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Grapes Flashcards

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0
Q

Sangiovese

A

Italy’s most planted Grape esp Tuscany central Italy in Chianti & Chianti Classico, Montalcino (as Brunello) and Montepulciano (as Prugnolo Gentile)

More acidic than tannic, light to med bodied wines that emphasize red fruit flavours & reminiscent of clay and wet earth.
Commonly blended with heavier red grape varieties like CS
Becoming popular in Cali.

Means blood of Jupiter

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1
Q

Grenache Noir

A

Pale, sweet, ripe, red fruit, strawberry jam, high alcohol, med bodied useful for Rose (Tavel from Southern France)
And fortified dessert wines like Banyuls from southern France.

Favours warm climates

Planted around Mediterranean and most planted in Southern Rhone where it is often blended with Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault.
Notably Chateauneuf du Pape and cotes du Rhone.
Also grown in Rousillion. Also Garnacha most planted red grape in Spain Rioja and Priorat.
Cannonau in Corsica and Grenache in California or Australia.

Becoming popular as a single varietal esp if from old vines.

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2
Q

Cabernet Franc

A

Leafily aromatic, rarely heavy
Less intense than CS, ripens earlier
Widely planted in the Loire and on cooler damper soils of St. Emilion where it’s often blended with Merlot.
In Medoc/Graves it’s often planted as insurance if CS fails to ripen.
Withstands cold winters better than Merlot.
Also in New Zealand, Long Island, Washington State.
Can taste grassy in Northeast Italy, and silky in Chinon.
The most important CF based blends come from Loire Valley -esp Chinon and Samur. Also called Bouchet.

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3
Q

Tempranillo

A

Tobacco leaves, spice, leather
Spain’s most famous grape as Tinto Fino, or Tinto del Pais it provides the backbone of Ribera del Duero’s dark deep flavoured reds. In Rioja it’s blended with Garnacha. In Catalunya known as Ull de Llebre. In Valdepenas, Cencibel. In Navarra often blended with Bordeaux grapes. As Tinta Roriz used for Port. Early budding, susceptible to early frost and thin skins can rot.

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4
Q

Mourvèdre

A

Animal, blackberries, alcoholic, dense, tannic
Most important grape in Bandol, Provence’s most noble wine but has to be aged with care. In Southern France and South Australia it adds flesh to Grenache and Syrah blends.
Monastrell in Spain - 2nd most planted red grape.

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5
Q

Nebbiolo

A

Means little fog refers to fog that forms in the vineyard if Piedmont Italy
Tar, Roses, Violets, Orange and black tints, rich, powerful, high acidity, alcohol and tannin

In Barolo & Barbaresco responds sensitively to elevation - will only ripen on the most favoured sites. When fully ripe it’s exceptionally high in tannin, pigment and acids.
Tend to see extensive oak aging
Not grown well in other parts of the world. J

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6
Q

Zinfandel

A

Warm berry flavours, alcohol, sweetness

Croatian origin but known as California’s for a century. Vine ripens unevenly but berries can build high sugars and can be as strong as 17% Alcohol.

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7
Q

Malbec

A

Spicy & rich in Argentina, gamey in Cahors
Long used for blending in Southwest France incl Bordeaux. Dominant grape in Cahors known as Cot or Auxerrois where it makes rustic sometimes animal wines for med term aging.

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8
Q

Touriga Nacional

A

Portugal’s most famous port grape grown in Douro Valley.
Floral in youth, increasingly bottles as a varietal wine in Portugal and increasingly important in Dao.
Extremely high in tannin, alcohol, colour.

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9
Q

Carmenere

A

Firm, Bordeaux like, can be slightly green.
List grape of Bordeaux.
Very late ripening variety rare in Bordeaux today. Pre-phylloxera Cuttings came to Chile in 1850’s.
Grapes have to be fully ripe and avoid green, tomato leaf character.
Also found in northeast Italy and known as Cabernet Gernischt in China.
Aka Grande Vidure.

