Grape Characteristics

Question 1

What are the basic grape characteristics of Pinot Noir?

Answer 1

Thin Skin
Early ripening
Colour intensity: Light
Tannins: Low
Acidity: High
Flavour characteristics: Strawberry, raspberry, red cherry

Question 2

What are the basic grape characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 2

Colour intensity: Deep
Tannins: High
Acidity: High
Flavour characteristics: Blackcurrant, black cherry, capsicum (green bell pepper)

Question 3

What are the basic characteristics of Merlot?

Answer 3

Colour intensity: Medium - deep
Tannins: Medium
Acidity: medium
Flavour characteristics: strawberry, red plum, red cherry

Question 4

What are the basic grape characteristics of Syrah/Shiraz?

Answer 4

Colour intensity: deep
Tannins: medium - high
Acidity: medium
Flavour/aroma characteristics: blackberry, black cherry, black pepper

Question 5

What are the basic characteristics of Grenache?

Answer 5

Thin Skin
Warm climate
Tannin: Low - medium
Acidity: Low
Flavour/aroma characteristics: Strawberry, Red Plum, Red Cherry, White Pepper

Question 6

What are the basic grape characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 6

Aromatic
Early ripening
Acidity: High
Body: Light to medium
Aroma/flavour characteristics: green apple, grapefruit, stone fruit, wet stone, capsicum, asparagus

Question 7

What are the basic grape characteristics of Riesling?

Answer 7

Aromatic
Buds late
susceptible botrytis
Acidity: High
Body: Light to full
Flavours:
Just ripe: Apple, pear, lemon lime, blossom
Extra ripe: Peach, apricot, mango, pineapple,
Tertiary: Honey, petrol

Question 8

What are the basic grape characteristics of Chardonnay?

Answer 8

Versatile grape
Aromas/ Flavours: Apple, lemon, white peach, peach, pineapple, wet stones (Chablis)
Suitable for extensive winemaking techniques, i.e oak, Malo, lees ageing..

Question 9

What are the basic grape characteristics of Pinot Gris?

Answer 9

Medium to high acidity
Early budding + ripening
Skins have deep colour
Adapted for different styles