L3 explaining key wines using given frameworks and themes

Question 1

White Zinfandel (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 1

Colour: pink/ rosé
Intensity: light to medium

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas: red fruit, as a result of using a red grape, Zinfandel. Use of steel tanks to preserve primary aromas.
Tannin: none, as there is only a very small amount of skin contact,
Alcohol: low to medium, as a result of an interrupted alcoholic fermentation,
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: medium sweet residual sugars, as a result of an interrupted alcoholic fermentation

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 2

Barolo (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 2

Colour:
Intensity:

Body: full body mostly as a result of high tannins associated with the Nebbiolo grape
Acidity: high acidity associated with the Nebbiolo grape
Aromas: bitter cherries, leather, roses and tar, associated with the Nebbiolo grape
Tannin: high tannin associated with the Nebbiolo grape
Alcohol:
Intensity: pronounced intensity, as a result of Barolo being a typically high quality wine made from low yielding concentrated fruit
Length: long length, as a result of Barolo being a typically high quality wine made from low yielding concentrated fruit
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.
Note modern vs traditionalist debate and winemaking practices.

Question 3

Blanc de Blanc NV Champagne

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 3

Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity: high due to cool climate ripening
Aromas: citrus dominant as Chardonnay only; brioche, bread, biscuit as a result of at least 12 months lees contact in the bottle – yeast autolysis ageing
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 4

Chablis (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 4

Body:
Acidity: high acidity as of being grown in a cool climate which helps retain acidity, and also avoiding malolactic fermentation which would soften the malic into lactic acidity.
Aromas: citrus and apple flavours associated with cool climate Chardonnay, and also not using oak in the wine making, avoiding lees stirring or maturation, and avoiding malolactic fermentation which would create butter flavours.
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 5

Meursault (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 5

Colour:
Intensity:

Body: medium to medium plus, owing to the use of malolactic fermentation and its resulting creamy texture,
Acidity: medium, owing to the use of malolactic fermentation and its resulting creamy texture, and also a moderate climate and so riper fruit.
Aromas: stone fruit, vanilla, bready, butter, as a result of using Chardonnay in a moderate climate, the use of oak in wine making, the use of lees stirring and/or maturation, and the encouragement of malolactic fermentation and its resulting utter flavours.
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity: pronounced, as this appellation uses high quality fruit which is not dilute.
Length: long, as this appellation uses high quality fruit which is not dilute.
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 6

Mosel Spätlese (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 6

Colour:
Intensity:

Body: medium, fuller than Kabinett with relatively riper fruit/must weight.
Acidity: high, achieved through cool climate ripening, Riesling’s natural high acidity, and avoidance of malolactic fermentation.
Aromas: lime, citrus and stone fruit, as a result of a cool to moderate climate not creating very ripe flavours, avoidance of oak in winemaking, avoidance of lees stirring and/or maturation, and avoidance of malolactic fermentation.
Tannin:
Alcohol: 8-15% depending on winemaking choice to stop fermentation early.
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: can be dry to medium sweet, depending on wine makers choice to stop fermentation early.

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 7

Yarra Valley Pinot Noir (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 7

Colour: ruby
Intensity: pale to medium intensity, due to Pinot Noir’s thinner skins

Body: medium minus to medium, due to lower levels of tannin
Acidity: high acidity, associated with both Pinot Noir and the cool to moderate climates helping avoid grapes becoming over ripe and loosing acidity
Aromas: red fruits, as associated with Pinot Noir
Tannin: medium minus to medium due to Pinot Noir’s thinner skins
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 8

Eden Valley Riesling (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 8

Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity: achieved through cool climate ripening, Riesling’s natural high acidity, and avoidance of malolactic fermentation.
Aromas: lime, citrus and stone fruit, as a result of a cool to moderate climate not creating very ripe flavours, avoidance of oak in winemaking, avoidance of lees stirring and/or maturation, and avoidance of malolactic fermentation.
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: typically dry with all sugars fermented.