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10
Q

Pinot Gris

A

Full, golden, creamy, smoky, pungent, light to med body, med to high acidity.
Does well in temperate to cool climates.
Known in Alsace as one of the 4 Noble grapes.
Pink skinned mutation of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay cousin. Soft wines in Alsace.
In Italy known as Pinot Grigio. Rulander in Germany. High acid dry wines. Also grown in Oregon, New Zealand and Australia.
Wines labels Pinot Gris will usually be aged in Oak barrels, Pinot Grigio almost always will be in SS or neutral barrels.
Grape originated in Burgundy but no longer grown there.
Pinot Gris style most popular in France,Germany, Oregon and most California producers.
Classic Pinot Grigio originated in Northeastern Italy of Tre Venezie.
Italian Pinot Grigio most popular imported wine sold in the USA.

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11
Q

Gewurtztraminer

A

Lychees, roses, candied ginger, white pepper, heady, high alcohol, deep coloured, low acid, oily
Best examples from Alsace - sufficient acidity is key.
Also good ones in New Zealand’s East Coast, Chile, BC, Oregon and Alto Ridge Italy.

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12
Q

Chenin Blanc

A

Versaile, honey, damp straw
Origin Loire valley.
The Grape of middle Loire between Melon de Bourgogne of Muscadet and the Sauvignon Blanc of the Upper Loire. It makes an ordinary dry wine in California and South Africa.
Botrytised Chenin such as Vouvray can be great long lived sweet wines. Chenin can make lightly honeyed dry still wines and sparkling Saumur and Vouvray.
Aka Steen in SA.

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13
Q

Viognier

A

Heady, full-bodied, hawthorn blossom, apricots
Home is Condrieu in northern Rhone. Must be fully ripe to develop aromas. Best drunk young.
Also used in blending with Aromatic Roussanne and almondy Marsanne. Sometimes fermented with Syrah to stabilize it.

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14
Q

Marsanne

A

Almond, marzipan aromas, ripe melon, stone fruit, very full bodied
Characteristic of the white Hermitage in Northern Rhone and Austria esp Victoria.
In Southern France and California particularly the central coast, Marsanne is often blended with varieties such as Roussanne, Rolle/Vermentino, Grenache Blanc and Viognier. Wines tend to be golden, heady and alcoholic. Also grown small in Switzerland.
And Cali & AU.

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15
Q

What are the Aromatic Whites?

A 
Riesling - more from Germany or even Niagara than Alsace
Sauvignon Blanc - New World like NZ or Cali not Sancerre
Viogner
Moschofilero - Greece
Arneis - Italy
Pinot Gris - Alsace
Torrontones - Argentina
Gewurtztraminer 
Albariño - Spain
Gruner Veltliner -esp if High Alcohol
Friulano
Ribola Gialla
Fiano - Campagna
Falanghina - Campagna
Vermentino
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16
Q

What whites are common to be Oaked?

A 
Chardonnay
Viognier
Trebbiano (Abruzzo)
Semillon
Pinot Gris - New world
Chenin Blanc - South Africa
Roussanne/Marsanne
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17
Q

Riesling

A

Aka Johannisberg Riesling & White Riesling
German origin does best in cool climates
High acid
Unoaked - aged in SS
Grown in Germany, France (Alsace), Cali, Washington State, NY State, Australia, NZ & Cda.

Great ability to translate Terroir
Dry to sweet

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18
Q

Sauvignon Blanc

A

Disputed by Bordeaux and Loire to be site of origin.
Grows best in temperate to cool climates.
Light to med body, med to high acidity.
Most French is made without oak.
Grapefruit, tropical fruit, guava, green grass, herbs, cat pee, gooseberries.
Loire Valley - Sancerre & Pouilly- Fume.
Also NZ Marlborough makes similar style - Unoaked.
California - 2 styles - SS or neutral oak to focus on the fruit flavours. Or Oaked to make Fume Blanc.

