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Wine Appreciation > White Wine, Set 2 > Flashcards

White Wine, Set 2 Flashcards

This deck takes a peek under the skirts of the white wines that range from light- to medium-bodied, including Semillon, Verdicchio, Fiano, Garganega, and Sauvignon Blanc.

1
Q

In what kind of climates does Sémillon like to grow?

A

Moderate and warm climates

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2
Q

What are the typical aromas/flavors of a young Sémillon?

mention 3

A
  • Green apple
  • Lemon/citrus
  • Grass
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3
Q

Describe the typical body and acidity range of a Sémillon.

A
  • Light-bodied to full-bodied
  • Medium acidity to high acidity
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4
Q

What is France’s most important region for Sémillon?

A

Bordeaux

Here, Sémillon is made as a still wine, both dry and sweet.

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5
Q

Which other grape variety is commonly blended with Sémillon in wines labeled Bordeaux AOC?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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6
Q

What are Sauternes AOC wines and what would you expect from one?

A

Sauternes is a sub-region within Bordeaux that’s known for its Sémillon.

The wines made here are always still, sweet, and affected by Botrytis.

In other words, if it says “Sauternes” on the bottle, you know you’re getting a sweet wine made from Botrytis-affected Sémillon grapes!

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7
Q

What is the typical flavor profile of Sauternes AOC?

try mention 4 flavor/aroma notes

A
  1. Apricots/stone fruits (concentrated/extra-ripe/marmalade)
  2. Vanilla
  3. Crème Brûlée
  4. Caramel, honeycomb (on aged Sauternes)

Sauternes is a wholly unique, rich, and decadent wine, making it an excellent pairing for foods like blue cheese (and other stinky cheeses), fruit-based desserts, foie gras, and spicy Asian and Thai dishes.

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8
Q

Where in the English-speaking world is Semillon heavily planted?

A

Australia, especially in the Hunter Valley and Barossa Valley.

The Hunter Valley region is roughly a 3 hours’ drive north/northwest of Sydney, while the Barossa Valley lies 50 minutes from Adelaide, in South Australia.

Also note that in Australia Semillon is spelled without the accent!

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9
Q

Describe the style of Semillon that’s typical for the Hunter Valley.

mention 5 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Light bodied
  3. Low in alcohol
  4. Neutral flavors in its youth
  5. Honeyed and nutty flavors when it is aged

In the past, these wines used to see more oak but generally the style has changed. Today, they’re typically made in inert vessels, allowing their natural fruit flavors to come forward.

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10
Q

What’s the typical style of Barossa Valley Semillon?

A

Actually, there isn’t a typical style but rather many styles!

In the Barossa Valley, winemakers craft Semillon in a broad variety of styles, from light-bodied and unoaked (like Hunter Valley Semillons) to full-bodied and matured in oak.

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11
Q

Why is Sémillon often blended with other white wine varieties like Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Sémillon’s body, texture, and complexity beautifully balances the vibrant fruits and acidity of Sauvignon Blanc.

Sémillon also gives the wine longer aging potential.

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12
Q

Garganega is the grape that goes into which 2 important DOCs?

(pronounced: gahr-GA-neh-ga)

A
  1. Soave DOC
  2. Soave Classico DOC

Soave is a dry white Italian wine from the Veneto region in northeast Italy, principally around the city of Verona.

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13
Q

What’s the typical profile of wines made from Garganega grapes?

Try to list 6 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Medium body
  3. High acid
  4. Peach
  5. Light citrus (lemon)
  6. Green orchard fruit (pear, apple)
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14
Q

In which Italian region are Soave DOC and Soave Classico DOC found?

A

Veneto, in the northeast

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15
Q

Are Soave DOC and Soave Classico DOC usually fermented in stainless steel or other inert vessels, or lots of new oak?

A

Stainless steel or other inert vessel

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16
Q

Are Soave DOC and Soave Classico DOC made to age in the bottle for many years or to drink young and fresh?

A

Drink young and fresh

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17
Q

What style of wine is Recioto di Soave DOCG?

A

Recioto di Soave DOCG is a:

  • Sweet white wine,
  • Made from dried grapes,
  • Most of which are Garganega,
  • Using the appassimento process.

The other grape allowed in Recioto di Soave DOCG is Trebbiano di Soave.

Appassimento is the process of natural partial dehydration of grapes to produce wine with a greater concentration of flavor, aroma, color, and sugar.

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18
Q

Which region in Italy is known for growing Verdicchio grapes?

A

Marche

(pronounced: MAR-kay)

Within Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC is the most important for Verdicchio.

Try saying that three times fast.

19
Q

Describe the typical profile of a Verdicchio wine.

Try list 7 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Medium body
  3. High acid
  4. Fennel/anise
  5. Lemon/citrus
  6. Green orchard fruit (apple, pear)
  7. Developed wines show notes of honey and nuts
20
Q

Describe the typical profile of Fiano.

Try list 6 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Medium to full body
  3. Medium acid
  4. Peach/stone fruits
  5. Melon/tropical fruits
  6. If aged sur lie, notes of bread, biscuit, smoke

Sur lie is French for “on the lees” and refers to the winemaking process of leaving the wine to age with the expired yeast cells still in it. This contributes to the development of rich brioche and biscuit flavors.

21
Q

What is the well known DOCG for Fiano in southern Italy?

A

Fiano di Avellino DOCG, which is located in Campania

22
Q

In what 2 climates does Sauvignon Blanc prefer to grow?

