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Wine Appreciation > White Wine, Set 1 > Flashcards

White Wine, Set 1 Flashcards

Learn about the provenance and flavor profiles of the crisp, lighter-bodied white wines Riesling, Albariño, Cortese, and Pinot Grigio, which go down like cool water on a hot day!

1
Q

What climate does Riesling prefer?

A

Cool to moderate

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2
Q

Is Riesling naturally high or low in acidity?

A

Naturally high

The benefit of this naturally high acidity is that it beautifully balances Riesling’s ripeness and high levels of sweetness (residual sugar).

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3
Q

True or false?

Riesling is highly susceptible to Botrytis/noble rot.

A

TRUE

This, among other factors, makes Riesling an excellent candidate for crafting Botrytis-affected (sweet / dessert) wines.

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4
Q

Describe Riesling’s general profile.

Try to list 5 points

A
  1. Fruit-forward (apple, peach, citrus)
  2. Pronounced floral notes (honeysuckle, blossom)
  3. High acidity
  4. Can be made dry to lusciously sweet
  5. Can be light to full bodied
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5
Q

What are the different aroma/flavor fruit profiles found in just-ripe Riesling vs. extra-ripe Riesling?

A

Just-ripe

  • Green apples
  • Green pears
  • Sour citrus (lemon, lime)

Extra-ripe

  • Stone fruits (peach, apricot)
  • Tropical fruits (mango, pineapple)
  • Dried fruits (golden raisins)
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6
Q

In what 2 ways do off-dry or medium-dry Rieslings get their sweetness?

A
  1. Interrupting fermentation and filtering/removing yeast, leaving the wine with some residual sugar
  2. Adding sterile, naturally sweet grape juice after fermentation

The name for the second method is süssreserve, which is how winemakers can sweeten a wine that’s already undergone fermentation.

Süssreserve is done predominantly for cheaper/supermarket wines.

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7
Q

Why do winemakers typically ferment Riesling in stainless steel or other inert vessels, rather than oak?

A

Oak imparts unwanted flavors that would obstruct Riesling’s delicate floral and fruity aromas.

Stainless steel helps Riesling retain those hallmark fruit and floral aromas and flavors. The same philosophy applies to other aromatic white grape varietals like Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris.

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8
Q

What structural element helps Riesling age well?

A

High acidity

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9
Q

Name 2 tertiary flavors that aged Riesling can develop.

Tertiary flavors/aromas are those that develop with aging and oxidation.

A
  • Honey
  • Petrol (gasoline/Vasoline)

Detecting notes of petrol or gasoline on your wine might seem strange but it actually comes down to the development, with age, of a chemical compound called TDN (1,1,6-Trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, if you wanted to get real nerdy).

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10
Q

Which 3 regions in Germany are famous for making great Riesling?

A
  1. Mosel
  2. Rheingau
  3. Pfalz (pronounced “false”)
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11
Q

Decribe the style of a typical Mosel Riesling.

A
  • Light bodied
  • Off-dry/medium

Mosel is the most northerly situated—and therefore coolest—of the German regions, so it tends to produce the lightest-bodied Rieslings.

It’s the long dry autumns, the location of nearby rivers, and stony soils—which reflect sunlight into the vineyard and absorb it, generating warmth—that allow the grapes to ripen in this otherwise cool climate.

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12
Q

Decribe the style of a typical Rheingau Riesling.

A
  • Fuller-bodied than Mosel Riesling
  • Drier

Rheingau’s vineyards are located on the north bank of the Rhine River, facing south, which exposes them to optimal sunshine.

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13
Q

Decribe the style of a typical Pfalz Riesling.

A
  • Medium-bodied (some fuller)
  • Dry or off-dry

Located in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains, Pfalz has a sunny and dry climate with a long growing season. This helps it produce medium-bodied, dry, and textural Rieslings.

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14
Q

Which region in France is known for its dry, intensely-flavored Rieslings?

A

Alsace

Alsace is one of the sunniest and driest regions in all of France, which contributes to the development of those concentrated fruit flavors in its Rieslings (and other wines).

Like Pfalz, which is really just an extension of that same growing region in Germany, Alsace lies in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains.

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15
Q

Which direction do most vineyards face in Alsace?

A

East and southeast

Because the grapes in Alsace see mostly morning sun, which is gentler than the hot afternoon sun, the growing season tends to be long and steady, which builds the flavor intensity in the grapes.

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16
Q

What are the top, individual vineyards in Alsace called?

A

Grand Cru

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17
Q

Late-harvested grapes in Alsace carry what term on the label?