SB often blended with Semillion in Bordeaux.

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19
Q

Chardonnay

A

Aka Morillon in Austria
Origin Burgundy France
Grown in almost every climate but the best wines are in temperate to cool.
Med to full bodied, low to medium acid. Dry

Old world style: citrus, green apples, olives, nuts, minerals

New world style: pears, apple pie, pineapples, toffee, butter, vanilla and spice

Most popular white sold in USA with producers being from Cali.

Burgundy
Chablis style: lean, acidic, mineral-laden
Côte d’Or: rich, complex, more oak characteristics
Pouilly-Fuisse: softer fruitier style

Champagne: Sparkling, picked less ripe. Blanc de Blanc if 100% chard.

California: soft, rich, buttery, oaky

Australia: rich and creamy to lean and Unoaked

Also grown in NZ, SA, Arg, Chile

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20
Q

Pinot Noir

A

Aka Spatburgunder in Germany and Austria, Pinot Nero in Italy
Origin Burgundy France
Does best in temperate to cool climates
Light to Med body with Med to high acidity
This pigment
Low tannin.
Varietal characteristics: cranberries, cherries, wet earth, tobacco, leather, smoke, spice, barnyard
Great ability to translate terroir
Ripens quickly due to thin skins
Rarely blended

Best examples from Burgundy

Also Champagne: for Sparkling white and Rose
Blanc de Noirs is either wholly Pinot Noir or with Pinot Meunier

Also grown in California, Oregon, NZ.
Starting in AU and Chile.

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21
Q

Syrah/Shiraz

A 
Origin Rhone Valley France
Does best in warm/hot climates
Med body, med to low acid
Med to thick pigment
Moderate Tannins
Dry red table style
Characteristics:blackberries, raspberries, Jam, leather, black pepper, smoke, meaty, gamey. 
Descendant of 3 obscure French grapes Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza

Can produce several different styles
2 most important
Leaner version, intense earthy and almost meaty flavours
Fuller version with opulent superripe dark fruit
Can lead to higher alcohol due to warmer growing regions
Also commonly Blended to add richness and depth

Greatest examples of Syrah based wines in Rhone (warm, balmy climate)
In Northern Rhone only Syrah can be grown
In Southern Rhone used as a component in blends.

In AU achieved so much success now most widely planted grape.
2nd most widely foreign consumed wine in US after Italian Pinot Grigio.

Also being grown in Cali and SA.
Fastest growing grape varietal in Cali in terms or new acreage planted.

SA versions are leaner and more earthy, Cali’s can come close to AU.

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22
Q

Merlot

A

Origin Bordeaux France
Widely grown in many climates but does best in temperate to warm climates.
Not good in winter.
Med to full body, low acidity, thick pigment, moderate to high tannin
Dry table wine style
Characteristics: blueberries, black cherries, plums, chocolate, spice, cedar & vanilla.
Thick skins
Fruity in its youth -dark ripe berries

Best at Right Bank Bordeaux France
- East side if Gironde River because climate is warmer and soil is rich clay
Makes up base of blends if grown here.

If grown at Left Bank it’s a minor in a blend dominated by Cab Sauv.

Cali is home to some of the best Merlots in the world but also commonly used to make basic fruity reds.
Also known in Washington state - drier, earthier.
Also in Chile, Arg, AU, SA and NZ.

Also in Tuscany - unique and critically acclaimed.

Can be used as a base to make complex wines or can be made as a simple fruity style single varietal.
Comes from the Fr word Merle means blackbird.

23
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon

A

Origin Bordeaux France
Grown in every climate but does best in temperate to warm
Full body, low to med accident, thick pigment, high tannin
Dry red table style
Characteristics: black currants, plums, black cherries, mint, bell pepper, cedar, vanilla & musty wet dog.

