Practice Exam Questions Flashcards
What are the major varieties of Entre-Deux-Mers
Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
T/F: Garonne and Dordogne rivers connect at the Gironde estuary and flow out to the Atlantic Ocean
True
Explain the differences in soils in the Medoc and St. Emilion. How does this affect the varieties grown in each?
In the Medoc, the soils are gravel croupes (mounds of gravel) unearthed when the Dutch drained the Medoc. The gravel retains daily heat and drains well which is good for Cabernet Sauvignon.
In St. Emilion the soils are clay based, which retains more water and are cooler in temperature. This is great soil for Merlot as it tends to be a vigorous vine and the soils temper it’s growth
What regional appellation in Bordeaux is for dry red wines and OFF-DRY white wines?
Bordeaux Superior AOP
What are the six commune appellations of the Haut-Medoc?
St. Estephe, St. Julien, Margaux, Paulliac, Listrac, Moulis
What are the five first growths of Bordeaux
Latour
Lafite-Rothschild
Moutin Rothschild
Margaux
Haut-Brion
Explain the St. Emilion Classification System
Created in 1955, the St. Emilion classification system was meant to be revised every decade and catagorized Chateau into Grand Cru Classe A, Grand Cru Classe B, and Grand Cru Classe. This is different than St. Emilion Grand Cru, which is awarded to Chateau after submitting their wines to a tasting panel and meeting requirements such as a minimum of 12.5 abv. Any Chateau can apply for Grand Cru status(and many have the designation of), but very few are awarded Grand Cru Classe
Name four sweet wine appellations of Bordeaux
Sauternes, Barsac, Cadillac, St. Croix du Mont
Put these villages in order from North to South: Pommard, Morey-St-Denis, Beaune, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey-Chambertin
Morey-St-Denis
Nuits-Saint-Georges
Beaune
Pommard
What is the major river of Burgundy
Saone
What are the soils of the Cote-de-Nuits
Marl, clay, limestone
What is the Napoleonic Code
Created in 1804, it required that all male heirs received equal shares of inheritance. This fractured the vineyards in Burgundy and is why they are so fragmented to this day
Explain the grapes and process of making Cremant de Bourgogne
Traditional method sparkling wine where the 2nd fermentation takes place inside the bottle
9 months on the lees
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Name the Grand Crus of Puligny-Montrachet (3)
Le Montrachet
Chevalier-Montrachet
Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet
What are the dosage levels for Champagne from driest to sweetest
Brut Nature (0-3g)
Extra Brut (0-6g)
Brut (0-12g)
Extra Dry (12-17g)
Sec (17-32g)
Demi-Sec (32-50g)
Doux (50+g)
What grapes are used to make Champagne
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Meunier
What are the five districts of Champagne? What varieties are more prominently grown in each
Montagne de Reims (PN)
Valee de la Marne (PM)
Cotes de Blancs (CH)
Cotes Sezanne (CH)
Cotes de Bar (PN)
Explain the steps of Methode Champenoise (11)
Initial vinification
blending
bottling
addition of liqueur di tirage
secondary fermentation
lees aging
riddling
Disgorgement
liqueur di expedition
corking
resting
What is the main soil type in Champagne
Chalk
What is remuage
Riddling
Explain the Echelle des Crus
introduced in 1920 (since ceased)
ranked different villages into quality levels from 80-100
helped stabilize market prices for grapes
percentage was equal to amount of money CIVC set for the price of grapes
if a village is ranked 90%, and the cost of grapes was $100 a kilo, then all the producers in that village would receive $90 per kilo
Basic; 80-89%
Premier Cru; 90-99%
Grand Cru: 100%
What is the Club Tresors? Name three producers
28 Artisan Wine makers in Champagne
Paul Bara
Salmon
Forget-Chemin
Explain the differences in wine styles from the right and left banks of Chablis. Why?
Left Bank: cooler morning sunlight and afternoon shade. less ripeness, more austere,higher in acid.
