Grape Varieties Flashcards Preview

WSET ® Level 1 Wine > Grape Varieties > Flashcards

Flashcards in Grape Varieties Deck (12)
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1
Q

List the principal white grape varieties

A
  • Chardonnay
  • Sauvignon blanc
  • Pinot grigio
  • Riesling
2
Q

List the principal black grape varieties

A
  • Cabernet sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Pinot noir
  • Syrah/shiraz
3
Q

Describe the characteristics of a cool climate chardonnay.

A
  • High acidity
  • Light to medium-bodied
  • Green fruit
  • Citrus aromas
4
Q

Describe the characteristics of a warm climate chardonnay.

A
  • Medium acidity
  • Medium to full body
  • Stone fruit flavors
  • Tropical fruit flavors
5
Q

True or False:

Chardonnay can be used in the making of Champagne.

A

True

It is often blended with pinot noir in Champagne.

6
Q

Describe some of the characteristics of wine made from sauvignon blanc grapes.

A
  • High acidity
  • Medium-bodied wines
  • Aromas of green fruit
  • Citrus aromas and flavors
  • Herbaceous aromas and flavors

They are often fermented in stainless steel tanks instead of oak.

7
Q

What country is pinot grigio mainly associated with?

A

Italy

High acidity, light body and simple pear and lemon flavors make up a typical wine produced with pinot grigio.

8
Q

True or False:

Riesling only produces wines that are sweet.

A

False

Riesling produces wines that range from dry to sweet but always have high acidity.
They are often fermented in stainless steel tanks.

9
Q

What are some characteristics of cabernet sauvignon wines?

A
  • Dry wines
  • High levels of tannins and acidity
  • Medium to full bodied
  • Black fruit aromas
  • Herbaceous notes

These wines are often matured in oak and blended with other grape varieties due to the high level of tannins.

10
Q

Describe the typical characteristics of a merlot wine.

A
  • Generally dry
  • Medium to full-bodied wines
  • Medium acidity and tannins
  • A range of flavors and aromas from red fruits to black fruits

They are often matured in oak.

11
Q

True or False:

Pinot noir is the principal black grape in New Zealand?

A

True

Wines produced from Pinot noir tend to be dry and light-bodied with low tannin levels.

They have red fruit flavors and are often matured in oak.

12
Q

What are the characteristics of wines produced with syrah/shiraz?

A
  • Dry wines
  • medium to full bodied
  • high tannins
  • medium acidity

The wines produced in France are medium-bodied with fresh black fruit and pepper aromas, while the wines produed in warmer regions such as Australia are more full-bodied with jammy black fruit and liquorice flavors.