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Wine Appreciation > White Wine, Set 3 > Flashcards

White Wine, Set 3 Flashcards

Whoever said white wine couldn't be serious? In the realm of medium- to full-bodied white wines, heavy hitters like Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier serve some serious body-ody-ody!

1
Q

What 3 climates does Chenin Blanc grows well in?

A
  • Cool
  • Moderate
  • Warm
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2
Q

Is Chenin Blanc naturally low or high in acidity?

A

It’s naturally high in acidity

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3
Q

True or false?

Chenin Blanc is not susceptible to Botrytis/noble rot.

A

FALSE

Chenin Blanc is wonderfully susceptible to Botrytis/noble rot, making it an excellent grape for making sweet dessert wines.

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4
Q

What is South Africa’s most planted white grape?

A

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc used to be called ‘Steen’ in South Africa.

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5
Q

What is the overall climate of South Africa?

A

Overall climate is warm, though regions on the south coast can run cool.

Almost all of South Africa’s wine industry takes place in the southwestern Cape, a coastal region that receives cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean.

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6
Q

Why does Chenin Blanc perform so well in South Africa?

A

Its warm climate coupled with cooling ocean breezes produces Chenin Blancs with concentrated fruits balanced by acidity and freshness

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7
Q

Are South African Chenin Blancs usually oaked or unoaked?

A

Both

South African winemakers make Chenin Blanc in a variety of styles, including oaked, unoaked, and partially oaked.

Having said that, the style of preference of many South Africans is unoaked: refreshing on those hot summer days!

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8
Q

Describe a typical Chenin Blanc from South Africa.

Try list 4 points

A
  • Dry
  • Medium bodied
  • Fruity (stone fruits: peach, melon, apricot)
  • Unoaked to lightly oaked
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9
Q

Which flavors does Chenin Blanc exhibit in its youth?

A
  • Citrus, apple (underripe)
  • Tropical, stone fruit (ripe)

Ripe and underripe just refers to how ripe the grapes were at the time of harvest, which comes down to (1) when the grapes were picked, (2) the climate of the region, and (3) elements of terroir.

When the grapes are harvested ripe (and in warm climates), Chenin tends to exhibit tropical and stone fruit characteristics. When the grapes are underripe (and in cooler / moderate climates), Chenin tends to exhibit more citrus and apple notes.

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10
Q

Which flavors does Chenin Blanc take on as it develops and ages?

A
  • Honey, honeycomb, beeswax
  • Dried fruit
  • Marzipan and nutty flavors
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11
Q

Which AOC in the Loire Valley is considered a classic appellation for Chenin Blanc?

A

Vouvray AOC

Chenin Blanc is actually the only white grape variety allowed to be grown here!

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12
Q

List the styles and sweetness levels permitted in Vouvray AOC.

There are 6

A
  • Still
  • Sparkling
  • Dry
  • Off-dry
  • Medium
  • Sweet

Like Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc is an extremely versatile grape, meaning that it can be successfully made in a great variety of wine styles.

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13
Q

Describe the flavor differences between a dry Vouvray and a sweet Vouvray.

A
  • Dry Vouvray exhibits fresh apple and crunchy pear flavors
  • Sweet Vouvray (usually Botrytis-affected) exhibits extra-ripe tropical and stone fruit flavors
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14
Q

What labeling term is used to denote an off-dry or medium-style Vouvray?

A

Demi-sec

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15
Q

Is Chenin Blanc from Vouvray usually oaked or unoaked?

A

Unoaked

Inspite of this, Vouvrays are considered an age-worthy wine

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16
Q

In what country is Furmint most planted?

A

Hungary

Furmint is a white wine grape variety that is widely grown in the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region, as well as in Slovenia and Croatia.

It’s commonly used to make single-varietal dry wines, as well as being the principal grape in Tokaji dessert wines.

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17
Q

Why is Furmint so well suited to making sweet wines?