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 9

Prosecco

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 9

Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas: green apple and lemon, and as fermented in a steel tank with no maturation period there are no secondary aromas from yeast autolysis
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: typically dry, with some medium sweet options from a partial fermentation.

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 10

New Zealand Bottle method (using transfer method) sparkling wine based on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 10

Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity: high due to cool climate ripening
Aromas: citrus with potential for some red fruit character depending on the amount of red fruit used; brioche, bread, biscuit as a result of lees contact in the bottle – yeast autolysis ageing
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 11

Hermitage (red, youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 11

Colour: ruby
Intensity: deep, owing to high quality concentrated ripe Syrah associated with this appellation.

Body: full, as a result of high tannins associated with concentrated high quality Syrah associated with this appellation.
Acidity: medium plus to high, as a result of a moderate climate not over-ripe fruit,
Aromas: black fruit and black pepper associated with Syrah.
Tannin: high, as a result of high tannins associated with concentrated high quality Syrah associated with this appellation. Possibly softened by addition of white grapes, Roussane and Marsanne.
Alcohol: medium, as a result of growing in a moderate climate
Intensity: pronounced, as a result of concentrated high quality Syrah associated with this appellation.
Length: long, as a result of high tannins associated with concentrated high quality Syrah associated with this appellation.
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 12

Muscat Beaumes de Venice

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 12

Colour: gold as not aged oxidatively, and are made from rich fruit
Intensity: medium

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas: floral and aromatic, as grapes are picked when ripe and healthy, and these flavours are associated with Muscat, not aged, and kept in inert vessels until bottled to preserve primary aromas.
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: sweet but not lusciously sweet.

CONTRAST this with Rutherglen- oxidative process/VERY different.

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 13

Ribera del Duero (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 13

Colour: ruby
Intensity: deep

Body: full, owing to concentrated ripe fruit and high tannins.
Acidity:
Aromas: dark red fruit as a result of concentrated ripe Tempranillo grown in a warm dry climate. Also vanilla associated with use of oak in the wine making.
Tannin: high, achieved by using the high quality concentrated fruit and extractive wine making techniques
Alcohol:
Intensity: pronounced, as a result of the concentrated ripe Tempranillo. The fruit is concentrated due to vines growing in a dry climate.
Concentrated fruit is balanced by fresh acidity due to the wide diurnal range (warm sunny day and cold night).
Length: long, as a result of the concentrated ripe Tempranillo
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 14

Brunello di Montalcino (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 14

Colour:
Intensity:

Body: Medium plus to full body, as a result of high tannins and concentrated high quality fruit.
Acidity: high acidity associated with Sangiovese
Aromas: red fruit associated with Sangiovese, and vanilla and nuts as a result of oak barrel ageing. Leather and meaty aromas from 5 years maturation. Tannin: high tannin associated with Sangiovese
Alcohol:
Intensity: pronounced, as this wine is made with low yielding vines with good aspects and well drained soil.
Length: long, as this wine is made with low yielding vines with good aspects and well drained soil.
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 15

Amontillado

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 15

Colour: amber or brown
Intensity: pale to medium as partially oxidised

Body: medium to medium plus owing to high alcohol [less full bodied than Oloroso]
Acidity:
Aromas: walnuts, leather and toffee as a result of partial oxidative ageing, some for aromas of saline, salty tang from an initial biological ageing,
Tannin:
Alcohol: 17% , fortified to this to kill off the flor and create this oxidative style
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: dry as fortified AFTER fermentation

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 16

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (youthful)

(Including lighter style - see notes below answer.)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 16

Colour: ruby,
Intensity: deep associated with Cabernet Sauvignon’s thick skins

Body: full body as a result of Cabernet Sauvignon being the dominant grape, and its high tannins
Acidity: high acidity, associated with Cabernet Sauvignon typically being the main grape
Aromas: black fruit, mint, cedar and vanilla, associated with Cabernet Sauvignon and the use of oak barriques.
Tannin: high, as a result of Cabernet Sauvignon being the dominant grape,
Alcohol: medium to high depending on the vintage, typically medium as a moderate climate.
Intensity: pronounced, as a result of high quality concentrated fruit associated with this GI
Length: long, as a result of high quality concentrated fruit associated with this GI

