Wine 101 Flashcards
Essential bits of knowledge for natural wine and wine service at Le Dive.
What makes an orange wine orange?
The must (juice) of white, green, or pink grapes is left in contact with the skins for anywhere from a few hours to a year or more. The skins add color, tannin, and flavors.
What is a “Pet-Nat” wine?
‘Pétillant Naturel’. Naturally made sparkling wine in which there is one fermentation that starts in a tank, barrel, or other vessel and finishes in the bottle. The CO2 that is produced during the fermentation in bottle is trapped and makes the wine sparkling.
Is rose considered a skin contact wine?
Yes. Rosé is made when the must (juice) of red grapes are left in contact with their skins for a short period of time (anywhere from a few hours to a few days).
What are signs that a wine may be “corked”?
A distinct aroma of moldy newspaper, wet dog, or damp basement.
Where does our BIN sheet live?
On either side of the door to the wine room.
What is ‘natural wine’?
First and foremost, organically farmed grapes. Second, the winemakers refrain from inserting too much modern technology, chemicals, or general intervention during the winemaking process.
What is meant by ‘indigenous’, ‘native’, or ‘ambient’ yeasts?
Yeasts that occur naturally on the skins of grapes, in barrels, or in cellars ferment sugar into alcohol, instead of added, industrial, or cultivated yeast.
Do our wines contain sulfites?
Yes, all wine contains sulfites that are natural byproducts of fermentation. However, we do seek out wines in which less (or no) sulfur was added during the winemaking process.
What does mousey wine taste like? Should we serve it?
Flavors of rotten peanut butter, stale tortilla chips, or puppy’s feet that appear only on the palate. We do not serve mousey wine.