A

Vendanges tardives

VT

Vendange tardive means “late harvest” in French.

By leaving the grapes to hang on the vine until they start to dehydrate and turn into raisins, winemakers can intentionally concentrate the sugars and flavors in the grapes prior to harvesting.

The resultant wines are, therefore, sweet with a different fruit profile.

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18
Q

What 2 higher-elevation appellations in South Australia are known for their dry, piercing, refreshing Rieslings?

A
  1. Eden Valley
  2. Clare Valley

Rieslings from Clare Valley and Eden Valley are dry and also known to have pronounced lime notes.

Australia first start growing Riesling in the early 1800s.

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19
Q

What is one of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to Riesling?

A

Misconception: Rieslings are always sweet wines.

Reality: Rieslings have huge differences in quality, ripeness, and sweetness levels.

High-quality Rieslings are versatile, age-worthy, and deliciously flavorful and can be made in many different styles, including dry, as is typical of Alsace or Australian Rieslings.

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20
Q

In Germany, what term is equivalent to Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)?

A

Landwein

Wines with a “Landwein” designation are usually light bodied and made dry or off-dry.

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21
Q

In Germany, what are the 2 terms for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) designation wines?

A
  • Qualitätswein
  • Prädikatswein

To be labelled Qualitätswein or Prädikatswein, the grapes must come from one of the 13 wine regions within Germany and meet the following requirements:

Qualitätswein: Grapes must achieve higher level of ripeness than Landwein

Prädikatswein: Grapes must have a higher level of sugar at time of harvest than Qualitätswein

22
Q

Name the 6 Prädikatswein categories from lowest sugar level to highest.

A
  1. Kabinett
  2. Spätlese
  3. Auslese
  4. Eiswein
  5. Beerenauslese
  6. Trockenbeerenauslese

The first three of which may be made in a dry style.

When shopping for German Riesling, look out for these terms on the label of the wine because they will tell you how ripe the grapes were (and how much sugar was in them) at the time of harvest.

In other words, grapes harvested to make a Kabinett Riesling would be the least ripe and have the lowest level of sugar relative to a Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling, which is made from grapes that are the ripest and have the highest level of sugar.

23
Q

What term is used on German wine labels indicating the wine is dry?

A

Trocken

24
Q

What does the term halbtrocken mean?

A

Slightly sweet

Directly translated, it means “half dry”

25
Q

Why would an Auslese Trocken Riesling have a higher in alcohol content than either a Kabinett Trocken or Spätlese Trocken Riesling?

A
  1. Rieslings harvested at Auslese ripeness will have more sugar
  2. The yeasts will eat all that extra sugar
  3. This results in the wine having increased alcohol levels
26
Q

How do winemakers ensure that the grapes harvested for Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein have more concentrated sugars?

A

They let them hang on the vine after harvest is normally completed.

Spending more time on the vine, later into the season allows the grapes to ripen even further and lose moisture and become more concentrated in sugars and fruit flavors.

27
Q

What do you call a wine that’s made from grapes that were frozen on the vine?

A

Eiswein

Literal translation: ice wine

Due to the unpredictability of the weather and the fact that freezing conditions may not befall a vineyard at the time of harvest, Eisweins are not made every year.

28
Q

Which 2 of the 6 Prädikatswein categories must have Botrytis-affected grapes?

A
  • Beerenauslese
  • Trockenbeerenauslese

These are the two sweetest grape categories

29
Q

What’s the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris?

A

Nothing! They’re the same grape variety named differently depending on the country of cultivation.

In France, it’s called Pinot Gris and in Italy, Pinot Grigio.

30
Q

In what climates does Pinot Gris/Grigio like to grow?

A

Cool to moderate climates

31
Q

In what 2 distinct styles is Pinot Gris/Grigio typically made?

A
  1. A simple, dry, light bodied wine with high acidity (grapes harvested early: Italian style)
  2. A complex, fuller-bodied wine with medium acidity and laden with flavor (grapes harvested later: Alsatian style).
32
Q

To help retain Pinot Gris/Grigio’s fruit flavors, in what vessel is it likely to be fermented?

A

An inert vessel, such as stainless steel.

33
Q

When are light, simple styles of Pinot Grigio, like Italian Pinot Grigio, best consumed?

A

In their youth

This is important because the simple flavors of these wines diminish 6-24 months after release.

34
Q

When an intense, complex-styled Pinot Gris is left to age, what flavors can it develop?

Try mention 3

A

Ginger, honey, candied citrus

35
Q

What 2 appellations in northern Italy are known for their light, simple, and inexpensive Pinot Grigio?

