Level 1 Flashcards
Main red grapes of Bordeaux (5)
Cabernet Sauvignon (major)
Merlot (major)
Cabernet Franc (minor)
Malbec (minor)
Petit Verdot (minor).
Main white grapes of Bordeaux (3)
Semillon (major)
Sauvignon Blanc (major)
Muscadelle (minor)
Ugni Blanc (blending grape).
Most widely planted grape in Bordeaux
Merlot
“Chateau” in Bordeaux
Estate under single ownership
“Cortier” in Bordeaux
Brokers of wine. A middleman acting between the chateaux and Bordeaux merchants. Provide financial backing to chateaux while gaining total control over the actual trade of wine.
“Negociants” in Bordeaux
Acted as one type of intermediary, buying fruit or wine in barrel to age in their own cellars before selling the bottled wine.
Medoc and Northern Grave Soil (Bordeaux)
Gravel
St-Emilion Soil (Bordeaux)
Gravel over limestone
Pomerol Soil (Bordeaux)
Iron pan under sand and clay
Rivers of Bordeaux (3)
Gironde (Main estuary)
Garonne (on the left)
Dardogne (on the right)
Left bank blends (Bordeaux) (Medoc communes)
70% Cab 30% Merlot and minor varietals (Cab performs well in gravel soils, allowing the root system to dig deeply while slight water stress adds concentration to the fruit)
Right bank blends (Bordeaux) (St-Emillion and Pomerol)
70% Merlot 25% Cab Franc 5% Cab and others (Merlot prefers clay-based soils as they delay its natural vigor, Cab Franc performs well in limestone based soils)
Aging in Bordeaux
A top chateau in one of the commune appellations will often age its red wines for up to two years in barriques (225 liter capacity barrels), a large percentage of which will be new each vintage.
1855 Classification First Growths (Premier Crus) (5) (Bordeaux)
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
Chateau Latour (Pauillac)
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
Chateau Margaux (Margaux)
Chateau Haut-Brion (Graves)
Bordeaux Climate
Maritime. Atlantic & the Gironde estuary acts to moderate temperatures. Humidity & mold. Increases vintage variation.
Medoc AOC (Bordeaux)
Only red wines produced under AOC. “Bas-Medoc” typically only used by those chateaux who do not qualify for a more precise appellation. Merlot is grown in a high proportion than the Haut-Medoc.
Haut-Medoc communes (4 main - 2 lesser) (Bordeaux)
(Main) St-Estephe, Pauillac, Margaux, St.- Julien
(Lesser) Listrac-Medoc, Moulis-en-Medoc
St-Estephe wines (Bordeaux)
Sturdy full-bodied reds. Higher percentage of merlot due to a higher proportion of clay amongst the gravel. No first growths.
Pauillac wines (Bordeaux)
Wines balance power and finesse with aromatic complexity. Gravel topsoil is at its deepest for Haut-Medoc. Three first growths (Lafite, Latour, Mouton)
St-Julien wines (Bordeaux)
Typically elegant style. Approximately 80% is Cru Classe. No first growths but has 5 second growths.
Margaux wines (Bordeaux)
Wines are “feminine”, with an emphasis on floral bouquet, exotic character, and finesse. Largest commune in Haut-Medoc spreading over 5 villages. 1 first growth (Margaux) 21 classified growths.
Graves Classifications (Bordeaux)
13 estates are classified as cru classe for red wine and 9 for whites. 1 first growth (Haut-Brion)
Pessac-Leognan wines (sub region of Graves) (Bordeaux)
Prestigious appellation for both red and dry white wines. All cru classe properties are located here.
Sweet wines of Graves (Bordeaux)
All sweet wines can be produced as Graves Superieur. Three smaller appellations: Cerons, Barsac, and Sauternes (Produced from Semillon, Sauv Blanc, and Muscadelle affected by Botrytis cinerea also known as noble rot). Botrytis dehydrates the grapes so the sugar, acidity and glycerol content are heightened.
Sauternes Geography (Bordeaux)
Sauternes lies at the conflux of the Ciron and Garonne rivers. Cool morning mists blow off the Ciron and encounter the warmer waters of the Garonne, producing autumn afternoon humidity perfect for incubating the Botrytis spores. Botrytis sdoes not attack the grapes evenly, requiring the producer to pick the grapes individually in the separate trips through the vineyard (tries).
Right Bank Appellations (Bordeaux) (3)
St-Emilion
Pomerol
Bourg & Blaye
St-Emilion wines/varietals (Bordeaux)
Merlot and Cab Franc dominated wines..
