Grapes and Regions Flashcards
Pinot Noir characteristics
Thin skin
Low to medium tannin
High acidity
Red fruit: strawberry, red cherry, raspberry
Pinot Noir climate
Cool to moderate
Pinot Noir countries/states
France Oregon California South Africa Australia New Zealand Chile
Pinot Noir notable Burgundy regions
Cote d’Or
- Cote de Nuits: Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges
- Cote de Beaune: Pommard, Beaune
Labelling conventions for Burgundy wines
Grand Cru>Premier Cru>Villages>Bourgogne AOC
Pinot Noir notable California regions
Sonoma
Carneros
Santa Barbara County
Pinot Noir notable Chilean regions
Casablanca Valley
Pinot Noir notable South African regions
Walker Bay
Pinot Noir notable Australian regions
Victoria:
Yarra Valley
Mornington Peninsula
Pinot Noir notable NZ regions
Martinborough
Malborough
Central Otago
Zinfandel/Primitivo characteristics
Ripens unevenly
High sugar levels
Medium to high tannin
Medium to high acidity
Red: black fruit (blackberry, black plum), dried fruit (raisin, prune), oak (vanilla, coffee)
Rose: red fruits (strawberries, raspberries)
Zinfandel/Primitivo climate
Warm
Zinfandel/Primitivo winemaking
Rose and red wines
Red wines often oaked
Zinfandel/Primitivo tertiary characteristics
Earth
Meat
Zinfandel/Primitivo countries/states
California
Italy
Zinfandel/Primitivo notable Italy regions
Puglia
Riesling characteristics
High acidity
Susceptible to botrytis/noble rot
Aromatic variety
Fruit characteristics vary according to level of ripeness
Riesling winemaking
Many harvest options
Dry to sweet wines
Light to full bodied
Unoaked
Riesling climate
Cool to moderate
Riesling tertiary characteristics
Honey
Petrol (gasoline)
Riesling countries
Germany
France
Australia
Riesling Germany regions
Mosel
Rheingau
Pfalz
Riesling French regions
Alsace
Riesling Australian regions
Clare Valley
Eden Valley
Germany Riesling (sweet wine) PDO labelling terms
Qualitatswein
Pradikatswein
Germany six Pradikat categories (from lowest sugar to highest)
Kabinett Spatlese Auslese Eiswein - frozen Beerenauslese (BA) - noble rot Trockenbeerenauselese (TBA) - noble rot
English translation for Trocken
Dry
English translation for Halbtrocken
Medium-dry
Chenin Blanc characteristics
High acidity Susceptible to botrytis/noble rot (ideal for late harvesting due to high acidity) Flavours vary according to ripeness Citrus (lemon) Green fruit (apple)
Or more ripe Stone fruit (peach) Tropical fruit (pineapple, mango)
Chenin Blanc climate
Cool, moderate warm (versatile)
Chenin Blanc winemaking
Many harvest options Dry to sweet Oaked or unoaked Single varietal or blended Can be used to make sparkling wine
Chenin Blanc tertiary characteristics
Dried fruit
Honey
Nuts
Chenin Blanc countries
France South Africa (nb most widely planted white grape)
Chenin Blanc French regions
Vouvray (Loire Valley)
Chenin Blanc South Africa regions
Western Cape
Semillon charactersitics
Medium to high acidity
Susceptible to botrytis/noble rot
In youth: Green fruit/citrus/herbaceous (apple, lemon, grass)
Semillon climate
Moderate to warm
Semillon winemaking
Many harvest options Dry to sweet Light to full-bodied Unoaked or oaked Sometimes blended (e.g. with SB) V.G./Outstanding examples can age
Semillon tertiary characteristics
Dried fruit
Honey
Nuts
Semillon countries
France
Australia
Semillon French regions
Bordeaux
- Sauternes (sweet wine)
Semillon Australia regions
Hunter Valley (NSW) Barossa Valley (South Australia)
Furmint characteristics
High acidity
Susceptible to bortytis/noble rot
Furmint climate
Moderate
Furmint winemaking
Dry to sweet
Unoaked or oaked
Furmint countries
Hungary
Furmint Hungary regions
Tokaj
Furmint tertiary characteristics
Dried fruit
Caramel
Nuts
Tokaji Aszu sugar measurement
Puttonyos
Chardonnay characteristics
Medium to high acidity
Versatile grape
Cool climate: high acidity, green fruit (apple, pear), citrus fruits (lemon, lime), wet stones
Moderate climate: medium-high acidity, citrus (lemon), stone fruit (peach), tropical fruit (melon)
