Slide Pack 5b

Question 1

Blends after prohibition in USA have been unfairly thought to be inferior - T or F?

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Why were blends post repeal bad?

Answer 2

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”

Question 3

Today’s winemakers create?

Answer 3

Distinctive and high quality blends

Question 4

Common blend found in warm growing region?

Answer 4

GSM or Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre

Question 5

In a GSM, more Grenache makes the blend more?

Answer 5

Lighter and more aromatic

Question 6

In a GSM, more Syrah results in?

Answer 6

A more fruit forward wine

Question 7

What is predominant grape in GSM?

Answer 7

Grenache

Question 8

Mourvedre can be the boldest of the three grapes. It is usually added in small amounts but adds what?

Answer 8

Body, tannins, earthiness and ageability

Question 9

GSM’s have to be all Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre`. T or F

Answer 9

False, there is no standard GSM blend.

Question 10

GSM blends are a particularly valuable path to?

Answer 10

Premium wines in regions where grapes ripen quickly or variably year to year.

Question 11

GSM blend is a colloquial term for?

Answer 11

Red wines based on the blends made in the Cotes du Rhone region of France

Question 12

Grenache Rouge is what?

Answer 12

The workhorse of the Southern Rhone and much of southern France and Spain

Question 13

Grenache advantages for blend?

Answer 13

1) Crops well in most warm climates
2) Can be Prolific
3) Contributes largest portion to blend

Question 14

Grenache provides what for blend?

Answer 14

1) Medium body
2) Lower acidity
3) Aromatic spice and berry notes
4) Contributes to the wine’s mid-palate

Question 15

Grenache is considered what in the conventional Cotes du Rhone GSM blend?

Answer 15

Binding force

Question 16

Syrah in many GSM blends provides what?

Answer 16

1) Medium to full body
2) Contributes it’s maximum to the frontend of the wine on the palate

Question 17

Syrah dominates in blends from?

Answer 17

Moderate climes with peppery notes and warmer climes with fruit notes

Question 18

Syrah’s hallmark contribution to GSM blends is what?

Answer 18

1) Jammy blackberry
2) Notes of licorice & leather
3) Medium levels of tannins
4) Good acidity

Question 19

Syrah provides moderate aging potential to GSM blends - T or F?

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Mourvedre tends to produce?

Answer 20

Tannic wines that can be high in alcohol

Question 21

Mourvedre commonly described attributes?

Answer 21

Its earthy, farmyard or gamey notes sometimes described as “Mourvedre funk”

Question 22

Mourvedre` does best in warm weather yielding?

Answer 22

1) Red to blackberry notes
2) Intensely flavored fruit
3) Brisk tannins
4) Good crop yields

Question 23

Mourvedre in GSM blends serves as?

Answer 23

The undercarriage of the classic blend adding to and supporting the attack, tannic structure and finish of the wine

Question 24

Mourvedre does not help increased aging potential in a GSM blend - T or F

Answer 24

False

Question 25

But in Texas, Grenache is?

Answer 25

Aromatic with little color. Most go to rose` wines.

Question 26

But in Texas, Syrah is

Answer 26

Medium+ bodied but has limited supply

Question 27

But in Texas, Mourvedre is?

Answer 27

Plentiful but often medium bodied

Question 28

GSM was once the exclusive red Rhone blend of Cote du Rhone but now is not - T or F

Answer 28

True

Question 29

GSM has become an international phenom as it can?

Answer 29

Change to fit the region’s varietal mix as affected by climate and growing conditions

Question 30

When blending GSM, varietals are?

Answer 30

Fermented separately and blended before aging
(can be field blended though)

Question 31

GSM blends can be fermented in?

Answer 31

1) Picking bins
2) Concrete vats
3) Barrels
4) Then undergo malolactic fermentation

Question 32

GSM blends are aged in?

Answer 32

New or neutral French oak depending on quality or price point or made in other oaks

Question 33

Classic GSM Blend

Answer 33

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Question 34

Southern Rhone blend percentages?

Answer 34

60+% Grenache
30% Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault
10% Other

Question 35

Northern Rhone blends are more dominated by?

Answer 35

Syrah

Question 36

Australian or California GSM blends are ?

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Texas GSM blends?

Answer 37

> 50% Mourvedre
15-25% Grenache
15-25% Syrah