A
  1. Veneto IGT
  2. delle Venezie DOC

Both of these areas produce high-volume Pinot Grigio.

36
Q

Where in Italy can you find a more structured, fruity, and full-bodied style of Pinot Grigio?

A

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

37
Q

Which region in France is known for its Pinot Gris?

A

Alsace

If you see “Alsace Grand Cru AOP” on a wine label, you know that wine came from a specific (special) vineyard within this appellation.

Alsace Grand Cru AOP vineyards grow on the east/southeast-facing slopes of the Vosges Mountains, where they receive plenty of morning sunshine, helping them produce grapes that are riper and have fuller flavor.

Next time you find a bottle, go ahead and try it!

38
Q

How do Alsatian Pinot Gris typically compare with Italian Pinot Grigio?

A

Alsatian Pinot Gris are deliciously complex and rich in style compared to Italian Pinot Grigios, which are lighter and simpler in style.

Sweetness and body can vary:

  • Dry to medium-sweet
  • Medium to full body

Fruit profile and acidity are consistent:

  • Peach
  • Mango
  • Ginger
  • Medium acidity
39
Q

Name 3 grapes suitable for Alsace Grand Cru AOP status.

A
  1. Riesling
  2. Pinot Gris
  3. Gewürztraminer
40
Q

What is it about the Alsace Grand Cru sites that make them different from regular Alsace AOP vineyards?

A
  • They are on steeper slopes
  • Receive more sunlight
  • Produce grapes that are riper and have fuller flavor
41
Q

Which French region is the only one that permits vendanges tardives?

Vendanges tardives’ is French for “Late Harvest”

A

Alsace

Wines that have “Vendanges Tardives” or “VT” on the label indicate that the wine is going to medium to sweet.

42
Q

If a wine is labeled Pinot Grigio, what style would you expect it to be?

List 4 attributes

A

Very much Italian in style!

  • Light
  • Simple
  • High acid
  • Unoaked
43
Q

If a wine is labeled Pinot Gris, what style would you expect it to be?

List 4 attributes

A

Very much Alsatian in style!

  • Fuller body
  • More complex
  • Medium acidity
  • Ripe stone and tropical fruits
44
Q

What climate does Albariño prefer to grow in?

A

Cool to moderate

Albariño is a white grape varietal that grows on the Iberian Peninsula and is used to make deliciously refreshing coastal white wines.

Never heard of it? We cover dozens of grape varietals in these flashcards—some, like Albariño, you may never have heard of before—so for guidance on the ones you should definitely know, check out: ‘What international wine varietals should you know?’

45
Q

Describe the typical profile of an Albariño wine

Try to list 6 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Medium body
  3. High acidity
  4. Citrus (lemon, grapefruit)
  5. Stone fruit (peach)
  6. No oak

Some wine folk like to describe Albariño as having the nose of Viognier but feeling like dry Riesling on the palate!

46
Q

Why would Albariño benefit from lees contact?

A

Lees add a creamy texture to the wine, which adds body and balances Albariño’s naturally high acidity.

47
Q

What appellation in Spain is known for its Albariño?

A

Rías Baixas DO

(pronounced: REE-ahs BY-shas)

Headquartered in the city of Pontevedra in Galicia, Rías Baixas DO occupies a lush green corridor of northwest Spain on the Atlantic coast.

48
Q

Why is Rías Baixas DO known for the production of refreshing white wines such as Albariño?

A

Rías Baixas DO is close to or on the Atlantic Ocean, giving the region cool breezes, plentiful rain, and cloud cover.

The region’s wines, most notably Albariño, derive natural elegance from their misty, coastal terroir, making them a wonderful pairing for local, Atlantic-caught seafood.

49
Q

What white grape goes into Gavi DOCG?

A

Cortese

Cortese is a white Italian grape varietal that’s grown predominantly in the southeastern areas of Piedmont, Italy in the provinces of Alessandria and Asti.

50
Q

Describe the profile of Cortese.

Try mention 6 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Light body
  3. High acid
  4. Gentle floral notes (blossom)
  5. Light citrus (lemon)
  6. Crisp orchard fruit (pear, apple)

Cortese is known for its bracing acidity and freshness, even when grown in warm climates.

51
Q

Is most Gavi DOCG made to age or to drink in its youth?

A

To drink in its youth

52
Q

Is most Gavi fermented in stainless steel / inert vessels or in lots of new oak?

A

Stainless steel or other inert vessel

Wine Appreciation (16 decks)

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