Official flashcards
What French wine region produces more AOC wine than any other?
Bordeaux
What are the four sub-region designations of the Cotes de Bordeaux AOC?
Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs
What is “Crus Artisan”?
Boutique wineries of quality in Bordeaux
What is the difference between St Emilion Grand Cru and St Emilion Grand Cru Classe?
The former is AOC. The latter is a ranking within a classification system.
What Medoc AOC is considered the most “California”?
St. Julien
What Medoc AOC is considered the most “feminine” and perfumed?
Margaux AOC
What are the four St Emilion satellites?
St-George
Lussac
Montagne
Puisseguin
What is “Les Landes”?
A man-made forest separating Bordeaux from the ocean.
Bordeaux’s first vineyard was planted in what sub-region?
Graves
What style of wine is made in the Medoc?
Dry red only
What are the three principal rivers of Bordeaux?
Gironde, Garonne, Dordogne
Where is the wine-producing area of Libournais?
Right bank, around the city of Liborne
What defines the term “Petit Chateau”?
unofficial team for an unclassified property in the Bordeaux region
What Bordeau soils are considered “cold”
Clay and limestone because they retain moisture
What estate is the only Premier Cru Superieur of the 1855 classification?
Chateau d’Yquem
What style of wine is produced in the Cerons, Barsac and Sauternes AOCs?
sweet whites affected by noble rot
What are the three primary white grapes in Bordeaux?
Semilion, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle
What is the main soil type of Bordeaux’s Left Bank?
Gravel
What contribution did the Dutch make to Bordeaux winemaking in the 1600s?
They drained the Medoc peninsula in order to grow grapes for sweet white table wines and for wine to distill into eau de vie
What is the main soil type of Bordeaux’s Right Bank?
Clay and limestone
How are reds from Entre-Deux-Mers labeled?
Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Superieur AOC
How many categories of “growths” were given to red wines in Bordeaux’s 1855 classification?
5
Cab Sauvignon is a cross between:
Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc
A semi-sweet wine from Graves must be labeled as:
Graves Superieures AOC
Why is Graves suited for sweet wine production?
Damp, foggy mornings followed by warm dry afternoons promote noble rot
What style of wine is produced in the Libournais?
all 10 Libournais AOCs are for dry red only
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Maritime
What is the primary grape of Entre-Deux-Mers?
Sauvignon Blanc
What three Bordeaux winegrowing areas were included in the 1855 Classification?
Medoc (60)
Pessac-Leognan (1)
Sauternes (26)
What is “Clairet”?
A semi-red wine made by the Saignee method.
What defines Cru Bourgeois?
A list created in 1932 of 444 chateaux from Medoc not included in the 1855 classification. It remains a member-based syndicate.
What is the main grape of Bordeaux’s Right Bank?
Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Why is Malbec seldom planted in Bordeaux today?
The winter freeze of 1956 destroyed most Malbed plantings.
What did the 1953 Graves Classification rank?
The wines of 16 estates, rather than the estate themselves.
What moderates Bordeaux’s climate?
The Gulf stream, Les Landes, and the network of rivers
What are the three secondary red grape varieties in Bordeaux?
Malbed, Petit Verdot and Carmenere
What style of wine is made under the Entre-Deux-Mers AOC?
dry white only
What Right Bank sub-region has a classification system?
St Emilion
What style of wine is produced in the Cadillac, Loupiac and Ste-Croix-de-Mont AOCs?
sweet whites affected by noble rot
What Bordeaux soils are considered “warm”
Gravel and sand because they radiate heat back to the vine
What Bordeaux AOC produces dry whites mainly from Colombard?
Cote de Blaye AOC
What French wine region produces more AOC wine than any other?
Bordeaux
What Languedoc appellation grows Chenin Blanc?
Limoux
What grape variety is used in the production of all Languedoc VDN?
Muscat a Petitis Grains Blanc
What appellations are located in the Languedoc’s “Atlantic corridor”?
Cabardes, Malepere and the Limoux AOCs
What Languedoc AOC is particularly known for Syrah-based wines?
Minervois AOC
What Languedoc AOC is evenly split between Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties?
Cabardes AOC
Who discovered mutage?
