Grape Varietals: Gamay, Grenache/Garnacha, Tempranillo, Carmenère, Malbec, Pinotage Flashcards
What are the varietal characteristics of Malbec?
• dry • full body • medium acidity • high tannin • concentrated black fruit: - blackberry - black plum • if oak matured, flavors of coffee, vanilla, mocha • if aged, flavors of dried black fruit and cured meat • intensely dark in color, almost purple
What types of climate does Gamay prefer?
• Moderate
Where is Grenache grown in France and what are the GI (Geographical Indications) labeling terms?
Southern Rhône:
• Côtes du Rhône
• Côtes du Rhône Villages
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape
South of France:
• Minervois
What types of climate does Tempranillo prefer?
- Moderate
* Warm
What are the varietal characteristics of Carmenère?
• dry • full body • medium to high acidity • high tannin • herbaceous: - green bell pepper • herbal: - eucalyptus • black fruit: - blackberry - black plum - black raspberry • if oak matured, notes of coffee, chocolate, mocha
What types of climate does Pinotage prefer?
• Warm
What are the varietal characteristics of Pinotage?
• dry • medium to full body • high acidity • medium tannin • bright red fruit: - strawberry - raspberry - red cherry
Where are the important regions in Spain for Garnacha?
- Rioja
- Navarra
- Priorat
What types of climate does Malbec prefer?
• Warm
What types of climate does Carmenère prefer?
• Warm
What are the varietal characteristics of Gamay?
• dry • high acidity • low to medium tannin • no new oak • red fruit: - raspberry - red cherry - red plum
What types of climate does Grenache/Garnacha prefer?
• Warm
Where are the important regions in Spain for Tempranillo?
- Rioja DOCa
- Ribera del Duero DO
- Catalunya PO
What are the varietal characteristics of Tempranillo?
• dry • medium body • medium acidity • medium tannin • red fruit: - strawberry - red cherry • black fruit: - blackberry - black plum
Where is Gamay grown in France and what are the GI (Geographical Indications) labeling terms?
- Beaujolais
- Beaujolais Villages
- Beaujolais Cru (Fleurie)
Where are the important regions in Australia for Grenache?
- Barossa Valley
* McLaren Vale
What are the varietal characteristics of Grenache/Garnacha?
• thin skin • low to medium tannin • low acidity • medium to high alcohol • medium to full body • red fruit: - strawberry - red plum - red cherry • spice: - white pepper - liquorice
The majority of Gamay comes from this region (it’s also the most important region in the world for Gamay)?
Beaujolais, France
Where is Beaujolais in relation to Burgundy?
Immediately south
What style of wine would one expect from a wine labeled Beaujolais AOC?
Simple, light bodied, somewhat fruity - generally an acceptable wine.
For a Beaujolais AOC wine, the grapes can come from:
Anywhere within the Beaujolais region, but mostly from the flat land in the southern portion of the region.
What is the hierarchy of Beaujolais appellations?
From lowest to highest:
• Beaujolais AOC
• Beaujolais Villages AOC
• Beaujolais Crus (e.g. Fleurie AOC or Morgon AOC)
Why are wines from Beauojolais often served slightly chilled?
To showcase their freshness, red fruit flavors, and bright acidity.
In which country did Grenache originate?
Spain, where it is known as Garnacha.
Why are other grapes blended with Grenache/Garnacha, such as Syrah (in France) and Tempranillo (in Spain)?
Syrah and Tempranillo add depth of color, tannin and acidity to Grenache’s light color, low acidity and low-ish tannins.
A simple Grenache crafted for early consumption will usually be fermented and aged for a short time in ___ vessels.
A more complex, sturdy, and high-quality Grenache will usually be fermented and/or aged in ___ vessels.
Simple/early consumption: inert vessels
Complex/high quality: oak vessels (new, used, or a combination of both)
What flavors do Grenache or Grenache-based wines develop as they age?
