Grid and Varietal Characteristics Flashcards
What are the five main categories of the tasting grid
Sight, Nose, Palate, Initial Conclusion, Final Conclusion
Name the categories in order of Sight
Clarity, Brightness, Color, Concentration, Rim Variation, Gas Evidence, Sediment/particles, Viscosity
Levels of clarity
Clear/medium clear/slightly cloudy/cloudy
Levels of brightness
Dull/hazy/bright/day bright/star bright/brilliant
Levels of color
Reds: purple/ruby (red)/garnet/orange/brown
Whites: clear/green/straw/yellow/gold/brown
Levels of concentration
Low/medium/high
Levels of rim variation
Color of rim/edge
Viscosity
Low/medium/high
Viognier fun facts
early ripening, low yielding, prefers light, sandy topsoils, Condrieu (arzelle: mica-rich deep sand laid over granite bedrock), often blended with Syrah, Roussanne, Marsanne, Boubolenc, Grenache Blanc
Viognier Aromas/Fruit flavors
High intensity, ripe stone fruit (apricot, peach) ripe citrus (mandarin orange, ruby red grapefruit), tropical fruit (mango, persimmon), fruit cocktail
Viognier Floral Aromas/Flavors
Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Orange Blossoms, Rose
Viognier Earth/Oak aromas/flavors
Medium to Medium plus Minerality (lower California, higher French) none, neutral or low use of French Oak
Viognier Other aromas/flavor
Yogurt, Butter, Creme Fraiche if ML, not always present; Cinnamon, Gingerbread, Anise, Potpourri, candied citrus
Viognier Structure
Dry to off dry, Full body, moderate acidity, moderate plus to high alcohol, phenolic bitterness
Chardonnay name origin and soil types
A small commune in the Maconnais, originally known as Cardonnacum, from Latin “cardus” or thistle. “Place of thistles”. Prefers chalk and limestone soils.
Pinot Gris (Grigio) fun facts
Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are clones, Pinot comes from the French word for pine cone, reference to the shape of the grape’s cluster, grey/pink skinned grape, prefers deep and fertile soils with high mineral content
Pineau de la Loire, Pineau d’Anjou, Pineau (Loire Valley)
Chenin Blanc in French Loire Valley, calcareous soils, tuffeau
Pinot Grigio Visual
Pale straw with hints of green, possible slight copper and pink tones, moderate concentration, Medium intensity of aromas
Pinot Grigio fruit aromas/flavors
Lemon citrus, Red and yellow apple (tree fruit), Creamy stone fruit (white peach, nectarine), melon
Pinot Grigio earth/oak aromas/flavors
No oak, Medium to Medium plus minerality, stone/chalk, ash, saline
Pinot Grigio non-fruit flavors/aromas
Floral: White and yellow flowers, Herbal: Watercress, arugula, Other: Lager yeast/stale Beer
Riesling Visual
Mosel Kabinett Riesling: Brilliant, Watery White with hints of green, low concentration
Riesling Aromas/Flavors Fruit
High intensity of aromas and flavors in Riesling. Fruit includes tart tree fruit (green apple, pear, quince), citrus/citrus peel (lemon, lime, grapefruit), stone fruit (white peach, white plum, nectarine), blackcurrant, sulphuric note in youth
Chenin Blanc Vouvray (Loire valley, France, Sauvignon Blanc) visual
Straw with hints of green, moderate concentration
Chenin Blanc Aromas
Moderate to Moderate plus intensity of aromas, sulfuric note in youth, oxidative notes (slightly bruised apple, cheese rind, soft cheese)
Chenin Blanc fruit aromas/flavors
Fruit: tree fruit (green,golden,oxidized apple), citrus (tangerine, orange, lemon), demi-sec shows melon and tropical fruit
Chenin Blanc floral aromas/flavors
Orange blossoms, jasmine, honeysuckle, fragrant white flowers
Chenin Blanc earth/oak aromas/flavors
Medium plus to high minerality, damp straw, limestone/tuffeau, wet stones, white mushroom, no oak or neutral cask
Chenin Blanc non-fruit aromas/flavors
Herbal: Chamomile, herbal tea, medicinal notes, dandelion greens, wasabi, savory herbs, wet wool, lanolin. If Botrytis: honey, saffron, ginger, marmalade
Chenin Blanc structure
Dry, Medium plus to full body, high levels of extract, high acidity, Medium plus to high alcohol
Chablis, Cote de Beaune Chardonnay visual
Pale straw/straw for Chablis with hints of green, moderate concentration, Straw to yellow/pale gold for Cote de Beaune Chardonnay, moderate concentration
French Chardonnay fruit aromas/flavors
tart tree fruit (green apple, green pear), citrus (lemon) Chablis, add in melon, white peach for White Burgundy
Chablis, Cote de Beaune Chardonnay earth/oak aromas/flavors
High minerality, stony, chalk, saline, sea, oyster shell, button mushroom Chablis, no wood
Cote de Beaune: Medium to High minerality, limestone, button mushroom, low to high use of new french oak (toffee, salted caramel, butterscotch, cinnamon, toast, baking spices)
Other flavors/aromas French Chardonnay/Chablis
Oxidative notes: Almond, Cheese rind, hazelnut; Malolactic butter, yogurt, creme fraiche, sour cream; Not present in Chablis. Sulphuric notes: flint, burnt match, cabbage (in youth) Floral: apple blossoms, acacia, white flowers
French Chardonnay/Chablis Structure
Dry (Bone dry for Chablis), Medium to full body, Medium plus to high acidity, Medium to Medium plus alcohol
California Chardonnay visual
Yellow/pale gold, Medium plus concentration
California Chardonnay Aromas other
Medium to Medium plus intensity, oxidative notes of hazelnut and almond
California Chardonnay Fruit
Ripe tree fruit (yellow apple, baked pear), Ripe citrus (meyer lemon), Ripe apricot, tropical fruits (ripe pineapple, mango), melon
California Chardonnay Earth/Oak
Low minerality, slight limestone, moderate to high use of New French Oak, toffee, salted caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, sweet baking spices, pie crust, toast
California Chardonnay Non-fruit descriptors
White flowers, apple blossoms, honeysuckle, malolactic notes of butter, yogurt, sour cream, creme fraiche
California Chardonnay Structure
Dry, Medium plus to full body, Medium acidity, Medium plus to high alcohol
Mosel Riesling Earth/Oak/Other Flavors
Earth: High mineraltiy, slate, crushed rock; Wood: none or neutral cask; Floral: white flowers, jasmine, fruit tree blossoms, Other: slight smoke, candlewax, panna cotta, meringue, slight petrol
Sauvignon Blanc fun facts
Prefers dry, rocky chalk or gravel soils; classic soil types in Loire: silex, caillottes, terres blanches, in Graves: boulbenes, commonly blended with Semillon and Muscadelle in Bordeaux
Difference with California Sauvignon Blanc vs NZ or Sancerre
Straw instead of Pale Straw color, possible moderate use of new French Oak
Difference of NZ Sauvignon Blanc vs Sancerre
Higher intensity of aromas , asparagus and jalapeno flavors
Sauvignon Blanc Aromas/Flavors Fruit
Tart citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime), Tart tree fruit (Green apple, green pear), gooseberry, underripe white peach, tropical fruit (kiwi, passion fruit)
Sauvignon Blanc Non Fruit Aromas/Flavors
Faint white flowers, citrus blossoms, Green, Herbal, Pyrazines; Cut grass, green bell pepper, blackcurrant bud, tarragon