Warm climate: medium acidity, stone fruit (peach), tropical fruit (pineapple, banana)
Chardonnay climate
Cool, moderate, warm
Chardonnay winemaking
Dry
Light- to full-bodied depending on climate (lighter body is cool climate)
Range of winemaking techniques (adjustments, malolactic conversion, lees contact, oak)
Used to making sparkling wines
Chardonnay tertiary characteristics
Hazelnut
Mushroom
Chardonnay countries/states
France Australia California Oregon South Africa New Zealand Chile
Chardonnay Californian regions
Carneros
Sonoma
Napa Valley
Santa Barbara County
Chardonnay Australia regions
South, South-Eastern Australia: Adelaide Hills Yarra Valley Western Australia: Margaret River
Chardonnay French regions
Chablis Cote d'Or - Meursault - Puligny-Montrachet Maconnais - Macon - Pouilly Fuisse
South France
Chardonnay NZ regions
Malborough
Hawke’s Bay
Chardonnay Chile regions
Casablanca Valley
Central Valley
Chardonnay South Africa regions
Western Cape
Walker Bay
Sauvignon Blanc characteristics
High acidity Aromatic variety Herbaceous Floral Fruit (green, citrus, tropical)
Sauvignon Blanc climate
Cool to moderate
Sauvignon Blanc winemaking
Typically dry Light- to medium-bodied Typically unoaked Typically single varietal, but sometimes blended (e.g. Semillon) Typically early drinking
Sauvignon Blanc countries
France NZ South Africa Australia California Chile
Sauvignon Blanc French regions
Bordeaux
- Graves
- Pessac-Leognan
South France (Loire Valley)
Sauvignon Blanc Californian regions
Napa Valley
Sauvignon Blanc NZ regions
Malborough
Sauvignon Blanc Australia regions
Margaret River
Adelaide Hills
Sauvignon Blanc Chile regions
Casablanca Valley
Central Valley
Sauvignon Blanc South Africa regions
Constantia
Elgin
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris characteristics
Medium to high acidity Pinot Grigio: - Dry - High acidity - Light-bodied - Simple
Pinot Gris:
- Dry, off-dry or medium
- Medium acidity
- Full-bodied
- Complex
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris climate
Cool to moderate
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris winemaking
Two key styles (grigio/gris)
Typically unoaked
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris tertiary characteristics
Honey
Ginger
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris countries
France
Italy
Pinot Grigio Italy regions
Veneto IGT (delle Venezie DOC) Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Pinot Gris France regions
Alsace
Alsace labelling
Grand Cru
Vendange Tardives (VT)
Alsace AOC
Gewurtzraminer characteristics
Low to medium acidity Aromatic variety Floral (roses) Stone fruit (peach, apricot) Tropical fruit (lychee)
Gewurtzraminer climate
Cool to moderate
Gewurtzraminer winemaking
Dry to sweet
Full-bodied
Typically unoaked
Gewurtzraminer tertiary characteristics
Honey
Dried fruit
Gewurtzraminer region
Alsace AOC
Viognier characteristics
Low to medium acidity High alcohol Aromatic variety Floral (blossom) Stone fruit (peach, apricot)
Viognier climate
Moderate
Viognier winemaking
Typically dry
Medium- to full-bodied
Oaked or unoaked
Single varietal or blend
Viognier French regions
Condrieu (Northern Rhone)
Albarino characteristics
High acidity Citrus fruit (lemon, grapefruit) Stone fruit (peach, apricot)
Albarino climate
Moderate
Albarino winemaking
Typically dry Medium-bodied Oaked or unoaked Single varietal Typically drunk early
Albarino Spanish regions
Rias Baixas DO
Merlot characteristics
Medium acidity
Medium tannin
Fruit characteristics vary according to ripeness:
Less ripe: red-fruit (strawberry, red plum), herbaceous (green bell pepper/capsicum)
Riper: cooked black-fruit (blackberry, black plum)
Merlot Climate
Moderate to warm
Merlot winemaking
Single varietal or blended. Blended with high-tannin varieties such as CS to lower tannin and acidity, make it drinkable at earlier age, adds red-fruit flavours Simple or complex Light- to full-bodied Oaked or unoaked