Arnaud de Villeneuve of Montpellier in 1285
What is “mutage”?
The addition of grape spirit to must in order to stop fermentation and obtain a sweet wine.
What are the six “cru” appellations of the Languedoc region?
Faugeres, La Clape, Corbieres-Boutenac, Saint Chinian Berlou, St Chinian Roquebrun and Minevois la Liviniere
What grape is referred to as the “lip stinger”?
Picpoul Blanc
What is the “methode ancestrale” of sparkling winemaking?
Inducing a second fermentation by “waking up” a chilled, partially fermented wine.
Cremant de Limoux is based on what grape variety?
Must contain at least 40% Chardonnay
What grape is used in the Blanquette Methode Ancestrale AOC?
100% Mauzac
How was the impact of phylloxera different in Languedoc compared to other French regions?
The first region to be replanted on American rootstocks and the first to recover.
What style of wine is produced in the Limoux AOC?
still reds and whites.
(new book says sparking too)
What Languedoc appellation is based on a minimum 50% merlot?
Malepere
What is the “Massif de la Clape”?
A limestone outcrop separating Narbonne from the sea
Rolle is a synonym for what other grape variety?
Vermentino
What is the largest non-regional AOC in Languedoc in terms of geographic size?
Corbieres (4th largest in France)
What is the main grape variety of the Corbieres AOC?
Carignan
What other grape is related to Lledoner Pelut?
Grenache
What are the four primary red grape varieties of the Languedoc AOCs?
Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Lladoner Pelut
(although carignan and cinsault are popular)
What is “Etang de Thau”?
a lake separating the Picpoul de Pinet AOC from the sea
What is the oldest sparkling wine in the world?
Blanquette de Limoux. The sparkling phenomenon was discovered by the monks of Saint Hillaire in 1531.
What two Languedoc appellations are known for single-varietal wines?
Clairette de Languedoc AOC
Picpoul de Pinet AOC
What appellation is nested within the Corbieres AOCs?
Fitou AOC
Roussillon is best known for what wine style?
Vins Doux Naturels (VDN)
A “bonbonne” is
a large glass jar used for maturing VDN
What French wine region boasts the highest number of organic and biodynamic wine producers?
Roussillon
What is the main grape variety used to produce red VDN?
Grenache
Is Banyuls Grand Cru VDN made reductively or oxidatively?
always oxidized.
What style of wine does the Bayuls Grand Cru AOC produce?
Red VDN only
What is the climate of Rouosillon?
Mediterranean, with lots of heat and sunshine
Banyuls shares the same eliminated area with what other appellation?
Collioure
Tourbat is also known as
Malvoisie du Roussilon
What are the “crus” of the Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOCs?
Caramany
Latour de France
Tautavel
Lesquerde
What IGP is shared jointly between Languedoc and Roussillon?
IGP Pays d’Oc
The prevailing north wine in Roussillon is called?
The Tramontane
The southernmost appellation in France is
Collioure/Banyuls
What AOC is shared jointly between Languedoc and Roussillon?
Languedoc AOC
What effect does the Tramontane have on winemaking in Roussillon?
reduce humidity and the risk of vine disease.
What style of wine is made in the Maury AOC?
Dry red and red VDN
What wine style(s) can be made under the Cotes de Roussillon Villages designation?
Red wines only
What wines may be labeled Hors d’Age?
Oxidized VDN aged a minimum of five years
What style(s) of wine is/are made in the Colliour AOCs?
Dry red, white and rose
Is Muscat de Riversaltes VDN usually made reductively or oxidatively?
almost always reductive
What are Roussillon’s most important rivers?
Agly, Tet and Tech
What are the grape varieties allowed in the Muscat de Riversaltes AOCs?
Muscat a Petit Grains and Muscat d’Alexandrie
What is the main difference between a wine labeled “Clairette de Die” and a wine labeled “Coteaux de Die”?
Clairette is sparkling and Coteaux is still
What is the primary grape of the Rasteau appellation?
Grenache
What is the only red grape variety grown in the northern Rhone?
Syrah
What three northern Rhone crus permit Viognier?
