Grapes & Varieties Flashcards
What genus do wine grapes belong to?
vitus
What species do wine grapes belong to?
Vitus vinifera
Where did vitus vinifera develop?
Caucasus mountains
What is the second most important grape species?
Vitus lambrusca
Why is vitus lambrusca important today?
Phylloxera resistant
Where and when was v. lambrusca discovered?
North America colonial period
The flavor associated with v. lambrusca is described as
Foxy
What is phylloxera?
An aphid like insect that attacks vines
When did phylloxera ravage European vineyards?
19th century
What part of the vine is grafted onto the phylloxera resistant rootstock or trunk?
Scion
Name two grapevine species
Vitus vinifera & Vitus Lambrusca
Define species.
A scientific group of plants or animals that are genetically similar, have broad characteristics in common and can reproduce via sexual reproduction.
What do you call a subspecies?
Variety
Define variety with regard to grapes.
It is an identifiable group of vines of the same species that share many characteristics of appearance, flavor and growth.
Define clones.
Grapes that are slightly different from their parent but are of the same variety.
What could make a clone slightly different than it’s parent?
Growing conditions.
Define a mutation and give an example.
A mutation is derived from a vine that has developed different characteristics from its parents or fellow clones through imperfect reproduction of cells as it grow. An example would be Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are mutants of Pinot Noir.
Define and cross and give an example.
A cross is the offspring between two different subspecies, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Cab. Franc creating Cabernet Sauvignon.
What do you call the result of sex. repro between two closely related but different species?
A hybrid.
Why are hybrids not typically used?
High acid.
Give an example of a hybrid grape that is used sometimes.
Seyval Blanc
List 5 international varietals.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir
List 5 indigenous varietals.
Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Semillon, Albarino, Sangeovese
Other terms for indigenous grapes are:
Native, traditional and antochthonous (aw-tock-toe-nous)
Name a popular and easy to grow white grape.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is thought to be indigenous to where?
Burgundy
Describe “California style chardonnay”.
Lower acid and fuller body.
How does chardonnay benefit from the interaction of wood?
Softens it.
What are the top producing countries of chardonnay?
France, US, Australia, Germany, Italy
What are the characteristic aromas of cool climate chardonnay?
Green apple, melon
What are the characteristic aromas of warm climate chardonnay?
Tropical fruits.
Chardonnay’s aciditiy is what?
Medium to high.
Chardonnay’s alcohol is what?
Medium to high.
What are the characteristic aromas of an oaked chardonnay?
Vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, toast
What white grape is among the most versitile?
Chenin Blanc
How long can sweet/dessert chenin blancs store in cellar?
Up to decades.
What name does chenin blanc go by in South Africa?
Steen
Chenin Blanc represents what percentage of planting in South Africa?
20%
Where else does Chenin Blanc have significant plantings?
Loire Valley, Central Valley of California
What are the characteristic aromas of Chenin Blanc?
green apple, melon, honey, citrus blossoms, mineral
What are the top prouducing countries of Chenin Blanc?
France, US, South Africa
What are some well known AOC examples of Chenin Blanc?
Vouvray, Savennieres, Saumur
Chenin Blanc alcohol is what?
medium to high
Chenin Blanc acid is what?
medium plus to high
What ancient white grape variety can produce a wide range of sweet wines?
Muscat
Name 3 other mutations/relations of muscat?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat Ottonel.
In what climate does muscat perform best:
Warm to hot.
The best known muscat based wine is called what and from where?
Moscato d’Asti from Northern Italy
What are the top producing countries for muscat?
France, Italy, Chile, Australia
What are the characteristic aromas of Muscat?
honey, musk, orange blossom, floral, apricots
The acid level of muscat is what?
low to medium
The alcohol level of muscat is what?
medium to high
What white grape variety has a dusty or light pink skin?
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris is a mutation of what grape?
Pinot Noir
Cool climate Pinot Gris is produced where?
Oregon, Alsace & Germany
What is the style profile of cool climate Pinot Gris?
Medium plus acidity, medium to full body, apple, pear or almond like aromas.