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

**Remember the wine maker has the option for making a lighter style - either by making a less extracted style, or using carbonic or semi carbonic maceration

Question 17

Fino Sherry

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 17

Colour: lemon
Intensity: pale

Body: medium minus to medium
Acidity:
Aromas: citrus and saline/salty tang, as a result of biological/non-oxidative ageing under a layer of protective flor [very likely be asked to explain what flor is, how it is encouraged, and its influence]
Tannin:
Alcohol: 15%-15.5%abv, as fortified to this level and no more so as not to kill off the flor
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: dry as fortified AFTER fermentation is completed

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 18

Oloroso

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 18

Colour: brown
Intensity: deep, as an oxidised wine

Body: full as high alcohol, of 17-18% abv
Acidity:
Aromas: oxidative aromas dominate, toffee, leather, spice and walnuts
Tannin:
Alcohol: fortified to 17-18% abv to ensure no flor grows on the wine during maturation
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: dry as fortified AFTER fermentation

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 19

Amarone (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 19

Colour:
Intensity: deep colour as a result of highly extractive wine making approach

Body: full body as a result of highly extractive wine making approach, using passito method which involves drying the grapes indoors which concentrates the grapes, resulting in high tannin, high alcohol of 15-16%abv, and residual sweetness after fermentation has completed
Acidity:
Aromas: baked fruit, dark red fruit, coffee and chocolate
Tannin: (see above)
Alcohol: (see above)
Intensity: pronounced due to passito method creating concentrated fruit
Length: long due to passito method creating concentrated fruit
Sweetness: (see above)

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 20

Beaujolais Nouveau

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 20

Body: light to medium due to low tannin
Acidity:
Aromas: Kirsh, banana, bubblegum and fresh fruit associated with intracellular carbonic maceration
Tannin: low tannin due to carbonic maceration- and drawing/taking wine off the skins when grapes break up.
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Question 21

Gran Reserva Rioja (red – just released)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 21

Colour: ruby turning to garnet as a result of 3 years maturation,
Intensity:

This question helps explore the diversity of Rioja, and so no single style prevails.

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas: depending on the blend and the type of oak, and maturation period: typically includes red fruit, vanilla, coconut (oak- US or French/new or old), coffee and chocolate (charred/toasted oak?), and leather and meaty aromas from maturation.
Tannin: what’s the blend/ different grapes different characteristics.
Alcohol: amount of Grenache?
Intensity: quality of fruit?
Length: quality of fruit?
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 22

Margaux AOP, Cru Bourgeoise (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 22

Colour: ruby,
Intensity: deep associated with Cabernet Sauvignon’s thick skins

Body: full body as a result of Cabernet Sauvignon being the dominant grape, and its high tannins
Acidity: high acidity, associated with Cabernet Sauvignon typically being the main grape
Aromas: black fruit, mint, cedar and vanilla, associated with Cabernet Sauvignon and the use of oak barriques.
Tannin: high, as a result of Cabernet Sauvignon being the dominant grape,
Alcohol: medium to high depending on the vintage, typically medium as a moderate climate.
Intensity: pronounced, as a result of high quality concentrated fruit suggested by the Cru Bourgeoise status.
Length: long, as a result of high quality concentrated fruit suggested by the Cru Bourgeoise status.
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 23

NV Champagne

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 23

Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity: high due to cool climate ripening
Aromas: citrus with potential for some red fruit character depending on the amount of red fruit used; brioche, bread, biscuit as a result of at least 12 months lees contact in the bottle – yeast autolysis ageing
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 24

Reserve Tawny Port

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 24

Colour: tawny
Intensity:

Body: full body as a result of high alcohol and being a sweet wine
Acidity:
Aromas: walnuts, coffee, chocolate and caramel, as a result of a long oxidative period (6 years at least in barrels), along with dried fruit, figs and raisins
Tannin:
Alcohol: high, 19-22%abv as fortified
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: sweet, as fortified DURING fermentation, which stops fermentation early leavings a lot of residual sugar from very ripe fruit/must.

