Wine, Beer and Liquor Terminology Flashcards
What can you tell about a wine from its “body” and its “bouquet”? How “hoppy” is that beer you’re drinking? Learn the most important terms to help you correctly identify and label any type of wine, beer, and liquor.
What does “body” mean when describing a 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 the 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 are “legs” when describing a 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
- Heavier & thicker legs can indicate a higher alcohol and/or sugar content
What is the technical term for “the study of wine”?
Enology
What is a wine’s “vintage” year?
The year in which at least 95% of its grapes were harvested (not the year in which the wine was bottled)
What is a wine’s “finish”?
The 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
- A fine complement to any 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 type of wine is a Malbec?
(mahl-bek)
- Red wine
- Often blended with other varieties e.g., Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot to make Bordeaux-style wines
- Goes well with any meat dish
What type of wine is a Pinot Noir?
(pee-noh nwahr)
- Red wine
- Pair with grilled salmon, chicken, or lamb
What type of wine is a Chardonnay?
(shar-doh-nay)
- White wine
- Popular in the 1990s
- Pair with fish or chicken dishes
What type of wine is a Barbera?
(bar-BEAR-ah)
- Red wine
- Similar to Merlot
- Goes well with many dishes, especially those with tomato sauce
What type of wine is a Sauvignon Blanc?
(saw-vee-nyon blahnk)
- White wine
- Pair with seafood, poultry, and salads
What type of wine is a Sémillon?
(seh-mee-yohn)
- White wine
- Pair with clams, mussels, or pasta salad
What type of wine is a Muscat?
(**MUHS-kat)
- White wine
- Best served on its own
What type of wine is a Sangiovese?
(san-joe-VAE-sae)
- Red wine
- Made from the same grapes as Chianti
- Generally bright colored and acidic
What type of wine is a Riesling?
(REESE-ling)
- White wine
- Often considered one of the finest wines
- Pair with fish, chicken, pork dishes, and Thai food
What type of wine is a Gewürztraminer?
(geh-VAIRTZ-trah-mee-ner)
- White wine ideal for sipping
- Pair with Asian food, pork, and grilled sausages
What type of wine is a Pinot Grigio?
(pee-noh GREE-joe)
- White wine
- Also called Pinot Gris
- Varies from light & crisp to rich & spicy
- Very versatile as a dinner wine
What type of wine is a Petite Sirah?
(peh-TEET sih-RAH)
- Red wine made from a dark, tannic grape
- Different from the bolder Syrah grape
- Popular in California
- Often blended with Zinfandel to give more density
What type of wine is a White Burgundy?
Chardonnay
What is the “hoppiness” of a beer?
A bitter flavor arising from the hop plant
Pale ales are generally the hoppiest beers available in the United States
What is the “fruitiness” of a beer?
A by-product of yeast fermentation in the brewing process
Most ales have some degree of fruity flavor, even though no actual fruit is used
Where did the word “whiskey” originate?
From the Irish Gaelic uisce beatha or Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha, meaning “water of life”
What does “malting” liquor mean?
Malting is a process whereby grains are soaked in water to begin germination, but then removed and either dried or heated to prevent further germination.
What is “peat” in whisky production?
- Dead vegetation like moss, soil, and grass that has been compacted over thousands of years
- Burned to heat up barley to stop germination during malting
- Produces strong smoky flavor in whisky
What are other words for “liqueur”?
Cordials or ratafias
What is the meaning of proof in alcohol?
- A measure of the amount of alcohol in an alcoholic drink, mainly distilled spirits
- Equal to twice the percentage of alcohol by volume
What does it mean to “nose” an alcohol?
To smell it in a particular way as to judge its aroma
