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WSET Level 2 Award in Wines > White Wine Varietals and Regions > Flashcards

White Wine Varietals and Regions Flashcards

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1
Q

Why is Riesling ideal for making sweet wines?

A

It has naturally high acidity and is susceptible to Botrytis

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2
Q

Is Riesling capable of aging? If so, why?

A

High acidity preserves freshness of flavors

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3
Q

What is Germany’s most important grape varietal?

A

Riesling

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4
Q

Which Northerly German wine region is known for producing light-bodied, high-acid, medium sweet wines?

A

Mosel

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5
Q

What moderates the climate in Mosel’s vineyards?

A

Steep slope, Southeast aspect, proximity to a river, stony soils

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6
Q

Which German wine region is known for producing medium-bodied Riesling that is often dry or off-dry?

A

Rheingau

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7
Q

What moderates the climate in Rheingau’s vineyards?

A

Steep slope, Southern aspect, river proximity

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8
Q

With a similar climate to Alsace, which German wine region is known for producing dry, medium-bodied Riesling?

A

Pfalz

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9
Q

What moderates the climate in Pfalz vineyards?

A

Mountain protection, sunny and dry weather

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10
Q

Which wine region in France is known for it’s dry and sunny weather? What moderates the climate there?

A

Alsace; has mountain protection

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11
Q

What style of Riesling is Alsace known for?

A

Dry, pronounced aroma and flavor intensity; citrus, stone fruit, blossom notes; medium-body, high acid

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12
Q

What is Germany’s IGP designation?

A

Landwein

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13
Q

If you are drinking a Landwein Riesling, what characteristics would you expect?

A

Light-bodied, dry to off-dry

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14
Q

How would a wine qualify for Qualitätswein status?

A

Grapes must come from one of 13 PDO wine regions in Germany; must also have a certain level of ripeness to create more intense flavor and body fullness

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15
Q

How would a wine qualify for Prädikatswein status?

A

Grapes must come from a single PDO region in Germany; must also have even higher sugar level than Qualitätswein

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16
Q

What does “Trocken” indicate in a wine?

A

A dry wine

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17
Q

What does “Halbtrocken” indicate in a wine?

A

A wine with some sweetness

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18
Q

What are the six Prädikat categories?

A

Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Eiswein, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese

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19
Q

Describe the expected qualities of a Kabinett Riesling:

A

Light and delicate with notes of green apple, lime, and blossom

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20
Q

Describe the expected qualities of a Spätlese Riesling. What does Spätlese translate to?

A

More concentrated than Kabinett with fuller body and notes of ripe lemon, lime, and peach; Spätlese = “Late Harvest”

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21
Q

Describe the expected qualities of a Auslese Riesling. What does Auslese translate to?

A

Full and flavorful with notes of apricot, mango, and dried fruit; Auslese = “Selected Harvest”

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22
Q

What makes Eiswein so expensive?

A

Extremely concentrated and sweet; production is labor-intensive and weather conditions are not guaranteed

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23
Q

How would a Riesling wine qualify for Beerenauslese status? What does that name translate to?

A

Wines are made from selected berries and bunches that are affected by Botrytis; Beerenauslese = “Selected Berry Harvest”

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24
Q

How would a Riesling wine qualify for Trockenbeerenauslese status? What does that name translate to?

A

Made from individual berries that have been dried out by Botrytis; Trockenbeerenauslese = “Selected Dried Berry Harvest”

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25
Q

Which two Australian wine regions are known for Riesling production? What moderates the climate there?

A

Eden Valley, Clare Valley; climate is moderated by high altitude

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26
Q

What makes Chenin Blanc such a versatile wine?

A

It can grow in any climate; it’s flavors vary according to ripeness; it has naturally high acidity; it is susceptible to Botrytis

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27
Q

Which region in France is known for Chenin Blanc production? Where is it located?

A

Vouvray AOC; Loire Valley

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28
Q

What varietals out of Vouvray are produced besides Chenin Blanc?

A

None - it is the only varietal allowed in the AOC

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29
Q

What is South Africa’s most widely planted white grape varietal?

A

Chenin Blanc

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30
Q

Why is Chenin Blanc so favored in South Africa?

A

Maintains acidity despite warm climate

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31
Q

What grape is Chenin Blanc commonly blended with in South Africa?

