Element One, Vine species and varieties part 3. Red Grapes!

Question 1

Pinot Noir blend with what?

Answer 1

Gamay, chardonnay and pinot Meunier (sparkling)

Question 2

Pinot Noir, Good (4) and Bad (3)?

Answer 2

Good: 1. High quality potential, 2. Abel to express terroir, 3. Ripens in cool conditions, 4. ideal for sparkling, take up autolytic flavours well with body and length.
Bad: 1. Low yields, 2. Prone to Rot and 3. Hard to grow and vivify well.

Question 3

Cabernet Sauvignon blend with what?

Answer 3

Merlot, Cabernet Franc (bordeaux-style blends)
Shiraz (Australia, premium and basic quality)
Often used to supply colour, acidity, tannins and aromatic fruit.

Question 4

Cabernet Sauvignon, Good (4) and bad ( 3)!

Answer 4

Good: 1. High quality potential, 2. ability to age well, 3. popular and well-recognised. 4. Distinct varietal character that shows in a wide range of growing conditions.
Bad: 1. Rather austere and hollow on its own, 2. Ripens late and hard to get fully ripen, 3. low yields even thou high vigour

Question 5

Cabernet Franc blend with what?

Answer 5

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Question 6

Cabernet Franc, Good (2) and Bad (2)!

Answer 6

Good: 1. Gives Cab-Sauvignon-like structure and flavour
and ripen in a cooler, wetter climate. 2. High Quality potential. Bad: 1. in shadow of Cab- sauvignon, no place to shine. 2. Low profile

Question 7

Merlot, blend with what?

Answer 7

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc ( Bordeaux blend style)

Question 8

Merlot, Good (5) and Bad (3)!

Answer 8

Good: 1. Easy to understand and enyoj, 2. Popular and fashionable, 3. Easy to grow ( high yields, easy ripen), 4. Very high quality potential, 5. Suited to damp soils. Bad: 1.Can be bland and lack in structure, 2. early Budding, prone to spring frost, 3 Prone to coulure (poor fruit set).

Question 9

Syrah / Shiraz, blend with what?

Answer 9

Southern rhone varieties, ( G, M , Cinsault)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia
Viognier, co-pigmentation as well as blends.

Question 10

Syrah / Shiraz, Good (4) and Bad (1)!

Answer 10

Good: 1. Cope with hot and dry conditions, 2. High quality potential, 3. Popular, 4. Can cope with cooler conditions (then CS) and is very hardy and disease resistant.
Bad: 1. Prone to develop reductive flavours.

Question 11

Grenache Noir / Garnacha blend with what?

Answer 11

Syrah, Mourvédre, Cinsault and other Rhone reds and tempranillo in spain.

Question 12

Grenache Noir / Garnacha, Good (2) and bad (2)!

Answer 12

Good: 1. Will like hot, dry and windy conditions, 2. high quality potential.
Bad: 1. Needs hot conditions to ripen, 2. Wine can lack colour and tannin/acid structure and oxidise easily.

Question 13

Tempranillo, blend with what?

Answer 13

Garnacha.
Mazuelo/carignan, Garnacha, Graciano ( Rioja)
Granacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and merlot ( Navarra)

Question 14

Tempanillo, Good (3) and Bad (0)

Answer 14

Good: 1. High quality potential, 2. well suited to extended oak ageing, 3. Can cope with hot conditions.
Bad: None!

Question 15

Nebbiolo, blend with what?

Answer 15

Barbera, Bonarda ( Piemonte)

Question 16

Nebbiolo, Good (2) and Bad (2)!

Answer 16

Good: 1. High quality potential, 2. ages well.
Bad: 1. Very difficult to grow and to vinify successfully, 2. tannins can be very tough.

Question 17

Barbera, blend with what?

Answer 17

Nebbiolo (in italy), other inexpensive varieties (argentian, and California)

Question 18

Barbera, Good (4) and bad (2)!

Answer 18

Good: 1. easy to enjoy, 2. easy to Grow, 3. Give deep colour and high acidity to blends, 4. Usually retains acidity well, even in hot conditions. Bad: 1. Verry few wines age well, 2. lacks Tannins.

Question 19

Sangiovese, blend with what?

Answer 19

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot ( Tuscany)

Question 20

Sangiovese, Good (2) and Bad (2)!

Answer 20

Good: 1. Good quality potential, 2. traditional. Bad: 1. can lack fruit, 2. tands to have astringent tannins.

Question 21

Zinfandel / Primitivo, blend with what?

Answer 21

Field blend, Petit Syrah, Carignan. Can be fermented with other southern italian black varieties.

Question 22

Zinfandel / Primitivo, Good (1) and bad (2)!

Answer 22

Good: 1. Versatile (dry-medium, red-rosé, sparkling etc.)
Bad: 1. Uneven ripening, 2. tend to give excessive alcohol.