A
  • High in acidity
  • Susceptible to Botrytis/noble rot

Acidity is important in dessert wines because it adds freshness and vibrancy, which balances the sweetness.

Botrytis/noble rot—as covered in the deck on ‘How Wine is Made (Cellar)’—is a fungus that absorbs water from the grapes, concentrating the fruits and sugars in the berries.

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18
Q

Which appellation in Hungary is best known for its Furmint?

A

Tokaj

This historical town and appellation is located in the northeast corner of Hungary.

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19
Q

What wine is the Tokaj appellation legendary for making?

A

Tokaj Aszú

Pronounced “to-kai-ah-zhu”

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20
Q

What is Tokaj Aszú?

A

A Botrytis/noble rot-affected sweet wine principally made from Furmint.

Tokaj Aszú is always made sweet.

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21
Q

What term is used on Hungarian wine labels to indicate sweetness level?

A

Puttonyos

Puttonyos is a unit for the level of sugar in Hungarian Tokaji and Slovak Tokaj dessert wines, measured in grams per liter of residual sugar.

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22
Q

What are the two puttonyos levels used in Tokaji?

A

5 and 6 Puttonyos

5 Puttonyos requires at least 120g/L residual sugar; while 6 Puttonyos requires at least 150g/L residual sugar.

Fun Fact: the Tokaji trade council eliminated 3 and 4 Puttonyos in 2013 in an effort to raise the quality of Tokaji, but 3 and 4 can still be found in the market.

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23
Q

Describe the flavor profile of Tokaj Aszú.

Try list 7 points

A
  1. Full body
  2. Sweet
  3. High acidity
  4. Fresh + dried fruits
  5. Citrus
  6. Vanilla
  7. Caramel/crème caramel
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24
Q

How age-worthy is Tokaj Aszú?

A

Very age-worthy

This is thanks to the high acidity and deliberate oxidation during maturation.

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25
Q

Is Tokaj Azsú the only style of Furmint made in Hungary?

A

No

Styles of Tokaj range from dry to medium, and they can be made with or without Botrytis-affected grapes.

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26
Q

In what 3 climates can Chardonnay grow?

A
  • Cool
  • Moderate
  • Warm

Climate plays a major role in the flavor and aroma profile of the resultant Chardonnay wine.

The cooler the climate, the more under-ripe and green-fruited the wine; and the warmer the climate, the more ripe and tropical it will be.

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27
Q

Describe the typical profile of a cool-climate Chardonnay.

Try list 5 points

A
  1. Light to medium body
  2. High acidity
  3. Green orchard fruits (apple, pear)
  4. Tart citrus
  5. River rock
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28
Q

Describe the typical profile of a moderate-climate Chardonnay.

Try list 5 points

A
  1. Medium to full body
  2. Medium to high acidity
  3. Ripe citrus
  4. Melon (green, orange)
  5. Stone fruits
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29
Q

Describe the typical profile of a warm-climate Chardonnay.

Try list 4 points

A
  1. Full body
  2. Medium acid
  3. Ripe peach/stone fruits
  4. Tropical fruits/pineapple
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30
Q

What is a typical winemaking adjustment made to warm-climate Chardonnays?

A

Acidification

When grapes become very ripe—as is the tendency of warm climate Chardonnay—the resultant wine can be so low in acid that it becomes unstable, producing off-flavors. Remember, acid discourages the growth of bacteria and other microbes in the wine. Thus, acidification is needed to stabilize a flabby wine.

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31
Q

What 3 winemaking options can be deployed to add complexity to Chardonnay?

A
  • Malolactic conversion
  • Oak vessel maturation
  • Lees aging

Malolactic conversion adds buttery, creamy flavors and texture to the wine; oak vessel maturation imparts toast, spice, and caramel flavors; and lees aging softens mouthfeel, while adding texture, weight, and balance.

