Wine Basics and Identification Flashcards
Learn the basic characteristics of reds, whites, and rosés and how to properly describe a Merlot, a Chardonnay, a Zinfandel, or any other common variety of wine.
What are the three major types of wine?
- Red
- White
- Rosé
What are some of the top wine producing countries?
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- United States
- Argentina
- Australia
- Chile
- Germany
- South Africa
- Portugal
- China
Why is red wine red?
It is a result of the grape skin’s contact with the grape’s juice during fermentation
What characteristics should the ideal red wine glass have?
- Holds 10 to 22 ounces of liquid
- Allows room to swirl your wine
- Has enough surface area to allow the wine to breathe
At what temperature is red wine best served?
60-65 degrees Fahrenheit
(warmer than white wines)
What are the main varieties of red wine?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Petit Sirah
- Pinot Noir
- Sangiovese
- Shiraz/Syrah
- Zinfandel
What are some common berry and fruit flavors used
to describe red wines?
- blackberry
- boysenberry
- cherry
- currant
- fig
- gooseberry
- plum
- raisin
- raspberry
- strawberry
What are some non-fruit flavors often detected in red wine?
- cinnamon
- clove
- cocoa
- coffee
- mocha
- pepper (black, white)
Where does white wine get its color?
- From the grape juice and grape skin of green, gold, or yellowish colored grapes, or
- From just the juice (not the skin) of select red grapes (as in some Champagnes)
What characteristics should the ideal white wine glass have?
- Narrow
- A sharp taper at the top of the glass to allow the drinker to enjoy the full aroma of the wine
At what temperature is white wine best served?
45-50 degrees Fahrenheit
(cooler than reds)
What are the “Big Eight” white wines?
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Gewürztraminer
- Pinot Gris/Grigio
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Viognier
What are some common fruit flavors used to describe white wines?
- apple
- citrus
- grapefruit
- lemon
- lime
- melon
- pear
- pineapple
What are some non-fruit flavors often detected in white wine?
- butter
- earthy
- floral
- honey
- herb
What is a varietal wine?
- Must have at least 75% of one grape variety
- The wine is then named after this grape with a capital initial
- E.g., Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer
What is a non-varietal wine?
A blend of several types of grapes
Which white wines tend to be full bodied?
- Oaked Chardonnay
- Gewürztraminer*
- Dry white wines
- Wines aged either fully or partly in wood
*Can be vinified in a range of styles, depending on region/producer.
Which white wines tend to be medium bodied?
- Sauvignon Blanc*
- Riesling
*Can be vinified in a range of styles, depending on region/producer.
Which white wines tend to be lighter bodied?
- Chablis (unoaked Chardonnay)
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Which red wines tend to be full bodied?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Malbec*
*Can be vinified in a range of styles, depending on region/producer.
Which red wines tend to be medium bodied?
- Merlot
- Shiraz*
*Can be vinified in a range of styles, depending on region/producer.
Which red wines tend to be lighter bodied?
- Chianti
- Pinot Noir*
*Can be vinified in a range of styles, depending on region/producer.
Why is rosé blush-colored?
- Red-skinned grapes are used
- The skins are discarded in the middle of fermentation, rather than remaining throughout
What is tannin?
- Naturally occurring preservative from grape skins, stems and seeds
- Provides structure to the wine: not a taste, “puckering” sensation
- More dominant in young red wines, often mellows over time
Name some common types of red wine.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Shiraz
- Pinot Noir
Name some common types of white wine.
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Grigio
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
Name 3 common types of fortified wines.
- Sherry
- Port
- Madeira
Name some common wine regions in France.
- Bordeaux
- Alsace
- Champagne
- Savoy
- Bourgogne
What are some common champagne brands?
- Dom Perignon
- Moet and Chandon
- Veuve Clicquot
What should you taste for in a Shiraz?
- blackberries and black plum
- gamey meat
- black pepper
What should you taste for in a Merlot?
- dryness
- plum black cherry
- leather
- currant
- bell pepper
What should you taste for in a Cabernet Sauvignon?
- full body
- dark cherry
- cedar
- tobacco
- chocolate
- black currant
- green pepper
- olive
What should you taste for in a Malbec?
- plums
- berries
- spice
- however, varies greatly
What should you taste for in a Pinot Noir?
- cherries
- raspberries
- earthiness
What should you taste for in a Chardonnay?
- lemon or grapefruit
- pear or apple
- buttery tone
- vanilla
- toast
- coconut
- toffee
What should you taste for in a Barbera?
- black cherry
- plum
- silky texture
- acidity
What should you taste for in a Sauvignon Blanc?
- herbal character
- bell peppers
- freshly mown grass
- apples
- pears
- tropical fruits
- smoky quality
What should you taste for in a Sémillon?
- fig-like character
- often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to dilute its strong berry flavors
What should you taste for in a Muscat?
- sometimes sweet
- always fruity
- reminiscent of grapefruit
- musky aroma
What should you taste for in a Sangiovese?
- medium body
- fresh berry
- plum
What should you taste for in a Riesling?
- fresh apples, peaches, and/or limes
- florals
- kerosene
- ranges from dry to sweet
What should you taste for in a Gewürztraminer?
- fruity flavors
- aroma of rose petals, peaches, lychees, and allspice
- not as refreshing as other whites
What should you taste for in a Zinfandel?
- berries
- jam-like flavors
- mild spiciness
- varies depending on whether white or red
What grape variety would you most likely find in a white Bordeaux?
(bor-doh)
Sauvignon Blanc
Some Bordeaux blends are also made with the Sémillon grape
What grape varieties can be found in a red Bordeaux?
(bor-doh)
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
What are some popular types of sparkling wines?
- Prosecco
- Champagne
- Sekt
- Cava
- Crémant
What is sake?
- Japanese alcohol
- Made from fermented wine
- Can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled
- Not aged for fresher flavor
What drink is mentioned in the Kojiki, the first written history of Japan (712)?
Sake