A
  • Cool
  • Moderate
23
Q

Describe the typical style of Sauvignon Blanc.

Try list 7 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. High acidity
  3. Light to medium body
  4. Aromatic/floral
  5. Herbaceous (grass, bell pepper, asparagus)
  6. Fruits range from gooseberry to passionfruit
  7. Most are unoaked
24
Q

When Sauvignon Blanc is made as a single-varietal wine, which type of vessel is it usually fermented in?

A

Inert vessels such as stainless steel.

Oak flavors tend to overpower the fruity characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc.

Having said that, oak plays a big role in the Sauvignon Blancs made in Graves and Pessac-Léognan so, in practice, it’s used very judiciously in the crafting of these wines.

25
Q

When is Sauvignon Blanc normally best consumed?

A

In its youth

Especially when fruit flavors and herbaceous notes are at their freshest.

Sauvignon Blanc can also develop unappealing flavors as it ages, like decaying vegetables. Bleurgh.

26
Q

Which 2 regions in France are best known for Sauvignon Blanc?

A
  1. Loire
  2. Bordeaux

In the Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc is botted as a single-varietal wine.

In Bordeaux, it’s usually blended with Sémillon.

27
Q

If you wanted to buy a good quality Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, which appellations could you consider?

A
  1. Sancerre AOC
  2. Pouilly-Fumé AOC
  3. Touraine AOC

In descending order of “impressiveness” (and probably price, too).

Sancerre AOC and Pouilly-Fumé AOC are located on opposite sides of the Loire River from one another.

Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine AOC will be inexpensive, come from a broader area, and will be more simple and fruit-forward than Sancerre

28
Q

What is the climate of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Touraine?

A

Cool climate

29
Q

In the cooler climate of the Loire Valley, what characteristics will Sauvignon Blanc express?

Try list 5 points

A
  • Dry
  • High acidity
  • Green apple
  • Herbaceous
  • Wet river rock, especially in Sancerre AOC
30
Q

If you wanted to buy a good quality Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc, which 3 appellations could you consider?

A
  1. Péssac-Léognan AOC
  2. Graves AOC
  3. Bordeaux AOC

In descending order of “impressiveness” (and probably price, too).

Bordeaux AOC produces the most generic-style Sauvignon Blanc.

31
Q

Because Bordeaux typically blends Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon, what winemaking technique do many winemakers use?

A

Barrel aging

White wines from Bordeaux will develop attractive and pleasant aromas from the oak maturation, such as honey and nuts.

32
Q

Why aren’t there significant plantings of Sauvignon Blanc in the South of France?

A

The South of France is too warm for Sauvignon Blanc to retain its characteristic freshness.

But when Sauvignon Blanc is grown in the south of France, it is at higher elevation.

33
Q

Which region in New Zealand is famous for Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Marlborough

34
Q

Why are there so many different styles of Sauvignon Blanc coming out of Marlborough?

A

Winemakers are allowed to:

  • Produce single-vineyard wines or
  • Blend across diverse sites
  • Blend grapes harvested at different ripeness levels or
  • Make wine from grapes that were harvested all at once

As a result of these diverse harvesting and wine-making methods, flavors can range from lean and precise Loire Valley-styled Sauvignon Blanc to super fruity and exaggerated asparagus Sauvignon Blancs.

35
Q

Are Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough usually bottled as single varietal wine or are they blended with other grape varieties?

A

Single-varietal wines

36
Q

In Australia, is Sauvignon Blanc bottled as a single-varietal wine or blended with other grape varieties?

A

Both

When it’s blended, it’s usually with Semillon.

37
Q

Name 2 appellations in Australia known for Sauvignon Blanc.

A
  1. Margaret River
  2. Adelaide Hills

Known for producing some of the country’s most remarkable wines, Margaret River is a small town (and wine appellation) located south of Perth in western Australia.

Adelaide Hills is a mountainous region (and appellation) located to the east of Adelaide in South Australia.

38
Q

Why are Margaret River and Adelaide Hills good places to grow Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Both are cooled by sea breezes, and Adelaide Hills lies at a higher altitude.

Adelaide Hills is 600-650 meters (roughly 2000 feet) above sea level.

39
Q

Which 2 regions in Chile make acceptable to very good quality Sauvignon Blanc?

A
  1. Casablanca Valley
  2. Central Valley

If you’re going for the better quality bottle, try Casablanca Valley, which produces outstanding Sauvignon Blanc thanks to its frequent bathing in morning fog and cool ocean breezes.

40
Q

What 3 regions in South Africa are known for Sauvignon Blanc?

A
  1. Constantia
  2. Elgin
  3. Durbanville Hills

At well over 350 years old, Constantia is the oldest wine-making region in South Africa.

41
Q

What makes Constantia and Elgin cool climate wine regions?

A

Constantia is cooled by Atlantic ocean breezes, while Elgin lies at a higher altitude

Elgin is one of the coolest wine growing areas in South Africa. Being tucked deep into a verdant mountain valley doesn’t hurt either.

42
Q

What’s the one area in California known for its Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Napa Valley

To help it retain its acidity, Sauvignon Blanc is grown in the cooler parts of this usually warm region, like Oakville AVA.

43
Q

What stylistic choice do some Napa Valley winemakers make with their Sauvignon Blancs?

A

Oak maturation

Oak maturation adds body, texture, and vanilla/smoky flavors.

These styles of Sauvignon Blanc are often labelled Fumé Blanc.

Wine Appreciation (16 decks)

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