Grape Varieties Flashcards
What are the most important species of vine in commercial winemaking?
Vitis Vinifera and Vitis Labrusca, which is native to North America, and produces Concord grapes, among others, but was determined to be less than ideal for winemaking, due to the “foxy” nature of the wines it produced.
From where is Vitis Vinifera believed to have originated?
In the Caucasus Mountains between Europe and Asia, and was spread by human intervention through southern Europe, the Middle East and eventually the world
What is one advantage North American vines have over Vinifera?
Natural resistance to phylloxera, an aphid-like insect that wreaked havoc in Europe in the 19th century.
Besides Labrusca, what are three other native American rootstocks used for grafting?
Vitis Riparia, Aestivalis, Rupestris
What is the difference between a species, varietal and clone?
A species is a group of plants with similar characteristics that can produce viable offspring through sexual reproduction. Ex: Vitis Vinifera and Labrusca
A varietal, or cultivar, is a subspecies that shares many characteristic of appearance, flavor and growth. Ex: Chardonnay and Syrah.
Clones are technically any plant that’s reproduced by asexual reproduction, resulting in a perfect copy of the parent. In grape growing, however, a clone is actually slightly different than the parent, but not different enough to be considered it’s own varietal. Many clones have names or numbers assigned to them.
What is a mutation?
Mutation happens over time through imperfect reproduction, causing the offspring to have different characteristics than the parent. Pinot Gris and Blanc are both mutations of Pinot Noir.
What is the difference between a crossing and a hybrid?
A crossing is the result of sexual reproduction between two plants of the same species, Cabernet Franc x Sauvignon Blanc = Cabernet Sauvignon.
A hybrid is the result of sexual reproduction between two plants of different species, ex Vidal, Seyval Blanc and Baco Noir. They cannot reproduce but can be propagated through cuttings.
What is the difference between an indigenous and international grape varieties?
International varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, are prevalent in New World regions and have been found to thrive in a wide range of growing conditions.
Indigenous, or native, grapes, like Nebbiolo, are grown in primarily one place, have a long history in the area, and have adapted extremely well to the local conditions.
What does “autochthonous” mean?
Indigenous grapes that are the result of natural cross-breeding or natural mutation in a specific area.
Describe the classic profile of Chardonnay?
Ex: White Burgundy, Champagne, “California” style
Countries: France, US, Australia
Aromas: green apple, melon, pears (cool), tropical (warm), butter (mlc); vanilla, toast (oak)
Acid: med-hi
Alcohol: med-hi
What percentage of South African plantings are Steen?
18%
Describe the classic profile of Chenin Blanc?
Ex: Vouvray, Savennieres, Saumur Countries: South Africa, France, US Aromas: green apple, yellow pear, melon, green plum, citrus, almond, white flower, chamomile tea, honey and quince (age) Acid: med (+) - hi Alcohol med-hi
What ancient grape variety has been propelled to double-digit growth in the US in the last few years?
Muscat
What are the three most common varieties of Muscat?
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grain, Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat Ottonel
What are three examples of dessert Muscats?
Vin doux naturels in Southern France;
Moscatels from Spain;
Rutherglenn Stickies from Australia
What is the classic profile of Muscat?
Ex: South of France, Northern Italy, Australia
Countries: Italy, France, Chile, Australia
Aromas: musk, honey, orange blossom, floral, apricot, table grapes
Acid: lo-med
Alcohol med-hi
What grape did Pinot Grigio mutate from and what other names does it go by?
Pinot Noir; Pinot Gris (France), Grauburgunder or Rulander (Germany)
What is the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris?
They are technically synonymous, but Pinot Gris, often used in Alsace and Oregon, is often used to describe a fuller bodied, med (+) acid style with apple and almond characteristics and a mod amount of rs.
Pinot Grigio as found in California and Australia, is often dry, unoaked and neutral.
Describe the classic profile for Pinot Grigio?
Ex: Northeastern Italy, Alsace, Oregon
Countries: Italy, US, Germany, France, Australia
Aromas: apple, lemon, melon, peach, mineral, almond
Acid: lo-hi
Alcohol: med
What are three unique things about Riesling?
Retains acidity even as it ripens;
Has a unique “petrol” aroma;
Can be made in styles ranging from bone-dry to luscious.
Describe the classic profile of Riesling.
Ex: Mosel, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz; Alsace, Eden and Clare Valley, Finger Lakes, Washington State
Countries: Germany, Australia, France, US
Aromas: lime, peach, nectarine, apricot, honeysuckle, wet stone, petrol, baking spice (age)
Acid: hi to v hi
Alcohol: very hi to lo
What is the difference between Sauvignon and Fume Blanc?
In the US, these terms are legally interchangeable, however Fume Blanc often indicates an oaked style of Sauvignon Blanc pioneered by Robert Mondavi.
Describe the classic profile of Sauvignon Blanc?