A

Chardonnay

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32
Q

What grape is often blended with Chenin Blanc to produce a wine that is refreshing and floral?

A

Viognier

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33
Q

Which AOC in France is best known for Sémillon?

A

Bordeaux AOC

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34
Q

What wine is Sémillon often blended with?

A

Sauv Blanc

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35
Q

What characteristics does Sémillon add to blends?

A

Adds body and aging potential via acidity

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36
Q

Which Bordeaux AOC subregion is known for the production of highly concentrated and sweet Sémillon wines?

A

Sauternes AOC

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37
Q

Why is Sémillon particularly well suited for sweet wine production?

A

Very susceptible to Botrytis

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38
Q

Describe a typical Sauternes AOC wine:

A

Sweet with medium to high alcohol content and well-balanced acidity; full bodied; pronounced flavors of apricot and smoke and vanilla from oak maturation

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39
Q

Which region in Australia is known for the production of light, dry, low-alcohol, single-varietal Semillon?

A

Hunter Valley

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40
Q

Which regions in Australia are best known for Semillon production?

A

Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley

41
Q

What country is Furmint most closely associated with?

A

Hungary

42
Q

Why is Furmint good for making sweet wines?

A

Naturally high acidity, susceptible to Botrytis

43
Q

Which region of Hungary is most famous for Furmint?

A

Tokaj

44
Q

What is the name of the sweet wine made from mostly Furmint in Hungary?

A

Tokaji Aszú

45
Q

How is Tokaji Aszú labeled to indicate sweetness? Of the two classifications, which is sweeter?

A

5 Puttonyos or 6 Puttonyos; 6 is sweeter

46
Q

What winemaking adjustment is common in Chardonnay?

A

Acidification for warm climate Chardonnay

47
Q

Which regional appellation in France is best known for Chardonnay?

A

Bourgogne AOC

48
Q

Which village in Bourgogne AOC is known for producing dry, acidic Chardonnay with notes of apple, lemon, and wet stones?

A

Chablis AOC

49
Q

Which region of Bourgogne is known for a moderate climate which produces riper Chardonnay with notes of peach and melon?

A

Côte d’Or

50
Q

Which two villages in the Côte de Beaune are known for producing very good quality Chardonnay that often sees oak maturation and/or lees stirring?

A

Meursault AOC, Puligny-Montrachet AOC

51
Q

Where are the villages of Meursault AOC and Puligny-Montrachet AOC located? What region encompasses the town?

A

Côte d’Or; Bourgogne

52
Q

Where is Mâconnais located? What types of wine are mainly produced in its Mâcon AOC?

A

Southern Bourgogne; wines are fruity, unoaked, and simple in flavor

53
Q

Which village in Mâconnais is known for producing high quality, concentrated wines with notes of stone fruit, tropical fruit, and oak?

A

Pouilly-Fuissé AOC

54
Q

How does Chardonnay from the South of France IGP differ from the other regions?

A

Warmer climate -> riper and fruitier Chardonnay; oak chips often used to save money as wine is fairly cheap

55
Q

Where is Carneros located and what moderates the climate there?

A

Northern California; cooled by morning fog from San Pablo Bay

56
Q

What moderates the climate in Sonoma, California?

A

Cool Pacific sea breezes

57
Q

What is the climate of Napa Valley like? What type of Chardonnay is produced there?

A

Warm; full-bodied Chardonnay with pronounced tropical fruit notes and oak-derived flavors

58
Q

What moderates the climate in Santa Barbara County, California?

A

Cooling sea breezes

59
Q

What type of climate can be found in Oregon? What style of Chardonnay is usually produced there?

A

Moderate; Chardonnay is usually acidic with notes of lemon and melon

60
Q

Which three regions in Australia are best known for Chardonnay production?

A

Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Margaret River

61
Q

What moderates the climate in Australia’s Adelaide Hills region?

A

Altitude

62
Q

What moderates the climate in Australia’s Yarra Valley region?

A

Cool ocean currents from the south

63
Q

What moderates the climate in Australia’s Margaret River region?

A

Cooling sea breezes

64
Q

What two regions in New Zealand are known for Chardonnay?

A

Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay

65
Q

What moderates the climate in New Zealand’s Marlborough region?

A

Sea breezes and plentiful rainfall

66
Q

What two regions in Chile are best known for Chardonnay?

