Slide Pack 5b Flashcards
Blends after prohibition in USA have been unfairly thought to be inferior - T or F?
True
Why were blends post repeal bad?
1) Blends not disclosed
2) Contained a) juices of fruits other than grapes, b) colorants and c) flavorings
3) Often given strangely inappropriate names like “Hearty Burgandy” and “Rhine Wine”
Today’s winemakers create?
Distinctive and high quality blends
Common blend found in warm growing region?
GSM or Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre
In a GSM, more Grenache makes the blend more?
Lighter and more aromatic
In a GSM, more Syrah results in?
A more fruit forward wine
What is predominant grape in GSM?
Grenache
Mourvedre can be the boldest of the three grapes. It is usually added in small amounts but adds what?
Body, tannins, earthiness and ageability
GSM’s have to be all Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre`. T or F
False, there is no standard GSM blend.
GSM blends are a particularly valuable path to?
Premium wines in regions where grapes ripen quickly or variably year to year.
GSM blend is a colloquial term for?
Red wines based on the blends made in the Cotes du Rhone region of France
Grenache Rouge is what?
The workhorse of the Southern Rhone and much of southern France and Spain
Grenache advantages for blend?
1) Crops well in most warm climates
2) Can be Prolific
3) Contributes largest portion to blend
Grenache provides what for blend?
1) Medium body
2) Lower acidity
3) Aromatic spice and berry notes
4) Contributes to the wine’s mid-palate
Grenache is considered what in the conventional Cotes du Rhone GSM blend?
Binding force
Syrah in many GSM blends provides what?
1) Medium to full body
2) Contributes it’s maximum to the frontend of the wine on the palate
Syrah dominates in blends from?
Moderate climes with peppery notes and warmer climes with fruit notes
Syrah’s hallmark contribution to GSM blends is what?
1) Jammy blackberry
2) Notes of licorice & leather
3) Medium levels of tannins
4) Good acidity
Syrah provides moderate aging potential to GSM blends - T or F?
True
Mourvedre tends to produce?
Tannic wines that can be high in alcohol
Mourvedre commonly described attributes?
Its earthy, farmyard or gamey notes sometimes described as “Mourvedre funk”
Mourvedre` does best in warm weather yielding?
1) Red to blackberry notes
2) Intensely flavored fruit
3) Brisk tannins
4) Good crop yields
Mourvedre in GSM blends serves as?
The undercarriage of the classic blend adding to and supporting the attack, tannic structure and finish of the wine
Mourvedre does not help increased aging potential in a GSM blend - T or F
False
But in Texas, Grenache is?
Aromatic with little color. Most go to rose` wines.
But in Texas, Syrah is
Medium+ bodied but has limited supply
But in Texas, Mourvedre is?
Plentiful but often medium bodied
GSM was once the exclusive red Rhone blend of Cote du Rhone but now is not - T or F
True
GSM has become an international phenom as it can?
Change to fit the region’s varietal mix as affected by climate and growing conditions
When blending GSM, varietals are?
Fermented separately and blended before aging
(can be field blended though)
GSM blends can be fermented in?
1) Picking bins
2) Concrete vats
3) Barrels
4) Then undergo malolactic fermentation
GSM blends are aged in?
New or neutral French oak depending on quality or price point or made in other oaks
Classic GSM Blend
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Southern Rhone blend percentages?
60+% Grenache
30% Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault
10% Other
Northern Rhone blends are more dominated by?
Syrah
Australian or California GSM blends are ?
1) 40-50% Grenache
2) 15-40% Syrah
3) 20-40% Mourvedre`
4) Could have Counoise or Cinsault
5) Might see Viognier for co-fermentation
Texas GSM blends?
> 50% Mourvedre
15-25% Grenache
15-25% Syrah