Merlot tertiary characteristics
Dried fruit
Tobacco
Merlot countries/states
France California Chile South Africa Australia NZ
Merlot French regions
Bordeaux (Bordeaux Superieur), right bank wines Merlot dominated
- Saint-Emillion
- Pomerol
Merlot Californian regions
Napa Valley
Sonoma
Merlot Chile regions
Central Valley
Merlot South Africa regions
Stellenbosch
Merlot Australia regions
Margaret River
Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics
Thick skin High acidity High tannin Black fruit Herbaceous
Cabernet Sauvignon climate
Moderate to warm
Cabernet Sauvignon winemaking
Single-varietal or blended Blended with varieties with lower tannin and acidity (e.g. Merlot). Balances wine's acidity if too low, adds tannin to wine for a particular style Simple or complex Medium- to full-bodied Oak maturation is common
Cabernet Sauvignon tertiary characteristics
Dried fruit
Earth
Forest Floor
CS countries/states
France California South Africa NZ Australia Chile
CS French regions
Bordeaux
- Medoc
- Haut-Medoc: Margaux, Pauillac
- Graves: Pessac-Leognan
South France
CS South African regions
Stellenbosch
CS Australia regions
Margaret River
Coonawarra
CS Chile regions
Central Valley - Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley
CS California regions
Napa Valley - Calistoga, Rutherford, Oakville
Sonoma
CS NZ regions
Hawke’s Bay
Syrah/Shiraz characteristics
Thick skin Medium to high tannin Medium to high acidity Black fruit Spice (most ripe produces licorice)
Syrah/Shiraz climate
Moderate to warm
Syrah/Shiraz winemaking
Single-varietal or blended
Medium- to full-bodied
Oak maturation common
Syrah/Shiraz tertiary characteristics
Dried fruit
Leather
Meat
Earth
Syrah/Shiraz countries
France
Australia
Syrah/Shiraz French regions
Cote Rotie AOC (Northern Rhone)
Crozes-Hermitage (Southern Rhone)
Hermitage (Southern Rhone)
South France - Minervois, Pays d’Oc
Syrah/Shiraz Australian regions
South Eastern Australia
- Barossa Valley (S Australia)
- Hunter Valley (NSW)
Gamay characteristics
High acidity
Low to medium tannin
Red fruit: raspberry, red cherry, red plum
Gamay climate
Moderate
Gamay winemaking
Typically light-bodied
Typically unoaked
Some techniques give aromas of banana and candy
Typically early drinking
Gamay French regions
Beaujolais
Gamay Beaujolais labelling
Beaujolais AOC, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais Crus
Grenache/Garnacha characteristics
Thin skin Low to medium tannin Low acidity High sugar levels Red fruit: strawberry, red plum, cherry Spice: white pepper, licorice
Grenache/Garnacha climate
Warm
Grenache/Garnacha winemaking
Often blended
Oaked or unoaked
Red or rose wines
Grenache/Garnacha tertiary characteristics
Earth
Meat
Dried fruit
Caramel
Grenache/Garnacha countries
France
Spain
Australia
Grenache/Garnacha French regions
Southern Rhone:
- Cotes du Rhone/ Cotes du Rhone Villages
- Chateauneuf-du-Pape
South France:
- Minervois
Grenache/Garnacha Spanish regions
Rioja
Navarra
Priorat (Catalunya)
Grenache/Garnacha Australian regions
Barossa Valley (S Australia) McLaren Vale (S Australia)
Tempranillo characteristics
Medium acidity
Medium tannin
Red fruit: strawberry, red cherry
Black fruit: blackberry, black plum
Tempranillo climate
Moderate to warm
Tempranillo winemaking
Simple or complex
Light- to full-bodied
Oaked or unoaked
Blended or single varietal
Tempranillo tertiary characteristics
Dried fruit
Leather
Mushroom
Labelling for ageing in Spain (youngest to oldest)
Joven
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva
Carmenere characteristics
Medium to high acidity High tannin Herbaceous: green bell pepper Herbal: eucalyptus Black fruit: blackberry
Carmenere climate
Warm
Carmenere winemaking
Blended (CS/Merlot) or single-varietal
Full-bodied
Often oaked
Carmenere tertiary characteristics
Leather
Earth
Carmenere Chilean regions
Central Valley
Malbec characteristics
High tannin
Black fruit: blackberry, black plum
Malbec climate
Warm
