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Wine Appreciation > Red Wine, Set 3 > Flashcards

Red Wine, Set 3 Flashcards

Welcome to the realm of the voluptuous, full-bodied reds! In this deck, we deep-dive the origins, styles, aromas, and flavors of Zinfandel, Shiraz/Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, and Nebbiolo.

1
Q

What are the 3 main differences between Zinfandel and Primitivo?

A
  1. Provenance (Croatia vs Puglia, Italy)
  2. Flavor profile (see footnote)
  3. Color (deep, ruby red vs lighter purplish color).

Zinfandel originated in Croatia and was brought to the U.S. in the early 1900’s. Primitivo is native to the Puglia region of Italy.

In terms of flavor, Zinfandels tend to be bold, spicy, high-alcohol wines with hints of ripe berries.

Primitivo wines, on the other hand, exhibit intense fruit flavors, like black cherry and plum. And while most Zinfandels will see new oak, not all Primitivos do.

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2
Q

In what region and country does Primitivo live?

A

Puglia, Italy

Puglia is the heel of Italy’s boot.

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3
Q

What kind of climate do Zinfandel and Primitivo wines prefer?

A

Warm climate

A tendency of these closely-related varietals is for individual berries within a cluster to raisinate, which gives prune-like flavors to the final wine.

This tendency of the grapes tend to ripen unevenly results in a range of berry fruit flavors being present in the wine, like red berry notes (like tart raspberry) alongside super ripe blackberry notes.

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4
Q

Which black grape varietal is sometimes used to make a medium-sweet white wine?

A

Zinfandel

To make white Zinfandel, the grapes undergo short maceration on the skins to craft a pink wine. The yeast cells are then removed before fermentation finishes to retain sweetness.

White Zinfandel is more mainstream but, in theory, any black grape varietal can be used to make white wine. For example, in South Africa, some winemakers have experimented with white Pinotage.

A far more famous example of this, however, is Champagne, which looks like a white (sparkling) wine in the glass but is often crafted from Pinot Noir!

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5
Q

Is red Zinfandel wine aged in oak or in stainless steel?

A

oak

Oak aging helps to soften Zinfandel’s tannins, while adding beneficial flavors—like mocha and spice—to the wine.

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6
Q

What’s the typical flavor profile of California Zinfandel?

A
  • Black fruit (blackberry, dark plum)
  • Dried fruit (prune)
  • Oak flavors (vanilla, mocha/coffee)

Think: fresh n’ jammy!

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7
Q

Describe the (1) body, (2) alcohol, (3) acidity, and (4) tannin of a typical Zinfandel

i.e. the structural components

A
  • Full body
  • High alcohol
  • Medium to high acidity
  • Medium to high tannin

With an alcohol content of up to 17%—balanced perfectly by robust fruit—Zinfandel is one of those voluptuous, ripe red wines you can drink like grape juice with a steak meal, only to realise after your third glass that you are in big, big trouble…

(i.e. Drink in moderation! Zinfandel has some of the highest alcohol content of any red wine on the market!)

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8
Q

What are some flavors that Old Vine Zinfandels from California can develop as they age?

A
  • Earthy (dried leaves, forest floor)
  • Sanguine (red meat)
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9
Q

What’s the difference between Syrah and Shiraz?

A

They’re the same grape varietal but ‘Syrah’ is the French word for Shiraz.

Also, there are certain stylistic differences between the way Syrah is made in France and Shiraz in made in the New World wine-making regions, like Australia and South Africa.

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10
Q

In what climates does Syrah/Shiraz prefer to grow?

A
  • Moderate (e.g. Northern Rhône, France)
  • Warm (e.g. South Australia)
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11
Q

Describe the profile of a moderate-climate Syrah/Shiraz.

try mention 8 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Medium body
  3. Medium to high alcohol
  4. Medium - high tannin
  5. Medium - high acidity
  6. Fresh black fruit
  7. Black pepper notes
  8. Herbal notes
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12
Q

Describe the profile of a warm-climate Syrah/Shiraz

try mention 8 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Full body
  3. High alcohol
  4. Medium - high tannin
  5. Medium - high acidity
  6. Ripe, cooked black fruit
  7. Anise/liquorice notes
  8. Rich chocolate notes
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13
Q

What 3 qualities does Syrah/Shiraz add to a wine blend?

A
  • Color
  • Black fruit flavors
  • Tannin
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14
Q

True or false?

Syrah/Shiraz is typically matured in oak.

