Tasting Notes Flashcards

1
Q

Champagne

A

Citrus, cream, toast
Color: Pale Gold
Tannin: Low, Acid: High, Alcohol: Low, Body: Low

Location: Champagne, France
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinor Noir, Pinot Meunier
Pairing: Salty or fried, fish & shellfish, oyster & caviar, tart, Latin, Asian, Middle Eastern, cheese, brunch
Avoid: Extremes - too rich, flavorful, sweet, spicy, or fishy, red meat
Other: Cava, Cremant, Franciacorta, Prosecco, Sparkling

Taittinger ‘Comtes de Champagne’ Blanc de Blancs Brut 2006 $605

Subappellations: Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, Valle de la Marne, Aube, Côte de Sezanne

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2
Q

Cremant

A

Loire: Anjou, Saumur, Touraine, Vouvray

Alsace: Die

Southwest: Gaillac

Languedoc: Limoux

Burgundy: Maconnais, Cote Chalonaise, Rully

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3
Q

Cava

A

Yellow apple (cooked), toasted almond, yuzu
Color: Medium Straw
Tannin: Low, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M-, Body: Low

Location: Spain - Penedes, Cava
Grapes: Macabeo, Xarello, Parellada
Style: Sparkling
Pairing: Tapas, paella, Mexican, Cuban
Other: Champagne, Cremant, Franciacorta, Prosecco, Sparkling

Raventos Blanc ‘De La Finca’ 2018 $65
Rimarts ‘Cava Uve’ $90

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4
Q

Prosecco

A

Green apple, green pear, cream
Color: Pale Gold
Tannin: Low, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M, Body: Light

Location: Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy
Other: Champagne, Cava, Cremant, Franciacorta, Sparkling

Bisol ‘Jeio’ NV $60

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5
Q

Gewürztraminer

A

Ripe pear, rose, grapefruit, ginger, tropical, Aged: candied fruit, dry flowers

Color: Medium Straw with Copper
Tannin: Low, Acid: Low, Alcohol: M+, Body: M, Sweet: Off-dry, Phenolic

Skin contact, age, sweet or dry

Location: Alsace, France, Moldova
Pairing: Fatty goose, duck, pork, veal, sausage, sauerkraut, eggs, smoke or char, sweet spices, chutney, pungent cheeses
Avoid: Spicy, acid, sweet, delicate
Other: Torrontés

Albert Boxler, Alsace 2019 $85
Weinbach, Alsace

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6
Q

Grüner Veltliner

A

Lean acidity, herbal & grassy, pepper, green bean, asparagus
Color: Pale Yellow
Tannin: Low, Acid: High, Alcohol: M-, Body: Light

Location: Wachau, Austria
Pairing: Lights meats, seafood

Prager Hinter der Berg Wachau Federspiel 2014 $85
Emmerich Knoll Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Loibenberg $

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7
Q

Riesling

A

Aromatic dry to sweet, lime, honey, jasmine, petrol
Color: Medium Straw
Tannin: Low, Acid: High, Alcohol: Low, Body: Light, Sweet: Varied

Location: Germany (Rheingau, Mosel), US, Australia Clare Valley (diesel), Alsace (more dry), Austria (riper German style)
Pairing: Spicy Indian, duck, pork, charcuterie, shrimp, crab, sushi, quiche
Avoid: chocolate, coffee, black pepper, red meat
Other: Vouvray

Dry or sweet, bubbles/sekt
,
Dönnhoff Trocken Nahe 2021 $75
Trimbach Clos Ste Hune Alsace 2011 $225
Egon Müller Scharzhofberg

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8
Q

Sauvignon Blanc

A

Lime, grapefruit, white peach, veg-herbs, grass, [cat pee]
Color: Medium Yellow
Tannin: Low, Acid: High, Alcohol: M, Body: M-

Location: Bordeaux (Pessac-Leognan & Graves (oak), Sauternes), Sancerre (unoaked), Pouilly-Fume (oak), France, New Zealand (Hawkes Bay, Marlborough)
Pairing: Herb sauces, salads, veg dishes, salty or goat cheese, Asian food, acid
Avoid: Red meat, rich and savory, without food