Prob the most important grape variety
Cross between CF and SB

Typically about Power and Structure
Built to age for a while, soften tannins and achieve complexity.
Blending is common - usually staring role. Merlot used to soften the edges.
Can also be used in smaller portions to make wine heartier.

Left Bank Bordeaux (west side of Gironde River) - temperate climate, gravelly well draining soil - plays starring role

On Right Bank plays minor role in blending to add tannin and structure.

Made California Famous - most widely grown grape I’m Cali
Intense concentration, rich fruit and full tannin.
Also important in Washington State - style similar to Bordeaux.

Chile, Arg, AU, SA, NZ, & Southern France.

In Tuscany used in blending sometimes to Chianti & Chiati Classico to add structure and richness.

24
Q

Aglianico

A

Produces hearty dense red wines of Southern Italy in a wine called Aglianico del Vulture

25
Q

Albariño

A

Exciting white grape variety that has gained attention in Northern Spain producing dry, light-bodied, stainless-steel aged, fruit forward wines esp in Rias Baixas region.

Aka as Albarinho in Portugal.

26
Q

Aligote

A

Lesser known and considered a 2nd rate white grape of Burgundy grown in small quantities to produce dry, crisp whites.

27
Q

Arneis

A

Very aromatic white grape variety of Northern Italy, esp Piedmont.

28
Q

Barbera

A

Workhorse red grape variety grown throughout Italy and gaining acceptance in Cali. Produces moderate body and tannins, good acidity & red fruit flavours.
Ranges from simple & rustic to intense and complex.
Best examples from northern Italy Piedmont esp Barbera d’Alba and Barbera d’Asti.

29
Q

Blaufrankisch

A

Aka Lemberger. Light and Fruity red grape variety grown in Austria as well as Germany and Washington State.
And in Hungary known as Kekfrankos.

30
Q

Chasselas

A

Most important white grape grown in Switzerland, produces lean, crisp white table wines. Also planted on Loire Valley.
Aka Fendant.

31
Q

Carignan

A

Red grape variety producing rich earthy full bodied red wines. Grown in Spain and in sml qtys in Cali. Also in southern France esp Corbieres.

32
Q

Cinsaut/Cinsault

A

Red grape variety originated and still widely grown in Southern France produces earthy smokey red table wines.

33
Q

Cortese

A

White grape variety grown in Northwest Italian province of Piedmont used to produce dry crisp table wines like Gavi.

34
Q

Corvina

A

Cool climate red grape variety that produces smokey earthy red wines in Northeastern Italy spec Valpolicella in Veneto. Can produce powerful high extract wines when grapes are dried and raisined prior to winemaking to produce a wine called Amarone della Valpolicella.

35
Q

Dolcetto

A

Northern Italian red grape variety that produces soft, silky red wines reminiscent of ripe, red fruits. Best examples come from Piedmont esp Dolcetto d’Alba.

36
Q

Furmint

A

White grape variety capable of extreme ripeness and susceptible to botrytis. Most commonly used to produce lush, sweet, late harvest, Botrytised wines most famously Tokaji from Hungary.

37
Q

Gamay

A

The red grape variety of Beaujolais.
Produces light, fruity red wines and often exhibit floral notes.
Best is grown in top of Villages of Beaujolais.

Also grown in Loire and sometimes used as a minor blending grape in Burgundy.

38
Q

Gruner Veltliner

A

Most important grape in Austria.

Produces light, dry to semisweet white wines reminiscent of lime zest and pepper.

39
Q

Lambrusco

A

Rustic red grape grown in Northern Italy esp in Lombardy, where it is used to produce sweet, sparkling red wines.

40
Q

Malvasia

A

Close knit family of different grapes rather than one varietal. Can be pink, white or red. Mostly produce soft, sweet wines. Grown in southern Italy.

41
Q

Mavrodaphne/Mavrodafni

A

Important Greek grape variety used to produce sweet, fortified red wines in Achaia region.

