Grape Profiles Flashcards
Know structural, flavour & notable features of Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc
Structure: High acidity, aromatic, cool-warm climate
Flavour: Range from Green apple, Wet stone, Grass, Asparagus, Capsicum, Tropical Fruit,
Notable feature: Early ripening, suited to cool climates. Can be fermented/matured in Oak (Fume Blanc).
Riesling
Structure:High Acidity, aromatic , cool-moderate climates, light-full body, light- medium alcohol
Flavour: range from green fruit and floral to citrus and stone fruit
Notable Features: mid-late ripening (good in cool climates) Nobel Rot (botrytis) , varying sweetness levels
Aged, develop aromas of petrol, honey & toast
Chardonnay
Structure: Cool-warm climates
Flavour: Range from green fruit, apple, lemon, wet stone and slate to peach, melon, banana, pineapple
Winemaking playground: Lees stirring for biscuit, bread and cheese. Oak use for toast, nutmeg, cedar, vanilla and malo for cream, butter and cheese.
Age gives nuts and honey or mushrooms
Notable Features: Early budding, can lose acidity quickly so harvest timing is crucial
Pinot Gris/Grigio
Structure: moderate-warm climate, Aromatic, medium - high acidity.
Flavour: green fruit, citrus, wet stones, slate to tropical fruits, oily texture, ginger and honey
Notable Features: early budding, early ripening, dry-off dry, dark coloured skins- skin contact versions
Cabernet Sauvignon
THE BIG BLACK SQUARE
Structure: moderate- warm climate, thick skinned, full body, high acid, tannin, colour and alcohol
Flavour: herbacious, ripe black fruits, blackcurrant leaf, cedar
Notable Features: late ripening
Merlot
THE BIG RED VELVET BALL
Structure: Moderate climate, medium acidity, tannin, colour and alcohol.
Flavour: concentrated, juicy plums and blackberry with soft, velvet tannins. Matured in oak for toast, vanilla and clove
Notable Features: Buds and ripens early, mainly blended with Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir
Structure: Cool Climate-moderate climate, thin skinned, high acidity, low alcohol, light-medium body, light in colour, low tannin.
Flavour: from bright cherry, violet floral and delicate to earthy, forest, spicy. Often matured in either old or new oak
Notable Features: Early budding, early ripening, susceptible to grey rot
Syrah/Shiraz
Structure: moderate-hot climate. Small berry, thick skin, deep colour, medium- full body, alcohol, tannin and low-medium acidity.
Flavour: Range from pepper and fresh black fruits to ripe black fruits and liquorice. Spices, juicy ripe, juby red and black fruits are notable. Ageing to meat and leather.
Notable Features: Only in Australia do we call this Shiraz, needs mainly warmth to fully ripen
Grenache/Garnacha
Structure: Warm- Hot Climate, high tolerance in drought, sweet thin skins, high alcohol, low acidity, full body, low tannin
Flavour: Ripe fruit flavours; cherry, raspberry, strawberry, redcurrant, jamminess.
Notable Features: Late ripening
Semillon
Structure: Moderate-warm climate, medium-high acidity, medium- full body, medium alcohol
Flavours: Lemon, lime, grass and honey/honeysuckle/wax when aged
Notable features: Thin skin, susceptible to Nobel Rot, often blended with Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
Structure: Supports sweet and dry wine, Aromatic
Flavours: Grape and floral
Notable Features: Small amount used in blends or to produce sweet wines
Cabernet Franc
Structure: moderate-warm climate, Medium body and tannin
Flavours: Purple fruit, floral and herbaceous/stalky when less ripe
Notable Features: Likes well drained soils
Petit Verdot
Structure: warm-hot climate, high tannin, deeply coloured, high alcohol
Flavours: Purple fruits and spice
Notable features: used in blends for colour and spice.
Monbazillac
Botrytis sweet wine made out of Semillon & Sauvignon Blanc
Cahors (Malbec)
Tannant
Structure: High tannin, deep colour
Flavour: Dark berry. Cedar and Earth with age
Notable features:
Jurancon (Petit Manseng- sweet)
Structure: High acidity
Flavour: Apricot, grapefruit and spice from oak
Notable features: Dry and Sweet wines, sweet version is called Petit Manseng. This is done by Passerillage rather than Botrytis.
Aligote
White grape, natural high acidity
Home in Burgundy
Gamay
Structure: moderate continental Climate, medium tannin, colour and body.
Flavour:Fragrant, raspberry & cherry
Notable Features: early budding & ripening, can be served chilled, loves the granite soils of Beaujolais- gives concentrated flavours with low yields, Vines are head spurred
Gewurztraminer
Structure: Cool-moderate climate full bodied, rich, oily texture, low-medium acidity, high alcohol
Flavour:aromatic spices, lychees, roses & sweet baking spices
Notable Features: Light pink skin- wine can be golden
Muscat
Structure: Light- medium body, low-medium acidity
Flavour: aromatic, orange blossom, rose & grape
Notable Features: prone to poor fruit set & rot.
Pinot Blanc
Non aromatic.
Used in sparkling mainly
When used in still white wine it is light, simple & refreshing
Chenin Blanc
Structure: High acidity, non aromatic
Flavours: Fresh apple, tropical fruit, steely, smokey. Richer and rounder versions have honey, toast and hay (green and herbaceous when underripe)
Notable Features: uneven ripening, range from dry-sweet, still-sparkling
Sweet wines have apricot and citrus peel.
Melon Blanc
Structure: Dry, medium alcohol, high acidity, light body
Flavour: Subtle green flavours
Notable Features: ripens early, frost resistant
