Grape Varieties Flashcards
In which French region is Carignan most important? Why?
The Languedoc
It was historically valued for it’s high yield and so was heavily planted, but yields reduce naturally and it produces quality juice after 50 years
What are the budding and ripening characteristics of Carignan? What effect do these have on its cultivation?
It is late budding and late ripening
Carignan avoids spring frosts but requires a long, warm growing season
What is Carignan susceptible to?
Powdery mildew
Grape moths
Is Carignan a low yielding or high yielding variety?
High yielding in its youth, but markedly lower as it approaches 50 years of age
Is Carignan suited for mechanical harvesting?
No, as the bunches are firmly attached to the vine
Is Carignan low in acidity? Tannins?
No, it is high in both acidity and tannins
What is the typical character of wine made from Carignan?
Medium ruby
High acid
High tannins
Simple blaclberry aromas in inexpensive wines
Intense black fruit, spice, and earthiness in premium and above wines
What region is known for its cultivation of Piquepoul? Where is it located?
Picpoul de Pinet AOC in the Languedoc, France
What attribute makes Piquepoul valuable in the south of France?
It retains acidity as it ripens in warm climates
True or False
Piquepoul has classically produced still and sparkling wines in France
False. It was used in the production of local Vermouth until the 1970s and 1980s. Gentle pressing, avoidance of oxidation, and low temperature fermentation improved still wine quality
What is the typical character of wines made from Piquepoul?
Dry
Medium (+) to high acidity
Medium body
Medium intensity lemon fruit with light floral notes
What is an alternative name for Malbec?
Cot
What soil type does Pinot Gris prefer?
Heavy, clay soils
Riesling is important in which countries and regions?
Germany (overall)
France (Alsace)
Australia (Clare Valley)
USA (Finger Lakes)
Why has Riesling been so successfully cultivated in Germany? What percentage of plantings does it comprise?
Riesling has thick wood and has been able to survive tough German winters. It is also late budding, which offers it resistance to spring frosts.
Riesling accounts for 23% of German grape plantings.
Why did Riesling plantings fall in Germany during the 1970s and ‘80’s?
Riesling is late ripening and needs dry autumns, which formerly meant that Riesling might not ripen fully in some vintages. More reliable crossings such as Muller-Thurgau that could achieve the legal must weight requirements were planted instead.
What types of wines does Riesling produce? Why?
A full range of styles, from dry to sweet and even sparkling. It is able to retain high acidity when fully ripe, can obtain high sugar levels, and is sensitive to botrytis.
What type of aromatic intensity and complexity can Riesling offer? What does it smell like?
Riesling is capable of offering pronounced intensity and highly complex wines.
Aromatics range from green fruit to tropical fruit and can include floral aromas. With age, it develops toasty, honeyed, and petrol aromas.
What was one of the earliest German crosses that still maintains significance today? When, where, and by whom was it developed?
Müller-Thurgay, invented in 1882 by Hermann Müller at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute.
What is Müller-Thurgae a cross of?
Riseling and Madeleine Royale
What is Müller-Thrugau also known as?
Rivaner
When and why did Müller-Thurgau become popular?
It was widely planted in Germany in the 1970s and 1980s to provide a more consistent crop over Riesling.
What types of wines does Müller-Thurgau produce? Why?
Relatively simple, early drinking wines with simple fruity and floral aromas that generally have less structure and character than Rieslings.
It is also used widely in off-dry and inexpensive blends, such as Liebfraumilch which was popular in the ’70s and ’80s
What is Germany’s most planted black grape variety?
Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)
What is Germany’s most important black grape crossing? When, where, and by whom was it developed?
Dornfelder, developed by August Herold at the State Education and Research Institute for Viticulture and Pomology in Weinsberg, Württemberg in 1955.
What types of wines does Dornfelder produce?
Two very distinct styles
Fruity, easy drinking with some residual sugar and aromas of sour cherry and blackberry
More complex, structured, ageable examples with oak fermentation and/or maturation with a focus on structure
Which winegrowing regions have considerable Dornfelder plantings?
Rheinhessen and Pfalz in Germany where it is the most planted black variety
Where is Teroldego most likely to be found?
Trentino-Alto Adige
It is the most common black grape in Trentino
What are the viticultural characteristics of Teroldego? How is it typically cultivated?
Teroldego is vigorous and mid to late ripening. It is somewhat resistant to mildew but can suffer from dry stems.
It was traditionally trained in pergolas to manage vigor and encourage high yields. Quality focused producers have shifted to Guyot.
What is the typical character of Teroldego?
Deep color, mouth watering acidity, medium body, medium ripe tannins, and deep black cherry aromas
Where is Marzemino most likely found?
Trentino
What are the viticultural characteristics of Marzemino? How is it typically cultivated?
It is susceptible to botrytis bunch rot and powdery mildew
It was historically trained on pergolas for high yields but quality focused producers are using spurred cordons
Where is Lagrein most likely to be cultivated?
Trentino-Alto Adige
What types of sites should Lagrein be planted on to encourage ripening? What are its viticultural characteristics?
Warm sites with long daylight hours.
It is subject to poor fruit set, which can reduce yields. Lagrein can also be affected by mildew.
Where is Moscato Rosa likely to be cultivated?
Trentino
What types of wine are made from Moscato Rosa?
Sweet wines with aromatics of rose
What is Moscato Rosa susceptible to?
Poor fruit set and botrytis bunch rot
Where is Nosiola typically cultivated?
In the Valley of the Lakes in Trentino, the region’s warmest area.
What types of wines is Nosiola used to produce?
Small volumes of distinctive white wines with aromas of hazelnut that derive from the grape as opposed to oak.
Vino Santo (not Vin Santo) is a style of white wine from semi-dried Nosiola.
What is Nosiola susceptible to?
Sour rot, powdery mildew, and spring frosts
What is the relationship among Teroldego, Marzemino, and Lagrein? How does this affect their viticultural traits and wine character?
Teroldego is a parent of Marzemino and Lagrein, having spontaneously crossed in the wild twice with the same (likely now extinct) varietal.
All three grapes are vigorous, mid to late ripening, and produce deeply colored wines with medium tannins.
