Wine Basics and Identification Flashcards
What are the main varieties of red wine?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel.
What are the three major types of wine?
White, red, and rose.
Why is red wine red?
It is a result of the grape skin’s contact with the grape’s juice during fermentation.
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.
What are the main varieties of white wine?
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier.
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.
Which white wines tend to be medium bodied?
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling
Which white wines tend to be lighter bodied?
Chablis (unoaked Chardonnay), Pinot Gris/Grigio
Which red wines tend to be full bodied?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
Which red wines tend to be medium bodied?
Merlot, Shiraz
Which red wines tend to be light bodied?
Chianti, Pinot Noir
Why is rose blush-colored?
Red-skinned grapes are used. The skins are discarded in the middle of fermentation rather than remaining throughout.
Name three common types of fortified wines
Sherry, Port, Madeira