All are optional and used at the winemaker’s discretion to craft wines that are (should be) balanced, while expressing different facets of Chardonnay’s versatile nature.

32
Q

What are 2 more affordable alternatives to using new oak barrels?

A
  • Oak staves
  • Oak chips

These alternatives are used on low- and medium-quality wines, not premium wines.

33
Q

Which region in France grows and produces some of the finest Chardonnays in the world?

A

Burgundy

If a bottle of white wine says “Burgundy” on the label, it’s almost surely a Chardonnay!

A very small percentage of white Burgundy wines are made with other grape varieties like Aligoté, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc.

Read: How to taste the difference between California Chardonnay and White Burgundy or watch our video: ‘What’s the difference between California Chardonnay wine & white Burgundy wine?’

34
Q

Which northern, cool climate appellation in Burgundy is known for producing excellent Chardonnay?

A

Chablis

Chablis is Burgundy’s most northern AOC for Chardonnay, making it the coolest, which results in the tart, crisp, and acidic profile of the wine.

35
Q

Which more moderate climate appellation in southern Burgundy is known for producing excellent Chardonnay?

A

Mâconnais

36
Q

What regional AOC can be used on a label if the Chardonnay grapes came from anywhere within Burgundy?

A

Bourgogne AOC

Pronounced “Boor-goh-nya”

Bourgogne is a historical wine-making region in east-central France from whence many of the country’s most iconic wines originate.

‘Burgundy’ is the English word for ‘Bourgogne’.

37
Q

As Chablis is a cool climate, what is the typical flavor profile and style of the Chardonnays that come from here?

Try list 5 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. High acidity
  3. Tart citrus
  4. Green apple
  5. River rock

Chablis are characterized by leaner, tarter fruit aromas (lime zest, green apple, quince, and under-ripe pear) than your average Bourgogne blanc.

There’s also often a savory, briney-like aroma to the wines, along with the classic subtle notes of brie cheese, yogurt, and white florals.

38
Q

The Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis face south/southeast. Why does this produce outstanding fruit?

A

In this cool climate region, it:

  • maximizes sun exposure,
  • helps the grapes to ripen, and
  • develops more flavorful characteristics
39
Q

What is the main weather threat for Chablis?

A

Springtime frost

40
Q

What can happen to a grape vine if frost strikes?

A

Frost can burn new plant material, like shoots and leaves and cause flowers to fall off, decreasing that vintage’s yield before the flowers can even turn into grapes.

41
Q

Generally, does Chablis see lots of new oak or no oak at all?

A

No oak

Famous for its intensely chalky white soils, most Chablis wines are raised in inert vessels.

However, many Chablis producers will oak their Grand Cru wines to complement the concentration achieved by the grapes and give the wine a rounder texture, which counter-balances the high acidity.

42
Q

What is the climate of the Côte d’Or?

A

Moderate

The Côte d’Or (which means ‘Golden Slope’) is considered one of the, if not the, most important region in Burgundy for wine production.

It consists of two regions: the Côte de Beaune (named after the town) and the Côte de Nuits (named after walnut trees).

43
Q

Which Chardonnay will taste riper, peachier, and have a medium body: one from Chablis or the Côte d’Or?

A

One from the Côte d’Or due to its more moderate climate.

44
Q

Of the 2 sections of the Côte d’Or (Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune), which one focuses on Chardonnay production?

A

Côte de Beaune (southern section)

The Côte de Beaune (all ± 25 kilometers of this strip) is home to some of the most expensive vineyard land on Earth, which produces show-stopping, intense expressions of Chardonnay.

As such, these wines are regarded as the topmost echelon of the white Burgundies, as well as the most powerful (and expensive) of all the still French Chardonnays.

(The Côte de Nuits is known for the production of Pinot Noir.)

45
Q

Name 2 villages in the Côte de Beaune that are famous for their Chardonnays.

