Grape Varieties Flashcards
Main grape species used for commercial wine
Vitis vinifera
Common term for grape subspecies
Variety
Cabernet Franc X Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Offspring created via typical reproduction of two grapes within the same species
Cross (Crossing)
Major white grape of Burgundy
Chardonnay
South African nickname for Chenin Blanc
Steen
Leading red grape of Burgundy
Pinot Noir
Offspring created via typical reproduction of closely related but different species
Hybrid
White grape used in the sweet wines of Rutherglen
Muscat
Leading white grape of the Clare Valley
Riesling
Major white grape of Champagne
Chardonnay
Also known as Grauburgunder
Pinot Gris
White grape of Sancerre
Sauvignon Blanc
Red grape of Cahors
Malbec
Term created by Robert Mondavi for Sauvignon Blanc
Fume Blanc
Also known as Tinta Roriz
Tempranillo
Leading white grape of Hunter Valley
Semillon (Semillon in French)
Grape used in Barolo
Nebbiolo
Also known as Weissburgunder
Pinot Blanc (Pinot Bianco)
Predominant variety of the Cognac Region
Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano)
Grape (somewhat unique to California) known for “jammy” blackberry flavors
Zinfandel
Grape variety of Savennieres
Chenin Blanc
Red grape variety of Chinon
Cabernet Franc
White grape variety (grown in a few places, including Alsace) with aromas of flowers, perfume, and lychee
Gewurztraminer
Also known as Cannonau
Grenache
Leading red grape of Tuscany
Sangiovese
Homeland for Chasselas
Switzerland
Three grapes of the G-S-M blend
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvedre
What genus to grapes belong to?
Vitis
Where did vinifera vines develop?
In the Caucasus Mountains region between Europe and Asia
Second most important grape species, commercially
Vitis labrusca
What does Vitis labrusca generally make?
Sweet, flavorful grapes fit for fresh consumption or grape juice
Example of a Vitis labrusca grape
Concord
Generally speaking, why are Vitis labrusca grapes not often utilized in winemaking?
Extremely high acidity, and characteristic flavor component that is undesirable in wine (foxy)
What advantage do native North American vines have over vinifera?
Resistance to phylloxera
What are the North American vine species?
Vitis labrusca
Vitis riparia
Vitis aestivalis
Vitis rupestris
Species
Scientific grouping of plants or animals that are:
genetically similar
have broad characteristics in common
can produce viable offspring through sexual reproduction
Variety
Subspecies
Variety, in winemaking
Identifiable group of vines of the same species that share many characteristics of appearance, flavor, and growth
Clone
Perfect copies of a parent grape; generally used to mean grapes that are slightly different from their parent
How are virtually all grape varieties propagated in commercial wine making?
Asexually
How do clones occur?
When asexually reproduced grapevines are planted in new surroundings, and slight genetic variations occur as the plant adapts to new conditions
Mutation
A vine that has developed different characteristics from its parents or fellow clones through the imperfect reproduction of cells as it grows
Example of a Mutation
Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc from Pinot Noir
Cross/Crossing
Offspring of sexual reproduction between different subspecies within the same species
Hybrid
Offspring of sexual reproduction between two closely related but different species (Vitis vinifera x Vitis labrusca)
Examples of Hybrids
Seyval Blanc
Vidal Blanc
Baco Noir
Why are hybrids created?
Attempting to create a grape resistant to different moderating influences
Why are hybrids generally unsuccessful?
Hybrids struggle to develop adequate levels of tannin and can be be exceedingly acidic
One of the most widely grown white wine grapes in the world
Airen
International Variety
Grape variety that has been found to thrive in a wide range of growing conditions and are currently grown in many areas throughout the world
Indigenous Variety
Grape variety that has not been widely grown outside of its original home or has been tried but the results were unsuccessful
Implies grapes that are grown primarily in one place, have a long history in the area, and have adapted well to local conditions
Other names for Indigenous variety
Native or Traditional
Autochthonous
Indigenous grapes that are the result of natural cross-breeding or natural mutation in a specific area
Where is Chardonnay thought to be indigenous to?
Burgundy; also considered the highest expression due to the limestone soils
What is the “California style” of Chardonnay
Less acidic more full-bodied style typically produced in the New World
Characteristics of Chardonnay in a warmer climate
Ripe, tropical fruit flavors
Higher alcohol
Fuller body
Characteristics of Chardonnay in a cooler climate
Citrus flavors
Green fruit aromas
Crisp acidity
Lighter body
Is Chardonnay used to make a sweet wine?
No, although New World producers will leave some residual sugar to round out the body
Top producing countries of Chardonnay
France, United States, Australia
Chardonnay Profile
(Cool) Green apple, melon, pears (Warm) Tropical Fruit (MLF) Butter (Oak) Vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, toast (Acid) Med - High (Alcohol) Med - High
What is Chenin Blanc known for?
Its high acidity levels that make it able to be utilized in dry, sweet, or sparkling styles
Most widely planted grape variety in South Africa?
Chenin Blanc, representing 18% of plantings – this is twice as much as is grown in France
Top producing countries of Chenin Blanc
South Africa
France
United States (California Central Valley)
Chenin Blanc Profile
(Aroma) Green apple, yellow pear, melon, green plum, citrus, almond, white flowers, chamomile tea
(Aged) Honey and Quince
(Acidity) Medium-Plus to High
(Alcohol) Medium to High
What is Muscat primarily used for?
Sweet Wines
Well-known Mutations of Muscat
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (white muscat with small berries)
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat Ottonel
Which mutation of Muscat is considered of a higher quality?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains