Grape Varieties CSW exam flashcards
What is the most important grape species in wine? Second most?
Vinifera Labrusca
What are the characteristics of Chardonnay?
Green apple, melon, pear (cool), tropical fruit (warm), butter (malo), Vanilla, butterscotch, toast, caramel (oak)
Where is Chardonnay indigenous to?
Burgundy, France (limestone soils)
Chardonnay’s from warmer regions tend to be what?
More full bodied and higher alcohol
Chardonnay’s from cooler climates tend to be what?
Crisp in acidity with light to medium body
What is one noteable trait of Chardonnay?
Its ability to improve with age
What is the acidity and alcohol in Chardonnay?
Acidity - low to high
Alcohol - medium to low
What are the characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc?
Grass, hay, grapefruit, green pepper (cool) Asparagus, melon (warm) flint (Loire) Gooseberry (New Zealand) Toast, smoke (oak)
What is the acidity and alcohol in Sauvignon Blanc?
Acidity - high
Alcohol - medium
Sauvignon Blanc is native to what region?
France
Sauvignon Blanc is normally a minority ingredient in the sweet dessert wines of what?
The Bordeaux area, including Sauternes
Wines labeled Fume Blanc are assumed to have what influence?
Oak
What are the characteristics of Riesling?
Peach, nectarine, apricot, honeysuckle, jasmine, wat stone “petrol”, baking spices (well aged)
What is the acidity and alcohol in Riesling?
Acidity - high to very high
Alcohol - very low to high
Where is Riesling indigenous to?
Germany
What are the only synonyms for true Riesling?
White Riesling and Johannisberg Riesling
What are the characteristics of Chenin Blanc?
Apple, straw, melon, apricot, almond, citrus blossoms
What is the acidity and alcohol of Chenin Blanc?
Acidity - high
Alcohol - medium to high
Where did Chenin Blanc originate from?
Loire Valley
Like Riesling, Chenin Blanc can be found in what versions?
Dry, sweet, or sparkling
Why are Riesling and Chenin Blanc able to produce good sparkling wines?
Due to their high acidity and ability to be grown in cool climates
What is the South African name for Chenin Blanc?
Steen
What are the characteristics of Pinot Grigio/Gris?
Apple, lemon, melon, peach, minerals
What is the acidity and alcohol of Pinot Grigio/Gris?
Acidity - low to high
Alcohol - medium
Where did Pinot Grigio/Gris originate?
In Burgundy France. A mutation of Pinot Noir.
Pinot Gris usually identifies the type of wine produced in…
Alsace or Oregon (these cool climate wines have high acidity, medium to full body, pear apple, and almond like characteristics)
Pinot Gris is called what in Germany?
Rulander or Grauburgunder
Wines labeled Pinot Grigio are usually what?
Dry and often neutral and unoaked. Some versions can be aromatic and less aged.
What are the characteristics of Muscat?
Musk, honey, orange blossom, apricot, table grapes
What is the acidity and alcohol of Muscat?
Acidity - medium
Alcohol - medium to high
What are some prime examples of well-known Muscats?
- Vins doux naturals from France
- Asti from northeastern Italy
- Rutherglen Muscats from Australia
- Moscatels from south Spain
Where does Muscat tend to perform best?
In warm to hot climates
What are the well-known or signature white grape(s) of Argentina?
Torrontes
What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Austria?
Gruner Veltliner
What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of France?
Muscadet, Marsanne, Rousanne, Aligote
What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Germany?
Muller-Thurgau, Silvaner
What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Greece?
Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Rhoditis
What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Hungary?
Furmint
What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Italy?
Cortese, Garganega, Glera which goes into (prosecco), Verdicchio, Vermintino
What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Spain?
Albarino, Macabeo/viura, Palomino, Parellada, Pedro Ximenez, Verdejo, Xarel-lo
What are the well -known or signature white grape(s) of Switzerland?
Chasselas
Explain Semillion
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.