Malbec winemaking
Blended or single varietal
Full-bodied
Often oaked
Malbec Argentinian regions
Mendoza
Pinotage characteristics
High acidity
Medium tannin
Red fruit: strawberry, raspberry, red cherry
Pinotage climate
Warm
Pinotage winemaking
Blended or single varietal
Medium- to full-bodied
Takes on strong flavours from oak: coffee, chocolate, smoke
Pinotage South African regions
Western Cape (Cape Blends - CS/Merlot)
Cortese characteristics
High acidity
Floral: blossom
Green fruit: apple, pear
Citrus fruit: lemon
Cortese winemaking
Dry
Light-bodied
Unoaked
Early drinking
Cortese Italian regions
North-West: Gavi (Piemonte)
Garganega characteristics
High acidity
Green fruit: apple, pear
Citrus fruit: lemon
Stone fruit: peach
Garganega winemaking
Dry or sweet
Medium-bodied
Unoaked
Usually early drinking, but has v.g./outstanding examples that can age
Garganega Italian regions
North-East: Soave, Soave Classico, Recioto di Soave (Veneto)
What is appassimento?
A winemaking technique where the grapes following harvest are dried indoors to concentrate their sugars, acid, tannin, flavours. Widely used in the Veneto region.
Garganega tertiary characteristics
Honey
Almond
Verdicchio characteristics
High acidity
Green fruit: apple, pear
Citrus fruit: lemon
Herbal: fennel
Verdicchio winemaking
Dry
Medium-bodied
Unoaked
Usually early drinking, but has v.g./outstanding examples that can age
Verdicchio tertiary characteristics
Honey
Nuts
Verdicchio Italian regions
Central Italy: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (Marche)
Fiano characteristics
Medium acidity
Stone fruit: peach
Tropical fruit: melon, mango
Fiano winemaking
Dry Medium- to full-bodied Oaked or unoaked Can be aged on lees Usually early drinking, but has v.g./outstanding examples that can age
Fiano tertiary characteristics
Honey
Nuts
Fiano Italian regions
Southern Italy: Fiano di Avellino (Campania)
Nebbiolo characteristics
High acidity High tannin Red fruit: red cherry, red plum Floral: rose, violet Herbal: dried herbs
Nebbiolo winemaking
Typically single varietal
Typically full-bodied
Oak maturation is common
Nebbiolo tertiary characteristics
Mushroom
Tobacco
Leather
Nebbiolo Italian regions
North-West: Barbaresco, Barolo (Piemonte)
Barbera characteristics
High acidity
Low to medium tannin
Red fruit: red cherry, red plum
Spice: black pepper
Barbera winemaking
Typically single varietal
Simple or complex
Oaked or unoaked
Can be for early drinking, but very good or outstanding examples can age
Barbera Italian regions
North-West: Barbera d’Asti (Piemonte)
Corvina characteristics
High acidity
Low to medium tannin
Red fruit: red cherry, red plum
Corvina winemaking
Often blended (local varieties)
Light- to full-bodied
Appassimento method sometimes used
Can be drunk early but v.g./outstanding examples can age
Corvina Italian regions
North-East: Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico (Veneto)
Appassimento: Amarone della Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella (Veneto)
Sangiovese characteristics
High acidity
High tannin
Red fruit: red cherry, red plum
Herbal: dried herbs
Sangiovese winemaking
Often blended (local and international varieties)
Medium- to full-bodied
Often oaked
Can be drunk early but v.g./outstanding examples can age
Sangiovese Italian regions
Central Italy: Chianti, Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany)
Italian labelling of Classico and Riserva
Classico - wine made in historic centre of a region (often in hilliest part, wines are more concentrated in flavour)
Riserva - wine that has been aged for at minimum number of months before release
Montepulciano characteristics
Medium acidity
High tannin
Black fruit: black plum, black cherry
Montepulciano winemaking
Blended or single-varietal
Oaked or unoaked
Typically early drinking
Montepulciano Italian regions
Central-East Italy: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo)
Tempranillo Spanish regions
Catalunya
Rioja
Ribera del Duero