A

TRUE

The oak softens this varietal’s tannins and adds layers of flavors, including smoke and spices.

This oak maturation also helps the wine to age better.

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15
Q

What are some of the developing flavors that emerge as Syrah ages?

A
  • Leather
  • Meat/bacon
  • Earth/mushrooms
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16
Q

What is Syrah’s most important growing region in France?

A

Northern Rhône

In fact, the only black grape that’s allowed to be grown in Northern Rhône is Syrah.

The 3 most important appelations for Syrah are:

  • Côte Rôtie AOC
  • Hermitage AOC
  • Crozes-Hermitage AOC

Pro Tip: Try source a bottle from each region and do a side-by-side tasting with your friends!

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17
Q

Because of the steep slopes in the Northern Rhône, are vineyards more likely to be machine harvested or hand harvested?

A

Hand harvested, which means the resulting wine is likely to be more expensive.

Watch: ‘Is expensive wine worth it?’

This is true for wines from Côte Rôtie and Hermitage.

Crozes-Hermitage, on the other hand, is flat and can be machine harvested, so the wines from here are typically more affordable. They also tend to be less complex, less concentrated, and generally less impressive than Côte Rôtie and Hermitage.

Remember: vineyards grown on slopes typically produce more complex and, overall, better quality wines because their berries get better sun exposure!

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18
Q

Why is there… Viognier in my Syrah?

A

Viognier adds floral aromas and aromatic lift to peppery Syrah!

Viognier is the one grape that’s allowed to be co-fermented with Syrah in Côte Rôtie AOC

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19
Q

What varietal is Syrah typically blended with in the Southern Rhône?

A

Grenache

Syrah has no problem fully ripening in the South of France where it can be blended or bottled as a single varietal.

Looking for a good wine to try? Minervois AOC is famous for its Grenache/Syrah blends!

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20
Q

What is the most widely-planted grape in Australia?

A

Shiraz

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21
Q

What kind of Shiraz is South Eastern Australia generally known for producing?

A

High-volume, affordably priced, bulk Shiraz grown in the warmer inland areas.

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22
Q

What 2 regions in Australia are known for producing high-quality Shiraz?

A
  1. Barossa Valley
  2. Hunter Valley

Located northeast of Adelaide in South Australia, the Barossa Valley is home to some of the world’s oldest Shiraz vines, some of which are older than 125 years!

The Hunter Valley is located north of Sydney in New South Wales and has a viticultural history dating back to the early 1800s.

Both wine-producing regions have a warm climate but the Hunter Valley benefits from cloud cover and sea breezes, which help to moderate the heat and extend the growing period.

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23
Q

Describe the style of a typical Barossa Valley Shiraz.

try mention 7 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Full body
  3. High tannin
  4. Cooked black fruit
  5. Black pepper
  6. Spicy oak flavors (vanilla, mocha)
  7. Intense
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24
Q

Describe the style of a typical Hunter Valley Shiraz.

try mention 6 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Medium body
  3. Medium to high tannin
  4. Fresh black fruit
  5. Black pepper
  6. Not as intense as Barossa Valley Shiraz
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25
Q

In what 2 climates does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer to grow?

A
  • Moderate (preferring the warmest sites within these climates)
  • Warm
26
Q

Why does Cabernet Sauvignon need a warmer climate, or the warmest of sites in moderate climates, to fully ripen?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have thick skins and higher levels of flavors and tannins that need to develop.

It, therefore, takes higher temperatures and sunshine to achieve desirable ripening, which is why this varietal thrives in warm climates.

27
Q

From where does Cabernet Sauvignon originate?

A

Southwest France

28
Q

Describe the general profile of Cabernet Sauvignon.

A
  • Dry
  • Medium to full body
  • High acidity
  • High tannins
  • Black fruits (plums, currants)
  • Herbaceous (green pepper)
  • Herbal (mint)

In very warm/hot climates, Cabernet Sauvignon can show cooked-fruit flavors.

29
Q

What characteristics about Cabernet Sauvignon make it age worthy?

A
  • High acidity
  • High tannins

Both structural components behave as natural preservatives.

30
Q

Why is Cabernet Sauvignon usually blended with Merlot?

A
  • Merlot softens the hard edges (high acid, high tannin) of Cabernet Sauvignon, especially if the Cab is from a cooler site/moderate climate and struggled to ripen.
  • Merlot also adds red fruit flavors to the black fruitedness of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Conversely, Cabernet Sauvignon will add structure and black fruits to a plush, soft, red-fruited Merlot.

