Red Wine, Set 1

Question 1

Are Pinot Noir grapes thick skinned or thin skinned?

Answer 1

Thin skinned

For this reason, Pinot Noir isn’t hardy (not like Merlot or Syrah) and tends to be prone to rot and disease. In fact, it’s known for being very finicky and difficult to grow… but when it does do well, it produces beautiful wines with complex flavors.

Question 2

Pinot Noir generally prefers what kind of climate?

Answer 2

Cool to moderate

But leaning more towards moderate climates, where the greater availability of warmth and sunshine allow for optimal ripening.

However, if the climate is too warm, the resultant wine can lose its freshness and the fruit flavors will present as cooked or stewed. (We told you it’s a finicky grape!)

Question 3

Describe the (1) color, (2) acidity, (3) tannin, and (4) fruit profile of a typical Pinot Noir

Answer 3

1. Color: pale to medium
2. Acidity: usually high
3. Tannin: usually medium, but can be low
4. Fruit profile: red fruits (cherry, cranberry, strawberry, and pomegranate)

Pinot Noir typically makes dry, light- to medium-bodied wines, with bright acidity, silky tannins, and 12-15% alcohol content.

It’s also most often bottled as as single-varietal wine, which means that at least 85% (and up to 100%) of the grapes that went into crafting the wine is Pinot Noir.

Question 4

What flavors does a (1) youthful and (2) developing Pinot Noir typically exhibit?

try list 4 each

Answer 4

1. Youthful
* Cherry
* Raspberry
* Strawberry
* Pomegranate

2. Developing
* Mushroom
* Forest floor
* Crushed leaves
* Dried rose petals

FYI We cover dozens of grape varietals in this and the following decks—some you may never have heard of—so for guidance on the most encountered, check out our YouTube video: ‘What international wine varietals should you know?’

Question 5

What aromas does the aging of Pinot Noir in French oak barrels often add to the wine?

try list 4

Answer 5

• Smoke
• Vanilla
• Baking spice
• Cloves

Question 6

What is arguably the single most important region in the world for Pinot Noir?

Answer 6

Burgundy, France

The most acclaimed vineyards of Burgundy are found in a region called the Côte d’Or—meaning ‘golden slope’—which is divided into the Côte de Nuits in the north and Côte de Beaune in the south.

• Two famous villages for Pinot Noir in the Côte de Nuits are Gevrey-Chambertin AOC and Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC
• Two famous villages for Pinot Noir in the Côte de Beaune are Beaune AOC and Pommard AOC.

Party tip: Get a bunch of wine loving friends together who are all willing to chip in to buy a bottle of each Burgundy. Then do side-by-side tastings to see how they differ!

Question 7

List the appellation hierarchy of Burgundy from lowest to highest.

i.e. List them from the more afforable, everyday drinking wines to those of the highest pedigree (and therefore, probably, cost)

Answer 7

1. Bourgogne AOC
2. Village
3. Premier Cru
4. Grand Cru

Put it this way: if you’re on a date with someone and they order a bottle of Grand Cru Burgundy, they must really, really like you.

… unless you were the one who invited them on the date (and so intended to pick up the check), in which case you might want to have a little chat about budget. Good luck with that.

Question 8

Name 3 appellations in California that are well known for their Pinot Noir.

Answer 8

Carneros, Sonoma Coast, and Sta. Rita Hills

Pinot Noir in California performs best near the coast where fog and Pacific breezes keep the vineyards cool.

Question 9

What are the main differences between Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Pinot Noir from California?

Answer 9

Californian Pinot Noirs typically exhibit:

• Ripe red fruit flavors and aromas; and
• More overt vanilla/oak flavors from aging in new oak

Burgundian Pinot Noirs typically exhibit:

• Tart red fruit flavors and aromas; and
• Subtle oak (clove and smoke flavors) from aging in large, neutral barrels

Watch: ‘What’s the difference between Pinot Noir from France and California?’

Question 10

Why is Oregon such a great region for growing Pinot Noir?

Answer 10

• Northerly latitude
• Exposure to Pacific Ocean and its cooling breezes
• Moderate climate (it’s cooler than California)

Oregon’s more northerly latitude and exposure to cooling breezes off the Pacific Ocean create the perfect “Goldilocks” climate for Pinot Noir to thrive in: not too hot, not too cold… but juuuuust right!

These cooler conditions lengthen the ripening period of the grapes, allowing them to develop more complex fruit characteristics, which results in beautiful wine!

Question 11

Which region in Chile is showing promise for making quality Pinot Noir?

Answer 11

Casablanca Valley

Casablanca Valley is a wine-growing region located approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) north-west of Santiago, the country’s capital.

The region is considered Chile’s top white wine region (Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay), but the cooler coastal parts of the valley are great for Pinot Noir.

Question 12

Name 3 South African regions that are known for producing quality Pinot Noir

Answer 12

1. Franschhoek
2. Walker Bay
3. Elgin

All three regions have cool to moderate climates.

• Franschhoek (“French Corner”) was named after the French Huguenots who flocked to South Africa in the late 1600’s to escape religious persecution in France. They brought with them their tradition and methods of winemaking, an industry that has since flourished in this fertile, mountain-embraced valley.
• Walker Bay is a cool-climate region that stretches along the southern Atlantic coastline, where cool, maritime breezes offset the long, hot summers and delay grape ripening, crafting wines with a high fruit concentration and vibrant natural acidity.
• Elgin is South Africa’s coolest wine region. Located further inland and embraced by mountains, the valley is known for producing aromatic varietals, like Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir.