St-Emilion Classification (Bordeaux) (3)
Three tier classification:
Premier Grand Cru Classe A,
Premier Grand Cru Classe B,
Grand Cru Classe.
Pomerol Wine (Bordeaux)
No classification. Merlot is particularly seccesful in the clay-based soil.
Entre-Deaux-Mers (Bordeaux)
“Land between two seas” - Between the Dardogne and Garonne rivers. Exclusively produces dry white wines.
Negociants in Burgundy
A powerful force taking advantage of the fractured vineyard ownership. They purchase small lots of grapes or wine and combine them to make a commercially viable product. Many domaines produce their own wines, but tend to be limited.
Main red grapes of Burgundy (2)
Pinot Noir (major)
Gamay (minor)
Main white grapes of Burgundy (2)
Chardonnay (major)
Aligote (minor)
Climate of Burgundy
Continental. Four seasons, climate issues like frost, rain at harvest, and hail.
Burgundy soil (Northern/Southern)
Northern: Chalk and Clay/Marl and Limestone Southern: Granite
Levels of quality of Burgundy wine (4)
Grand Cru
Premier Cru
Village
Regional
Name the major regions of Burgundy (5)
Cote d’ Or
Cote Chalonnaise
Maconnais
Beaujolais
Chablis.
Name the major appellations of Cote d’ Or (2) (Burgundy)
Cote de Nuits
Cote de Beaune
Burgundy vs Bordeaux Premier Cru and Grand Cru status
Bordeaux = Status is awarded to the individual producer Burgundy = Status is conferred upon the vineyard itself
Chablis AOC wine and grape characteristics (Burgundy)
Exclusively Chardonnay. Strong, high acid, intensely mineral and crisp. Stainless steel, new or neutral oak.
Chablis soil (Burgundy)
Kimmeridgian Clay/Limestone (Kimmeridgian is a mixture of limestone and clay, containing marine fossil layers) All Grand Cru vineyards are planted on Kimmeridgian.
Special Characteristic for all Grand Cru sites (Chablis) (Burgundy)
Has southwest exposure. Very far north (close to Champagne) so susceptible to late frost.
Chablis classifications (4)(Burgundy)
Chablis Grand Cru (7)
Chablis Premier Cru (40)
Chablis
Petit Chablis
Chablis Grand Cru Vineyards (7) (Burgundy)
Vaudesir
Valmur
Les Preuses
Grenouilles
Bougros
Les Clos
Blanchot
Highly Regarded Chablis Vintages (4) (Burgundy)
2002
2004
2005
2009
Cote d’Or soil (Burgundy)
Limestone mixed with Marl. (Marl produces better red wines) (Limestone-dominated soil produces better whites)
Cote de Nuits wine (Burgundy)
Pinot Noir. 25 Grand Cru Vineyards. Aged in oak. Powerful and full-bodied. Best Villages hyphenate the greatest Grand Cru vineyard to their name.
Cote de Nuits appellations (Burgundy)
(North to South)
Marsannay
Fixin
Gevery-Chambertin (9 Grand Crus)
Morey-St-Denis (5 Grand Crus)
Chambolle-Musigny (2 Grand Crus)
Vougeot (1 Grand Cru)
Echezeaux (2 Grand Crus)
Vosne-Romanee (6 Grand Crus)
Nuits-St-Georges (Premier Cru only)
Highly Regarded Cote de Nuits Vintages (3) (Burgundy)
2002
2005
2009
Cote de Beaune wine (Burgundy)
More red is produced than white. Whites are better known. Twice the area of Cote de Nuits. Best villages hyphenate the greatest Grand Cru vineyard to their name.
Cote de Beaune appellations (Burgundy)
Aloxe-Corton (only red Grand Cru in Beaune)
Beaune
Pommard
Volnay
Meursault
Puligny-Montrachet (4 Grande Crus)
Chassagne-Montrachet (3 Grand Crus)
Highly Regarded Cote de Beaune Vintages (3) (Burgundy)
2002
2005
2009
Main villages of Cote Chalonnaise (5)(Burgundy)
Bouzeron (whites from Aligote)
Rully (balanced between white and reds)
Mercurey (mainly red)(2/3 of wine production in Chalonnaise)
Girvy (mainly red)
Motagny (white only)
Maconnais wine (Burgundy)
Also known as “Macon”. Burgundy’s center for large volume production of Chardonnay. Lean, high in acidity, and vinified in stainless steel. Reds and Roses are Gamay Based.