A
  1. Meursault AOC
  2. Puligny-Montrachet AOC

While it’s very difficult to generalize how the wines from these two appellations differ, one can say that the style of your typical Puligny-Montrachet tends to be tensile, refined, and focused, while Meursault wines have a nuttier, more rounded character.

These Chardonnays typically undergo lees aging, oak aging, and malolactic conversion to give them their rich, distinctive flavors, texture, and aromas.

46
Q

What are 2 tertiary notes typically found on developing/aged Chardonnays?

A
  • Hazelnuts
  • Mushrooms

Tertiary flavor and aroma notes originate from the aging process of a wine.

As the wine ages, these notes tend to stray further from fresh fruit flavors into more complex earthy tones of nutty, mushroom, floral, mineral, and spice.

47
Q

Name two commonly seen Chardonnay AOCs in Mâconnais.

A
  1. Mâcon AOC (unoaked)
  2. Pouilly-Fuissé AOC (oaked)

Mâconnais wines are usually medium-to-full-bodied and unoaked, though there is greater intensity, succulence, and fruitiness to them than your average Bourgogne blanc.

Pouilly-Fuissé wines are typically oaked, full-bodied, ripe, and relatively elegant, with their top offerings giving the finer wines of the Côte de Beaune a run for their money!

48
Q

What style of Chardonnay typically comes out of the south of France?

A

Ripe, fruity, tropical Chardonnays.

Lesser expensive ones may be raised in inert vessels with or without oak chips; more expensive ones might see barrel use (new or neutral).

49
Q

Where in California is bulk Chardonnay mostly grown?

A

The inland Central Valley

Central Valley has a warm and dry climate, producing peachy-pineapple-y, medium-bodied Chardonnays.

50
Q

Why do coastal areas of California produce Chardonnays with more balance and complex fruit flavors?

A

Coastal areas are influenced by morning fog and cool Pacific breezes.

This mitigates California’s heat and allows for a longer/cooler growing season, which helps grapes to retain their acidity.

Carneros and the coastal areas of Sonoma County (e.g. Sonoma Coast) are two areas that benefit the most from these cooling conditions. As such, they’ve become known for producing Chardonnays of great balance and complexity.

51
Q

Describe the typical style of a Napa Valley Chardonnay.

A
  • Full bodied
  • Tropical fruity
  • Oaky
52
Q

Which county on California’s Central Coast is known for its Chardonnay?

A

Santa Barbara County

The style of Chardonnays from here varies tremendously.

Some express similar characteristics to the Côte de Beaune (high acid, lemon, medium body, little oak) and some will be more like Napa (medium acid, tropical fruits, full body, lots of oak).

53
Q

Why do Oregon Chardonnays typically have higher acidity than Napa Valley Chardonnays?

A

Oregon’s climate is generally moderate and cooler than Napa, allowing the grapes to retain their acidity.

54
Q

What appellation in Australia produces Chardonnay in high volume (and is usually low-to-medium quality)?

A

South Eastern Australia

The grapes can come from anywhere within this enormous area.

55
Q

Which 3 appellations in Australia are known for producing high-quality Chardonnay?

A
  1. Margaret River
  2. Yarra Valley
  3. Adelaide Hills

All 3 appellations are cooler, either due to being located at a higher altitude (Adelaide Hills) or being exposed to cooling ocean breezes.

56
Q

What fruit profile do Australian Chardonnays typically express?

A
  • Ripe stone fruit, like peach
  • Tropical fruit, like pineapple
57
Q

Which appellation on New Zealand’s South Island is known for good-quality Chardonnay?

A

Marlborough

This appellation has a cool to moderate climate. Its exposure to cooling sea breezes and more frequent rainfall helps grapes to retain high acidity.

58
Q

Which appellation on New Zealand’s North Island is known for Chardonnay?

A

Hawke’s Bay which has a moderate climate.

Here, the climate is moderate, unlike Malborough on the South Island, which is cool to moderate.