Cote Rotie
Condrieu
Chateau-Grillet
What is the most common style of wine in the Diois?
Sparkling wine.
“Oeil de perdix” refers to:
The deep salmon color of Rhone roses made from Grenache and Cinsault (patridge eye)
The Dentelles de Montmirail is
A mountain range to the east of the Southern Rhone
What Northern Rhone cru occupies a single hill inside another AOCs?
Hemitage
Define the term “septentrionales”
The Northern Cotes du Rhone
What are the three white grapes of the Northern Rhone?
Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne
What Rhone cru is devoted entirely to the marking rose wine?
Tavel
Are Cotes de Rhone villages wines strictly single varietals, or blends or can they be both?
blend composed of at least 50% Grenache
Define the term “Meridionales”
The Southern Cotes de Rhone
What is the difference between the Beaumes-de-Venis AOC and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC?
The first is dry red
the second is sweet white VDN
What is the climate of the Northern Rhone
Continental
Define the term “foundres”
large wooden barrels
What is the most common vine training system in the Southern Rhone?
Gobelet
What are the main soil types found in the Northern Rhone?
Granite and schist
Where is the most Cotes de Rhone produced, in the north or the south?
The south
What is the principal grape of Tavel rose?
Grenache
What are the two Northern Rhone crus located on the left bank of the river?
Crozes Hermitage
Hermitage
What is the climate of the Southern Rhone?
Mediterranean
What is the southernmost appellation in the Southern Rhone?
Costieres de Nimes
“Rhone Rangers” are
California winemakers making Rhone style blends
What is the Mistral
A north wine that blows through the Rhone valley
What are galets?
Round river stones or pebbles
What is the primary method for making rose wine in the Rhone valley?
Saignee
What is the primary grape variety of Clairette de Die?
Must include at least 75% muscat
Rhone vineyards are situated between __th and __ parallels north
44 and 45
What Rhone appellation was the first to have its zone of production delineated?
du-pape
What two Rhone AOCs make VDN?
Rasteau
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
What is the northernmost cru in the Northern Rhone
Cote-Rotie
Can the entire Rhone Valley produce wine under the Cotes du Rhone AOC desingation?
No
is Cotes de Rhone villages made in the northern Rhone, in the southern Rhone, or both?
Southern only, 95 villages.
Which Northern Rhone cru is known for sparkling wine?
Saint-Peray
The term “echelas” refers to
Tipi-like trellasing
What Jura native created the “Bordeaux Mixture” for treating mildew and pioneered the grafting of French vines onto American rootstock?
Alexis Millardet
What two Jura AOCs represent styles of wine rather than geographic locations?
Macvin du Jura AOC
Crement du Jura AOC
The main grape used in the production of Cremant du Jura is?
Chardonnay
What Jura AOC grows only Savagnin Blanc?
Chateau-Chalon AOC
What is Louis Pasteur’s contribution to winemaking?
Pasteur discovered that a microbe he named “yeast” is responsible for fermentation
What does the term “Sous Voile” signify on a bottle of Jura wine?
The wine has been made with controlled exposure to oxygen, under a surface layer (or veil) of yearst
What is the sold grape used in the production of the Jura’s Vin Jaune?
Savagnin Blanc
What is the largest Jura AOC by volume and geographic size?
Arbois AOC
What is the most widely planted grape in Jura?
Chardonnay
What was Charles Rouget’s contribution to winemaking?
Rouget noted that the same grape variety can be given different names in different places.
Which Jura region produces more red wine than white?
The Arbois AOC
What three Jura AOCs produce Vin de Paille?
Arbois AOC, L’Etoile AOC and Cotes de Jura AOC
What is Macvin du Jura?
Fortified grape must
Melon d’Arbois, Melon a Queue Rouge and Gamay Blanc are all synonyms for
Chardonnay
What is Ullage?
The headspace in a bottle or barrel
What Jura AOC produces only Vin Jaune
Chateau-Chalon AOC
What are the five permitted grapes in Jura?
Chardonnay
Savagnin Blanc
Poulsard
Pinot Noir
Trousseau
What is the climate of Jura?
semi-continental
What is the Jura’s Vin de Paille?
