Terroir Flashcards
What is terroir?
French term for a combination of natural conditions which influence the biology of the vine and thus the grape
What is terroir the combination of?
- location
- soil
- climate
- vines
- management
- the site
What does regional identity ensure?
- Restricting supply
- Trademarking
- Exporting
- Quality Wine Produced in Specific Regions (QWPSR)
What is the term for Australian Terroir?
LIP - Label Integrity Program
What are the requirements that must be met for the Australian Geographical Indicator (GI) System?
- Geographic Indicator Zone
- Geographically unique
- 500 tonnes from 5 different hectares
- Super regions and sub regions
What is important geographically about the Loire Valley?
It produces a large amount of wine, high profile and a widely different region along the river. The home of Sauvignon Blanc
Which red and white grapes come from the Loire Valley?
- Whites; Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc
* Reds; Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc
What two wines are produced from a Cabernet Franc?
- Anjou, a Rosé
- Chinon, a full bodied red
Why is Burgundy so famous?
Burgundy is where the most expensive wine comes from (especially white wine)
Which grape variety is mandated across Burgundy except Beaujolais?
Pinot Noir is mandated all across Burgundy except Beaujolais, which uses Gamay
What two grapes are produced in Burgundy?
- Red: Pinot Noir
* White: Chardonnay
Why is Burgundy different to other regions in France?
Burgundy uses only single varietal wines and vineyards
What is the geography of Burgundy?
A long strip running north to south along a river valley
Why are soils so diverse in Burgundy?
Soils are very diverse because Burgundy is located on a fault line
Who is a ‘Negotiant’?
Wine merchants who buy in barrel from growers and blend for sale
Are wines matured in Burgundy?
Yes, they are barrel matured in 250L barrels and made for cellaring
Where is Chablis in Burgundy and what wine do they produce?
Chablis is the most northerly region of Burgundy, producing Chardonnay only
What does the label ‘Monopole’ mean in winemaking?
A rare term, Monopole is reserved for the single ownership of a vineyard by one person
Why is the Rhone Valley of particular interest to Australia?
Rhone Valley is the home of Shiraz, which is Australia’s most important red grape variety
What is the geographical significance of the Rhone Valley?
The Rhone Valley was carved out by glacial erosion
What are the regional grapes from Rhone?
- Red; Syrah (shiraz), Grenache and Mouvedre
* White; Viognier, Roussnne, Marsanne
Is Rhone a monoculture?
No, Rhone has individual vineyards planted with different varieties and harvested together. The wine is made separately and blended later
What is the difference between a field blended wine, and a bench blended wine?
Field blending is made from different varieties of grapes grown in the same field, then fermented at the same time. Bench blending is where you blend two different bottles of wine together post production
What did Bordeaux develop in wine in the 1700s?
Bordeaux developed the concept of aging wine in a bottle and cellaring it to mature its flavour
How much of the amount of wine exported from France comes from Bordeaux?
Almost 50% of all wines exported from France come from Bordeaux
What is “Left Bank”?
Bordeaux wine that 70/30 Cab Sauvignon and Merlot aka “Bordeaux Blend”. Barrel matured
Cooler climate in Left Bank
What is “Right Bank”?
Cabernet Franc and Merlot 60/30 with Cab Sauvignon 10%
What two halves is Bordeaux split up into?
Left bank and right bank
What are the “sticky” wines of Bordeaux?
Sauterne and Barsac wines are dessert wines made with botrytis mainly using Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc
