Testable Grape Tasting notes Flashcards
Visual:
- Bright ruby with purple tones
- Low to Moderate plus
( Low to Medium Minus in basic village wines, with higher concentration in some Cru wines)
- Possible residual gas from Carbonic Maceration)
Aromas / Flavors
- Moderate Plus to High Intensity
Fruit:
- Tart Red Fruit (Strawberry, Red Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant) , Watermelon
Carbonic Maceration Notes:
- Pear Drop, Bubblegum, Cotton Candy, Lifted Red Fruit / Floral Aromatics
Floral:
- Violeta, Lilacs, Peonies
Other:
- Slight Black Pepper, Dry Savory Herbs
Earth:
- Moderate to High Minerality, Wet Granite, Stony, Crushed Rock
Oak:
- None or Neutral Cask
Structure
- Dry
- Moderate Minus to Moderate Body
- Diminished to Moderate Tannin
- Elevated Acidity
- Moderate Alcohol
Gamay ( Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)
Visual:
- Dark Ruby / Purple Color
- Moderate plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors:
- moderate plus intensity
Fruit:
- Black fruit ( Blackcurrant / Cassis, Blackberry, Black Cherry)
- Slight Red Fruit and Plum
Floral:
- Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal / Green:
- Sage, Green Bell Pepper, Mint, Tobacco, Dried Savory Herbs
Spice (Savory):
- Green Peppercorn, Anise, Clove, Exotic Spices
Other:
- Leather, Pencil Shavings, Cedar, Iodine, Medicinal, Game, Cigar Box
Earth:
- Moderate Plus to high Minerality, Graphite, Gravel, Iron, Damp Soil, Mushroom
Oak:
- Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak ( Baking Spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Structure
- Dry
- Moderate to Moderate plus Body
- Elevated Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux (Graves and Medoc)
Visual
- Dark Ruby to Purple Color
- Moderate Plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors:
Fruit:
- ripe / lush black fruit (cassis / black currant, blackberry, black cherry)
- ripe / lush red fruit (red cherry and red plum)
- prune
Floral:
- purple flowers
- Violets
Herbal / Green:
- Intense Green Character, Eucalyptus, Mint, Green Bell Pepper, Sage
Spice (Sweet)
- Licorice / Anise, Coca, Cinnamon, clove, allspice, Nutmeg
Other:
- Cedar, Pencil Shavings, Leather, Cigar Box
Earth:
-Moderate to moderate plus Minerality, Terra Rossa / Red Soils , Loamy / Clay
Oak:
- Moderate to Moderate Plus use of New French or American Oak (Baking spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Structure:
- Dry (with ripe attack)
- Moderate plus body
- elevated tannin
- moderate to elevated acidity
- elevated alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon - Australian
Visual:
- Dark Ruby / Purple Color
- Moderate Plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit:
-Ripe / Lush Black Fruits (Blackcurrant / Cassis, Blackberry, Black Cherry)
- Ripe / Lush Red Fruits ( Red Plum , Raspberry)
Floral:
- purple flowers, violets
Herbal / Green:
- Green Bell Pepper, Capsicum , Green / Black Olive, Mint, Tobacco
Spice (Sweet):
- Anise, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Nutmeg
Other:
- Cedar, Pencil Shavings, Leather, Cigar Box
Earth:
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Minerality, Damp Earth, Mushroom / Compost Iron, Graphite
Oak:
- Moderate Use of New French Oak ( Baking Spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Structure:
- Dry ( Ripe Attack)
- Moderate Plus Body
- Elevated Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon - Chile
Visual: Ruby Color, Slight Orange Rim (even in youth), Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
- Fruit: Cooked to Dried Red Fruits (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), roasted red plum, blackberry, raisin / fig
- Possible Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
- Floral: Red Flowers, Dried Lavender
- Herbal: Herbes de Provence, Garrigue / Wild Brush, Rosemary, Brewed Black Tea, Savory Herbs
- Spices: Curing Spices, Black Pepper, Juniper, Clove, Licorice, Lavender
- Other: Powdered Sugar, Dried Orange / Grapefruit Peel, Old Leather / Brettanomyces