31
Q

Why is Cabernet Sauvignon so often barrel fermented/aged?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon has the capability to age in oak for years due to its sturdy structure (high acid, high tannin);
  • Oxygen exchange in the barrel helps soften tannins and is overall beneficial to Cab;
  • Oak aging imparts pleasant flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, e.g. clove, vanilla, mocha.
32
Q

What kind of tertiary aromas and flavors does oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon include?

A
  • Dried fruits
  • Earth/mushrooms
  • Wet leaves/forest floor
33
Q

What is France’s most important region for Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Bordeaux

34
Q

Which Bank in Bordeaux typically has a higher ratio of Cabernet Sauvignon to Merlot in the blends?

A

Left Bank

35
Q

What feature about Bordeaux’s soils helps Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen in this moderate climate?

A

Bordeaux has gravelly soils, which do 2 things:

  1. Drain easily so vines’ feet don’t stay cool and damp
  2. Retain warmth from the sun and redistribute that warmth overnight
36
Q

What does the term “Château” indicate on a bottle of Bordeaux?

A

That the grapes used to make the wine in that bottle were grown on the producer’s own land (they were not purchased grapes).

Châteaux can use the terms Grand Cru Classé or Cru Classé on their label, if the estate has been classified as one of the best in Bordeaux.

37
Q

Where else in France besides Bordeaux is Cabernet Sauvignon planted?

A

The South of France

When grown in the South of France, Cabernet Sauvignon has no trouble ripening. It is usually blended with Merlot, Grenache, and Syrah.

38
Q

Which 2 regions in California are best known for their Cabernet Sauvignon?

A
  1. Napa Valley
  2. Sonoma

California is known for producting good- to exceptional-quality Cabernet Sauvignon.

Here, the climate is warm with a long growing season. In fact, in Napa Valley, the three subregions that are well-known for their Cab wines—Oakville, Rutherford, and Calistoga—also happen to be the warmest.

39
Q

Both Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Left Bank Bordeaux produce dry, high tannin reds. How do they typically differ?

A

Napa Valley Cabernets are:

  • Full bodied,
  • High in alcohol, with
  • Medium to high acidity, and
  • Ripe, juicy black fruit flavors

Left Bank Bordeaux wines are:

  • Medium to full bodied, with
  • Medium to high alcohol,
  • High acidity, and
  • Just-ripe black fruit flavors
  • More herbaceous

Check out our video: ‘Why That Napa Cab You’re Drinking Isn’t All Cab (Or All Napa)’

40
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted variety in which South American country?

A

Chile

The most popular appellation for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile is the Central Valley and its two subregions, Maipo Valley and Colchagua Valley.

These valleys run from east to west, giving winemakers a vast number of sites (higher and lower elevation; and warmer and cooler) to choose from.

41
Q

In Chile, Cabernet Sauvignon is usually blended with which 2 grape varietals?

A
  1. Merlot
  2. Carmenère
42
Q

Which region in South Africa is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Stellenbosch

Within Stellenbosch lies a top wine-growing area that has been dubbed ‘The Golden Triangle’ from which many of South Africa’s award-winning wines come.

The success of this region is owed to its diversity of soil types (which have both great water-holding capacity, as well as drainage) and warm climate.

Additionally, cool breezes blowing in off the nearby Atlantic Ocean produce smaller berries with optimum ripeness, which, in turn, allows for wines with a great concentration of fruit flavor, deep color, and smooth tannins!

43
Q

What are some of the hallmarks of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Cabs from Stellenbosch can range from herbal, medium-bodied, and red fruited to full-bodied, high alcohol, and cooked black fruit flavors.

44
Q

What kind of grapes are used to make a Cape Blend, a style of wine unique that’s to South Africa?

A
  • Pinotage
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
45
Q

Which 2 areas in Australia are well known for their high quality Cabernet Sauvignon?

A
  1. Coonawarra (South Australia)
  2. Margaret River (Western Australia)

Cooling ocean breezes and ample winter rainfall has established Margaret River, which has an overall warm climate, as a top producer of Cabernets (that retain their freshness).

In Coonawarra, also a warm climate region, frequent cloud cover and cool southerly breezes help it produce outstanding-quality Cabernets.

46
Q

What flavor characteristics do Australian Cabernets usually have that makes them distinct from Cabernets grown elsewhere in the world?

A

distinctive herbal notes with mint and eucalyptus flavors.

