White Grape Varieties Flashcards
Grape varieties unknown outside their country of origin are known as
Indigenous
Grape varieties grown successfully all over the world are known as
International
What species are all of the international (and almost all of the indigenous) grape varieties used to make wine?
Vitis Vinifera
The world’s most widespread white grape variety
Chardonnay
Broadly speaking, Old World Chardonnay tends to be _____ , while New World Chardonnay is more _____ - ______
Subtle, Fruit Forward
Can Chardonnay be bottle aged?
Yes
In the vineyard, what combination of traits brings Chardonnay its body and weight?
Ripens to high sugar levels
Has good levels of extract
What is meant by a wine having a good level of extract?
Concentration of flavor
What must Chardonnay growers worry about happening as grapes ripen?
Too much acidity lost resulting in flabby, uninteresting wines
Where is Chardonnay native to?
Burgundy
What type of soil is ideal for Chardonnay?
Chalk
What type of climate is ideal for Chardonnay
Cool to moderate
Is Chardonnay considered to be an aromatic grape?
No
Name the grape:
Neutral flavor, showing green apples and minerals
Chardonnay
Name 4 techniques that winemakers may use to promote a wider array of aromas and flavors in Chardonnay
• Malolactic Fermentation
• Sur Lie Aging
• Barrel Fermentation
• Barrel Aging
What is the alcohol level of Chardonnay?
Medium to high
What is the acidity range of Chardonnay?
Full range: low, medium, and high depending on growing conditions
The major white grape of Champagne
Chardonnay
Klevner (Germany) is also known as
Chardonnay
Morillon (Austria) is another world for
Chardonnay
Does Chablis normally see oak?
No
Chablis is typically described as being
Mineral
Two Burgundy appellations known for complex, dry Chardonnay
Puligny Montrachet & Meursault
Burgundy appellation known for mouth-filling, luscious Chardonnay
Pouilly Fuissé
Name the grape that may exhibit:
Apricot, Peach, Quince, Apple, Pear, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Grapefruit, Vanilla, Caramel, Butter, Cream, Toasted Bread, Nutty, Toasted Oak, Mineral, Chalk, Flint
Chardonnay
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Citrus Fruit-Driven
Old World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Tropical Fruit-Driven
New World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Granny Smith Apples
Old World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Baked Apples
New World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Butter
Old World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Butterscotch / Caramel
New World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Nuts
Old World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Smoke / Toast
New World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Honey
Old World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Praline, Burnt Sugar
New World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Minerals, Flint
Old World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Vanilla, Ginger, Nutmeg
New World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
High Acid
Old World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Lower Acid
New World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Little use of new oak
Old World
Old World or New World Chardonnay:
Heavy use of new oak
New World
White grape that shows widely different character depending on vineyard, soil, and climate. “Great Chameleon”
Sauvignon Blanc
White grape that is highly aromatic and characterized by high acidity, & crisp flavors. Most wines are dry, light to medium bodied, but can become fuller with barrel aging (used in a minority the wines)
Sauvignon Blanc
What is the soil type for Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley?
Chalk
What is the soil type for Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux
Gravel
What is the soil type for Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand?
Marl
What is the soil type for Sauvignon Blanc in California?
Sand
Sauvignon Blanc in ______________ expresses the flavors of lemon grass & gunflint
Loire Valley
Sauvignon Blanc in ______________ expresses the flavors of oregano, thyme, and tarragon
Bordeaux
Sauvignon Blanc in ______________ expresses the flavors of pink grapefruit and gooseberries
New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc in ______________ expresses the flavors of fig and melon
California
What type of climate does Sauvignon Blanc prefer?
Cool to moderate
Sauvignon Blanc needs to have good _____ _____ or else it can become overly herbaceous
Sun Exposure
Sugar levels in Sauvignon Blanc can be
High
Alcohol levels in Sauvignon Blanc tend to be
Moderate
Sauvignon Blanc is most commonly fermented in
Stainless steel
Is Sauvignon Blanc typically aged?