42
Q

Melon de Bourgogne

A

White Grape variety produces very crisp, light bodied wines. Most important wines come from western Loire Muscadet.

43
Q

Muller-Thurgau

A

Lower quality German grape used for mass produced white wines. Ripens quickly and produces a lot of fruit in a cool climate. Main grape used for Liebfraumilch.
Also grown small in Oregon and Washington.

44
Q

Muscadelle

A

A minor white blending grape grown in Bordeaux. Used in sml percentages to add aroma to dry & sweet Botrytised wines.
Grown in Victoria and Oz used for thick sweet wines.

45
Q

Muscat

A

A collection of almost 200 grapes rather than a single variety. One of the oldest used for wine production.
Range from dark pigmented, dark skinned to white can produce a variety of styles.
Ripe, musky fruit and fresh grapes.
If fortified dried fruit and raisins.

Most important Muscat variety is Muscat Blanc a Petis Grains and is responsible for the best quality Muscat based wines. Aka Moscato in Northern Italy, Brown Muscat in Oz, Muscat Canelli in Cali

Can be dry to sweet, fortified & sparkling.

Sparkling Asti in NW Italy Piedmont.
Sweet wines in Southern France sometime fortified esp Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise from Rhone Valley

In Cali late harvest wines & dense dark fortified wines in Cali.

46
Q

Palomino

A

A white grape grown mostly in southern Spain producing table and fortified wines.
Primary grape used in Jerez for Sherry.

47
Q

Petit Sirah

A

Possible distant relative of Syrah
Known as Durif in France
Workhorse red grape variety
High quality grown in Cali used in blends or single varietal

Full bodied, deep coloured red wines, powerful tannin, ripe cooked fruit and pepper on the palette

48
Q

Petit Verdot

A

A blending grape in the production of Bordeaux.
Contributes colour, tannin, spicy flavours
Increasingly used as a production of single varietal esp in Cali.

49
Q

Pinot Blanc

A

Relative of Pinot Noir
Used to make crisp, higher acid table wines.
Often Compared to Chardonnay but not as dense or complex
Exhibit fruity & aromatic characteristics.
Grown in Alsace, Cali and Italy (Pinot Blanco)

50
Q

Pinot Meunier

A

Pinot Noir mutation, “Millers” Pinot
Ref that the underside of the vine leaves are white looking like they’ve been dusted with flour.
Although red skinned, most commonly used as a blending grape in the production of sparkling wines esp Champagne.

51
Q

Pinotage

A

A red grape variety developed for the SA wine industry in the 1920s. And a genetic cross b/w Pinot Noir and Cinsault (known as Hermitage in SA)
It’s production is almost entirely ltd to SA where it produces lighter bodied red wines that are often earthy and smoky.

52
Q

Prosecco

A

Aka Glera

White grape in the Veneto region of NE Italy where it produces fruity, crisp sparkling wines

53
Q

Roussanne

A

A white grape best in warmer climates.
Produces delicate wines that can show flavours of peaches and stone fruits. Often blended with Marsanne and acts as a balance for that grape’s heavy, musky flavours.
Also blended in sml percentages in reds from Rhone Valley esp Northern Rhone Chateauneuf du Pape in Southern Rhone adding aroma and acidity.
Being experimented with in Cali and Oz.

54
Q

Scheurebe

A

One of the most widely plant grape varietals in Germany.
Cross between Riesling & Sylvaner
Similar to Riesling but lacks in complexity and purity of flavour
Can be used to make dry to fruity to sweet Botrytised dessert wines.

55
Q

Semillon

A

Best known as a blending grape in white Bordeauxs.
Often blended with SB and made into 2 distinct styles in Bordeaux.
Dry table wines - used to round out and soften the blend
Can also be dominant grape in sweet Botrytised wine of Bordeaux rich in honey, apricot esp Sauternes and Barsac

Grown widely in other parts of the world makes most neutral table wines except Oz where it can produce complex dry white wines.

Wine (13 decks)

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