A wine made with air-dried grapes
What does the “Quille” signify on a bottle of Jura wine?
The wine has been made reductively, with minimum oxygen exposure
Does the Jura produce more white or red wine?
White
What is a “clavelin”
A 620 ml bottle used in the Jura for Vin Jaune
A Vin Jaune labeled “vin de garde” is intended for
cellaring
What is the name of the grape indigenous to Jura and known for making “almost-red” wines?
Poulsard
What are the seven primary grape varieties in Alsace?
Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gewuztraminer, Sylvaner, Muscat
T or F? As a result of global climate change, Pinot noir is becoming harder to grow in Alsace.
False.
The Sylvaner grape, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to _
Austria
In which direction do the best slopes in Alsace face?
south/southeast
T or F? In Alsace, Chardonnay is used mainly as a component of a blend.
True, It is used in Cremant d’Alsace
Auxerrois Blanc is a cross between
Gouais Blanc and Pinot
T or F? In Alsace, Grand Cru wines may be red or white.
False.
T or F? Machine harvest is common in Alsace.
False.
T or F? Wines in Alsace may be designated AOC, IGP or Vin sans IG.
False. All wines in Alsace are AOC. in 2011, the number of AOCs expanded from 3 to 53.
T or F? Alsace is the most northerly wine region in France.
False. Champagne is slightly farther to the north than Alsace.
What is the impact of global climate change on the dryness of Alsace wines?
Sugar levels are rising and more off-dry wines are being produced.
What red grap is permitted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
What is the difference between Klevner and Klevener?
Klevner: Pinot Blanc, a genetic mutation of Pinot Gris.
Klevener: Savagnin Rose, a secondary grape in Alsace.
T or F? Grapes for the Alsace AOC can be sourced from any part of Alsace.
True.
What is a “graben”?
A gravel-like trench caused by geologic uplift, then collapse on parallel fault lines. In Alsace, the faulting was followed by erosion, creating a complex network of soil.
A former name for Pinot Gris is…
Tokay d’Alsace
Zotzenberg is an exceptional Grand Cru vineyard because…
Sylvaner is permitted here.
On which bottles of Alsace wine is vintage labeling optional?
Edelzwicker
What is the effect of the Vosges Mountains on vineyards in Alsace?
It provides a rain shadow that ensures mainly sunny an dry growing conditions.
T or F? Alsace became a part of Germany in 1871.
True. It was annexed after the Franco-Prussian war.
What are the two Muscats grown in Alsace?
Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
Muscat Ottonel
*the first is higher quality
What is the AOC for sparkling wine in Alsace?
Cremant d’Alsace AOC
What is the most widely planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
T or F? The AOC approved yields for Alsace are the highest in France.
True. They are generally 80 hl/ha for whites.
T or F? A wine labeled “Vendages Tardives” must be affected by noble rot.
False. It is not required.
T or F? Chaptalization is common in Alsace.
False. The technique is disappearing as a result of global warming.
T or F? Sylvanner is permitted in Alsace Grand Cru wines.
True. Only in Zotzenberg.
T or F? A wine labeled “Selections de Grains Nobles” must be made from grapes affected by botrytis.
True. It is a requirement.
What is Gentil?
A blend in Alsace that must contain 50 percent of noble white varieties.
T or F? It is common for Alsace wine to be aged in new oak and undergo malolactic fermentation.
False.
What are the aging requirement of Cremant d’Alsace?
Nine months sur lie, plus 3 months in the cellar. (12 months total)
Klevner or Pinot Vrai is more commonly known as
Pinot Blanc
T or F? Edelwicker may be a blend of any white grapes approved for Alsace AOC wine.
True
T or F? A wine labeled “Alsace AOC” can be still or sparkling.
False. Sparkling wines are labeled “Cremant d’Alsace”.
T or F? IN Alsace, each Grand Cru has its own separate AOC status.
True. Has been the case since 2011.
In which century did Alsace reach its peak of prosperity?
16th (Late Renaissance)
T or F? There are 13 soil types in Alsace.
True. The soil in Alsace is quite complex, owing to millions of years of geologic faulting and erosion.
What percentage of Alsace wine is white?
90 percent.