- Earth: Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Stone, Gravelly, Baked Earth
- Oak: Large Neutral Casks (foudres) or Concrete Vats, although some modern special cuvèe styles may incorporate smaller barrels and new oak
- Structure: Dry, Moderate Plus to Full Body, Moderate to Elevated Tannin, Diminished to Moderate Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol
Grenache ( Grenache Noir)
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
AOC: Châteauneuf - du - Pape & Gigondas
Visual: Ruby Color, Slight Orange Rim (even in youth), Moderate Plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
- Fruit: Cooked / Stewed Strawberry, Maraschino Cherry, Prune, Fig, Raisin, Plum Pie
- Possible Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
- Floral: Red Flowers
- Herbal: Mint, Menthol, Eucalyptus, Black Tea Leaf, Dried Savory Herbs
- Spice: Curing Spices, Black Pepper, Licorice
- Other: Powdered Sugar, Possible Old Leather / Brettanomyces
- Earth: Moderate Minerality, Crushed Vitamin
- Oak: Neutral to Moderate Use of New French of American Oak
- Structure: Dry (with a Ripe, Sappy Attack), Moderate Plus to Full Body, Moderate Tannin, Moderate Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol
- Grenache ( Grenache Noir)
Country : Australia
GI: South Australia
Visual: Ruby Color with Garnet Tones, Moderate Plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit:
Blue Fruit (Plum, Blueberry)
Red Fruit: (Strawberry, Raspberry, Red Cherry)
Black Fruit: (Blackberry, Black Cherry), Fig / Fruitcake
Floral:
Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal:
Mint, Bay Leaf, Fern, Tobacco
Spice:
Licorice / Anise, Christmas Spice
Earth:
Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Clay, Mushroom / Truffle
Oak:
Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak, Chocolate, Coffee, Cinnamon, Vanilla
Structure:
Dry, Moderate to Moderate Plus Body, Moderate to Elevated Tannin, Moderate Acidity, Elevated Alcohol
Merlot
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux (Right Bank)
AOC: Saint Emillon or Pomerol
Visual: Ruby Color with Blue Tones, Moderate Plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Stewed Fruit Character Ripe Lush Blue Fruit ( Plum, Blueberry) Ripe Lush Black Fruit ( Blackcurrant) Lush Red Fruit (Red Cherry, Raspberry), Fig, Prune
Floral:
Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal:
Fern, Bay Leaf, Sage
Spice:
Christmas Spice, Licorice / Anise
Earth:
Low to Moderate Minerality
Oak:
Moderate to High Use of New French Oak or Mixed Origin Oak, Chocolate, Coffee,Mocha, Sweet Baking Spices, Vanilla
Structure:
Dry (with Ripe Attack), Moderate Plus to Full Body, Moderate Tannin, Diminished to Moderate Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol
Merlot
Country: United States
AVA: Napa Valley or Sonoma
Visual: Ruby / Garnet Color, Significant Garnet, Orange Rim Variation, Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: High Intensity
- Fruit:
Tart Red Fruit: ( Sour Cherry, Red Plum), Blackberry, Mulberry, Dried Plum / Prune and Dried Cherry
- Significant Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
Floral:
Heady Floral Character, Roses, Violets
Herbal:
Tea Leaf, Tobacco, Bitter Root, Tree Bark
Spice:
Licorice, Anise, Resin, Slight Clove / Cinnamon Spice
Other:
Tar, Leather
Earth:
High Minerality, Truffle, Mushroom, Dust, Organic Earth
Oak:
Neutral Large Cask ( Slavonian Oak and Chestnut Botti are considered traditional casks for Barolo)
Structure:
Dry, Medium to Full Body, High Tannin, Elevated to High Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol
Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmonte
DOCG: Barolo or Barbaresco
Visual: Ruby / Purple Color, Moderate Plus to High Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart / Ripe
- Black Fruit (Blackberry, Black Cherry, Black Plum)
- Blue Fruit: Blueberry , Boysenberry
- Red Fruit: Raspberry
Possible Carbonic Maceration and / or Stem Inclusion
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Lavender, Violets
Herbal / Green: Black / Green Olives, Green Peppercorn, Herbes de Provence, Rosemary
