Red Grape Testable Tasting Notes Flashcards
Structure
Dry
Moderate Minus to Moderate Body
Diminished to Moderate Tannin
Elevated Acidity
Moderate Alcohol
Gamay (Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)
Structure
Visual:
- Bright ruby with purple tones
- Low to Moderate plus
( Low to Medium Minus in basic village wines, with higher concentration in some Cru wines)
- Possible residual gas from Carbonic Maceration)
Gamay ( Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)
Visual
Aromas / Flavors
- Moderate Plus to High Intensity
Fruit:
- Tart Red Fruit (Strawberry, Red Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant) , Watermelon
Carbonic Maceration Notes:
- Pear Drop, Bubblegum, Cotton Candy, Lifted Red Fruit / Floral Aromatics
Floral:
- Violeta, Lilacs, Peonies
Other:
- Slight Black Pepper, Dry Savory Herbs
Earth:
- Moderate to High Minerality, Wet Granite, Stony, Crushed Rock
Oak:
- None or Neutral Cask
Gamay ( Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)
Aromas / Flavors
Visual:
Dark Ruby / Purple Color
Moderate plus Concentration
Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux (Graves and Medoc) / Australian / Chile
Visual
Aromas / Flavors:
- moderate plus intensity
Fruit:
Black fruit ( Blackcurrant / Cassis, Blackberry, Black Cherry)
Slight Red Fruit and Plum
Floral:
- Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal / Green:
- Sage, Green Bell Pepper, Mint, Tobacco, Dried Savoury Herbs
Spice (Savory):
- Green Peppercorn, Anise, Clove, Exotic Spices
Other:
- Leather, Pencil Shavings, Cedar, Iodine, Medicinal, Game, Cigar Box
Earth:
- Moderate Plus to high Minerality, Graphite, Gravel, Iron, Damp Soil, Mushroom
Oak:
- Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak ( Baking Spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux (Graves and Medoc)
Aromas / Flavors
Structure
Dry
Moderate to Moderate plus Body
Elevated Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux (Graves and Medoc)
Structure
Aromas / Flavours:
Fruit:
ripe / lush black fruit (cassis / black currant, blackberry, black cherry)
ripe / lush red fruit (red cherry and red plum)
prune
Floral:
purple flowers
Violets
Herbal / Green:
- Intense Green Character, Eucalyptus, Mint, Green Bell Pepper, Sage
Spice (Sweet)
- Liquorice / Anise, Coca, Cinnamon, clove, allspice, Nutmeg
Other:
- Cedar, Pencil Shavings, Leather, Cigar Box
Earth:
-Moderate to moderate plus Minerality, Terra Rossa / Red Soils , Loamy / Clay
Oak:
- Moderate to Moderate Plus use of New French or American Oak (Baking spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Cabernet Sauvignon - Australian
Aromas / Flavours
Structure:
Dry ( Ripe Attack)
Moderate Plus Body
Elevated Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon - Australian / Chile
Structure
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit:
-Ripe / Lush Black Fruits (Blackcurrant / Cassis, Blackberry, Black Cherry)
- Ripe / Lush Red Fruits ( Red Plum , Raspberry)
Floral:
- purple flowers, violets
Herbal / Green:
- Green Bell Pepper, Capsicum , Green / Black Olive, Mint, Tobacco
Spice (Sweet):
- Anise, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Nutmeg
Other:
- Cedar, Pencil Shavings, Leather, Cigar Box
Earth:
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Minerality, Damp Earth, Mushroom / Compost Iron, Graphite
Oak:
- Moderate Use of New French Oak ( Baking Spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Cabernet Sauvignon - Chile
Aromas / Flavors
Visual: Ruby Colour, Slight Orange Rim (even in youth), Moderate Concentration
Visual
Grenache (Grenache Noir)
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
AOC: Châteauneuf - du - Pape & Gigondas
AND
Country : Australia
GI: South Australia
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Cooked to Dried Red Fruits (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), roasted red plum, blackberry, raisin / fig
Possible Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
Floral: Red Flowers, Dried Lavender
Herbal: Herbs de Provence, Garrigue / Wild Brush, Rosemary, Brewed Black Tea, Savory Herbs
Spices: Curing Spices, Black Pepper, Juniper, Clove, Liquorice, Lavender
Other: Powdered Sugar, Dried Orange / Grapefruit Peel, Old Leather / Brettanomyces
Earth: Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Stone, Gravelly, Baked Earth
Oak: Large Neutral Casks (foudres) or Concrete Vats, although some modern special cuvée styles may incorporate smaller barrels and new oak
Grenache (Grenache Noir)
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
AOC: Châteauneuf - du - Pape & Gigondas
Aromas / Flavors
Structure
Dry,
Moderate Plus to Full Body,
Moderate to Elevated Tannin,
Diminished to Moderate Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol
Structure
Grenache (Grenache Noir)
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
AOC: Châteauneuf - du - Pape & Gigondas
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Cooked / Stewed Strawberry, Maraschino Cherry, Prune, Fig, Raisin, Plum Pie
