L2 - Class 9: Gamay, Grenache/Garnacha, Tempranillo, Carménère, Malbec, Pinotage Flashcards
Describe the characteristics of gamay.
–high acidity, low to medium tannins
–red fruit flavors (raspberry, red cherry, red plum)
–Inert vessels, rarely oaked
Describe a typical gamay from Beaujolais
–Beaujolais is the most celebrated region (moderate climate south of Burgundy)
–Carbonic maceration used to extract color and minimize tannins
–Creates aromas of banana and candy
–light bodied with low to medium tannins and red fruit flavors
–Cru appellations are most concentrated/structured
–Very good exs have medium-pronounced red cherry, raspberry, red plum aromas, medium to long finish
–can be served slightly chilled to highlight refreshing acidity & preserve delicate fruit flavors
–intended for immediate consumption or else lose fresh fruit flavor
What is the hierarchy of Beaujolais labels?
–Beaujolais AOC
Vines can come from anywhere in Beaujolais, but normally from the flat, fertile lands to the south, high yielding vines produce light, simple wines
–Beaujolais Villages AOC
A collection of villages in the north have been awarded this status.
Less fertile, stonier soils, produce low yields of wines with greater flavor intensity/ body
–Beaujolais Crus - 10 villages awarded their own appellation. Fleurie AOC is best known, some can age, even though most intended for early drinking
Describe the characteristics of Grenache/Garnacha.
-Needs a warm climate to ripen successfully
-Typically has high levels of sugar and low acidity
-Thin skinned grape with low to medium tannins
-Red fruit flavors (strawberry, red plum, red cherry)
-Spice (white pepper liquorice)
-Typically unoaked but good/oustanding can be barrel aged (develop meat/earth/dried fruit flavors in bottle)
-commonly used for roses (can be dry to medium) intended to be drunk young
-often blended with Syrah (France) & Tempranillo (Spain) which add color to Grenache
What are the most important regions for Grenache?
-France
Southern Rhone (Cotes du Rhone AOC, Cotes du Rhone Villages
AOC, Chateauneuf du Pape)
South of France (Minervois AOC)
-Spain
Rioja DOCa & NAvarra DO, Priorat DOCa
-Australia
Barossa Valley & McLaren
Why is Southern Rhone good for Grenache?
-The valley flattens out and the climate is warm due to southerly latitude so the grape is able to ripen successfully here
-Southern Rhone blends Grenache with multiple local grape varieties including Syrah
-Cotes du Rhone AOC is the typical wine - it medium bodied with red fruit, and spice flavors
-Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC may offer a higher level of concentration and complexity
What is Chateauneuf du Pape known for?
-Grenache based wines in Cote du Rhone
-full bodied with high alcohol levels
-Vineyards here are covered with large, round stones that absorb heat during the day and radiate the heat back to vines at night helping grenache achieve full ripeness
-Very good or outstanding examples develop complex flavors of dried fruit & caramel with bottle age
Why is South of France good for Grenache?
–The warm climate allows grenache to ripen well.
–It provides red fruit flavors and body to blend with other local
varieties
–Minervois AOC is the most important appellation here for Grenache
What does Grenache/Garnacha typically contribute to Spanish varietals?
-Body and fresh red fruit to wines
What regions are most known for Garnacha?
–Rioja DOCa
–Navarra DO (also known for dry roses)
–Priorat DOCa (Catalunya)
What is Priorat DOCa known for?
–warm and dry area
–Very old vines
–Produces tiny yields of concentrated grapes
–Typically blended with other black grape varieties and can mature for extended periods, developing flavors of dried fruit and caramel in bottle
What are the best known regions for Grenache in Australia?
-Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale
-Both are home to very old vines
-Can produce outstanding wines with concentrated red fruit and spice flavors and long aging potential
-Used in blends with Shiraz and other varieties (similar in style and quality to Chateanuef du Pape AOC
What is the labelling system in Cote du Rhone?
-Cotes du Rhone AOC
–produced almost exclusively from grapes in southern Rhone
–typically simple, medium body wines intended for immediate
consumption
–Cotes du Rhone Villages
–offer more flavor and complexity
-Rhones Crus
–Most prestigious in Rhone Valley
–Northern Rhone (Croze-Hermitage AOC, Hermitage AOC, Cote
Cote Rotie AOC, Condrieu AOC)
–Southern Rhone (Chateauneuf du Pape AOC
The best crus have outstanding complexity and aging potential
Describe the characteristics of tempranillo?
-Medium acidity, medium tannins
-red fruit flavors (strawberry, red cherry) &black fruit (blackberry, black plum)
-Makes a wide range of dry red wines from simple, fruit & inexpensive to ripe, complex and age worthy
-Wines intended to age are often blended with small amounts of other wine to increase acidity
-Typically matured in new small oak barrels to soften tannins and impart vanilla, smoke, cedar
-Very good/outstanding examples can develop tertiary flavors of mushroom, leather and dried fruits
Which regions are best known for producing tempranillo?
–Catalunya DO (single and blended wines which vary from simple/fruity to powerful/oak aged)
-Rioja DOCa
–produces most famous tempranillos
–moderate climate
–Commonly blended with other varieties
–Sometimes blended with Garnacha for early drinking
-Ribera del Duero DO
–Mountaineous region
–Warm days and cool nights produce very full bodied wines with
fresh black fruit flavors