Spice: White / Black Pepper, Curing Spices, Juniper
Other: Tar, Hung / Cured Meat, Smoke, Bacon Fat, Band - Aid (Brettanomyces)
Earth: moderate plus to High Minerality, Granite, Crushed Rock
Oak: Neutral Barrel / Cask or Low to Moderate use of New French Oak
Structure:
- Bone Dry to Dry
- Moderate Plus Body
- Moderate to Elevated Tannin
- Elevated to High Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Syrah - Northern Rhône ( France)
Visual: Opaque, Dark Purple Color, High Concentration, Deep Stained Tears
Aromas / Flavors: High Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
- Black Fruit: Blackberry, Cassis
- Blue Fruit: Blueberry, Plum
- Dried Fruit: Fig, Raisin, Date, Raspberry Liqueur, Mulberry
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Lavender (less prominent, than in Northern Rhône examples)
Herbal / Green: Eucalyptus, Mint / Methol, Herbes de Provence, Rosemary
Spice: Blackpepper, Dried Savory Spices, Licorice, Christmas Spices / Fruitcake
Other: Bitter Chocolate, Smoke, Grilled Meat
Earth: Low to Moderate Minerality
Oak: Low to High Use of New American or French Oak, Vanilla, Coconut, Dill, Chocolate, Mocha, Baking Spices, Cumin, Curry / Febugreek, Maple
Structure:
- Dry
- Full Body
- Moderate to Elevated Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Elevated to High Alcohol
Shiraz - South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria (Australia)
Visual:
- Dark Ruby / Purple Color with Blue Tones
- Moderate Plus to High Concentration
- Electric Pink Rim
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus to High Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
- Black Fruit: Black Raspberry, Black Cherry, Blackberry
- Blue fruit: Concord grape jam, blueberry, plum
- Red Fruit: Raspberry Liqueur, Fig, Raisin, Prune
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Violets, Damson Flowers (floral aromatics are especially expressive in higher altitude wines)
Herbal / Green: Malbec may have slight green notes
Earth:Moderate Minus to Moderate Minerality, Clay / Mud
Oak: Low to High Use of New French and or American Oak, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Chocolate, Cinnamon
Structure:
- Dry (with Ripe Attack)
- Full Body
- Elevated Tannin
- Diminished to Moderate Acidity
- Elevated to High Alcohol
Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina
Visual:
- Light Ruby / Ruby Color
- Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart to Just Ripe
- Red Fruit: Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Wild Strawberry
- Black Fruit: Possible Black Cherry, Beet / Beetroot, Tomato
Possible Stem Inclusion
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Violets, Lilac, Potpourri
Herbal / Vegetable: Tea Leaf, Dried Herbs, Fennel, Rhubarb, Sweet Squash
Spice: Red Licorice, Anise, Clove
Other: Game, Leather
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Flouride, Limestone, Mushroom / Forest Floor, Damp Leaves
Oak: Neutral to High Use of French Oak, Toast, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Baking Spices, Cinnamon, Roasted Nut, Caramel (Côte de Nuits producers use higher percentage of new oak than their counterparts in the Côte de Beaune)
Structure:
- Dry
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Body
- Diminished to Elevated Tannin
- Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Côte d’Or - France
Visual:
- High Clarity
- Bright Ruby Color
- Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
Red Fruit: Strawberry Jam, Cherry, Raspberry
Black Fruit: Blackcherry, Plum, Prune
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal: Tea Leaf, Citrus Zest / Peel
Spice: Red Licorice, Clove, Cinnamon
Other: Cola, Cola Nut
Earth: Moderate Minerality
Oak: Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak (1/3 or more new barrels), Toast, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Baking Spices, Clove, Cinnamon, Roasted Nut, Caramel
Structure:
- Dry (with ripe attack)
- Moderate plus body
- Moderate Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - California
Visual:
- Ruby
- Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
- Red Fruit: Strawberry, Cherry, Raspberry
- Black Fruit: Black Cherry
- Blue Fruit: Blueberry
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal: Tea Leaf, Citrus Zest / Peel, Tomato Leaf
Spice: Red Licorice, Oak Spices
Other: Cola, Cola Nut
Earth: Moderate Plus Minerality, Wet Leaves, Compost, Mushroom, Forest Floor
Oak: Moderate to High Use of French Oak, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Coffee, Chocolate, Caramel
Structure:
- Dry (with ripe attack)
- Moderate Plus Body
- Diminished to Moderate Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Williamette Valley - Oregon
Visual
- light Ruby with slightly garnet tones
- Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration (concentration and color may be darker if the wine is a blend)
Aroma / Flavors:
Fruit: Tart / Dried
- Red Fruit: Sour Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant, Red Apple, Tomato
- Black Fruit: Black Cherry, Mulberry
Floral: Dried Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal / Green: Fennel, Roasted Savory Herbs, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Camphor, Bitter Root
Spice: Clove, Smoke (Brettanomyces Indictators), Coffee / Oak Spices
Other: Sanguine / Blood, Balsamic, Animal, Leather, Tar
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Clay, Crushed Rock, Baked Earth
Oak:
- none or large neutral cask with possible mixed use of French oak barriques ( classic examples do not see any significant new wood)
Structure:
- Bone Dry to Dry
- Moderate to moderate plus body
- Elevated to high tannin
- Elevated to high acidity
- Moderate to elevated alcohol
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Chianti Classico - Italy
Visual
- Dark Ruby with slightly garnet rim variation
- Moderate Plus Concentration
Aroma / Flavors:
Fruit: Tart / Dried
- Red Fruit: Sour Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant, Red Apple, Tomato
- Black Fruit: Black Cherry, Mulberry
Floral: Dried Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal / Green: Fennel, Roasted Savory Herbs, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Camphor, Bitter Root
Spice: Clove, Smoke (Brettanomyces Indictators), Coffee / Oak Spices
Other: Sanguine / Blood, Balsamic, Animal, Leather, Tar
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Clay, Crushed Rock, Baked Earth
Oak:
- large neutral cask with possible mixes use of French Oak Barriques
Structure:
- Bone Dry to Dry
- Full Body
- Elevated to high tannin
- Elevated to high acidity
- Elevated alcohol
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Brunello di Montalcino - Italy
Visual:
- Ruby
- Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration
Aroma / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart / Dried
- Red Fruit: Cherry, Strawberry, Red Currant, Sour Asian Plum, Dried Plum
Significant Oxidation and Brettanomyces for Gran Reserva Styles
Floral: Red and Dried Flowers
Herbal: Tobacco , Dill
Other: Sweet and Sour Sauce, Iodine, Leather, Spice
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Baked Earth, Clay, Compost
Oak: Low to Moderate Use of New American or Mixed American / French Barrels ( Long Aging in Oak for Reserva and Gran Reserva Styles), vanilla, coconut, dill, cumin, curry, fenugreek, sandalwood
Structure:
- Dry
- Moderate Plus Body
- Elevated Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Tempranillo - Rioja - Spain
Visual
- Ruby / Dark Ruby
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Concentration ( color and concentration are highly affected by blending other varieties)
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus to High Intensity of Aromas
Fruit: Ripe / Jammy
- Red Fruit: Raspberry, Cranberry Jam, Raisin, Fig, Cherry Compote, apricot, peach yogurt
- Black Cherry: Blackberry, Cassis
- Blue Fruit: Blueberry
Non - Fruit: Black pepper, Briar, Slight Potting Soil / Turned Earth
Oak: Neutral to Moderate Use of New American Oak, French Oak, of Mixed Barrels: Vanilla, Sawdust, Coconut, Chocolate, Mocha, Coffee, Caramel, Dillwood, Cinnamon
