Grape Varietals: Gamay, Grenache/Garnacha, Tempranillo, Carmenère, Malbec, Pinotage Flashcards

1
Q

What are the varietal characteristics of Malbec?

A
• 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
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2
Q

What types of climate does Gamay prefer?

A

• Moderate

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3
Q

Where is Grenache grown in France and what are the GI (Geographical Indications) labeling terms?

A

Southern Rhône:
• Côtes du Rhône
• Côtes du Rhône Villages
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape

South of France:
• Minervois

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4
Q

What types of climate does Tempranillo prefer?

A
  • Moderate

* Warm

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5
Q

What are the varietal characteristics of Carmenère?

A
• 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
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6
Q

What types of climate does Pinotage prefer?

A

• Warm

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7
Q

What are the varietal characteristics of Pinotage?

A
• dry
• medium to full body
• high acidity
• medium tannin
• bright red fruit:
- strawberry
- raspberry
- red cherry
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8
Q

Where are the important regions in Spain for Garnacha?

A
  • Rioja
  • Navarra
  • Priorat
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9
Q

What types of climate does Malbec prefer?

A

• Warm

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10
Q

What types of climate does Carmenère prefer?

A

• Warm

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11
Q

What are the varietal characteristics of Gamay?

A
• dry 
• high acidity
• low to medium tannin
• no new oak
• red fruit:
- raspberry
- red cherry
- red plum
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12
Q

What types of climate does Grenache/Garnacha prefer?

A

• Warm

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13
Q

Where are the important regions in Spain for Tempranillo?

A
  • Rioja DOCa
  • Ribera del Duero DO
  • Catalunya PO
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14
Q

What are the varietal characteristics of Tempranillo?

A
• dry
• medium body
• medium acidity
• medium tannin
• red fruit:
  - strawberry
  - red cherry
• black fruit:
  - blackberry
  - black plum
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15
Q

Where is Gamay grown in France and what are the GI (Geographical Indications) labeling terms?

A
  • Beaujolais
  • Beaujolais Villages
  • Beaujolais Cru (Fleurie)
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16
Q

Where are the important regions in Australia for Grenache?

A
  • Barossa Valley

* McLaren Vale

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17
Q

What are the varietal characteristics of Grenache/Garnacha?

A
• 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
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18
Q

The majority of Gamay comes from this region (it’s also the most important region in the world for Gamay)?

A

Beaujolais, France

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19
Q

Where is Beaujolais in relation to Burgundy?

A

Immediately south

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20
Q

What style of wine would one expect from a wine labeled Beaujolais AOC?

A

Simple, light bodied, somewhat fruity - generally an acceptable wine.

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21
Q

For a Beaujolais AOC wine, the grapes can come from:

A

Anywhere within the Beaujolais region, but mostly from the flat land in the southern portion of the region.

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22
Q

What is the hierarchy of Beaujolais appellations?

A

From lowest to highest:
• Beaujolais AOC
• Beaujolais Villages AOC
• Beaujolais Crus (e.g. Fleurie AOC or Morgon AOC)

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23
Q

Why are wines from Beauojolais often served slightly chilled?

A

To showcase their freshness, red fruit flavors, and bright acidity.

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24
Q

In which country did Grenache originate?

A

Spain, where it is known as Garnacha.

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25
Q

Why are other grapes blended with Grenache/Garnacha, such as Syrah (in France) and Tempranillo (in Spain)?

A

Syrah and Tempranillo add depth of color, tannin and acidity to Grenache’s light color, low acidity and low-ish tannins.

26
Q

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.

A

Simple/early consumption: inert vessels

Complex/high quality: oak vessels (new, used, or a combination of both)

27
Q

What flavors do Grenache or Grenache-based wines develop as they age?

A
  • Meat
  • Earth/mushrooms
  • Dried red fruits
28
Q

What region in France is most important for Grenache?

A

Southern Rhône

29
Q

Is Grenache the only black grape allowed in the Southern Rhône?