Oak or not, blend or not, sweet or dry, botrytis

Henri Bourgeois Sancerre 2023 $90
Cloudy Bay Marlborough 2020 $70

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9
Q

Torrontés

A

Aromatic meyer lemon, rose, floral, soap
Color: Medium Straw
Tannin: Low, Acid: M, Alcohol: M, Body: M-, Sweet: Off-dry

Location: Salta Argentina
Pairing: Exotic spices, fruit
Other: Gewurztraminer

Bodega Colomé Salta 2022 $45

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10
Q

Albariño

A

High acid, peach, lemon zest, saline
Color: Deep Straw
Tannin: Low, Acid: High, Alcohol: M, Body: Light, Sweet: Off-dry

Location: Rias Baixas, NW Spain
Pairing: fish tacos, leafy herbs
Other: Pinot Grigio

Abadia de San Campio Rias Biaxas 2022 $50

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11
Q

Chardonnay

A

Tart apple, lemon-citrus, lees, butter, oak
Color: Pale Straw to Deep Gold
Tannin: Low, Acid: M-, Alcohol: M, Body: M-

Location: France (Burgundy, Chablis, oaked Côte d’Or, Montrachet, Meursault, Corton Charlemagne, Champagne), US (Sonoma, Carneros, Russian River), Australia (Hunter Valley, Clare Valley)
Style: Dry or sparkling
Pairing: Lobster & butter, potato chips, sole amandine (toasted nuts), white mushrooms, cream sauces
Avoid: Spicy-hot, high acid (olive, tomato), overly sweet, goat cheese
Other: Pinot Grigio

Louis Michel & Fils ‘Les Clos’ Grand Cru Chablis 2021 $210
Domaine Leflaive, Bourgogne 2020 $210
Aubert Lauren Vineyard Sonoma Coast 2005 $275

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12
Q

Chenin Blanc

A

Yellow apple, stone fruit, honey
Color: Pale Gold
Tannin: Low, Acid: High, Alcohol: M-, Body: M-

Location: South Africa, Loire (Vouvray, Sauvennieres), France
Style: Dry or sparkling
Pairing: Thai, Vietnamese
Other: German Riesling

Domaine Huet ‘Le Mont’ Sec Vouvray 2021 $110
Couly-Dutheil Samur 2021 $30

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13
Q

Pinot Gris or Grigio

A

White peach, cantaloupe, raw almond
Color: Pale Copper
Tannin: Low, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M-, Body: M-

Location: Italy (Alto-Adige, Friuli), Oregon (Willamette), Alsace
Pairing: Fish & shellfish, Asian & soy, white meats, semihard cheese, picnic
Avoid: Bold flavors, red meat, sweet
Other: Chardonnay, Albarino, SB

Oak, skin contact, low temp, ML, dry or sweet

Santa Margherita Alto Adige 2022 $60
Elena Walsh Alto Adige 2022 $90
Cantina Terlano Pinot Bianco Riserva, Vorberg $

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14
Q

Viognier

A

Ripe peach, honeysuckle, oily
Color: Medium Gold
Tannin: Low, Acid: M-, Alcohol: M+, Body: M, Sweet: Off-dry

Location: Condrieu, Château-Grillet, N. Rhône Valley
Pairing: Holiday foods, fruit & sweet spices, nuts & almonds, curry, butter & cream, caramelized onion & veg, cheeses, deep fried
Avoid: Blackened, delicate, tart & acid, pungent fish, spicy hot

Ripe or overripe, skin contact, lees, ML, less oak, dry or off-dry, age

Yves Cuilleron ‘La Petite Côte’ Condrieu 2020 $120
Château Grillet N Rhone
E. Guigal N Rhone

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15
Q

Gamay

A

Juicy red fruit, violet, earthy, banana
Color: Pale Purple
Tannin: Low, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M-, Body: Light

Location: Beaujolais, France
Style: Dry or carbonic maceration (Beaujolais Nouveau)
Pairing: Sweet & sour

Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly 2019 $80
(BN) Domaine de la Cadette ‘La Sœur Cadette’ 2023 $80

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16
Q

Pinot Noir

A

Raspberry, cranberry, orange peel, hibiscus, clove, mushroom
Color: Pale Ruby
Tannin: M-, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M, Body: M-

