Varietal Specifics Flashcards
1
Q
Pinot Noir
A
Thin skin Acidity: High Tannin: Low to medium Red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry) Typically single varietal, not much oak Can make sparking Climate: cool/moderate
2
Q
Zinfandel / Primitivo
A
Ripens unevenly High sugar levels Acidity: Medium to high Tannin: Medium to high Rose and red wines Red often oaked Aged: earth, meat Climate: warm
3
Q
Riesling
A
Acidity: High
Susceptible to botrytis / noble rot
Aromatic
Aged: honey, petrol
Fruit according to ripeness
*(just ripe) apple > lemon > peach > pineapple > apricot (extra ripe)
OR
*(just ripe) apple > nectarine > mango (extra ripe)
Climate: cool/moderate
4
Q
Chenin Blanc
A
Acidity: High Susceptible to botrytis / noble rot Many harvest options Sweetness: Dry to sweet Oaked or not Aged: dried fruit, honey, nuts Flavor based on ripeness... (just ripe) apple > lemon > peach > pineapple > mango (extra ripe) Climate: Cool/moderate/warm (versatile)
5
Q
Sémillon / Semillon
A
Acidity: medium to high Susceptible to botrytis / noble rot Many harvest options Sweetness: Dry to sweet Body: Light to full Oaked or not Sometimes blended w/sauv blanc Can age VG Development: (youthful) apple, grass, lemon > marmalade, hazelnuts, raisins (fully developed) Climate: moderate/warm
6
Q
Furmint
A
Acidity: high Susceptible to botrytis / noble rot Sweetness: dry to sweet Oaked or not Aged: dried fruit, caramel, nuts Climate: moderate
7
Q
Chardonnay
A
Acidity: medium to high Dry Body: light to full Range of winemaking techniques Used for sparkling Aged: hazelnut, mushroom Climate + ripeness: (cool/least ripe) apple > lemon > nectarine > banana > pineapple (warm/most ripe) Climate: cool, moderate, warm (versatile)
8
Q
Sauv Blanc
A
Acidity: high Sweetness: typically dry Aromatic Herbaceous Floral Fruit: green, citrus, tropical Typically unoaked Typically single varietal (sometimes blended with semillon) Typically for early drinking Ripeness: (least) wet stones, grass, bell pepper, asparagus, flowers > apple, lemon, green currants > nectarines (most) Climate: cool to moderate
9
Q
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
A
Typically unoaked
Aged: honey, ginger
Climate: cool to moderate
Grigio: Sweetness: Dry Acidity: high Body: light Simple Apple, lemon
Gris: Dry, off-dry, medium Acidity: medium Body: full Complex Banana, peach, mango
10
Q
Gewurztraminer
A
Acidity: low to medium Aromatic Floral: rose Stone fruit: peach, apricot Tropical: lychee Sweetness: dry to sweet Body: full Typically unoaked Aged: honey, dried fruit Climate: cool to moderate
11
Q
Viognier
A
Acidity: low to medium Alcohol: high Aromatic Floral (blossom) ... stone fruit (peach, apricot) Sweetness: typically dry Body: medium to full Oaked or not Single varietal or blended Climate: moderate
12
Q
Albariño
A
Acidity: high Citrus (lemon, grapefruit) ... stone (peach, apricot) Sweetness: typically dry Body: medium Oaked or not Single varietal Typically for early drinking Climate: moderate
13
Q
Merlot
A
Acidity: medium Tannin: medium Fruit according to ripeness: (least) bell pepper > strawberry > red cherry > blueberry > blackberry (most) Simple or complex Body: light to full Oaked or not Aged: dried fruit, tobacco Climate: moderate/warm
14
Q
Cab Sauv
A
Thick skin Acidity: high Tannin: high Simple or complex Body: medium to full Oak common Black fruit Herbaceous Ripeness: (least) bell pepper > black currants > black cherries (most) Aged: dried fruit, earth, forest floor Climate: moderate/warm
15
Q
Syrah / Shiraz
A
Thick skin Tannin: medium to high Acidity: medium to high Single varietal or blended Body: medium to full Oak common Black fruit Spice Ripeness: (least) blackberry, black cherry, licorice Aged: dried fruit, leather, meat, earth Climate: moderate/warm
16
Q
Gamay
A
Acidity: high Tannin: low to medium Red fruit (raspberry, red cherry, red plum) ... can have banana/candy Body: typically light Typically unoaked Typically for early drinking Climate: moderate
17
Q
Grenache / Garnacha
A
Thin skin Tannin: low to medium Acidity: low High sugar levels Red fruit (strawberry, red plum, red cherry) ... spice (white pepper, licorice) Often blended Oaked or not Red or rose Aged: earth, meat, dried fruit, caramel Climate: warm
18
Q
Tempranillo
A
Acidity: medium Tannin: medium Red fruit (strawberry, red cherry) ... black fruit (blackberry, black plum) Simple or complex Body: light to full Oaked or not Blended or single varietal Aged: dried fruit, leather, mushroom Climate: moderate to warm
19
Q
Carmenère
A
Acidity: medium to high Tannin: high Herbaceous (green bell pepper) ... herbal (eucalyptus) ... black fruit (blackberry) Blended or single varietal Body: full Often oaked Aged: leather earth Climate: warm
20
Q
Malbec
A
Tannin: high Black fruit (blackberry, black plum) Blended or single varietal Body: full Often oaked Aged: dried fruit, meat Climate: warm
21
Q
Pinotage
A
Acidty: high Tannin: medium Red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry) ... takes on oak flavor (coffee, chocolate, smoke) VG can be aged Blended or single varietal Body: medium to full Climate: warm
22
Q
Garganega
A
Acidity: high Fruit... Green (apple, pear) ... citrus (lemon) ... stone (peach) Sweetness: dry or sweet Body: medium Unoaked Typically for early drinking Aged: honey, almond
23
Q
Verdicchio
A
Acidity: high Green (apple, pear) ... citrus (lemon) ... herbal (fennel) Sweetness: dry Body: medium Unoaked Typically for early drinking Aged: honey, nuts
24
Q
Fiano
A
Acidity: medium Stone (peach) ... tropical (melon, mango) Sweetness: dry Body: medium to full Oaked or not Can be aged on lees Typically for early drinking Aged: honey, nuts
25
Q
Nebbiolo
A
Acidity: high Tannin: high Red fruit (red cherry, red plum) ... floral (rose, violet) ... herbal (dried herbs) Typically single varietal Body: typically full Oak common Aged: mushroom, tobacco, leather