- Meat
- Earth/mushrooms
- Dried red fruits
What region in France is most important for Grenache?
Southern Rhône
Is Grenache the only black grape allowed in the Southern Rhône?
No
Grenache is one of many black grapes in the Southern Rhône. It is typically blended with Syrah and other local grapes (e.g. Mourvèdre).
What is the most important appellation in the Southern Rhône for Grenache?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
What is special about the vineyard soil in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
Vineyards are filled with large stones which absorb heat during the day and then redistribute that heat to the vines at night.
Name 2 appellations in the Southern Rhône known for simple, approachable, and affordable Grenache-based blends.
Of the 2, which one is more likely to be a touch more complex and interesting?
- Côtes du Rhône AOC
* Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC **
What is an important appellation in the South of France for Grenache-based red blends and rosés?
Minervois AOC
Grenache here is usually blended with Syrah.
Which appellation in Spain is known for making full-bodied, high alcohol, robust Grenache-based blends?
Priorat DOCa
What are the 2 north-central appellations in Spain known for fresh, red-fruited wines with Grenache as a component?
- Rioja DOCa
* Navarra DO
What style of wine is Navarra DO best known for?
Dry rosés
In Australia, Grenache is grown and made as a high-quality varietal in these 2 warm places:
- Barossa Valley
* McLaren Vale
What grapes are usually blended with Grenache in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale?
- Shiraz
* Mourvèdre
Tempranillo is which country’s most important black grape varietal?
Spain
What is the traditional vessel for aging Tempranillo or Tempranillo-based wines?
Small, new oak barrels (usually American).
What flavor characteristics does oak impart on Tempranillo?
- Coconut
- Vanilla
- Mocha
- Smoke
- Spice
Are the Tempranillos in Rioja DOCa usually bottled as single varietals or blends?
Blends
In Rioja DOCa, Tempranillo is most often blended with Garnacha.
What do the terms Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva refer to on a bottle of Rioja?
How long the wine was aged before it is released to the market.
Which term refers to the longest aging period:
- Crianza
- Reserva
- Gran Reserva
Gran Reserva
Gran Reserva wines usually have the most noticeable secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors from extended aging both in barrel and in bottle.
Which term refers to the shortest aging period:
- Crianza
- Reserva
- Gran Reserva
Crianza
Crianza retains its primary fruit aromas and flavors because it spends the least amount of time in oak.
What is the term for very youngest style of aged wine in Spain?
Joven
Describe a Joven red wine from Spain.
- Young
- Fresh
- Fruity
Joven almost never sees new oak and will be even more simple than Crianza.
Describe a Reserva red wine from Spain.
- Dry
- Developing secondary aromas and flavors (caramel, earth, mushrooms)
- Both fresh and dried or cooked fruit
- Softened tannins
Grapes of what level of quality are used for Reserva or Gran Reserva wines in Spain?
Only top tier quality
Which country is most identifed with Carmenère?
Chile
Which country is most identifed with Malbec?
Argentina
Which country is most identified with Pinotage?
South Africa
Pinotage is predominantly grown in which South African wine region?
Western Cape
Which grapes is Pinotage usually blended with?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
The term used in South Africa for blended wines of Pinotage, Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon is ___.
Cape Blend
From which Old World region do Malbec and Carmenère originate?
Southwest France
Which region in Argentina has the highest density Malbec plantings?
Mendoza
Is Mendoza at sea level or higher in elevation?
Higher in elevation
This creates optimal growing conditions for the sun-loving Malbec grape: warm days, cool nights.
When Malbec is blended in Argentina, which grapes is it usually blended with?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
Where in Chile are the highest density plantings of Carmenère?
The warm and sunny areas of Central Valley.
What are some of the unpleasant aromas/flavors of underripe Carmenère?
- raw green bell pepper
- tomato leaf
- very herbaceous
When Carmenère is blended in Chile, which grapes is it usually blended with?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