A

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).

30
Q

What is the most important appellation in the Southern Rhône for Grenache?

A

Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC

31
Q

What is special about the vineyard soil in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?

A

Vineyards are filled with large stones which absorb heat during the day and then redistribute that heat to the vines at night.

32
Q

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?

A
  • Côtes du Rhône AOC

* Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC **

33
Q

What is an important appellation in the South of France for Grenache-based red blends and rosés?

A

Minervois AOC

Grenache here is usually blended with Syrah.

34
Q

Which appellation in Spain is known for making full-bodied, high alcohol, robust Grenache-based blends?

A

Priorat DOCa

35
Q

What are the 2 north-central appellations in Spain known for fresh, red-fruited wines with Grenache as a component?

A
  • Rioja DOCa

* Navarra DO

36
Q

What style of wine is Navarra DO best known for?

A

Dry rosés

37
Q

In Australia, Grenache is grown and made as a high-quality varietal in these 2 warm places:

A
  • Barossa Valley

* McLaren Vale

38
Q

What grapes are usually blended with Grenache in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale?

A
  • Shiraz

* Mourvèdre

39
Q

Tempranillo is which country’s most important black grape varietal?

A

Spain

40
Q

What is the traditional vessel for aging Tempranillo or Tempranillo-based wines?

A

Small, new oak barrels (usually American).

41
Q

What flavor characteristics does oak impart on Tempranillo?

A
  • Coconut
  • Vanilla
  • Mocha
  • Smoke
  • Spice
42
Q

Are the Tempranillos in Rioja DOCa usually bottled as single varietals or blends?

A

Blends

In Rioja DOCa, Tempranillo is most often blended with Garnacha.

43
Q

What do the terms Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva refer to on a bottle of Rioja?

A

How long the wine was aged before it is released to the market.

44
Q

Which term refers to the longest aging period:

  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
A

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.

45
Q

Which term refers to the shortest aging period:

  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
A

Crianza

Crianza retains its primary fruit aromas and flavors because it spends the least amount of time in oak.

46
Q

What is the term for very youngest style of aged wine in Spain?

A

Joven

47
Q

Describe a Joven red wine from Spain.

A
  • Young
  • Fresh
  • Fruity

Joven almost never sees new oak and will be even more simple than Crianza.

48
Q

Describe a Reserva red wine from Spain.

A
  • Dry
  • Developing secondary aromas and flavors (caramel, earth, mushrooms)
  • Both fresh and dried or cooked fruit
  • Softened tannins
49
Q

Grapes of what level of quality are used for Reserva or Gran Reserva wines in Spain?

A

Only top tier quality

50
Q

Which country is most identifed with Carmenère?

A

Chile

51
Q

Which country is most identifed with Malbec?

A

Argentina

52
Q

Which country is most identified with Pinotage?

A

South Africa

53
Q

Pinotage is predominantly grown in which South African wine region?

A

Western Cape

54
Q

Which grapes is Pinotage usually blended with?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

* Merlot

55
Q

The term used in South Africa for blended wines of Pinotage, Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon is ___.

A

Cape Blend

56
Q

From which Old World region do Malbec and Carmenère originate?

A

Southwest France

57
Q

Which region in Argentina has the highest density Malbec plantings?

A

Mendoza

58
Q

Is Mendoza at sea level or higher in elevation?

A

Higher in elevation

This creates optimal growing conditions for the sun-loving Malbec grape: warm days, cool nights.

59
Q

When Malbec is blended in Argentina, which grapes is it usually blended with?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

* Merlot

60
Q

Where in Chile are the highest density plantings of Carmenère?

A

The warm and sunny areas of Central Valley.

61
Q

What are some of the unpleasant aromas/flavors of underripe Carmenère?

A
  • raw green bell pepper
  • tomato leaf
  • very herbaceous
62
Q

When Carmenère is blended in Chile, which grapes is it usually blended with?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

* Merlot