Location: Burgundy (Vosne-Romanée, Clos de la Roche, Echézeaux), Champagne, France, Sonoma (Carneros, S. Coast, Russian River), Oregon (Willamette Valley), New Zealand
Pairing: Peking duck, lamb, veal, chicken/coq au vin, pork, quail, mushrooms, flavor spices, charcuterie
Avoid: Too much cream, butter, fat; Strong seafood, fiery heat, cheese
Other: Nebbiolo

Still or sparkling, red or rose, barrel, whole cluster, cold soak, tannin +/-

Joseph Swan ‘Trenton Estate’ Russian River Valley 2013 $145
Williams Selyem ‘Ferrington’ Anderson Valley 2018 $295
Comte Armand ‘Clos des Epeneaux’ 1er Cru Pommard 2007 $460
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti ‘La Tâche’ 2014 $5550

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17
Q

Grenache

A

Ripe-baked red & black fruit, grilled plum, dried herbs, pepper
Color: Medium Ruby
Tannin: M-, Acid: M-, Alcohol: High, Body, M+

Location: Rhône Valley (GSM Blend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) France, Spain, Australia
Pairing: Roasted meat, exotic spices
Other: Rioja

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 $300

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18
Q

Merlot

A

Black cherry, plum, smokey, forest floor, chocolate
Color: Medium Purple
Tannin: M+, Acid: M, Alcohol: M+, Body: M+

Location: Bordeaux (Pomerol, Saint-Émilion), France, Italy, US, Chile
Pairing: Pork shoulder, roasted mushrooms, braised short rib, olives & fresh herbs, tuna, salmon
Avoid: Overly subtle or spicy dishes, strong cheese

Barrel size & selection, blend or no, tannin +/-

Duckhorn Vineyards Napa 2000 $355
Chateau Cheval Blanc

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19
Q

Bordeaux Blend

A

Black currant (cassis), graphite, pyrazine, oak, high tannin
Color: Deep Ruby
Tannin: High, Acid: M-, Alcohol: M+, Body: Full, Complexity: High

Location: Bordeaux, France, LB: Blue & black fruit, RB: red fruit
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot
Pairing: Steak, red meat

Château Latour 1er Cru Pauillac 2000 $3,100
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 2ème Cru Pauillac 2017 $600
Château Cheval Blanc Saint- Émillion 2000 $2230

20
Q

Cabernet Franc

A

Tart red fruit, herbal, bell pepper, chalky
Color: Medium Ruby
Tannin: M-, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M-, Body: M-

Location: Loire Valley (Chinon), Bordeaux (Saint-Emilion), France
Pairing: tomato sauce, vinegar BBQ, fresh herbs

Château Cheval Blanc Saint- Émillion 2000 $2230
Charles Joguet ‘Clos de Chêne Vert’ 2015 $130

21
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon

A

Black cherry, herbal, oak, tannin
Color: Deep Ruby
Tannin: High, Acid: M-, Alcohol: M+, Body: Full, Complexity: High

Location: Bordeaux, Chile (Maipo Valley), Napa, Australia (Coonawarra, Barossa Valley), Super Tuscan
Pairing: Grilled meats, peppery sauces, high flavor, wild game, bitter vegetables, dark mushrooms
Avoid: Delicate dishes, strong cheeses, spicy-hot, chocolate
Other: Napa Cab v Bordeaux Blend (Left & Right Bank)

Chateau Montelena Calistoga 2006 $450
Shafer ‘Hillside Select’ Stags Leap 2006 $780

22
Q

Malbec

A

Bold fruit, red plum, blackberry, chocolate finish
Color: Deep Purple
Tannin: M, Acid: M, Alcohol: M+, Body: Full

Location: Mendoza, Argentina, France
Pairing: Steak

Viña Cobos ‘Bramare’ Mendoza 2021 $90

23
Q

Nebbiolo

A

Tart cherry, rose, tar, rigorous tannin
Color: Pale Ruby-Garnet w orange rim
Tannin: High, Acid: High, Alcohol: M+, Body: M+

Location: Barolo & Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
Pairing: Truffle risotto, butternut ravioli
Other: Pinot Noir (Burgundy), Sangiovese

Gaja ‘Conteisa’ Piedmont 2013 $710

24
Q

Rhône GSM Blend

A

Dried raspberry, dried herbs, rosemary, lavender, black olive
Color: Medium Ruby
Tannin: M+, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M+, Body: M+

Location: S France
Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvédre
Pairing: Mediterranean spices - red pepper, sage, rosemary, olives
Other: Rioja

Domaine de Marcoux Côtes-du-Rhône 2019 $60

25
Q

Sangiovese

A

Tart cherry, dusty earth, balsamic & tar, oregano, [mocha, truffle]
Color: Medium Garnet
Tannin: M+, Acid: High, Alcohol: M+, Body: M+

Location: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
Pairing: Tomato sauces & pizza, roasted meats, mushrooms, cheese, basil & fresh herbs
Avoid: Seafood, fiery spice
Other: Nebbiolo, Rioja

Clone, barrel use, blend or no, aging

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2015 $110
Donatella Cinelli Colombini ‘Prime Donne’ Brunello di Montalcino 2007 $450

26
Q

Syrah

A

Earthy blueberry, black pepper, meaty, tobacco, [mint/eucalyptus]
Color: Medium Purple
Tannin: M+, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M+, Body: Full

Location: Hermitage, Côte Rôtie, Cornas, GSM, Rhône Valley, Australia Shiraz (Barossa), US
Pairing: Herbs & olives, muffuletta, lamb shawarma, red meat & game, BBQ
Avoid: Fish & seafood, spicy heat, sour
Other: Malbec, Zinfandel (US Cali)

Oak, tannin +/-, age, blend or no

E. Guigal ‘Château d’Ampuis’ Cote Rôtie 2018 $340
E. Guigal ‘La Mouline’ Cote Rôtie 2018 $1050
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2014 $890

27
Q

Tempranillo

A

Dried fig, cedar, tobacco, dill
Color: Medium Ruby
Tannin: M+, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M+, Body: M+

Location: Rioja & Ribera del Duero, Spain
Pairing: Hamburger, lamb, tomato
Other: Sangiovese, Grenache (France)

El Puntido Gran Reserva Rioja 2011 $150
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

28
Q

Zinfandel or Primitivo

A

Jammy blue & red fruit, pepper & smoke
Color: Medium Ruby
Tannin: M+, Acid: M-, Alcohol: High, Body: M+

Location: Paso Robles (fruity, canned peaches), Sonoma Valley (dry, mineral), Napa Valley (rich, with volcanic overtones), S Italy
Pairing: BBQ, smoked & braised meats, Mexican and exotic spices, sharp and blue cheeses, picnic, bitter chocolate
Avoid: Fish & shellfish, spicy hot, delicate

Less oak, old vine, ripe or overripe fruit, tannin, blend, style (white, noveau, claret, big)

Ridge ‘Geyserville’ Alexander Valley 2019 $145
Storybook Mountain Reserve Zinfandel

29
Q

Madeira

A

Fortified & oxidized, burnt caramel, walnut, hazelnut, orange peel
Color: Medium Brown
Tannin: Low, Acid: High, Alcohol: High, Body: High, Sweet: High

Location: Portuguese island
Style: Dessert wine
Pairing: Artichokes, pea soup, asparagus, sauce reduction

Broadbent Malmsey, 10yr Madeira NV $19/g
Broadbent Malvasia Single Cask m204 Maderia 1997 $39/g

30
Q

Port

A

Stewed plum, raisin, cinnamon
Color: Pale Tawny
Tannin: High, Acid: M+, Alcohol: High, Body: Full, Sweet: High

Location: Portugal
Pairing: Stilton cheese

Ferreira Tinta Amarela 20yr Tawny ‘Dona Antónia’ Douro NV $22/g

31
Q

Sauternes

A

Lemon curd, apricot, honey, ginger
Color: Deep Yellow
Tannin: Low, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M-, Body: Full, Sweet: High

Location: Sauternais, Bordeaux, France
Grape: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle with Botrytis
Roquefort, funky soft cheeses

Chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey Sauternes 2001 $28/g
Y d’Yquem 2009 $850/b

32
Q

Sherry

A

Jackfruit, saline, Brazil nut
Color: Pale Brown
Tannin: Low, Acid: M+, Alcohol: High, Body: M, Sweet: Varied