No
Who created a style of oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc in the 1970’s
Robert Mondavi
What did Robert Mondavi call his oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc?
Fumé Blanc
Is Fumé Blanc trademarked?
No
Fumé Blanc is a legal synonym for
Sauvignon Blanc
Is there a legal requirement that Fumé Blanc be oak-aged?
No
What soft, round varietal is Sauvignon Blanc most often blended with?
Semillon
What are Sauvignon Blanc’s 2 “home” areas in France?
Loire Valley
Bordeaux
Which NZ region is particularly renowned for Sauvignon Blanc?
Marlborough
On which of NZ’s islands can Marlborough be found?
South Island
In which Bordeaux AOC may you find some oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc?
Graves
Name the grape:
Cut Grass, Asparagus, Bell Pepper, Olive, Celery, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Melon, Mango, Pineapple, Kiwi, Gooseberry, Mineral, Flint
Sauvignon Blanc
Oaked or Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc?
• Light-Bodied
• Varietal Flavor-Forward
• Refreshing
Unoaked
Oaked or Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc?
• Medium-Bodied
• Oak Flavor-Forward
• Mouth-Filling
Oaked
Sole international grape without French origins
Riesling
What is the flavor profile of Riesling grown on Blue Slate?
Minerals & Green Apple
What is the flavor profile of Riesling grown on Red Slate?
Peach & Smoke
What is the flavor profile of Riesling grown on Sandy Loams?
Spice & Pineapple
What is the flavor profile of Riesling grown on Volcanic Soils?
Mango, Papaya, & Tropical Fruits
What gives Riesling the power to age well?
High acidity
What is often used to counterbalance the bracing acidity of Riesling?
Stopping fermentation short of dryness / leaving residual sugar
What is the alcohol level of a typical Riesling?
Low
Despite residual sugar, a good balanced Riesling rarely
Tastes sweet
What type of climate does Riesling prefer?
Cool
Riesling buds _____ and ripens _____
Late, late
Neutral fermentation vessels include:
• Stainless steel
• Cement
• Old oak
_____ _____ brings out and rounds out Riesling’s fruitiness
Residual sugar
Riesling is the flagship grape of what country?
Germany
Where in Australia is quality Riesling grown?
Clare Valley & Eden Valley
What grape is also known as Grauer Riesling?
Pinot Gris
What grape is also known as Ruländer?
Pinot Gris
What is Emerald Riesling?
A crossing of Riesling & Muscadelle
What grape is also known as Cape Riesling?
Crouchen Blanc
What grape is also known as Paarl Riesling?
Crouchen Blanc
What grape is also known as Clare Riesling?
Crouchen Blanc
T / F
Welchriesling (Welch Rizling) is totally unrelated to Riesling
True
What grape is also known as Italian Riesling?
Welchsriesling (Welch Rizling)
What grape is also known as Schwarz Riesling?
Pinot Meunier
Riesling is native to
Germany
What grape is being described?
Fine aromatics, enduring acidity, and the special ability to reflect the character of the different regions in which it is grown. It never touches oak.
Riesling
The grape that may exhibit the following:
Rose, Honeysuckle, Orange Blossom, Apricot, Peach, Apple, Pear, Grapefruit, Lime, Pineapple, Lychee, Mineral, Steel, Flint, Petroleum, Gasoline, Almond, Pine Nuts, Game, Leather
Riesling
Cool or Warm Climate Riesling?
Lean, reserved, and light-bodied
Cool
Cool or Warm Climate Riesling?
Opulent, rich, and full-bodied
Warm
Cool or Warm Climate Riesling?
Crisp and high in acid
Cool
Cool or Warm Climate Riesling?
Round and lower in acidity
Warm
Cool or Warm Climate Riesling?
Citrus fruits
Cool
Cool or Warm Climate Riesling?
Tropical fruits
Warm
Grown as an inexpensive white blending component in California’s Central Valley where it can add acidity to flatter wines. High yields.
Chenin Blanc
Where is the home of Chenin Blanc
Loire Valley, France