Right Bank: warmer afternoon sunlight , higher levels of ripeness, more fruit, higher alcohol
What are the noble varieties of Alsace
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
What is the major mountain range in Alsace, what does it do
The Voges Mountains run north to south on the western edge of Alsace. They create a rainshadow effect that makes Alsace the sunniest wine growing region in France
How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Alsace
51
Explain the difference between SGN and VT
VT or Vendanges Tardives, is a late harvest wine from Alsace that may or may not be affected by botrytis. Usually the additional hang time will increase the ripeness of fruit and alcohol in the wine. These can range from dry to slightly sweet.
SGN or Selection des Grains Nobles are wines from grapes affected by botrytis and have additional hang time. These wines will be higher residual sugar and showcase notes of ginger, saffron and honey from the botrytis
What is Vin Jaune, where is it from and how is it made
Vin jaune (French for “yellow wine”) is a special and characteristic type of white wine made in the Jura region in eastern France. It is similar to dry fino Sherry and gets its character from being matured in a barrel under a film of yeast, known as the voile, on the wine’s surface. It is not fortified and dry, but made from late harvest Savagnin grapes
What are the grape varieties grown in the Savoie (6)
RED
Pinot Noir
Gamay
Mondeuse
WHITE
Chardonnay
Roussanne
Chasselas
What are the four major subregions of the Loire from West to East
Pays Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Central Vineyards
Explain the climate of each of the four subregions of the Loire Valley
Pays Nantais: Maritime
Anjou-Saumur: maritime with slight continental influence
Touraine: continental with maritime influence
Central Vineyards: continental
Which subregion(s) of the Loire are you most likely to find Sauvignon Blanc
Central Vineyards
and also Touraine!
What are the soils of Anjou-Saumur (4)
granite, schist, sandstone and volcanic
What AOP in the Loire is for a single biodynamic estate
Coulee de Serrant by Nicolas Joly
What is the grape and explain the styles of wine from the Muscadet AOPs
Melon (or Melon de Bourgogne)
high acid, citrus and crushed rock, minerality. Typically aged on lees to increase complexity and create yeasty notes
What wine growing regions are located on the east side of the river in the Northern Rhone
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage
What AOPs of the Northern Rhone can be have Viognier either blended into other wines, or be bottled as a white wine
Cote-Rotie
Condrieu
Chateau Grillet
What style of wines is St. Peray known for?
Still and sparkling wine from Marsanne and Roussanne
What style of wine is Tavel known for
Grenache based Rose
What styles of wine are made in Cotes de Provence
Predominantly Rose
What are the main grape varieties for red wines of Provence
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvedre
Cinsault
Carignan
What styles of wines does Bandol produce
Whites from Clairette
Rose & Red from Mouvedre, Cinsault and Grenache
What grape varieties are grown on Corsica (5)
WHITE
Vermentino
Ugni Blanc
RED
Grenache
Nielluccio (Sangiovese)
Sciaccarello
Explain the difference between Methode Ancestral and Blanquette de Limoux as it pertains to the Limoux AOP
Method Ancestrale is made from 100% Mauzac and is a sparkling wine that goes through one fermentation in bottle.
Blanquette de Limoux is a fully sparkling wine that is made from 90% Mauzac plus Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. This wine is made in the Method Traditionelle
What are the AOPs for Muscat in the Languedoc
de Frontignan
de Lunel
de Mireval
Saint-Jean-de-Minervois
Explain Vin Doux Naturel, what AOPs are for Vin Doux Naturel in Roussillon
VDNs are wines that are made in a Port style and fortified during fermentation to leave residual sugar in the wine. They are usually red and sweet in style.
Rivesaltes
Muscat de Rivesaltes
Maury
Banyuls
Explain the styles of wines from Bergerac AOP
Similar to Bordeaux
Red and white
Merlot, Cabernet Sauv, Semillon, Sauv Blanc, etc.
What are the varieties grown in Madiran AOP
Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer
What are the levels of classification for Italian Wine Law (4)
Vino de Tavola
IGT
DOC
DOCG
What is the Goria’s Law and how did it affect Italian Wine Law
After the rise of Super Tuscans and their classified as Vino di Tavola, Goria’s Law was enacted to create the IGT level for wines, giving them more freedom then the DOC/DOCG system
What are the two main soil types of Barolo
Sandstone and marl
What is “Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive”?