Location: SW Spain
Grapes: Palomino Fino, oxidative aging Solara
Pairing: Smoked, fried, or grilled fish

Valdespino Palomino Palo Cortado ‘Viejo C.P.’ Jerez NV $18/g

33
Q

Franciacorta

A

Lemon, peach, white cherry, almond, toast
Color: Medium Straw
Tannin: Low, Acid: H, Alcohol: M-, Body: Low

Location: Italy
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Erbamat
Style: Sparkling (traditional)
Pairing: Brie, dried fruit, nuts
Other: Cava, Champagne, Cremant, Prosecco, Sparkling

Bellavista Gran Cuvee Pas Opere NV $70

34
Q

U.S. Producers

A

Napa: Chateau Montelena, Duckhorn, Joseph Phelps, Schramsberg, Shafer

Sonoma: William Selyem

CA: Ridge

Oregon: Domain Drouhin

Washington: Chateau Ste. Michelle

NY: Dr. Konstantin Frank

35
Q

South American Producers

A

Argentina (Mendoza): Catena Zapata, Valentin Bianchi

Chile: Concha y Toro (Central Valley), Vina Montes (Rapel Valley), Vina Santa Rita (Maipo Valley)

36
Q

Spanish Producers

A

Albarino (Rias Baixas): Lusco do Mino, Martin Codax

Cava (Penedes): Segura Viudas

Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero): Alejandro Fernandez, Emilio Moro

Tempranillo (Rioja): La Rioja Alta, Muga

Sherry (Jerez): Domecq

37
Q

Austrian Producers

A

Burgenland: Alois Kracher

Lower Austria: Brundlmayer

38
Q

Italian Producers

A

Nebbiolo: Vietti (Barolo), Gaja (Barbaresco), Ceretto, Pio Cesare (Piedmont),

Pinot Grigio: Alois Lageder (Alto-Adige), Jermann (Friuli)

Sangiovese: Antinori, Fontodi, Querceto (Chianti Classico), Avignonesi (Vino Nobile di Montpulciano)

Other: Corvo (Sicily), Taurino (Puglia), Anselmi, Maculan, Masi, Monsanto (Veneto)

39
Q

French Producers

A

Alsace: Domaine Weinbach, Trimbach

Beaujolais: George Du Boeuf

Bordeaux: Château Cos d’Estournel (Saint-Estéphe), Château Duhart-Milon, Château Lynch-Bages Château Pichon-Lalande (Pauillac), Château Gruaud-Larose, Château Léoville Las Cases (Saint-Julien), Château Giscours (Margaux), Château La Louviere (Graves), Château Angelus, Château Figeac (Saint-Emilion), Château Guirand, Château d’Yquem (Sauternes)

Burgundy: Bonneau du Martray (Corton-Charlemagne), Domaine des Comtes Lafon Mersault), Louis Jadot (Gevrey-Chambertin), Domaine Jean Grivot (Vosne-Romanée), Domaine G. Roumier (Morey-Saint-Denis), Domaine Dujac, Domaine Olivier Laflaive, Domaine Louis Boillot, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Latour (Bourgoyne)

Chablis: William Fevre

Champagne: Bollinger, Louis Roederer, Pol Roger, Tattinger

Loire: Sauvion et Fils

Rhône: Chateau de Beaucastel (CdP), E. Guigal (Cote Rôtie)

Sancerre: Henri Bourgeois

40
Q

Portuguese Producers

A

Porto: Cockburn’s, Fonesca, Taylor’s

41
Q

German Producers

A

Pfalz: Dr. Burklin-Wolf, Lingenfelder

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer: Dr. Loosen, Egon Muller, J.J, Prum

Rheingau: Frank Kunstler, Robert Weil

42
Q

Hungary Producers

A

Tokai-Hegyalja: Disznoko, Royal Tokai Wine Co.

43
Q

New Zealand Producers

A

Marlborough: Cloudy Bay, Kim Crawford,

Margaret River: Leeuwin Estate

Auckland: Kumeu River

44
Q

South Africa Producers

A

Coastal Region: Hamilton Russell, Klein Constantia

45
Q

Australian Producers

A

Barossa: Elderton

South Australia: Penfolds, Yalumba

Victoria: Yarra Yering