Red Grape Profiles Flashcards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux, Napa Valley
Black currant, black cherry, eucalyptus, mint, bell pepper (cool climate), dark chocolate, cedar, vanilla, tobacco (aged in new oak), coffee, caramel, cigar box (well aged), med - high acid, high tannin, high alcohol
Merlot
Bordeaux, New World
Blueberry, plum, black cherry, mint, coffee, chocolate, med acid, med tannin, med-high alcohol
Syrah
Rhone Valley, Australia, Paso Robles
Blackberry, tar, leather, anise, rosemary, black pepper, smoke, lavender, forest floor, earth, dried fruits, smoked meats (well aged), low-med acid, high tannin, high alcohol
Pinot Noir
Burgundy, Champagne, NZ, Oregon, CA
Thrives in cool climates
Cherry, raspberry, strawberry, earth, violet, lilac, sandalwood, mushroom, med-high acid, low to med tannin, med alcohol
Gamay
Beaujolais
Low tannin, fruit forward reds,
Carbonic maceration = red cherry, strawberry, banana, red candy
Beaujolais Cru = rich, age-worthy wines of black fruit, raspberry, spice
Grenache
Thrives in hot, dry conditions
Oxidizes quickly and picks up an orange tinge and rusticity noticeable in the wine’s aroma or bouquet
Southern Rhone, Priorat, Rioja, Navarra, Australia
Strawberry, sour cherry, flowers, black pepper, cranberry, low-med acid, low-med tannin, high alcohol
Nebbiolo
Barolo, Barbaresco, tar and roses, cherry, blackberry, licorice, highly tannic, benefit from oak and bottle aging
Malbec
Minor component in Bordeaux blends, star in Argentina, Loire Valley, CA Washington State, OR, Chile
Deeply colored (inky black), blackberry/plum flavors
Sangiovese
Lightly colored, high acid, sour cherry, orange peel flavor
Tempranillo
leading red grape of Spain, known as Tinta Roris or Aragonez in Portugal
leather, tobacco, chalky dust, strawberry, red cherry, currant, and spice
Zinfandel
Densely pigmented, high alcohol, spicy, full-bodied, jammy fruit, raspberry, blackberry, raisin
