Learn: Wines Flashcards
Chardonnay
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: high (cool), med (warm)
Body: light-med (cool), med-full (warm)
Flavours: green apple, lemon (cool), peach, pineapple (warm), vanilla (if oaked)
Well known: Burgundy (incl. Chablis)
Sauvignon Blanc
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: high
Body: light-med
Flavours: green apple, grapefruit, passion fruit, asparagus, green bell pepper, grass
Aging: typically fermented in SS tanks, not aged in oak
Well known: Sancerre, New Zealand
Pinot Grigio
Characteristics
Flavours
Regions
Aging
Other
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: med-high
Body: light
Flavours: pear, lemon
Well known: Italy
Typically fermented in SS tanks, not aged in oak
Riesling
Characteristics
Flavours
Regions
Aging
Other
Sweetness: dry to sweet
Acidity: high
Body: light-med
Flavours: floral, green apple, lime, lemon, peach, apricot
Well known: Germany
Typically fermented in SS tanks, not aged in oak
Cab Sauv
Characteristics
Flavours
Regions
Aging
Other
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: high
Tannins: high
Body: med-full
Flavours: blackcurrant, black cherry, green bell pepper, mint, vanilla (oak)
Well known: Bordeaux, Napa Valley
Typically aged in oak
Due to high tannins, typically blended with other varietals
- Ex. Merlot in Bordeaux adds softness and body
- Ex. Shiraz in Australia to add aromas of spice
Merlot
Characteristics
Flavours
Regions
Aging
Other
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: med
Tannins: med
Body: med-full
Flavours: strawberry, red plum, blackberry, black plum, vanilla (oak)
Well-known: Bordeaux
Grown in: Chili, California
Often matured in oak
Pinot Noir
Characteristics
Flavours
Regions
Aging
Other
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: high
Tannins: low-med
Body: light-med
Flavours: strawberry, red cherry, raspberry, vanilla (oak), smoke (oak)
Well known: Burgundy, New Zealand (principal red grape)
Usually not blended with other varietals when making red wines
Can be used to make Champagne, blended with Chardonnay
Often matured in oak
Syrah/Shiraz
Characteristics
Flavours
Regions
Aging
Other
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: med
Tannins: med-high
Body: med-full
Flavours: blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, liquorice, vanilla (oak), coconut (oak)
Northern Rhone: med body, fresh black fruit (blackberry) and black pepper flavours
Australia: full body, jammy black fruit (black cherry) and liquorice flavours
Champagne
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: high
Flavours: green apple, lemon, toasted bread
Made from Chardonnay and may include Pinot Noir
Prosecco
Type: sparkling
Country: Italy
Body: light
Flavours: pear, floral
Cotes du Rhone
Region: France
Sweetness: dry
Body: med
Aging: oaked, unoaked
Flavours: red fruit (strawberry, red plum) and white pepper
Rioja
Region: Spain
Sweetness: dry
Body: med-full
Flavours: red fruit, vanilla (oak)
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Region: France
Sweetness: dry
Alcohol: high
Body: full
Flavours: red fruit, clove (oak)
Sherry
Type: fortified
Style: white
Region: Spain
Sweetness: dry, med, or sweet
Port
Type: fortified
Style: ?
Region: Portugal
Sweetness: sweet
Tannins: high
Alcohol: high
Body: full
Flavours: black fruit