Structure:
- Dry (often with perceptible RS)
- Full Body
- Moderate Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Elevated to High Alcohol
Zinfandel - California
Visual
- Pale Straw / Straw with hints of Green
- Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Intensity
Fruit: Tart to Ripe
- Tree fruit: Green Apple, Yellow Apple, Green Pear
- Citrus: Lemon
Sulphuric Note (especially in youth): Fling, Burnt Match, Slight Cabbage
Oxidative Notes (if neutral barrels are employed): Hazelnut, Almond, Chesse Rind
Floral: Faint white Flowers, Apple Blossoms, Hasthorne Acacia
Earth: High Minerality, Stony, Chalk, Saline / Seaspray, oyster shell, Button Mushroom
Oak: None or Neutral Barrel
Struture:
- Bone Dry to Dry
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Body
- Elevated to High Acidy
- Moderate Alcohol
Chardonnay - Chablis - France
Visual:
straw to yellow / pale gold
Moderate to Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit:
Tree Fruits: Green / Yellow Apple, Pear, Quince
Citrus: Lemon, Melon
Stone Fruit: White Peach, Yellow Cherry
Sulphuric Note (especially in youth): Flint, Burnt Match, Slight Cabbage
Oxidative Notes: Almond, Hazelnut, Cheese Rind
Malolactic Notes: Slight Butter, Crème Fraiche / Sour Cream
Floral: White Flowers, Acacia, Hawthorne, Honeysuckle, Apple Blossoms
Other: Slight Spice, Slight Savory Herbs
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Limestone, Button Mushroom
Oak: Low to high use of French oak, toffee, salted caramel, butterscotch, sweet baking spices, cinnamon, toast, smoke
Bottle Age Aromas: Truffle, Honey, Nut
Structure:
- dry
- moderate to full body
- elevated acidity
- moderate to elevated alcohol
Chardonnay - Côte de Beaune - France
Visual
- yellow / pale gold
- moderate plus concentration
Aromas / Flavors
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe
Tree Fruits: Yellow Apple, Baked Pears
Citrus Fruit: Meyer Lemon , Ripe Apricot, Melon
Tropical Fruits: Pineapple, Mango
Floral: White Flowers, Apple Blossoms, Honeysuckle
Oxidative Notes: Hazelnut, Almond
Malolactic Notes: Butter, Yogurt, Crème Fraiche / Sour Cream
Other: Sweet / Canned Corn
Earth: Low Minerality, Sight Limestone
Oak: Moderate to high use of French Oak, Toffee, Salted Caramel, Butterscotch, Sweet Baking Spices, Vanilla, Pie Crust, Toast
Structure
- Dry (may have slight RS)
- Moderate Plus to full body
- Moderate Acidity
- Elevated Alcohol
Chardonnay - Oak Driven - California
Visual
- Pale Straw with Hints of Green
- Moderate Minus Concentration
- Slight Residual Gas ( in youth)
Aromas / Flavors:
- Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe
Citrus: Orange, Meyer Lemon, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Melon
Stone Fruit: white peach, peach pit, apricot, nectorine
Tree Fruit: Green Apple
Floral:
- White and Yellow Flowers
- Citrus and Apple Blossoms
Other: Bubblegum, Agave, Slight Beer Yeast, Leesy, Saline, Possible ML fermentation
Earth:Moderate Plus Minerality
Oak: None
Structure:
- Dry
- Moderate Body
- Elevated Acidity
- Moderate Alcohol
Albariño - Rías Baixas - Spain
Visual
Pale Straw / Straw with hints of green
Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors:
Moderate to Moderate Plus Intensity of Aromas
Fruit:
Tree Fruit: Green, Golden, Oxidized Apple, Quince, Yellow Pear
Citrus: Tangerine , Orange, Lemon
Sulphuric Notes in youth
Oxidative Notes: Slightly Bruised Apple, Bitter Nut, Almond, Cheese Rind / Soft Cheese
Floral: Orange Blossoms, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Fragrant White Flowers
Herbal: Chamomile / Herbal Tea, Medicinal Notes, Dandelion Greens, Wasabi, Savory Herbs, Tree Bark
Botrytis: Honey (particularly with Bottle Age), Ginger, Marmalade
Other: Wet Wool, Lanolin
Earth: Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Damp Straw, Limestone / Tuffeau, Wet Stones, White Mushroom
Oak: None or Neutral Cask
Structure:
- Dry to Off Dry (examples typically have slight RS)
- Moderate Body
- High Acidity
- Diminished to Moderate Alcohol
Chenin Blanc - Vouvray - Loire Valley - France