Possible Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
Floral: Red Flowers
Herbal: Mint, Menthol, Eucalyptus, Black Tea Leaf, Dried Savory Herbs
Spice: Curing Spices, Black Pepper, Liquorice
Other: Powdered Sugar, Possible Old Leather / Brettanomyces
Earth: Moderate Minerality, Crushed Vitamin
Oak: Neutral to Moderate Use of New French of American Oak
Grenache (Grenache Noir)
Country : Australia
GI: South Australia
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Dry (with a Ripe, Sappy Attack),
Moderate Plus to Full Body,
Moderate Tannin,
Moderate Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol
Grenache (Grenache Noir)
Country : Australia
GI: South Australia
Structure
Visual:
Ruby Color with Garnet Tones, Moderate Plus Concentration
Visual
Merlot
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux (Right Bank)
AOC: Saint Emillon or Pomerol
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit:
Blue Fruit (Plum, Blueberry)
Red Fruit: (Strawberry, Raspberry, Red Cherry)
Black Fruit: (Blackberry, Black Cherry), Fig / Fruitcake
Floral:
Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal:
Mint, Bay Leaf, Fern, Tobacco
Spice:
Licorice / Anise, Christmas Spice
Earth:
Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Clay, Mushroom / Truffle
Oak:
Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak, Chocolate, Coffee, Cinnamon, Vanilla
Merlot
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux (Right Bank)
AOC: Saint Emillon or Pomerol
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Dry,
Moderate to Moderate Plus Body, Moderate to Elevated Tannin,
Moderate Acidity,
Elevated Alcohol
Merlot
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux (Right Bank)
AOC: Saint Emillon or Pomerol
Structure
Visual:
Ruby Color with Blue Tones, Moderate Plus Concentration
Merlot
Country: United States
AVA: Napa Valley or Sonoma
Visual
Aromas / Flavors
Fruit
Stewed Fruit Character
Ripe Lush Blue Fruit ( Plum, Blueberry)
Ripe Lush Black Fruit ( Blackcurrant)
Lush Red Fruit (Red Cherry, Raspberry), Fig, Prune
Floral:
Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal:
Fern, Bay Leaf, Sage
Spice:
Christmas Spice, Licorice / Anise
Earth:
Low to Moderate Minerality
Oak:
Moderate to High Use of New French Oak or Mixed Origin Oak, Chocolate, Coffee, Mocha, Sweet Baking Spices, Vanilla
Merlot
Country: United States
AVA: Napa Valley or Sonoma
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Dry (with Ripe Attack),
Moderate Plus to Full Body,
Moderate Tannin,
Diminished to Moderate Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol
Merlot
Country: United States
AVA: Napa Valley or Sonoma
Structure
Visual:
Ruby / Garnet Colour, Significant Garnet, Orange Rim Variation,
Moderate Concentration
Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmonte
DOCG: Barolo or Barbaresco
Visual
Aromas / Flavours: High Intensity
Fruit:
Tart Red Fruit: ( Sour Cherry, Red Plum), Blackberry, Mulberry, Dried Plum / Prune and Dried Cherry
Significant Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
Floral:
Heady Floral Character, Roses, Violets
Herbal:
Tea Leaf, Tobacco, Bitter Root, Tree Bark
Spice:
Liquorice, Anise, Resin, Slight Clove / Cinnamon Spice
Other:
Tar, Leather
Earth:
High Minerality, Truffle, Mushroom, Dust, Organic Earth
Oak:
Neutral Large Cask ( Slavonian Oak and Chestnut Botti are considered traditional casks for Barolo)
Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmonte
DOCG: Barolo or Barbaresco
Aromas / Flavours
Structure:
Dry,
Medium to Full Body,
High Tannin,
Elevated to High Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol
Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmonte
DOCG: Barolo or Barbaresco
Structure
Visual:
Ruby / Purple Color,
Moderate Plus to High Concentration
Syrah - Northern Rhône ( France)
Visual
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart / Ripe
Black Fruit (Blackberry, Black Cherry, Black Plum)
Blue Fruit: Blueberry , Boysenberry
Red Fruit: Raspberry
Possible Carbonic Maceration and / or Stem Inclusion
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Lavender, Violets
Herbal / Green: Black / Green Olives, Green Peppercorn, Herbes de Provence, Rosemary
Spice: White / Black Pepper, Curing Spices, Juniper
Other: Tar, Hung / Cured Meat, Smoke, Bacon Fat, Band - Aid (Brettanomyces)
Earth: moderate plus to High Minerality, Granite, Crushed Rock
Oak: Neutral Barrel / Cask or Low to Moderate use of New French Oak
Syrah - Northern Rhône ( France)
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Bone Dry to Dry
Moderate Plus Body
Moderate to Elevated Tannin
Elevated to High Acidity
Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Syrah - Northern Rhône ( France)
Structure
Visual:
Opaque, Dark Purple Color, High Concentration, Deep Stained Tears
Shiraz - South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria (Australia)
Visual
Aromas / Flavors: High Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
