Grape Varieties

Question 1

What do the permitted varieties of Champagne lend to blends?

Answer 1

Chardonnay - Gives wines finesse and ageability, in its youth it lends steely minerality, as it ages it develops toasty vanilla characters. Roughly 30% of total plantings.

Pinot Noir - Pinot Noir gives the wines certain finesse and longevity but more importantly it gives them structure and back bone with fruit character that develops into biscuity flavours as it ages. Approximately 38% of plantings.

Pinot Meunier - Pinot Meunier gives an early maturing fruitiness on the palate, wines intended for early consumption are likely to have a significant proportion of Pinot Meunier. It’s fruitiness matures into notes of mushroom. 32% of plantings.

Question 2

What are the chief growing areas of the there main varietals?

Answer 2

Chardonnay - Cotes des Blancs where almost all plantings are Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir - Montagne de Reims where it makes up over half of plantings.

Pinot Meunier - In the Vallee de la Marne due to frost pockets making its late budding advantageous.

Question 3

What are the permitted varietals for Cremant de Alsace?

Answer 3

White - Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Riesling.

Rose - Pinot Noir.

Question 4

What are the permitted varieties for Cremant de Bourgogne?

Answer 4

White & Rose - Chardonnay, Aligote, Pinot Noir (min 30%), Pinot Blanc, Gamay, Melon and Sacy.

Question 5

What is the permitted maximum Gamay allowed in Cremant de Bourgogne?

Answer 5

20%

Question 6

What are the permitted grape varieties for Cremant de Bordeaux?

Answer 6

White – Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Muscadelle, Petit Verdot, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris – All of the above must be a minimum in total of 70%

Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Merlot Blanc – A maximum of 30% in total.

Rose – Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Question 7

What is the maximum permitted Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Merlot Blanc allowed in Cremant de Bourdeaux?

Answer 7

30%

Question 8

What are the grape restrictions for Cremant de Loire?

Answer 8

Sauvignon Blanc not permitted. No more than 30% Pinot d’Aunis, Grolleau or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 9

What are the grape restrictions for Saumur mosseaux?

Answer 9

White - Minimum 60% Chenin Blanc

Red - Minimum 60% Cabernet Franc

Question 10

What are the permitted varieties for Cremant de Limoux, Blanquete de Limoux and Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestral?

Answer 10

Cremant de Limoux - Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac and Pinot Noir.

Blanquette de Limoux - Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Mauzac.

Blanquette Ancestral - Mauzac.

Question 11

Describe the classification of the Limoux wines in terms of grape varieties.

Answer 11

Cremant de Limoux - Chardonnay minimum 50% - Chenin Blanc minimum 10 - 40% No more than 90% Chardonnay Chenin combined. Mauzac and Pinot Noir Maximum 20% Pinot Noir maximum 15%

Blanquette de Limoux - Minimum 90% Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.

Blanquette Ancestral 100% Mauzac

Question 12

What are the permitted grape varieties for Cremant de Die and Cremant de Die Methode de Dioise Ancestrale?

Answer 12

Cremant de Die - 100% Clairette Blanche

Cremant de Die Methode de Dioise Methode Ancestrale.- Must be at least 75% Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains.

Question 13

Name the town that Cava is produced around in Cataluna.

Answer 13

San Sardurni de Noya.

Question 14

What are the other regions apart Cataluna that can produce Cava?

Answer 14

Aragon, Navara, Rioja, Valencia and Basque Country.

Question 15

Name the Cava classifications with there time on lees.

Answer 15

NV - Minimum time on lees 9 months.

Vintage - Minimum time on lees 9 months, must be vintage stated on label.

Reserva - Minimum time on lees 15 months.

Gran Reserva - Minimum time on lees 30 months.

Rosado - Saignee method, no blending allowed.

Question 16

What are the native Cava varieties and what are their characteristics?

Answer 16

Macabeo - Also known as Viura and often Cava from outside Cataluna is made form 100% Macabeo. A neutral variety that ripens early, is grown on the planes and has green apple flavours.

Xarel-lo - Gives Cava its distinctive character, greengage and green apple, planted at low to mid altitude, it can become earthy when over ripe, and can give Cava its notorious burnt rubber character.

Paralleda - Planted at the highest altitudes, Paralleda gives Cava its perfume, aroma, acid and delicacy. It is seen as the counterpoise to Xarel-lo

Question 17

What native varieties are used for Rosado Cava and what are their qualities?

Answer 17

Trepat - A variety used only in the production of Rosado Cava, it lends strawberry like qualities and fine acidity.

Garnacha - Again lending strawberry notes but has low acidity.

Monastrell - Produces pleasant red berry notes but can produce high alcohol and appear unbalanced.

Question 18

What other varieties apart from Glera are permitted for the production of Prosecco?

Answer 18

85% must be Glera, remaining 15% can be:

Glera Lunga
Verdiso
Perera
Bianchetta Trevigiana
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Noir.

Question 19

What are the names of the Lambrusco clones?

Answer 19

Lambrusco Sorbara – A balance of fruit and acidity.

Lambrusco Salamino – The most widely planted, bunches resemble a small salami!

Lambrusco Grasporossa – Makes the fullest and highest alcohol wine.

Question 20

Name the Lambrusco DOC’s and the required minimum grape varieties.

Answer 20

Lambrusco di Modena - A blend of 85% of any of the Modena Lambruschi - 15% local varieties.

Lambrusco di Sorbara - Minimum 60% Sorbara Maximum 40% Salamino.

Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce - Minimum 90% Salamino Maximum 10% local varieties.

Lambrusco Grasparossa de Castelvetro - Minimum 85% Grasparossa, maximum 15% local varieties.

Question 21

What are the predominant varieties for Sparkling in California, Washington State and Oregon?

Answer 21

California - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Washington State - Focus is on Chardonnay.

Oregon - Extensively Pinot Noir. Also Chardonnay, Muscat, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Muller-Thurgau.

Question 22

What Washington State producers are making sparkling from non traditional varieties and what are they?

Answer 22

Pacific Rim - Riesling.

Treveri - Pinot Gris, Muller-Thurgau, Gewurtztraminer and Syrah.

Question 23

What grape varieties are common in South African carbonated wines?

Answer 23

Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage and Muscat.

Question 24

What are the common varieties in Methode Cap Classique?

Answer 24

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinotage.

Question 25

What are the common and lesser known varieties for sparkling production in Argentina?

Answer 25

Common - Semillon, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Less Common - Torrontes, Bonarda and Malbec.

Question 26

What are the permitted varieties for Franciacorta with their approximate planting levels?

Answer 26

Chardonnay - 80%
Pinot Nero - 15%
Pinot Binaco - 5%

Question 27

What are the permitted levels of varieties for Franciacorta?

Answer 27

All styles - Maximum 50% Pinot Bianco
Saten - Chardonnay and up to 50% Pinot Bianco
Rose - Up to 25% Pinot Nero