristics of Syrah?
Vigorous
Productive
Late Budding
Mid Ripening
Small Berries that shrivel soon after ripeness
Sensitive to Chlorosis
Prone to Drought, Grey Rot, and Berry Moths
102
What is the structure of Syrah?
High Acid
High Tannins
Medium-High Alcohol
Deep Color
103
Syrah Profile
Cool Climate
Mint
Red Fruit
(Redcurrant, Raspberry)
Violet
Green Olive
White Pepper
104
Syrah Profile
Moderate Climate
Red Fruit
(Redcurrant, Raspberry, Plum)
Black Fruit
(Blackberry, Plum)
Black Pepper
Herbs
Medium Acid
Low-Medium Tannins
Medium-High Alcohol
Medium Body
105
Syrah Profile
Hot Climate
Black Fruit
(Blackberry, Plum)
Baked Fruit
(Plum, Fruitcake)
Low-Medium Acid
Soft, Ripe Tannins
High Alcohol
Full Body
106
Syrah Profile
Oak
Toast
Coffee
Vanillin
Nuttiness
107
Syrah Profile
Over-ripe
Jammy
Baked Fruit
Fruit Cake
Chocolate
108
Syrah Profile
Age
Tobacco/Cedar
Fruit Cake
Game/Leather
Earth
Coffee
Vegetal
109
What is the international style of Syrah wines?
Deep Color
High Alcohol
Full Body
Baked/Jammy Fruit
Often with Toasted Oak
110
What are some notable locations that produce varietal Syrah wines?
Hermitage (Rhône Valley, France)
Cornas (Rhône Valley, France)
Barossa Valley (South Australia)
111
Where are Syrah blends commonly found?
Southern Rhône (France)
Australia
112
What grapes are commonly blended with Syrah in France?
Garnacha
Mourvèdre
Cinsault
Carignan
Viognier
113
What grapes are commonly blended with Syrah in the new world?
Garnacha
Mourvèdre
114
Where in the New World is Syrah popular?
California, USA
Washington, USA
Australia
Chile
South Africa
115
Tempranillo Synonyms
Ull de Llebre (Catalunya, Spain)
Cencibel (Castilla-La Mancha & Extremadura, Spain)
Tinto del Pais (Ribero del Duero, Spain)
Tinto de Toro (Toro, Spain)
Tinto Fino (Castilla y Leon, Spain)
Aragoñez (Alentejo, Portugal)
Tinta Roriz (Douro, Portugal)
116
Where is Tempranillo grown?
Throughout Spain and Portugal
It is Spain's most widely planted black cultivar
117
What are the viticultural characteristics of Tempranillo?
Vigorous
Mid Budding
Early Ripening
Thick Skins
Susceptible to Powdery Mildew and Downy Mildew
Sensitive to Wind
Resistant to Drought
118
What is the structure of Tempranillo?
Medium-High Acid
Medium-High Tannins
Medium Alcohol
Deep Color
119
Tempranillo Profile
Moderate Climate
Red Fruit
(Strawberry, Raspberry, Plum)
Medium-High Acid
Medium-High Tannins
Medium Alcohol
120
Tempranillo Profile
Hot Climate
Deeper Color
Darker Fruit
Can be Jammy
Medium Acid
Medium Tannins
121
Tempranillo Profile
Oak
Coconut
Vanillin
(Especially American Oak)
122
Tempranillo Profile
Oak Aging
Meaty/Leathery
Spicy
Savory
123
Tempranillo Profile
Malolactic Byproducts
Soap
Creaminess
124
True or False
Tempranillo is often produced as a varietal wine
False
Tempranillo is usually blended
125
What grapes are Tempranillo normally blended with?
Mazuelo/Carignan, Garnacha, and Graciano (Rioja, Spain)
Garnacha (widely)
Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot (Navarra, Spain)
126
Why are malolactic byproducts more noticeable in Tempranillo than in other cultivars?
In some areas, such as Rioja, Tempranillo ripens with high levels of malic acid. MLF creates byproducts of the fermentation in greater volume.
127
What are some positive attributes of Tempranillo?
High Quality Potential
Well suited to extended oak aging
Can cope with hot conditions
128
What are some negative attributes of Tempranillo?
"None"
*According to Issue Six of the WSET Study Guide for Level 4 Diploma, Unit 2*
129
Zinfandel Synonyms
Crljenak Kaštelanski (Croatia)
Primitivo (Italy)
130
Where is Zinfandel from?
Croatia and the Adriatic Coast
Its original name is Crljenak Kaštelanski, though due to its popularity as a California and Pugliese varietal, this name is largely unknown.
131
What are the viticultural characteristics of Zinfandel?
High Yielding
Mid-Late Ripening
Very Susceptible to Grey Rot
132
Due to Zinfandel's yield and ripening time, what troubles might be faced during harvest?
Uniform ripeness of grapes
133
What is the structure of Zinfandel?
Medium-High Acid
Medium-High Tannins
High Alcohol
High Extract
134
Zinfandel Profile
Moderate Climate
Dark Plum
Peppery/Spicy
Herbaceous
Medium-High Acid
Medium-High Tannins
High Alcohol
Full Body
135
Zinfandel Profile
Hot Climate
Blueberry
Dried Fruit
(Prune, Raisin)
Medium Acid
Medium-High Tannins
High Alcohol
Very Full Body
136
Zinfandel Profile
Oak
Coconut
Vanilla
*Often American Oak)
137
Zinfandel Profile
Ripeness
Dominant Dried Fruits
138
Zinfandel Profile
Rosé/Blush Wines
Often Sweet
Low Acid
Strawberry
May be sparkling
139
Zinfandel Profile
Late Harvest
Can be off-dry or sweet
140
What are some positive attributes of Zinfandel?
Can be used to create multiple styles of wine, dry to sweet, rosé and red, still and sparkling
141
What are some negative attributes of Zinfandel?
Ripens unevenly, leaving shriveled and unripe grapes on the same bunch
Tends toward excessive alcohol
142
Is Zinfandel ever used in blends?
In Italy it may be blended with other Southern Italian cultivars.
Can also be fermented as a field blend with Petite Sirah and Carignan.
