Grapes & Varieties- intro and White Grapes 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?
Vitis labrusca
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
List the vine species that are used as rootstock?
Vitis labrusca - (la bra ska) concord grape
Vitis riparia - (Ra par e a) tolerant of water soggy soils, low vigor, useful in cool climates
Vitis Aestivalis- (as ti va lis) grows best in calcareous soil
Vitis rupestris - (ru pes tris) high tolerance for acidic soil, roots deeply and quickly, high vigor, boost vine growth in unfertile/ dry conditions
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.
Propagated by asexual
- perfect copies of parent
- but when planted in new surroundings may result in fruit slightly different than parent
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 with in the same species
eg: 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?
struggle to develop tannins
High acid.
Give an example of a hybrid grape that is used sometimes.
Seyval Blanc
Vidal Blanc
Baco noir
List 5 international varietals.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir
name an Italian indigenous varietal
Nebbiolo
Other terms for indigenous grapes are:
Native
traditional
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?
Takes on flavors of the oak.
Softens it.
What are the top producing countries of chardonnay?
France, US, Australia,
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?
18%
Where else does Chenin Blanc have significant plantings?
South Africa
Loire Valley,
Central Valley of California
What are the characteristic aromas of Chenin Blanc?
Green apples - yellow pear
melon - green plum
citrus - almond
white flowers - chamomile tea
honey (aged) - quince (aged)
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
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?
apple, pear, almond aromas
Medium plus acidity,
medium to full body,
What are the the German names for Pinot Gris?
Rulander or Graubugnder
In what areas would you find a higher alcohol and less acidic Pinot Grigio?
California & Australia due to warmer climates
What flavors are found in Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris?
Apple, melon, lemon, peach, minerals
What is the acidity of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris?
Low to high
What is the alcohol of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris?
Medium
Well known examples of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris are from
Northeastern Italy, Alsace, Oregon
The top producing countries for Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris are
Italy - US
Germany, - France
Australia
What white grape has an intensly floral aroma and petrol scent?
Riesling
The alcohol level in a Riesling can go as low as
7 - 8%
What is the acid level in a Riesling?
High to very high
What is the american grape that is a synonym for Riesling?
White Riesling
What are the top producing countries for Riesling?
Germany
Australia
France
US
Well known examples of Riesling are from
Germany Mosel, Rheingau, Rheinhessen and Pfaltz France: Alsace Australia: Clare & Eden Valleys NY: Finger Lakes in NY Washington State
What is the alcohol level in a Riesling?
low to very high
What are aromas found in Riesling?
Peach, nectarine, honeysuckle, apricot, petrol and baking spices (well aged)
Oak aged Sauvignon Blanc is known as
Fume Blanc - Robert Mondovi
Neutral oaked versions found in Bordeaux
Sauvignon Blancs best know growing area is
New Zealand
Sweet dessert wines from the Bordeaux area, including Sauternes, are from what white grape?
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is frequently blended with what grape to balance acid in Bordeaux?
Semillon
Well know examples of Sauvignon Blanc are from
France: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, White Bordeaux
New Zealand
The top producing countries of Sauvignon Blanc are
New Zealand, France, US, Chile & South Africa
The acid level of Sauvignon Blanc is
Medium plus to high.
The alcohol level of Sauvignon Blanc is
medium
The characteristic aromas of a cold climate Sauvignon Blanc are
Grass, hay, grapefruit, green pepper
The characteristic aromas of a warm climate Sauvignon Blanc are
Melon, asparagus
The characteristic aroma of a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc is
Flint
The characteristic aromas of an oak aged Sauvignon Blanc is
toast, smoke
The characteristic aromas of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is
Gooseberry
What white grape, due to its low natural acidity, is thought of as a blending partner?
Semillon
A Chardonny/Semillon blend can be found where?
Australia
What white grape has a distinct waxy or oily character?
Semillon
What region in Australia is known for producing 100% Semillon?
Hunter Valley
Viognier is typically found where in France?
Northern Rhone
What grape has the Virginia Wine Board declared as their state grape?
Viognier
The characteristic profile of Viognier is
Rich, full bodied, viscous
The characteristic aromas of Viognier are
peach, flowers, tangerine
What other names does Pinot Blanc go by in Italy, Germany & Austria?
Pinot Bianco in Italy, Weissburgunder in Germany and Austria
What grape has the aromas of flowers, spice, lychee & rose?
Gewurtzraminer
Where is Gewurtztraminer most prominent today?
Alsace
Name a neutral white grape also used in balsamic vinegar?
Trebbiano
What is the grape name for Trebbiano in France?
Ugni Blanc
What white grape is also used for the production of brandy & cognac in France?
Ugni Blanc
What is the white grape from Hungary?
Furmint
Name indigenous white Italian grapes
Cortese, - Garganega
Glara ———– Verdicchio
Vermentino———— Vernaccia
Name indigenous white grapes from Spain.
Albarino, Palamino,
Xarel-lo, Pedro Ximenez
Godello, Macabeo/ Viura
Verdejo
Name a white grape indigenous to Switzerland.
Chasselas
Name a white grape indigenous to Argentina
Torrentes
Name a white grape indigenous to Austria.
Gruner Veltliner
Name two white grapes significant in Germany
Muller Thurgau, Silvaner
Name white grapes significant in Portugal.
Alvarinho, Arinto, Fernao Pires, Laoureiro
Name white grapes significant in Greece.
Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Rhoditis
Name secondary white grapes significant in France.
Marsanne, Rousanne, Aligote