Wine - Basics Flashcards
What does “body” mean when describing wine?
The texture or weight of a wine
in the mouth
Full-bodied wines have a rich, complex, well-rounded flavor that lingers in the mouth
Light-bodied wines are subtle and more watery
Medium-bodied wines fall somewhere in between
What is DOC?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
(“controlled place name”)
Italy’s designation for wine whose name, origin of grapes, grape varieties and other important factors are regulated by law
What is a Super Tuscan?
Any wine from Tuscany made in less traditional ways
More powerful than other Tuscan varieties
May include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot
What is a decanter?
A vessel that holds the decantation of a liquid (such as wine), which may contain sediment
Used to aerate wine, or to allow it to “breathe” - enhancing the overall aroma of the wine
Decantation is the method of separating the solids liquids that exist in one mixture
What is “distillation” of a wine?
The process of heating wine so the alcohol vaporizes and is collected to make a drink with higher alcoholic content.
All distilled wines are known as “brandy,” although the quality of brandy varies
What is meant by “legs” of wine?
The syrupy lines that a wine leaves on the glass after being swirled
They have nothing to do with the quality of a wine
What is the technical term for the “study of wine?”
Enology.
What is a wines vintage year?
Year in which at least 95% of its grapes were harvested (not the year bottled)
What is a wine’s finish?
Lingering feeling in your mouth after you taste a wine.
What does it mean to say that a wine is “hot?”
It has a high or unbalanced alcohol level, which may create a burning sensation as you swallow
What is a “magnum” when referring to wine?
The equivalent to two standard 750 ml bottles of wine, or 1.5 liters
What are a wine’s “aroma” and “bouquet”?
“Bouquet” refers to smells that originate from the wine-making
“Aroma” refers to smells originating from the grapes themselves
Amateurs often use the terms interchangeably
What type of wine is a Shiraz? (shee-RAZZ)
Red wine
Pair with meat
(steak, beef, wild game, etc.)
Known as Syrah in France and the U.S., but Shiraz in Australia and South Africa
What type of wine is a merlot? (Mer-loh).
Red wine; easy to drink softness, goes well with meal.
What type of wine is a cabernet sauvignon?
cab-er-nay saw-vee-nyon
Full-bodied red
Common variety
Best known in Napa Valley
Generally goes best with simply prepared red meats
What is chapitalization?
Addition of sugar to fermentation process to increase alcohol content. (Rarely used today).
What is the percentage of wines in the US that retail for $7 or less?
70%
What is the largest wine market in the world?
United States. Retail sales in excess of $40 billion.
When did SCOTUS approve interstate shipping of wine directly to consumers?
2005.
What is a super tuscan?
In the 1970s, some Tuscan producers came to believe that the legal rules governing the production were too restrictive. The term “super tuscan” was coined to distinguish their wines from the inexpensive low quality vion de tavola.
What is chapitalization?
Addition of sugar to fermentation process to increase alcohol content. (Rarely used today).
What is the percentage of wines in the US that retail for $7 or less?
70%
What is the largest wine market in the world?
United States. Retail sales in excess of $40 billion.
When did SCOTUS approve interstate shipping of wine directly to consumers?
2005.
What is a super tuscan?
In the 1970s, some Tuscan producers came to believe that the legal rules governing the production were too restrictive. The term “super tuscan” was coined to distinguish their wines from the inexpensive low quality vion de tavola.
What are the three main sources of a wine’s flavors?
grapes
fermentation
maturation and aging
A bottle of wine contains how much water on average?
86% water.
What species of grapes is most wine made from?
Vitis vinifera.
What alternative and hybrid species of grapes is also used in winemaking,
Vitis Labrusca (concord or catawba)
or
Hybrids (Seyval Blanc or Baco Noir)
True or False: Black grapes with thick skins produce high tanin wines.
TRUE. High tannin equates to bitterness and astringency when a wine is young.
What are three highly tannic grapes?
Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz
What are three highly aromatic grapes?
Muscat,Gewurztraminer, Torrontes
When are grape vines typically planted?
During their dormant period, during April or May.
What is the best location to plant red grapes?
Warmer Climates - most red grapes have a longer growing season
What is the best location to plant white grapes?
Cooler Climates.
What is terroir?
“Somewhereness” including soil make up and geography; sunlight, weather, and climate; rainfall; natural plant life and other elements.
T or F: Soil type is one aspect of terroir that is likely to carry through finished wine.
True - commonly referred to as “minerality.”
Ex:
- German Rieslings and slate.
- Burgundy Chardonnay and limestone (gunflint and wet river pebbles).
What are grapes harvested?
When they reach the proper sugar/acid ratio.
What is the average length of time from grape vine flowering to harvest?
100 days.
What is brix?
Winemaker’s measure of sugar in grapes.
What result if it rains right before harvest?
Grapes swell with water diluting the juice and making thing, verty wines.
What result/solutions for frost problem?
Result – reduced yield.
Solutions – Frost protection: wind machines, sprinkler systems and flaming heaters
What result/solution for not enough sun?
Results – underripe, green herbal vegetal character, high acid, low sugar.
Solution – chapitalization
What result/solution for too much sun?
Results – Overripe, prune character, high-alcohol
Solution –Amelioration (addition of water)
What result/solution for too much rain?
Result - thin watery wines
Solution - move vineyard to drier climate
What results/solution for mildew?
Result - rot
Solution - Spray with copper sulfate