Explain Viognier
rich, viscous, full bodied heft and rich aromatics.
Explain Pinot Blanc
“Weissburgunder” One of the main grapes of Alsace
Similar to Pinot Gris- can be difficult to tell apart
Explain Gewurtztraminer
One of the most aromatic varieties/ perfume of flowers and spice/ probably most prominent in Alsace
Explain Trebbiano
Commercially important grape variety
Associated with Italy but also planted in France (used mostly for brandy production)
What are the characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Black currant, cedar, eucalyptus, tobacco, black cherry, dark chocolate, cedar, bell pepper, (cool)
Vanilla (new aged oak), coffee, caramel, cigar box (well aged)
What is the acidity, alcohol, and tannin in Cabernet Sauvignon?
Acidity - medium to high
Alcohol - high
Tannin - high
Where did Cabernet Sauvignon originate?
Bordeaux
What is the difference between Napa cabs and Bordeaux cabs?
Napa - higher in alcohol, lower in acidity and more fruit forward
Bordeaux - Restrained fruit and /or spice notes
What are the characteristics of Merlot?
Blueberry, plum, black cherry, mint, coffee, chocolate
What is the acidity, alcohol, and tannin of Merlot?
Acidity and Alcohol - medium
Tannin - medium to high
What are the differences between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Merlot is less intense, less tannic, less alcoholic and less acidic with lighter, brighter fruit than Cab
Why do Merlot and Cab Sauv compliment each other?
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.
Where does Grenache typically appear?
In blended wines to add alcoholic strength and complexity
TRUE or FALSE: Grenache tends to oxidize quickly, picking up a blueish green tint.
FALSE: It oxidizes to ORANGEish/ rustic tint
What are the characteristics of Grenache?
Strawberry, sour cherry, flowers, black pepper, cranberry
What is the alcohol, acidity, and tannin of Grenache?
Alcohol - high
Acidity - low to medium
Tannin - low
Where did Syrah originate?
France
What is the alcohol, acidity, and tannin of Syrah/Shiraz?
Alcohol - high
Acidity - low to medium
Tannin - high
What are the characteristics of Syrah/Shiraz?
Blackberry, tar, leather, anise, rosemary, black pepper, smoke, lavender, forest floor, earth, dried fruits, smoked meats
Where does Pinot Noir perform best?
cool climates
Where did Pinot Noir originate?
Burgundy
What are the characteristics of Pinot Noir?
Cherry, raspberry, strawberry, earth, violet, lilac, sandalwood, mushroom
What is the alcohol, acidity, and tannin of Pinot Noir?
Alcohol - medium
Acidity - medium to high
Tannin - low to medium
As Pinot Noir matures, what type of characteristics may it take on?
forest floor, barnyard, earthy
What are the characteristics of Cabernet Franc?
cranberry, strawberry, tobacco, mushroom, bell pepper, tea, raspberry, violet
What is the acidity, alcohol, and tannin in Cab Franc?
Acidity - medium to high
Alcohol - medium
Tannin - light to medium
Where does Cab Franc comprise a wide percentage of plantings?
Right Bank appellations in Bordeaux
What are the characteristics of Sangiovese?
sour cherry, orange peel, high in acid and lightly colored
What varietal is considered to be densely pigmented, high in alcohol, and spicy?
Zinfandel
Which has more tannin Sangiovese or Nebbiolo?
Nebbiolo
What is Mouvedre also called in Spain?
Monastrell
What are the characteristics of Tempranillo?
leather, tobacco, chalk dust
What are the characteristics of Malbec?
inky black, blackberry and plum
Define Species
A scientific grouping of plants and animals- in this case, vines
Define Variety
A subspecies of grape; that is, an identifiable group of vines that share characteristics of appearance, flavor, and growth.
Define Clone
Vines descended from a single plant by cuttings. In theory, each is an exact, genetically identical copy of the original plant.
Define Mutation
A vine that has developed different characteristics from its parents or fellow clones through imperfect reproduction of cells as it grows.
