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.
