Grape Varieties CSW exam flashcards

1
Q

What is the most important grape species in wine? Second most?

A

Vinifera Labrusca

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2
Q

What are the characteristics of Chardonnay?

A

Green apple, melon, pear (cool), tropical fruit (warm), butter (malo), Vanilla, butterscotch, toast, caramel (oak)

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3
Q

Where is Chardonnay indigenous to?

A

Burgundy, France (limestone soils)

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4
Q

Chardonnay’s from warmer regions tend to be what?

A

More full bodied and higher alcohol

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5
Q

Chardonnay’s from cooler climates tend to be what?

A

Crisp in acidity with light to medium body

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6
Q

What is one noteable trait of Chardonnay?

A

Its ability to improve with age

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7
Q

What is the acidity and alcohol in Chardonnay?

A

Acidity - low to high

Alcohol - medium to low

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8
Q

What are the characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc?

A
Grass, hay, grapefruit, green pepper (cool) 
Asparagus, melon (warm) 
flint (Loire)
Gooseberry (New Zealand) 
Toast, smoke (oak)
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9
Q

What is the acidity and alcohol in Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Acidity - high

Alcohol - medium

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10
Q

Sauvignon Blanc is native to what region?

A

France

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11
Q

Sauvignon Blanc is normally a minority ingredient in the sweet dessert wines of what?

A

The Bordeaux area, including Sauternes

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12
Q

Wines labeled Fume Blanc are assumed to have what influence?

A

Oak

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13
Q

What are the characteristics of Riesling?

A

Peach, nectarine, apricot, honeysuckle, jasmine, wat stone “petrol”, baking spices (well aged)

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14
Q

What is the acidity and alcohol in Riesling?

A

Acidity - high to very high

Alcohol - very low to high

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15
Q

Where is Riesling indigenous to?

A

Germany

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16
Q

What are the only synonyms for true Riesling?

A

White Riesling and Johannisberg Riesling

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17
Q

What are the characteristics of Chenin Blanc?

A

Apple, straw, melon, apricot, almond, citrus blossoms

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18
Q

What is the acidity and alcohol of Chenin Blanc?

A

Acidity - high

Alcohol - medium to high

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19
Q

Where did Chenin Blanc originate from?

A

Loire Valley

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20
Q

Like Riesling, Chenin Blanc can be found in what versions?

A

Dry, sweet, or sparkling

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21
Q

Why are Riesling and Chenin Blanc able to produce good sparkling wines?

A

Due to their high acidity and ability to be grown in cool climates

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22
Q

What is the South African name for Chenin Blanc?

A

Steen

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23
Q

What are the characteristics of Pinot Grigio/Gris?

A

Apple, lemon, melon, peach, minerals

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24
Q

What is the acidity and alcohol of Pinot Grigio/Gris?

A

Acidity - low to high

Alcohol - medium

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25
Q

Where did Pinot Grigio/Gris originate?

A

In Burgundy France. A mutation of Pinot Noir.

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26
Q

Pinot Gris usually identifies the type of wine produced in…

A

Alsace or Oregon (these cool climate wines have high acidity, medium to full body, pear apple, and almond like characteristics)

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27
Q

Pinot Gris is called what in Germany?

A

Rulander or Grauburgunder

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28
Q

Wines labeled Pinot Grigio are usually what?

A

Dry and often neutral and unoaked. Some versions can be aromatic and less aged.

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29
Q

What are the characteristics of Muscat?

A

Musk, honey, orange blossom, apricot, table grapes

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30
Q

What is the acidity and alcohol of Muscat?

A

Acidity - medium

Alcohol - medium to high

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31
Q

What are some prime examples of well-known Muscats?

A
  • Vins doux naturals from France
  • Asti from northeastern Italy
  • Rutherglen Muscats from Australia
  • Moscatels from south Spain
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32
Q

Where does Muscat tend to perform best?

A

In warm to hot climates

33
Q

What are the well-known or signature white grape(s) of Argentina?

A

Torrontes

34
Q

What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Austria?

A

Gruner Veltliner

35
Q

What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of France?

A

Muscadet, Marsanne, Rousanne, Aligote

36
Q

What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Germany?

A

Muller-Thurgau, Silvaner

37
Q

What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Greece?

A

Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Rhoditis

38
Q

What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Hungary?

A

Furmint

39
Q

What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Italy?

A

Cortese, Garganega, Glera which goes into (prosecco), Verdicchio, Vermintino

40
Q

What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Spain?

A

Albarino, Macabeo/viura, Palomino, Parellada, Pedro Ximenez, Verdejo, Xarel-lo

41
Q

What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Switzerland?

A

Chasselas

42
Q

Explain Semillion

A

Dry, white wine often blended with Chard in Australia and has the primary constituent of the sweet dessert wines of Bordeaux and southwestern France. Often blended with wines of higher acidity for balance.