Try to tell the difference the next time you try one; or even do a side-by-side tasting with a classic Napa Cab and Bordeaux wine.

47
Q

Which New Zealand wine region is known for making high quality Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Hawke’s Bay

Because Hawke’s Bay has a moderate climate like Bordeaux, winemakers have to plant their Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the warmest possible sites to ensure that the grapes ripen optimally. They also usually blend the resultant wine with Merlot.

48
Q

From which Old World region do Malbec and Carmenère originate?

A

Southwest France

In SW France, these grapes are typically blended with other local varietals.

49
Q

Which region in Argentina has the highest density of Malbec plantings?

A

Mendoza

Mendoza, which has more than a thousand wineries, is located in the high-elevation northern-central parts of Argentina, near the Andes Mountains. The vineyards here produce the majority of Argentinian wine!

50
Q

Is Mendoza at sea level or higher in elevation?

A

Higher in elevation

This creates optimal growing conditions for the sun-loving Malbec grape: warm days, cool nights.

51
Q

When Malbec is blended in Argentina, which grapes is it usually blended with?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
52
Q

Describe the typical profile of Argentinean Malbec.

Try to list 8 points!

A
  1. Dry
  2. Full body
  3. High tannin
  4. Medium acidity
  5. Concentrated black fruits
  6. If oak matured, flavors of coffee, vanilla, mocha, clove
  7. If aged, flavors of dried black fruit and cured meat
  8. Intensely dark in color, almost purple
53
Q

Where in Chile are the highest density plantings of Carmenère?

A

The warm and sunny terroir of the Central Valley.

Carmenère needs a lot of warmth and sunshine to fully ripen, which is why it performs better in Chile than it does in Bordeaux, France.

54
Q

Describe the typical profile of Carmenère.

Try to list 7 points!

A
  1. Dry
  2. Full body
  3. High tannin
  4. Medium to high acidity
  5. Black fruits (dark plum, blackberry, black raspberry)
  6. Herbal (eucalyptus)
  7. If oak matured, notes of coffee, chocolate, mocha

Funny aside: a commonly-used aroma descriptor for Carmenère is garden hose, if you can believe that. (One of its less appealing aromatics, for sure.) Do you remember the fragrance of the hose as you drank out of it as a kid? That’s the smell.

55
Q

When Carmenère is blended in Chile, which grapes is it usually blended with?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
56
Q

Which region in Italy is famous for the Nebbiolo grape?

A

Piedmont in northwest Italy.

The name Nebbiolo probably comes from the Latin word nebula for mist or fog. During harvest (late October), foggy conditions set into the Langhe region of Italy, where many Nebbiolo vineyards are located.

Another possible interpretation is for the whitish veil that forms over the berries as they reach maturity.

Others think that Nebbiolo is derived from the Italian word nobile, which means noble, and not nebula at all.

57
Q

Nebbiolo is the only black grape allowed in the wines from which 2 Piedmont DOCGs?

A
  1. Barolo DOCG
  2. Barbaresco DOCG

In broad strokes, Barolos are dense, tannic expressions of Nebbiolo, while Barbarescos are more graceful and approachable.

58
Q

Describe the profile of Nebbiolo.

Try to list 8 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Full body
  3. High tannin
  4. High acid
  5. High alcohol
  6. Red fruits (red cherry, plum)
  7. Gentle florals (rose, violet)
  8. Developing aromas (leather, truffles, tar/tobacco)
59
Q

Why are Barolo and Barbaresco wines always matured in new or used oak?

A

Nebbiolo’s structure (high tannin, high acidity) makes it well suited for extended aging in wood.

Oak aging softens the tannins and helps the wine achieve much greater harmony.

60
Q

Which region in Italy has a high density of Barbera plantings?

Barbera is a black grape varietal, not to be confused with Barbaresco, which is an Italian DOCG and wine.

A

Piedmont in the northwest.

Barbera’s most famous DOCG is Barbera d’Asti DOCG

61
Q

Describe the profile of Barbera.

Try list 5 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Low to medium tannin
  3. High acid
  4. Plush red fruits (cherries, plums)
  5. Occasional black pepper
62
Q

A young Barbera is generally more approachable than a young Nebbiolo. Can you think of 3 reasons why?

A
  1. Barbera has lower tannins,
  2. Richer, plusher fruit characteristics, and
  3. Many are unoaked and less complex

This also makes Barbera generally less age-worthy than Nebbiolo.

Wine Appreciation (16 decks)

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