Grape Varieties and Geographically Named Wines Flashcards
What is malolactic fermentation?
Secondary fermentation converting malic acid to lactic acid. Common for almost all red wines and sometimes for whites. Chardonnay that goes through malolactic fermentation will have creamier, buttery notes and rounder mouthfeel.
What are lees?
Dead yeast cells left behind after fermentation has finished. Can be aged with wine to add a creamy texture and savory flavors.
What is the classic French region known for high quality Chardonnay?
Burgundy
What style of wine will typically be found in Chablis?
Chardonnay with high acidity, green fruit, citrus notes, smoky, flinty, mineral signature.
What is the Cote d’Or?
Heart of Burgundy containing Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune
Mersault and Puligny-Montrachet are villages within which region?
Cote de Beaune (within Cote d’Or, within Burgundy)
What white grape is found in Pouilly-Fuisse?
Chardonnay
What Australian regions have a reputation for high quality Chardonnay?
Adelaide Hills (South Australia), Margaret River (Western Australia), Yarra Valley (Victoria)
Where is the Casablanca Valley? What is the primary white varietal planted there and why does it do so well?
Chile’s Central Valley, cool sea breezes and morning fog leads to Chardonnay with balanced acidity, banana and melon flavors
What 2 villages within France’s Loire Valley are known for high quality Sauvignon Blanc? What are the varietals’s characteristics associated with these villages?
Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume. Characteristics include green fruit, herbaceous aromas and a steeliness similar to Chablis.
What varietal is blended with Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux for dry white wine? What does it add?
Semillon, which adds complexity to develop in the bottle and body.
What are characteristics on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and what is the most established production region?
Marlborough in South Island, high acidity, no oak, gooseberry, grass, green pepper, passion fruit & citrus.
What is the term for Sauvignon Blanc from California that has undergone some degree of oak aging?
Fume Blanc, term originated in the Napa Valley
What South African regions are known for quality Sauvignon Blanc production and what are the cooling influences associated with each?
Constantia (cooling influence from the sea) and Elgin (cooling influence due to high altitude)
What is the basis for the classification of Pradikatswein wines
Sugar ripeness levels in the grapes at the time of harvest.
What white varietal is most likely to be found in the regions of Mosel, Rheingau and Pfalz?
Riesling
What geographic feature separates Alsace from the rest of France?
Vosges Mountains
What are the 2 appellations within Alsace?
Alsace AC and Alsace Grand Cru AC
What 2 Australian regions are known for high quality Riesling production?
Clare Valley & Eden Valley
Is Riesling usually blended or produced as a varietal wine?
Riesling is not usually blended, but produced as a varietal wine.
What is the classic region in France for Pinot Gris?
Alsace
What is Italy’s most widely planted white varietal?
Trebbiano (AKA Ugni Blanc in France)
What grape is used in the production of Soave?
Garganega
Where is Gavi DOCG and what grape is used in its production?
Piedmont, Cortese
What varietal is grown in Vouvray?
Chenin Blanc
What varietal is used to produce Muscadet in the Loire Valley?
Melon Blanc/Melon de Bourgogne
What is the traditional white varietal of Spain’s Rias Baixas region?
Albarino