Single vineyard bottlings from the best crus, such as Cannubi in Barolo or Rabajà in Barbaresco were given status as menzioni geografiche aggiuntive (official geographic areas) of the DOCG in 2007. In early 2010 Barolo followed suit
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco and Barbaresco Riserva
26 months aging with 9 months in wood
Riserva: 50 months aging with 9 months in wood
What style of wine is Asti DOCG
Asti is a sparkling wine made in the charmat method with Moscato grapes
List the grapes and styles for Franciacorta DOCG
Traditional method sparkling wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Erbamat
What is the grape of Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Nebbiolo
List four white grapes of Liguria
Bosco
Bianchetta
Trebbiano Toscano
Moscato
What colors and styles of wine is usually made from the Lambrusco grape
Frizzante and spumante red and rose
What is the climate of Trentino-Alto Adige
Alpine
What are the main bodies of water in Trentino-Alto Adige (2)
Lake Garda
Adige River
What styles of wine are made in Teroldego Rotaliano DOC (2)
Dry red and rose wines from Teroldego
Explain the process of making Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone is made by drying the harvested grapes in lofts called Fruttai, which concentrates the sugars and flavors. The wine is then fermented dry and the resulting wine has rich, dried fruit notes and high alcohol
What are the DOCGs for prosecco in the Veneto
Colli Asolani
Conegliano Valdobiadenne
What is Rive
A collection of superior vineyards
Name three important local white grape varietals in Fruili
Picolit
Friulano
Malvasia
Muller-Thurgau
Explain the variation in climates in the Veneto and how it affects grape growing
The Veneto has an array of climates, ranging from Mediterranean in the south, continental in the piedmont, and more of an Alpine influence to the north
What country has a similar history and wine styles as Fruili?
Slovenia
What is the major sea that influences Tuscany
Tyrannean sea
Name two different clones of Sangiovese
Prugnolo gentile
sangiovese grosso
sangioveto
nielluccio
What are the two main soil types of Chianti
Marl and sandstone
What year was the first super Tuscan released? Who released it
1968, by Marquis Mario Rochetta, the wine was Sassicaia
What varietals can be blended into a super Tuscan? Why?
Local grapes to Tuscany such as Sangiovese with a mix of international varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Syrah. Bordeaux varieties were chosen based on the climatic and soil similarities to Bordeaux itself.
What are the main differences between Chianti and Chianti Classico
Chianti is a minimum 70% Sangiovese with seven subzones and comes from a wider growing area. It can be labeled with Riserva or Superiore.
Chianti Classico is considered the “original” growing area and has more restrictions on amount of Sangiovese (80%) yield, and aging. It has fours subzones and can be labeled Classico, Riserva, and Gran Selezione (min. 90% sangiovese and estate grown).
Define the term “Governo?”
wine is refermented with the juice of dried grapes. This gives the Chianti higher alcohol, more body, and a deeper color and flavor profile
What are the aging requirements for Brunello and Brunello Riserva
5 years, 2 years in wood, 4 months in bottle
6 years, 2 years in wood, 6 months in bottle
What styles of wine are made in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
70% minimum Sangiovese
Explain the difference between Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia, and Sant’Antimo DOCs
Bolgheri DOC: for white, rosato, red, varietal Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, and Super Tuscan blends.
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC: Single estate DOC for Cabernet based wines.
Sant’Antimo DOC: Larger area for Super Tuscan Blends, and wines from all varieties grown in Tuscany including Vin Santo. This is a larger “umbrella” appellation for Super Tuscans
What styles of wine are produced in Sagrantino di Montefalco
dry to sweet reds from the sagrantino grape
What region would you find the Cesanese grape
Lazio
Explain the differences of Taurasi DOCG and Aglianico del Taburno DOCG
Taurasi : red only
Aglianico del Taburno: red and rosé