Both regions, however—and New Zealand in general—are known for producing Chardonnays with a high acidity and peach / stone fruit flavors.

59
Q

What region in Chile is known for Pacific sea breezes and morning fog?

A

Casablanca Valley

60
Q

The expansive and warm Central Valley in Chile makes Chardonnays that vary from inexpensive to pricey. What feature of this valley helps the grapes retain their acidity?

A

Altitude

Altitude can help alleviate the heat of the valley, lending freshness to the grapes.

61
Q

High-volume, bulk Chardonnay from South Africa is known to come from which hot, inland area?

A

Western Cape

62
Q

When making high-volume Chardonnay in South Africa, many winemakers will blend it with which other grape and why?

A

Chenin Blanc

Its naturally high acidity will balance the low acid, blousy style of warm climate Chardonnay.

63
Q

Which region in South Africa has a reputation for producing excellent, cool-climate Chardonnay?

A

Walker Bay

Strong and cool ocean breezes keep this region consistently cool, lengthening the ripening period and helping the grapes to retain their acidity.

This then balances the ripe peachy/pineapple-y flavors Walker Bay is known for.

64
Q

Which region in South Africa is considered the epicenter for warm-climate Chardonnay production?

A

Robertson Valley

Located a two-hour drive from Cape Town, in a warm river valley, Robertson is home to a variety of soil types, terrains, and microclimates, from the rich, loamy soils of the Breede River to the steep, clay-rich slopes of the bordering mountains.

This yields terroir-driven Chardonnays with an array of fruit characteristics, aromas, and bodies that are futher enhanced by the use of oak, partial oak, or perhaps no oak at all.

65
Q

How are today’s oak trends with Chardonnay different from the oak trends in the 1980s and 1990s?

A

Today, oak usage is considerably down from what it was in the 80s and 90s, when it dominated the wine.

Today winemakers are more judicious with their oak usage.

66
Q

Why is Chardonnay known as the winemaker’s grape?

A

Because it is so versatile!

Chardonnay is a grape that winemakers use to demonstrate their skills in controlling malo, lees, and oak aging, and how those techniques can bolster the expression of a vineyard or climate.

67
Q

In what type of climate does Gewürztraminer grow best?

A

Cool to moderate climate

68
Q

What region in the world is most famous for its Gewürztraminer?

A

Alsace, France

Both Alsace AOP and Alsace Grand Cru AOP make quality Gewürztraminer.

69
Q

Describe the typical profile of Gewürztraminer.

Try list 7 points

A
  1. Full body
  2. Low to medium acidity
  3. High alcohol
  4. Intense floral notes, especially rose
  5. Stone fruits (peach and apricot)
  6. Tropical fruits (lychee)
  7. No oak (to retain floral aromas)

Gewürtraminer acquires very high levels of sugar as it ripens. This gives the yeast more to eat, which produces more alcohol in the final wine.

70
Q

What is the sweetness range for Gewürztraminer?

A

Dry to sweet

Gewürztraminer is always intensely aromatic.

71
Q

What 2 white grape varieties are known for producing full-bodied and floral wines?

A
  1. Gewürztraminer
  2. Viognier
72
Q

What climate does Viognier prefer?

A

Moderate

73
Q

Which AOC in France is known for its high-quality Viognier?

A

Condrieu AOC in the Northern Rhône

Here, Viognier is always bottled as a single-varietal wine.

74
Q

Is Viognier ever used as a blending grape in areas outside of Condrieu AOC?

A

Yes

Viognier adds beautiful floral aromas, body, and peachy notes to more neutral grapes/wines.

75
Q

Describe the typical profile of Viognier.

Try list 7 points

A
  1. Dry
  2. Low to medium acidity
  3. Medium to full body
  4. High alcohol
  5. Peach/peach yogurt
  6. Floral/blossom aromas
  7. Can be oaked or unoaked

Wine Appreciation (16 decks)

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