Best known fine wine in Maconnais (1) (Burgundy)
Pouilly-Fuisse
Beaujolais Classification (5) (Burgundy)
Beaujolais Cru
Beaujolais-Villages
Beaujolais-Superieur
Beaujolais Nouveau
Beaujolais
Beaujolais Cru (10) (Burgundy)
St-Amour
Julienas
Chenas
Chiroubles
Moulin-a-Vent
Fleurie
Morgon
Regnie
Brouilly
Cote de Brouilly
What is Carbonic Maceration?
Whole clusters or berries of red grapes are sealed in a tank and then carbon dioxide is pumped in. In the absence of oxygen, intact whole berries undergo a short intracellular fermentation (glucose and malic acid to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide) without the aid of yeast. The grape will burst or be pressed and then ferment to dryness with the normal activity of yeast.
What is Semi-carbonic Maceration?
(More common than Carbonic Maceration) Carbon dioxide is not added to the vat, but produced naturally. Whole clusters at the bottom of the tank crush under the weight of those above and begin fermenting normally. The carbon dioxide released causes the whole berries above to ferment internally.
What are the characteristics of carbonic maceration wines?
Fruity, highly, floral, softer tannin.
“Assemblage” (Champagne)
Blending dozens of still wines from different years.
Remuage or Riddling (Champagne)
A procedure that allows sediment to be easily removed from a bottle during “degorgment” (discourgment)
AOC on the label (Champagne)
Champagne remains the only AOC that does NOT need to include an “Appellation Controlee” on the label.
Types of Champagne styles (4)
Blanc de Blanc (White of white)
Blanc de Noir (White of black)
Single vineyard (Clos)
Cuvee de Prestige/Tete de Cuvee (Premier blend)
Soil in Champagne
Surface- Belemnite chalk.
Has a high limestone content (roots can dig deeply, linked to increased acidity)
Second Layer- Micraster chalk Subsoil- Limestone (thin layer of clay and sand covers much of the chalk)
Principal grapes authorized for the production of Champagne (3)
Pinot Noir (structure, richness, and body)
Chardonnay (elegance and longevity)
Pinot Meunier (fruitiness)
Districts of Champagne (5)
Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir dominated)
Vallee de la Marne (Pinot Meunier dominated)
Cote des Blancs (Chardonnay dominated)
Cote de Sezanne (Chardonnay dominated)
Cote des Bars (Aube) (Pinot Noir dominated)
What is Brettanomyces and what are the characteristics?
Wine fault - a few different yeast strains, smoke, clove, spice, used band-aid, dirty feet, manure. Caused by high pH, inadequate topping, and infected barrels, from lack of cleanliness
Hyrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Onion, rubber, rotten egg, caused by inadequate nutrition during fermentation
Volatile Acidity (VA)
Nail polish remover, caused by poor winery hygiene, not using so2 and inadequate topping. Almost always present in Sangiovese.
Cork Taint
TCA, 2,4,6 Trichloroanisole, naturally occuring bacteria in the corks. Wet cardboard, damp concrete.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
used for preservation of wines, added in. Excessive amounts can be found often in young Riesling and Chardonnay, MATCHSTICK.
When was the AOC founded?
1936
What does the AOC regulate?
geographical boundaries, grape varieties, yields, potential alcohol levels, viticulture and vinification methods, quality of finished product to ensure:
- authenticity of place
- typicity of style
True or False. Chablis is only allowed to grow white grapes.
True. Chardonnay exclusively.
what is the liqueur de tirage?
added with bottling, wine, sugar, and yeast to spark secondary fermentation
autolysis
the gradual breakdown of yeasts
dosage
adding the liqueur d’expedition after disgorging
Transfer Method (Champagne)
identical to classic method up to completion of 2nd fermentation. Bottles are disgorged under pressure into a large tank, filtered, and rebottles.