43
Q

Explain Viognier

A

rich, viscous, full bodied heft and rich aromatics.

44
Q

Explain Pinot Blanc

A

“Weissburgunder” One of the main grapes of Alsace

Similar to Pinot Gris- can be difficult to tell apart

45
Q

Explain Gewurtztraminer

A

One of the most aromatic varieties/ perfume of flowers and spice/ probably most prominent in Alsace

46
Q

Explain Trebbiano

A

Commercially important grape variety

Associated with Italy but also planted in France (used mostly for brandy production)

47
Q

What are the characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?

A
  • Black currant, cedar, eucalyptus, tobacco, black cherry, dark chocolate, cedar, bell pepper, (cool)
    Vanilla (new aged oak), coffee, caramel, cigar box (well aged)
48
Q

What is the acidity, alcohol, and tannin in Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Acidity - medium to high
Alcohol - high
Tannin - high

49
Q

Where did Cabernet Sauvignon originate?

A

Bordeaux

50
Q

What is the difference between Napa cabs and Bordeaux cabs?

A

Napa - higher in alcohol, lower in acidity and more fruit forward
Bordeaux - Restrained fruit and /or spice notes

51
Q

What are the characteristics of Merlot?

A

Blueberry, plum, black cherry, mint, coffee, chocolate

52
Q

What is the acidity, alcohol, and tannin of Merlot?

A

Acidity and Alcohol - medium

Tannin - medium to high

53
Q

What are the differences between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Merlot is less intense, less tannic, less alcoholic and less acidic with lighter, brighter fruit than Cab

54
Q

Why do Merlot and Cab Sauv compliment each other?

A

Aromas are similar, but not identical giving the combo a much richer array of flavors.
Merlot ripens early, and cab late.
Mitigates the risk of extreme weather at either end of the growing season.

55
Q

Where does Grenache typically appear?

A

In blended wines to add alcoholic strength and complexity

56
Q

TRUE or FALSE: Grenache tends to oxidize quickly, picking up a blueish green tint.

A

FALSE: It oxidizes to ORANGEish/ rustic tint

57
Q

What are the characteristics of Grenache?

A

Strawberry, sour cherry, flowers, black pepper, cranberry

58
Q

What is the alcohol, acidity, and tannin of Grenache?

A

Alcohol - high
Acidity - low to medium
Tannin - low

59
Q

Where did Syrah originate?

A

France

60
Q

What is the alcohol, acidity, and tannin of Syrah/Shiraz?

A

Alcohol - high
Acidity - low to medium
Tannin - high

61
Q

What are the characteristics of Syrah/Shiraz?

A

Blackberry, tar, leather, anise, rosemary, black pepper, smoke, lavender, forest floor, earth, dried fruits, smoked meats

62
Q

Where does Pinot Noir perform best?

A

cool climates

63
Q

Where did Pinot Noir originate?

A

Burgundy

64
Q

What are the characteristics of Pinot Noir?

A

Cherry, raspberry, strawberry, earth, violet, lilac, sandalwood, mushroom

65
Q

What is the alcohol, acidity, and tannin of Pinot Noir?

A

Alcohol - medium
Acidity - medium to high
Tannin - low to medium

66
Q

As Pinot Noir matures, what type of characteristics may it take on?

A

forest floor, barnyard, earthy

67
Q

What are the characteristics of Cabernet Franc?

A

cranberry, strawberry, tobacco, mushroom, bell pepper, tea, raspberry, violet

68
Q

What is the acidity, alcohol, and tannin in Cab Franc?

A

Acidity - medium to high
Alcohol - medium
Tannin - light to medium

69
Q

Where does Cab Franc comprise a wide percentage of plantings?

A

Right Bank appellations in Bordeaux

70
Q

What are the characteristics of Sangiovese?

A

sour cherry, orange peel, high in acid and lightly colored

71
Q

What varietal is considered to be densely pigmented, high in alcohol, and spicy?

A

Zinfandel

72
Q

Which has more tannin Sangiovese or Nebbiolo?

A

Nebbiolo

73
Q

What is Mouvedre also called in Spain?

A

Monastrell

74
Q

What are the characteristics of Tempranillo?

A

leather, tobacco, chalk dust

75
Q

What are the characteristics of Malbec?

A

inky black, blackberry and plum

76
Q

Define Species

A

A scientific grouping of plants and animals- in this case, vines

77
Q

Define Variety

A

A subspecies of grape; that is, an identifiable group of vines that share characteristics of appearance, flavor, and growth.

78
Q

Define Clone

A

Vines descended from a single plant by cuttings. In theory, each is an exact, genetically identical copy of the original plant.

79
Q

Define Mutation

A

A vine that has developed different characteristics from its parents or fellow clones through imperfect reproduction of cells as it grows.