Black Fruit: Blackberry, Cassis
Blue Fruit: Blueberry, Plum
Dried Fruit: Fig, Raisin, Date, Raspberry Liqueur, Mulberry
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Lavender (less prominent, than in Northern Rhône examples)
Herbal / Green: Eucalyptus, Mint / Methol, Herbes de Provence, Rosemary
Spice: Blackpepper, Dried Savory Spices, Licorice, Christmas Spices / Fruitcake
Other: Bitter Chocolate, Smoke, Grilled Meat
Earth: Low to Moderate Minerality
Oak: Low to High Use of New American or French Oak, Vanilla, Coconut, Dill, Chocolate, Mocha, Baking Spices, Cumin, Curry / Febugreek, Maple
Shiraz - South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria (Australia)
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Dry
Full Body
Moderate to Elevated Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Elevated to High Alcohol
Shiraz - South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria (Australia)
Structure
Visual:
Dark Ruby / Purple Color with Blue Tones
Moderate Plus to High Concentration
Electric Pink Rim
Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina
Visual
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus to High Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
- Black Fruit: Black Raspberry, Black Cherry, Blackberry
Blue fruit: Concord grape jam, blueberry, plum
Red Fruit: Raspberry Liqueur, Fig, Raisin, Prune
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Violets, Damson Flowers (floral aromatics are especially expressive in higher altitude wines)
Herbal / Green: Malbec may have slight green notes
Earth:Moderate Minus to Moderate Minerality, Clay / Mud
Oak: Low to High Use of New French and or American Oak, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Chocolate, Cinnamon
Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Dry (with Ripe Attack)
Full Body
Elevated Tannin
Diminished to Moderate Acidity
Elevated to High Alcohol
Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina
Structure
Visual:
Light Ruby / Ruby Color
Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration
Pinot Noir - Côte d’Or - France
Visual
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart to Just Ripe
Red Fruit: Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Wild Strawberry
Black Fruit: Possible Black Cherry, Beet / Beetroot, Tomato
Possible Stem Inclusion
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Violets, Lilac, Potpourri
Herbal / Vegetable: Tea Leaf, Dried Herbs, Fennel, Rhubarb, Sweet Squash
Spice: Red Licorice, Anise, Clove
Other: Game, Leather
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Flouride, Limestone, Mushroom / Forest Floor, Damp Leaves
Oak: Neutral to High Use of French Oak, Toast, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Baking Spices, Cinnamon, Roasted Nut, Caramel
(Côte de Nuits producers use higher percentage of new oak than their counterparts in the Côte de Beaune)
Pinot Noir - Côte d’Or - France
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Dry
Moderate to Moderate Plus Body
Diminished to Elevated Tannin
Elevated Acidity
Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Côte d’Or - France
Structure
Visual:
High Clarity
Bright Ruby Color
Moderate Concentration
Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - California
Visual
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
Red Fruit: Strawberry Jam, Cherry, Raspberry
Black Fruit: Blackcherry, Plum, Prune
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal: Tea Leaf, Citrus Zest / Peel
Spice: Red Licorice, Clove, Cinnamon
Other: Cola, Cola Nut
Earth: Moderate Minerality
Oak: Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak (1/3 or more new barrels), Toast, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Baking Spices, Clove, Cinnamon, Roasted Nut, Caramel
Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - California
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Dry (with ripe attack)
Moderate plus body
Moderate Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - California
Structure
Visual:
Ruby
Moderate Concentration
Pinot Noir - Williamette Valley - Oregon
Visual
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
Red Fruit: Strawberry, Cherry, Raspberry
Black Fruit: Black Cherry
Blue Fruit: Blueberry
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal: Tea Leaf, Citrus Zest / Peel, Tomato Leaf
Spice: Red Licorice, Oak Spices
Other: Cola, Cola Nut
Earth: Moderate Plus Minerality, Wet Leaves, Compost, Mushroom, Forest Floor
Oak: Moderate to High Use of French Oak, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Coffee, Chocolate, Caramel
Pinot Noir - Williamette Valley - Oregon
Aromas / Flavors
Structure:
Dry (with ripe attack)
Moderate Plus Body
Diminished to Moderate Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Williamette Valley - Oregon
Structure
Visual
light Ruby with slightly garnet tones
Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration (concentration and color may be darker if the wine is a blend)
