White Grape Varieties Flashcards
Riesling grape characteristics
Buds late - avoids spring frost
Mid to late ripening
Can ripen on vine without losing acidity
Tolerant of cool climates
Riesling aromas and flavours
Cooler climates: green fruit and floral notes
Warmer climates: Richer, citrus and stone fruits
Key Riesling regions
Germany
Alsace
Austria
Clare Valley, Eden Valley
NZ
US - Finger Lakes, Washington
Sauvignon Blanc Grape
Early ripening
Cool climate
High acidity / Highly aromatic / Refreshing
Sauvignon Blanc aromas and flavours
Generally: Green apple / asparagus / wet pebbles
Marlborough (cool weather but long hours of sunlight): Vibrant / powerful / gooseberry / elderflower / grapefruit / passionfruit / herbaceous
Sauvignon Blanc key regions
NZ - Marlborough. Martinborough
France - Sancerre, Pouily Fume, Pessac Leognan (blended with Semillon & oaked)
Margaret River
Chile
South Africa
California
Describe Gewurtztraminer wine Characteristics
Cooler climate
Very aromatic
Low-med acidity / full body / oily character / high alcohol.
Roses / lychees /sweet baking spices / pink grapefruit / tangerine / guava
Dry - sweet
Alsace - Vendanges Tardives (Late Harvest) & Selection de Grain Nobles (botrytised)
Describe Chardonnay grape characteristics?
- Early budding - can suffer from spring frosts
- Can grow in a wide variety of climates
- Loses acidity quickly at end of ripening, timing of harvest is critical
What does Chardonnay wine taste like?
- Cooler climates: green fruit, citrus, high acidity
- Moderate climates: more fleshy fruits - peach and melon
- Warmer - Ripe / tropical fruits
- Generally: Dry / body - Med+ to full / Acid - Med to High / ABV Med to High / Intensity Med + on pallate but Med - on the nose
Describe the various Chardonnay Regions?
- Oaked / Rich / Creamy - California, Chile, Australia, Argentina, Spain, Cote de Beaune
- Unoaked / Light / Zesty - Maconnais, Chablis, WA
What winemaking techniques are used to make Cahrdonnay?
- Subtle flavours make it a “blank canvas” for winemakers
- Most go through MLF
- Extended lees ageing & stirring
- Oak fermentation
- Oak maturation
- Acidification in warmer climates
Describe Pinot Grigio / Gris Grape Variety
- Early budding & early ripening
- Warm climates - leave grapes on vine it can accumulate higher sugar
- Can also be grown in cooler climates
What are the characteristics of Pinot Grigio / Gris wine?
- Dry to Off Dry to Sweet
- Intensity of nose - Med-
- Acidity - Med to Med+
- Yellow apple / lemon / melon / nectarine / peach / lime / apricot / honey
- Can have an oily texture
- Skins have deep colour so often used to make skin contact whites with complexity and texture
Key regions for Pinot Grigio / Gris
- Alsace
- Alto Adidge / Trentino / Friuli- Venezia Guilia all make high quality
- Veneto plain lower quality
- NZ
- Germany