Question 13

What 2 Australian regions are known for Pinot Noir, despite the country’s heat?

Answer 13

1. Yarra Valley
2. Mornington Peninsula

Cooling breezes off the southern ocean keep the climate of these regions moderate enough to support Pinot Noir.

Question 14

Name 3 appellations in New Zealand that are well suited for Pinot Noir production.

Answer 14

1. Martinborough (North Island)
2. Marlborough (South Island)
3. Central Otago (South Island)

The Central Otago lies in a rain shadow, which protects the Pinot Noir from stormy weather that blows in from the Pacific. This gives the grapes more sunshine in which to fully ripen.

Question 15

What is arguably the most important Gamay-growing region in the world?

Answer 15

Beaujolais, France

Question 16

What is the climate of Beaujolais?

Answer 16

Moderate

Question 17

Describe the typical profile of a Gamay wine.

Try mention 6 points

Answer 17

1. Dry
2. High acidity
3. Low to medium tannins
4. Expressive bright red fruits
5. Aromatic floral notes
6. No new oak

Gamay grapes are thin-skinned and so they tend to produce light-bodied wines with low tannins and tart, fruit-forward flavors, particularly bright red fruit notes of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry.

Question 18

Where is Beaujolais in relation to Burgundy?

Answer 18

Immediately south

Want to sample a few wines from the Beaujolais appellations? Look for the following on the wine label:

• Beaujolais AOC
• Beaujolais Villages AOC
• Beaujolais Crus (e.g. Fleurie AOC)

(From “affordable” to “high-end”)

Question 19

What is carbonic maceration?

Answer 19

A winemaking technique that’s used to extract color and flavor but little tannin from grapes.

The result of this winemaking techinque is a light-bodied red wine that is fresh and fruity.

Carbonic maceration is used to craft a particular style of Beaujolais wine (from Gamay grapes) called Beaujolais Nouveau.

Want the details? Okay, you asked for it…

How it works is that whole clusters of grapes are chucked into a sealed tank filled with carbon dioxide gas. In this oxygen-starved environment, the grapes release enzymes that cause fermentation to begin within the intact berries.

When the juice inside reaches ~2% alcohol, the grape skins burst. At this point, winemakers usually separate the juice from the grape skins and stems and then add yeast to begin the yeast fermentation. When the wine is dry, fermentation is complete!

Question 20

What 4 effects does carbonic maceration have on the resultant wine?

Answer 20

1. Lighter body
2. Low tannins
3. Perfumed and aromatic
4. Super fresh style

Carbonic maceration creates fruity-smelling chemical compounds called esters that result in certain unmistakable flavors like bubblegum, banana, cinnamon, and strawberry!

Question 21

What style of wine would one expect from a wine labeled Beaujolais AOC?

Answer 21

Simple, light bodied, somewhat fruity - generally an acceptable wine.

Question 22

What style of wine would one expect from one of the Crus of Beaujolais?

Answer 22

• More structured
• More concentrated
• Exhibits just-ripe red fruits
• Exhibits medium tannins

The Crus of Beaujolais generally do not use carbonic maceration.

Question 23

Why are wines from Beaujolais often served slightly chilled?

Answer 23

To showcase their freshness, red fruit flavors, and bright acidity.

Question 24

What are the 2 most prominent black grape varietals in Central Italy?

Answer 24

1. Sangiovese
2. Montepulciano

Question 25

Which Central Italian region is famous for the grape Montepulciano?

Answer 25

Abruzzo

Located to the east of Rome, Abruzzo has an Adriatic coastline and the Apennine Mountains. Think: vineyards, nature reserves, rugged landscapes, and hilltop towns dating to the medieval and Renaissance periods. #bucketlist

Question 26

What 2 terms are widely used in Central Italy to differentiate style and quality?

Answer 26

1. Classico
2. Riserva

Question 27

What does the term “Classico” generally indicate on a bottle of wine?

Answer 27

That the wine is made from grapes originating from the most historic area of the appellation.

This area can be small, usually hilly, and known for producing wines of a more concentrated, intense flavor.

Question 28

What does the term “Riserva” generally indicate on a bottle of wine?

Answer 28

That the wine underwent a longer period of aging, which typically makes for a higher quality, more complex wine.

We’ve spelled it out in layman’s terms here but there are actually pretty complex rules and laws governing wine labels. You need to meet certain criteria in order to call your wine a ‘Riserva’ or ‘Classico’ wine!

Question 29

Describe the typical profile of Montepulciano.

Try to list 6 points

Answer 29

1. Dry
2. High tannin
3. Medium acid
4. Black fruits (plums, cherries)
5. Most are affordable/simple wines with no oak
6. Some concentrated styles will see oak

Question 30

What is the most famous DOC in Abruzzo for the Montepulciano grape?

DOC stands for “Denominazione di Origine Controllata”, which is a wine classification. In order to qualify for this classification, a wine must be produced within the specified region and satisfy a defined quality standard.

Answer 30

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

This literally translates as: “Montepulciano from Abruzzo”