Advantages:
- as little as 90 days from harvest to final bottling
- potential for less contact
- eliminates riddling
- large formats are easier
- more suitable for some grapes
Classic Method (Champagne)
Methode Champenoise
Methode Traditionnelle
- grapes pressed quickly & gently to avoid color of skins and oxidation
- base wines are ligth, low in alcohol and high in acidity
- primary fermentation in stainless steel or wood
- assemblage of the cuvee
Charmat Process (Cuve Close)
(Champagne)
- wine pumped into pressurized tanks with liqueur de tirage
- fermentation is complete in 4-5 days
- wine filtered and bottled
- saves time
- much less costly
- best process for certain varietals (Moscato d’Asti)
Dryness/Sweetness Levels of Champagne
- Brut Zero/Extra Brut: bone dry (0% to 0.6% RS)
- Brut: Dry (less than 1.5% RS)
- Extra Dry: Off-Dry (1.2% to 2% RS)
- Sec: semi-sweet (1.7% to 3.5% RS)
- Demi-Sec: sweet (3.3% to 5% RS)
- Doux: very sweet (more than 5% RS)
2 standard bottles
Magnum
4 standard bottles
Jeroboam
6 standard bottles
Rehoboam
8 standard bottles
Methuselah
12 standard bottles
Salmanazar
16 standard bottles
Balthazar
20 standard bottles
Nebuchadnezzar
24 standard bottles
Solomon
36 standard bottles
Primat
Cremant
any non-Champagne sparkling wine produced by Methode Traditionelle in France
- Cremant de Bourgogne
- Cremant d’Alsace
- Cremant de Loire
- Blanquette de Limoux
Blanquette de Limoux
Sparkling wines from Limoux in the Languedoc made from Mazauc, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc
Italian term for fully sparkling wine
Spumante
Italian term for semi-sparkling wines
Frizzante
what country produces the most sparkling wines?
Spain, Catalonia is the highest production region.
Traditional grapes used for Cava
Xarel-lo, Parellasa, Macabeo
also, Monatrell (Mourvedre), Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
acres planted in Bordeaux
~305,000 acres of vineyards
Courtier
a middleman acting between the Chateaux and the Bordeaux merchants
Highly regarded Bordeaux vintages
2000, 2005, 2009, 2010
highly regarded Champagne vintages
1996, 2002, 2004
highly regarded Burgundy vintages
2002, 2005, 2009
Primary white varietals of Northern Rhone (3)
Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne
Primary red varietal of Northern Rhone
Syrah (duh)
Northern Rhone Climate
Continental with Le Mistral Winds (violent and cold north or northwest wind which accelerates when it passes through the valleys of the Rhone and the Durance Rivers)
Northern Rhone Soils and Terrain
steep slopes with granite soil in Cote Rotie, Condrieu, adn Hermitage. Heavier, clay soils in St Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage
what helps to moderate temerature in Northern Rhone?
the Rhone River
Cote-Rotie
Furthest north AOC in the Northern Rhone, red wines from Syrah with up to 20% Viognier allowed
Condrieu AOC
Northern Rhone AOC. whites only, made from Viognier. no red.
St Joseph AOC
Northern Rhone AOC. Red wines from minimum 90% Syrah and up to 10% Roussanne and Marsanne. Whites from Roussanne and Marsanne.
Crozes-Hermitage AOC
Northern Rhone AOC. Red wines from Syrah usually with stem inclusion, with up to 15% Roussanne and Marsanne. White wines from Roussanne and Marsanne.
Hermitage AOC
Northern Rhone AOC. red wines from Syrah and up to 15% Roussanne and Marsanne. Whites from Roussanne and Marsanne.
Cornas AOC
Northern Rhone AOC. Red wines from 100% Syrah
St-Peray AOC
Southern most Northern Rhone AOC, still and sparkling wines from Roussanne and Marsanne.
Primary white varietals of Southern Rhone (6)
Roussanne, Clairette, Piquepoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, Picardan, Grenche Blanc
Primary red varietals of Southern Rhone (8)
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Counoise, Terret Noir, Vaccarese, Muscardin
Southern Rhone Climate
Mediterranean with Mistral (north) and Sirocco (south) winds
Southern Rhone Soils and Terrain
alluvial clays in Gigondas to alluvial deposits and river rock stones (galets) in Chateaunauf-du-Pape
Galets
large river rock stones found in Chateaunauf-du-Pape
Southern Rhone Appellations
Chateaunauf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cotes-du-Rhone, Cotes du Rhone-Villages, Tavel, Lirac, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vinsobres, Rasteau
Chateaunauf-du-Pape
18 grapes authorized, 12.5% minimum potential alcohol content.
Gigondas AOC
Southern Rhone, red wines with minimum 50% Grenache
Provence Appellations
Cotes de Provence, Bandol, Coteaux D’Aix-en-Provence, Cassis, Palette, Coteaux Varois
largest wine region in France?
Languedoc ~750,000 acres
Primary white varietals in Languedoc and Rousillon (5)
Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Piquepol Blanc, Bourboulenc, Mauzac
Primary red varietals in Languedoc and Rousillon (7)
Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Common Languedoc AOC’s
Languedoc, Minervois, Faugeres, Corbieres, Saint-Chinian