Various Types and Styles of Wine Flashcards
To learn the basics of the components of wines and their impact on the style.
True or False
There are five types of wine.
False
There are three types of wine:
- Still Wines
- Sparkling Wines
- Fortified Wines
What is the abv for still wines?
The abv for still wines is between 8% - 15%
- The majority are between 11.5% - 14% abv*
- ABV = Alcohol By Volume, and is expressed as a percentage*
What are most still wines named after?
Most still wines are named after the region in which they were produced.
Other wines are named after the grape variety used to make them.
What is the ‘fizz’ in sparkling wines caused by?
The ‘fizz’ in sparkling wines is caused by carbon dioxide gas which is produced by fermentation, and is purposely trapped in the wine.
List three well known examples of sparkling.
- Champagne (France)
- Cava (Spain)
- Prosecco (Italy)
What is the abv of fortified wine and why?
Fortified wines have a higher abv of 15%-22% because extra alcohol is added to the wines.
List two examples of fortified wines from around the world.
- Sherry (Spain)
- Port (Portugal)
What makes up the style of wine?
The color, structural characteristics, aromas and flavors all make up the style of wine.
How is the color of a wine determined?
The color of a wine can be determined by the grape variety used as well as the way the wine is made.
True or False
Rosé wines are made with black grapes
True
Rosé wines are made from black grapes.
The juice is left in contact with the skin for a short period of time before it is drained so that the juice is only lightly colored by the skins.
What are notable structural characteristics?
- Sweetness
- Acidity
- Tannins
- Alcohol
- Body
What causes sweetness?
Sweetness is caused by the presence of sugar in the wine.
How is a dry wine made?
To make a dry wine, the yeast must convert all of the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
What are the two key ways to make a wine with a medium level of sweetness?
- Remove the yeast before all the sugar is converted into alcohol
- Add unfermented grape juice to a dry wine
True or False:
The majority of wines are sweet.
False
The majority of wines are dry.
True or False:
Most wines that have a medium level of sweetness are either white or rosé.
True
There are few truely sweet red wines, except for some dessert style wines.
What are the two key ways of making a sweet wine?
- Use grapes so high in sugar that the yeast stops fermenting before they eat all the sugar.
- In the case of fortified wines, the yeast are killed by the addition of high-strength distilled alcohol before they can eat all the sugar.
Where does acidity in wine come from?
Acidity comes directly from the grape juice.
Acidity gives wine a refreshing characteristic.
How can you recognize acidity in wine?
Acidity makes your mouth water, and it helps balance out sweetness.
True or False:
Tannin is a characteristic only of white wine.
False
Tannin is a characteristic of red wine and comes from the skin of the grapes.
What determines the level of tannin in wine?
Grape variety and how the wine is made
How can you pick out tannins in wine?
Tannins cause your mouth to feel dry, puckery and astringent.
What do full-bodied wines feel like in comparison to light-bodied wines?
Full-bodied wines feel viscous & mouth-filling.
Light-bodied wines feel more delicate.
Where can some aromas and flavors of wines come from?
Aromas and flavors of wines come from a variety of sources. Some come from the grapes while others develop during winemaking and maturation.