A

Casablanca Valley, Central Valley

67
Q

What moderates the climate in Chile’s Casablanca Valley region?

A

Pacific sea breezes and morning fog

68
Q

Which two regions in South Africa are best known for Chardonnay?

A

Western Cape, Walker Bay

69
Q

What type of Chardonnay is produced in South Africa’s Western Cape region and what is it often blended with?

A

High volume; often blended with Chenin Blanc

70
Q

What moderates the climate in South Africa’s Walker Bay region?

A

Strong southern sea breezes

71
Q

Which two cool climate regions in Loire Valley only permit Sauvignon Blanc to be grown?

A

Sancerre AOC, Pouilly-Fumé AOC

72
Q

Which Sancerre-adjacent region in the Loire Valley is known for producing fruity and inexpensive Sauv Blanc?

A

Touraine AOC

73
Q

Which two AOCs in Bordeaux are known for making Sauv Blanc with complex and concentrated flavors? What varietal is often blended in with it?

A

Graves AOC, Pessac-Léognan AOC; Sémillon

74
Q

What attributes does Sémillon contribute to Sauv Blanc blends?

A

Body and aging potential

75
Q

What region in New Zealand is best known for Sauv Blanc? What makes it fairly unique?

A

Marlborough; wines are often blends of grapes from different sites and ripeness levels

76
Q

Which two regions in Australia are best known for Sauv Blanc production?

A

Margaret River, Adelaide Hills

77
Q

What moderates the climate in Australia’s Adelaide Hills region?

A

Altitude, cool sea breezes

78
Q

Which two regions in Chile are best known for Sauv Blanc production?

A

Casablanca Valley, Central Valley

79
Q

What moderates the climate in Chile’s Casablanca Valley region?

A

Sea breezes, morning fog

80
Q

What two regions in South Africa are best known for Sauv Blanc?

A

Constantia, Elgin

81
Q

What moderates the climate in South Africa’s Constantia region?

A

Sea breezes

82
Q

What moderates the climate in South Africa’s Elgin region?

A

Altitude

83
Q

Which two Italian wine regions are best known for producing light, simple, unoaked Pinot Grigio wines in high volumes?

A

delle Venezia DOC, Veneto IGT

84
Q

Which Italian wine region is best known for producing more complex, fuller-bodied Pinot Grigio?

A

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

85
Q

Which French wine region is best known for Pinot Gris production?

A

Alsace AOC

86
Q

If you see “Vendanges Tardives” on a wine label, what does this indicate?

A

Late harvest

87
Q

Describe the structural characteristics of Gewürztraminer:

A

Full body, low-medium acid, high-alcohol (high sugar)

88
Q

What is the most famous region for Gewürztraminer production?

A

Alsace AOC

89
Q

Describe the structural characteristics of Viognier:

A

Low-medium acid, medium-full body, high alcohol

90
Q

Which Northern Rhône AOC is most famous for Viognier wines?

A

Condrieu AOC

91
Q

What characteristics would you expect in a Condrieu AOC Viognier?

A

Lightly oaked to contribute vanilla notes but not so much to overpower delicate aromatics

92
Q

Which Spanish region is most famous for Albariño production?

A

Rías Baixas DO

93
Q

What moderates the climate in Rías Baixas?

A

Proximity to Atlantic ocean

94
Q

If you are drinking wine from the Gavi DOCG what is the primary varietal in your wine? Describe the character of the wine:

A

Cortese; light, acidic, dry, notes of blossom, green apple, lemon

95
Q

If you are drinking wine from the Soave DOC or the Soave Classico DOC, what is the primary varietal in your wine? Describe the character of the wine:

A

Garganega; acidic, medium-body, green apple, lemon, and peach flavor notes

96
Q

Describe the character of wines from the Recioto di Soave DOCG:

A

Sweet wine made from grapes dried with the appassimento method

97
Q

Describe the general character of Verdicchio:

A

Dry, high acid, medium body, notes of green apple, lemon, and fennel; generally simple and fruity

98
Q

Describe the general character of Fiano:

A

Medium acid, medium-full body, notes of peach, melon, and mango

99
Q

What adjustments are commonly made to Fiano during winemaking?

A

Lees contact, oak maturation

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines (8 decks)

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