Rest of Europe Flashcards
Which white grape dominates Swiss wine production?
Chasselas is Switzerland’s dominant white grape, known locally as Fendant in Valais.
What are the key Swiss red grapes?
Pinot Noir and Gamay are common in most regions; Merlot is favored in Ticino (Italian-speaking area).
Where are Switzerland’s main wine regions located?
Valais (Rhône River valley), Vaud (Lake Geneva), Geneva, Neuchâtel & Three Lakes, and Ticino in the south near Italy.
Explain the climate influence on Swiss vineyards.
They have a cool continental to alpine climate, moderated by lakes (Geneva, Neuchâtel) and the Foehn wind, with steep slopes requiring terraces.
Name a specialty Swiss blend featuring Gamay and Pinot Noir.
Dôle is a traditional blend of at least 85% Gamay and Pinot Noir (with Pinot usually dominant).
Why isn’t Swiss wine widely exported?
The Swiss drink most of their own production, and volumes are relatively small, leaving minimal surplus for export.
Describe the typical Swiss winemaking style for white wines.
Most whites, especially Chasselas, are fermented in stainless steel for freshness, highlighting mineral and floral notes.
How are wine laws structured in Switzerland?
They’re managed by each canton (region) rather than a single national system. Common appellations include Valais AOC, Vaud AOC, DOC Ticino.
Name two notable producers in the Valais region.
Domaines Rouvinez and Marie-Thérèse Chappaz are well-known for high-quality Valais wines.
Which Swiss region is known for Merlot production?
Ticino, in the Italian-speaking south, emphasizes Merlot for reds (often oak-aged).
Which three indigenous Greek grapes are internationally recognized?
Assyrtiko (white), Moschofilero (white), and Xinomavro (red) are key native varieties.
Where in Greece is Assyrtiko especially prominent?
Santorini (Aegean Islands), where volcanic soils yield mineral, high-acid whites.
What style is Retsina, and how is it flavored?
Retsina is a Greek wine infused with pine resin, giving a unique, resinous aroma and flavor.
Name two major mainland Greek PDO regions for red wines.
Naoussa PDO in Macedonia (Xinomavro-based) and Nemea PDO in the Peloponnese (Agiorgitiko-based).
Describe the climate in Santorini and its impact on vines.
Santorini has a windy, volcanic environment; vines are often basket-trained (kouloura) to protect from wind and preserve moisture.
What is Vinsanto in Greece?
A sweet, sun-dried wine from Santorini PDO made primarily from Assyrtiko, sometimes blended with other local whites.
How are Greek wine quality categories organized?
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is the highest level (e.g., Naoussa, Santorini), followed by PGI (Protected Geographical Indication).
Name a prominent producer in Santorini.
Gaia, Sigalas, and Hatzidakis are among the top estates on the island.
Which variety is known as “St. George” in Greece?
Agiorgitiko from Nemea, named for St. George, producing softly tannic reds.
List two major Greek producers in Naoussa.
Boutari and Kir-Yianni are classic producers focusing on Xinomavro-based reds.
What is Hungary’s most famous sweet wine, and where is it produced?
Tokaji Aszú from the Tokaj region in northeastern Hungary.
Which grapes are key in Tokaji Aszú?
Furmint is the primary grape, often blended with Hárslevelű and others. Botrytis-affected berries are crucial.
Define Egri Bikavér.
It’s the famous “Bull’s Blood” red blend from Eger, typically based on Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) plus other red varieties.
Name two southern Hungarian red wine regions.
Villány and Szekszárd in the south produce fuller-bodied reds from Kékfrankos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc.
Explain the puttonyos system for Tokaji Aszú.
Historically, it measured sweetness/Aszú paste added to base wine. Modernly, residual sugar levels define 5 or 6 puttonyos, plus Eszencia.
What is Eszencia in Tokaj?
A nearly syrupy, intensely sweet free-run juice from botrytized berries, extremely rare and high in residual sugar.
Which Hungarian region is known for crisp, dry Furmint?
Tokaj has also emerged for dry Furmint styles, focusing on stainless steel fermentation or light oak aging.
Name a top Tokaji producer.
Royal Tokaji, Disznókő, Szepsy, and Oremus (owned by Spain’s Vega Sicilia) are recognized internationally.
How did the communist era affect Hungarian wine?
Mass production overshadowed quality. A quality renaissance began post-1990s privatization.
Which region is known for “Bikavér” and also a local white called Egri Csillag?
Eger in north-central Hungary, with reds labeled Egri Bikavér and whites called Egri Csillag.
Which countries are grouped here and why?
Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Slovenia all have centuries-old winemaking traditions, once under communist or socialist production, now modernizing.
Name two key Bulgarian red varieties.
Mavrud (local) and Gamza (Kadarka) are important indigenous reds, alongside international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
What is the main classification for Bulgarian wines?
DGO (Declared Geographic Origin) and Controliran for higher quality, plus EU PDO/PGI categories post-accession.
Which Romanian grape is known for aromatic whites?
Fetească Regală is an important aromatic white variety in Romania, along with Fetească Albă.
Name a Romanian red variety.
Fetească Neagră is an indigenous Romanian red, showing dark fruit and spice when well-made.
Where is Graševina (Welschriesling) a major variety?
Croatia, especially in Slavonia, producing crisp to fuller-bodied whites. Also grown in some neighboring countries.
Which red variety is Croatia’s Plavac Mali related to?
It’s genetically linked to Zinfandel (Crljenak Kaštelanski) and is the main red in Dalmatia.
Mention one Slovenian region known for orange wines.
The Primorska region (particularly Goriška Brda) has many producers specializing in skin-contact or “orange” wines from white varieties.
What is the major climate influence for Balkan wine regions?
Continental or Black Sea influences inland, plus Mediterranean breezes near the Adriatic for Croatia and southwestern Slovenia.
Name a prominent winery from Slovenia.
Movia is internationally recognized, producing innovative orange wines and classic reds/whites in Goriška Brda.
Which Bulgarian region focuses on Mavrud?
The Thracian Lowlands in southern Bulgaria, known for robust, tannic reds.
Where is Dealu Mare, and what does it produce?
Dealu Mare in Romania’s Muntenia region is known for structured reds (Cabernet, Fetească Neagră).
Identify a well-known Croatian producer of Malvazija in Istria.
Kozlović is famed for its Malvazija, helping revive premium Istrian whites.
Which region is famous for Plavac Mali in Croatia?
Dalmatia, including the Pelješac peninsula and islands like Hvar, known for powerful, sun-baked reds.