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Chianti Classico - Italy
Visual
Aroma / Flavors:
Fruit: Tart / Dried
Red Fruit: Sour Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant, Red Apple, Tomato
Black Fruit: Black Cherry, Mulberry
Floral: Dried Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal / Green: Fennel, Roasted Savory Herbs, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Camphor, Bitter Root
Spice: Clove, Smoke (Brettanomyces Indictators), Coffee / Oak Spices
Other: Sanguine / Blood, Balsamic, Animal, Leather, Tar
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Clay, Crushed Rock, Baked Earth
Oak:
- none or large neutral cask with possible mixed use of French oak barriques ( classic examples do not see any significant new wood)
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Chianti Classico - Italy
Aroma / Flavors
Structure:
Bone Dry to Dry
Moderate to moderate plus body
Elevated to high tannin
Elevated to high acidity
Moderate to elevated alcohol
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Chianti Classico - Italy
Structure
Visual
Dark Ruby with slightly garnet rim variation
Moderate Plus Concentration
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Brunello di Montalcino - Italy
Visual
Aroma / Flavors:
Fruit: Tart / Dried
Red Fruit: Sour Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant, Red Apple, Tomato
Black Fruit: Black Cherry, Mulberry
Floral: Dried Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal / Green: Fennel, Roasted Savory Herbs, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Camphor, Bitter Root
Spice: Clove, Smoke (Brettanomyces Indicators), Coffee / Oak Spices
Other: Sanguine / Blood, Balsamic, Animal, Leather, Tar
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Clay, Crushed Rock, Baked Earth
Oak:
large neutral cask with possible mixes use of French Oak Barriques
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Brunello di Montalcino - Italy
Aroma / Flavors
Structure:
Bone Dry to Dry
Full Body
Elevated to high tannin
Elevated to high acidity
Elevated alcohol
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Brunello di Montalcino - Italy
Structure
Visual:
Ruby
Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration
Tempranillo - Rioja - Spain
Visual
Aroma / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart / Dried
Red Fruit: Cherry, Strawberry, Red Currant, Sour Asian Plum, Dried Plum
Significant Oxidation and Brettanomyces for Gran Reserva Styles
Floral: Red and Dried Flowers
Herbal: Tobacco , Dill
Other: Sweet and Sour Sauce, Iodine, Leather, Spice
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Baked Earth, Clay, Compost
Oak: Low to Moderate Use of New American or Mixed American / French Barrels ( Long Aging in Oak for Reserva and Gran Reserva Styles), vanilla, coconut, dill, cumin, curry, fenugreek, sandalwood
Tempranillo - Rioja - Spain
Aroma / Flavors
Structure:
Dry
Moderate Plus Body
Elevated Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Tempranillo - Rioja - Spain
Structure
Visual
Ruby / Dark Ruby
Moderate to Moderate Plus Concentration (color and concentration are highly affected by blending other varieties)
Zinfandel - California
Visual
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus to High Intensity of Aromas
Fruit: Ripe / Jammy
Red Fruit: Raspberry, Cranberry Jam, Raisin, Fig, Cherry Compote, apricot, peach yogurt
Black Cherry: Blackberry, Cassis
Blue Fruit: Blueberry
Non - Fruit: Black pepper, Briar, Slight Potting Soil / Turned Earth
Oak: Neutral to Moderate Use of New American Oak, French Oak, of Mixed Barrels: Vanilla, Sawdust, Coconut, Chocolate, Mocha, Coffee, Caramel, Dillwood, Cinnamon
Zinfandel - California
Aromas / Flavors:
Structure:
Dry (often with perceptible RS)
Full Body
Moderate Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Elevated to High Alcohol
Zinfandel - California
Structure
Visual:
dark purple color, high concentration
Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley
Visual
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate plus intensity
Fruit: Ripe
Red Fruit: sweet cherry, raspberry
Black Fruit: black currant , cassis, blackberry, black cherry
Blue Fruit: boysenberry , blueberry
Possible Volatile Acidity
Floral: Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal / Green (in cooler vintages):
Sage, Mint, Green Bell Pepper, Tobacco, Eucalyptus
Spice (sweet): Anise, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Nutmeg
Other: Cedar, Pencil Shavings, Sweet Leather, Cigar Box
Earth: Low to Moderate Plus Minerality, Volcanic / Ashen, Gravel, Loamy
Oak: Moderate Plus to high use of new French oak (allspice, nutmeg,clove, smoke, toast, coffee, vanilla, roasted nut, cocoa, cedar)
Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley
Aromas / Flavors
Structure
Dry (with ripe attack)
Full body
Elevated to high tannins
Moderate Acidity
Elevated to High Alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley
Structure