Ex: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, white Bordeaux, Fume Blanc, New Zealand
Countries: France, US, NZ, Chile, South Africa
Aromas: grass, hay, grapefruit, green pepper (cool); asparagus, melon (warm); flint (Loire); gooseberry (NZ); smoke (oak)
Acid: med (+) - hi
Alcohol - med
Name two regions that use Semillon as a blending partner and one that produces varietal wines?
Bordeaux (with Sauv Blanc)
Australia (with Chard)
Hunter Valley (100% varietal)
What aromatic variety was considered indigenous until recently?
Viognier, indigenous to Northern Rhone, now grown widely in the US and elsewhere.
What is the difference between Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris and what other names does it go by?
Lighter bodied and more exotic; Pinot Bianco (Italy) and Weissburgunder (Germany)
Where was Gewurztraminer first recorded?
Italian alps; more associated today with Alsace and Germany
What is Trebbiano Toscano principally know for, what’s it other name, and what else besides wine is made with it?
The workhorse grape of Italy;
Ugni Blanc (Cote de Gascogne);
Brandy, Cognac, balsamic vinegar
What are the white grapes associated with Argentina, Austria, Hungary and Switzerland respectively?
Torrontes, Gruner Veltliner, Furmint and Chasselas
What is Cabernet Sauvignon a crossing between?
Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc
What is the classic profile of Cabernet Franc?
Ex: Red Bordeaux, Loir, NE Italy, NY, California
Countries: France, Italy, US
Aromas: cranberry, strawberry, tobacco, mushroom, bell pepper, tea (cool); raspberry, violet (warm)
Acid: med-hi
Tannin: lo-med
Alcohol: med
What parts of the Loire is Cab Franc known for?
Chinon, Borgueil, Saumur-Champigny
Where did Cabernet Sauvignon originate?
Bordeaux
What is the diff between Bordeaux and Napa Cab?
Generally Napa cab is lower acid, higher alcohol and more fruit forward than Bordeaux.
What is the classic profile of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Ex: Red Bordeaux, Napa Valley
Countries: France, Chile, US, Australia
Aromas: black currant, black cherry, eucalyptus, mint, bell pepper (cool); dark chocolate, cedar, valilla, tobacco (oak); coffee, caramel, cigar box (age)
What other varietals is Grenache typically blended with?
Syrah and Mourvedre
What is Grenache called in Spain and Sardinia
Garnacha (Garnatxa) and Cannanau
What is the classic profile of Grenache?
Ex: South Rhone, Priorat, Rioja, Navarra, Australia
Countries: France, Spain
Aromas: strawberry, sour cherry, flowers, black pepper, cranberry
Acid: lo-med
Tannin: lo-med
Alcohol: high
How does Merlot complement Cabernet Sauvignon?
Merlot ripens early while Cab ripens late;
Merlot is generally softer, lighter, brighter
What is the classic profile of Merlot?
Ex: Red Bordeaux, many New World
Countries: France, US, Spain, Italy, Chile
Aromas: blueberry, plum, black cherry, mint, coffee, chocolate
Acid: med
Tannin: med
Alcohol: med-hi
What is Pinot Noir called in Germany?
Spatburgunder
What is the classic profile of Pinot Noir?
Ex: Red Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon, New Zealand, California
Countries: France, US, Germany
Aromas: cherry, raspberry, strawberry, earth, violet, lilac, sandalwood, mushroom
Acid: med-hi
Tannin: lo-Med
Alcohol: med
What is the leading red grape in Australia?
Shiraz
What is the classic profile of Syrah/Shiraz?
Ex: Rhone, Australia, Paso Robles Countries: France, Australia, US Aromas: blackberry, tar, leather, anise, rosemary, black pepper, smoke, lavender, forest floor, earth, dried fruits, smoked meats (age) Acid: lo-med Tannin: hi Alcohol: hi
What two grapes is California’s Zinfandel genetically equivalent to and who is credited with the discovery?
Italy’s Primativo and Croatia’s Tribidrag;
UC Davis’ Carole Meredith
In what year was Sangiovese permitted as 100% varietal wine in Chianti?
1996
What are some key characteristic of Nebbiolo?
Tar, rose, high acid, high tannin, red and black fruit, licorice …
What are two other names Tempranillo is known by in Portugal?
Tinta Roriz (Douro) or Arragones (Alentejo)
In what region was Malbec a minor play and a major player before becoming the signature grape of a different region?
Bordeaux;
Cahors;
Mendoza and Argentina
What is Gamay’s technical name?
Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc
Name three facts about Alicante Bouschet.
It’s a teinturier, meaning red flesh and red skin;
it’s a cross of Petit Bouschet & Grenache;
In Spain it can be referred to as Garnacha Tintoera
What are three signature grapes in Chile, Ururguay and South Africa?
Carmenere, Tannat, Pinotage