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 25

Asti

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 25

Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas: citrus, stone fruit, and grape aromas associated with Muscat; and as fermented in a steel tank with no maturation period there are no secondary aromas from yeast autolysis
Tannin:
Alcohol: low alcohol of typically 7% abv typically as fermentation not completed
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness: medium sweet as fermentation not completed so leaving residual sugars

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 26

Margaret River Chardonnay (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 26

Colour:
Intensity:

Body: medium to medium plus, owing to the use of malolactic fermentation and its resulting creamy texture,
Acidity: medium, owing to the use of malolactic fermentation and its resulting creamy texture, and also a warm climate and so riper fruit.
Aromas: stone fruit, and tropical, vanilla, bready, butter, as a result of using Chardonnay in a warm climate, the use of oak in wine making, the use of lees stirring and/or maturation, and the encouragement of malolactic fermentation and its resulting utter flavours.
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity: pronounced, as this appellation uses high quality fruit which is not dilute.
Length: long, as this appellation uses high quality fruit which is not dilute.
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 27

Trockenbeerenauslese (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

(How similar would this be to a Sauternes, or an Ice Wine).

Answer 27

Colour: Gold
Intensity: Deep, achieved through concentration of fruit

Body: full, as a result of the sweetness
Acidity: high, achieved through cool climate ripening, concentration of acids by the noble rot, Riesling’s natural high acidity, and avoidance of malolactic fermentation.
Aromas: citrus and stonefruit reflecting the cool to moderate climate, honey marmalade and rye bread as a result of high degree of noble rot on harvested grapes.
Tannin:
Alcohol: typically 8-9% abv, as high sugar content can overwhelm the yeast.
Intensity: pronounced as a result of fruit concentration at harvest.
Length: long as a result of fruit concentration at harvest.
Sweetness: very sweet/lusciously sweet, achieved from concentration of sugars by the noble rot.

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 28

Barossa Valley Shiraz (medium priced, and youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 28

Colour:
Intensity:

Body: full body owing to riper style of fruit, and high alcohol.
Acidity: medium acidity as a result of a warm sunny climate and fully ripe fruit by harvest time.
Aromas: black fruit and black pepper associated with Shiraz, often with vanilla aromas arising from use of new oak barrels.
Tannin:
Alcohol: medium plus to high alcohol as a result of a warm sunny climate creating riper bunches.
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 29

Sancerre (youthful)

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 29

Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity: high acidity as of being grown in a cool climate which helps retain acidity, and also avoiding malolactic fermentation which would soften the malic into lactic acidity.
Aromas: citrus, grass and asparagus flavours associated with Sauvignon Blanc and a cool climate, and also not using oak in the wine making, avoiding lees stirring or maturation, and avoiding malolactic fermentation which would create butter flavours.
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity: pronounced, as this wine is associated with high quality grapes not having been diluted
Length: long, pronounced, as this wine is associated with high quality grapes not having been diluted due to vines growing on slopes.
Sweetness:

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.

Question 30

Late Bottled Vintage Port

Focus on the features from this framework:
Colour:
Intensity:

Body:
Acidity:
Aromas:
Tannin:
Alcohol:
Intensity:
Length:
Sweetness:

Answer 30

Colour: ruby
Intensity: deep

Body: full body, as a result of rich concentrated fruit grown in a hot sunny climate, high alcohol, and being a sweet wine
Acidity:
Aromas: black fruit due to choice of red grapes
Tannin: medium as this wine is intended for early drinking and to have broad appeal
Alcohol: high, as fortified to 190-22% abv
Intensity: pronounced due to richness of fruit (see climate above)
Length:
Sweetness: sweet, as fortified DURING fermentation, which stops fermentation early leavings a lot of residual sugar from very ripe fruit/must.

Possibly offer some elaboration on above to obtain full marks in an exam.