sensory fin Flashcards
Red Wine Noble & Major Reds
Pinot Noir ● Cabernet Sauvignon ● Syrah ● Merlot ~ ● Gamay Noir ● Cabernet Franc ● Sangiovese ● Nebbiolo ● Tempranillo ● Grenache
France
30% grenache, cinsault, mouvedre, CF and gamay
Spain
tempranillo garnacha 20%
italy
Chiaretto, cerasuolo, rosato 10%
new world
25% white zinfandel
us
15% Also use Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Grenache and other varieties
methods of production rose
● Blend a little red wine into your white-Saignée method-direct press skin contact
Traditional Versions rose
In open top fermenters with oxygen ● Ambient yeasts ● Skin contact may limit desire for added sulphur ● Some unfined and unfiltered - hazy appearance
Modern Versions
Cool fermented reductively ● Sulphured ● Racked ● Fined and filtered
What Makes Them Light to Medium Bodied?
Thin skinned varieties (typically) ● Cooler climates ● Moderate levels of alcohol ● Limited maceration and extraction ● Limited (new) oak use ● May emphasize primary characteristics ● Generally, lack strong tannins
pinot noir is
Tiny compact bunches and thin skins ● Many clones ● Buds early & ripens early ● Prefers cooler/temperate growing season - “hang time” important ● Does best in limestone/marl soils
pinot noir regions
Burgundy: cote d’or, regional village, premier and grand cru recap most expensives champagne
New World Pinot Noir Regions
california, new zealand, australia, chile, oregon
pinot noir in ontario
Young vines getting older ● Closer to delicate Burgundy style than ‘New World’ ripeness and fruit ● Best versions from Niagara (Escarpment) and Prince Edward County ● Hugely variable styles defined by vintage conditions
pinot noir in cool climate
Excessive vegetal (cabbage, wet leaves)
pinot noir in mod climate
○ Red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry) ○ Vegetal, animal (wet leaves, mushroom, game, meat)
Piot noir in hot climate
Loses delicate flavors ○ Excessively jammy
oak ageing in pinot noir
○ Wood (toast, vanilla) ○ Can overpower delicate aromas
what to look for in pinot noir
pale to medium ruby/garnet, nose: Red berry, cherry, raspberry, red currant, beet root, pomegranatem tea, mushroom, meaty notes. Palate: medium to higher acidity, low to medium tannins, light to medium body, medium alcohol
Gamay Noir
● Second red variety of Burgundy ○ Mainly in Beaujolais ○ The 10 ‘cru’ of Beaujolais ● Known in very few other wine regions ● Huge opportunity for Niagara ○ Cold hardy ○ Frost resistant - relatively early ripening ○ Vigorous and high yielding requires control ○ Responds differently to various soil types ○ Requires low yields for highest quality
a popular winemaking choice for gamay noir is
Carbonic maceration which is used to maximize fruit character and color while avoiding strong tannins
CARBONIC MACERATION
Intracellular Fermentation ● Fruit forward style, low tannin, intended to consume young ● Notes of banana, candy and sweet berry
Gamay noir, flavours
Loads of red berry ● Spice ● Leaf ● Earthy ● Medium + acid, light tannins, very juicy ‘gulpable’ red that can be serious
When refering to each varietal what do they contribute to the blend? merlot
fruit and softness
When refering to each varietal what do they contribute to the blend? C.S
structure, tannin, intensity, longevity
When refering to each varietal what do they contribute to the blend? Cab franc
acidity, spice, floral notes
When refering to each varietal what do they contribute to the blend? malbec
minor grape, adds softness and depth of colour
When refering to each varietal what do they contribute to the blend? petit verdot
minor grape, adds alcohol and structure
defining merlot
large berries, loose bunches, thin skin, high potential alcohol, early budding and ripening, sensitive to frost and cold, fares well in range of climates, prefers cooler soils tan cabernet
merlot in winemaking
skin contact required for colour, often blended with cabernets, top wines enjoy oak ageing, generally drinkable young
major regions of merlot
everywhere cabernet is, bordeaux france, italy-tuscan coast, napa/sonoma, california, australia, central chile
merlot common descriptions
medium ruby to pale purple, smell of plum black and red berries cedar christmas cake chocolate herbs and tobacco, medium acid tanin and alcohol
Cabernet Franc
● Third member of the Bordeaux trio – most important in Ontario
● Parent of Cabernet Sauvignon
● Ripens after Merlot; before Cab Sauv
● Tolerant of cool climates but buds early
● Tolerant of range of soil types
Cabernet Franc Notable Regions
● Touraine et Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley
○ Chinon
○ Bourgueil
○ Saumur-Champigny
● Bordeaux “Right Bank”
○ Most famous in St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé
○ Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Ausone
Cabernet Franc in Ontario
May be the best red we make
● World class wines in best years
● Winter hardy – ripens most years
● Excellent for blending or alone
● Many excellent producers all over Niagara
● Demand growing but always lives in the shadow of Cabernet Sauvignon
What to Look For in Cabernet Franc
A lighter version of Cabernet Sauvignon
● Appearance:
○ Medium to deep ruby
● Nose:
○ Green spice, bell pepper, herbaceous
○ Red berry – raspberry, cherry
○ Campfire ash and pencil shavings
○ Roasted red pepper & chocolate in warmer regions
● Palate:
○ Medium to high acidity
○ Moderate tannin
○ Medium body & alcohol
Sangiovese
● Home and source of best examples is Tuscany, Italy
● Capable of producing very simple dry light reds (basic Chianti DOCG) to full-bodied,
tannic, age-worthy reds (Chianti Classico Riserva Gran Selezione DOCG and Brunello di
Montalcino DOCG)