Wine for Beginners Flashcards
Dive into the basics of wine, understanding varietals, tasting notes, and wine etiquette. Your first step to becoming a wine expert.
What is wine made from?
Fermented grape juice
Actually, wine is technically made from any fermented fruit. (Did you know that cider is technically apple wine?)
This is as opposed to beer, which is made from fermented grains.
But, of course, when people colloquially refer to “wine”, it’s of the grape variety.
What are the 3 main styles of wine?
- still
- sparkling
- fortified
Still wines are probably the wines you’re most familiar with! They don’t have any bubbles, come in an array of colors (white, red, and rosé) and are typically dry in style.
Sparkling wines have bubbles in them like Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco.
Fortified wines have had a distilled spirit like brandy added to them, increasing their alcohol percentage. They’re also often quite sweet, although they can be dry too. Think: Port wine, sherry, marsala, and vermouth.
What are the 4 basic steps in making wine?
- The grapes are harvested and crushed
- The juice is fermented
- The resultant wine is filtered and bottled
- The bottle is left to mature for a few months or years
How does wine fermentation work?
- Winemakers add yeast to the grape juice
- The yeast then consume the grape sugars over the course of 5-21 days
- This produces ethanol and carbon dioxide as byproducts
The resultant liquid that is less sweet than the original grape juice and also alcoholic, while the carbon dioxide escapes as a gas.
What makes red wine red and white wine white?
- Red wine gets its color from the skin of the grapes, which are left in during fermentation.
- White wine is made from grapes with little to no skin contact during fermentation.
In other words, white wine is made from just the grape pulp. (Also, white grape skins don’t contain red pigment.)
What are the 5 main components of wine?
i.e. the things that are in wine that play an important role in its taste and balance
- Water
- Alcohol
- Sugar
- Acids
- Tannins
In the context of wine, what does the term acidity mean?
The level of tartness in a wine, which provides freshness and balance.
Wines with high acidity taste crisp and citrusy, making your mouth water. Low-acidity wines, on the other hand, can taste flabby; lacking in structure with no backbone bringing the wine’s elements together.
What is the name for the natural compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems?
Tannins
Tannins taste astringent and have a drying sensation in the mouth. Importantly, they contribute to the structure and mouthfeel of wine.
What term is used to describe the weight and fullness of a wine in the mouth?
Body
The body of a wine can range from light-bodied, like Pinot Grigio or Grenache; and medium-bodied, like Chenin Blanc and Merlot; to full-bodied, like Cabernet Sauvignon and oaked Chardonnay.
How might you describe the body of a wine that is heavy and feels thick and viscous in the mouth?
Full-bodied
Full body is about density and weight, and these two thing typically occur when the wine has a high alcohol content (13.8% abv and higher).
What is a grape variety?
(aka ‘varietal’ or ‘cultivar’)
A specific type of grape with distinct characteristics that contribute to the flavor of the wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling are all examples of grape varieties.
What is the range of alcohol content of most wines?
11% to 15%
White wines typically have lower alcohol than red wines
What are some of world’s most popular red wines varietal?
Try to list 3
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Pinot Noir
- Malbec
- Zinfandel
What are some of world’s most popular white wine varietals?
Try to list 3
- Pinot Gris / Grigio
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Sémillon
- Chenin Blanc
What is a still wine?
Still wine is non-effervescent and doesn’t contain any bubbles
Unlike sparkling wine, such as Champagne or Prosecco.
What are the 4 main categories of wine sweetness?
Dry, off-dry, medium-sweet, and sweet
(In order of least to most sweet)
Most still (i.e. non-sparkling) wines are made in a dry style. meaning they have very little residual sugar.
Describe a typical Cabernet Sauvignon
- red wine
- dry
- high-alcohol
- full-bodied
- great with meat dishes
Describe a typical Sauvignon Blanc
- white wine
- dry
- lighter-bodied
- acidic (tart/sour)
- aromatic
When a wine is described as “aromatic” it means that it packs a lot of delicious smells. These can be fruity, floral, earthy, herbaceous, or even vegetal (like green pepper and cut grass).
Sauvignon Blancs typically have strong citrus and green grassy notes.
Describe a typical Merlot
- red wine
- dry
- medium- to full-bodied
- smooth and approachable
- red and black fruit
Has red and black fruit-forward flavors
Describe a typical Chenin Blanc
- white wine
- dry
- medium- to full-bodied
- less acidic than Sauvignon Blanc
- fruity
Has lots of stone, tropical, or citrus fruit flavors and aromas, depending on where the grapes are grown.
Describe a typical Chardonnay
- white wine
- dry
- medium- to full-bodied
- made in a variety of styles
- tropical fruit
Depending on where the fruit is grown and the style the winemaker is going for, Chardonnay wines vary a lot.
For example, American Chardonnays are most often matured in oak and exhibit tropical fruits and vanilla flavors, while some French Chardonnays (like Chablis) are not matured in oak and exhibit very acidic, citrusy flavors and aromas.
Describe a typical Shiraz/Syrah
- red wine
- dry
- full-bodied
- bold and aromatic
- black fruit
Typically has notes of smoke, black fruit, and pepper spice.
Describe a typical Pinot Noir
- red wine
- dry
- Light- to medium-bodied
- light cherry red in color
- silky tannins
Has bright acidity, and red fruit and earthy flavors and aromas.
Describe a typical Pinot Gris / Grigio
- white wine
- dry
- light-bodied
- citrus & stone fruit
Describe a typical Malbec
- red wine
- dry
- medium- to full-bodied
- rich, dark fruit
Dark fruit aromas and flavors like blackberry and plum.
Describe a typical Zinfandel
- red wine
- dry
- full-bodied
- high alcohol
- smoke & spice
Typically has fruit, spice, and smoky notes.
Describe a typical Riesling
- white wine
- off-dry to dry
- lighter- to medium-bodied
- aromatic
- try with spicy coconut curries!
Flavors include citrus, stone fruit, white flowers, and even gasoline!
If I love sweet (or off-dry) wines, what are some styles I should try?
- dessert wine like Moscato
- late harvest wine
- some Rieslings (not all)
- Sauternes (French white wine)
- Port
What are some common adjectives to describe the mouthfeel of a wine?
“Mouthfeel” is the tactile sensation of the wine on your tongue and palate.
- smooth
- creamy
- astringent
- harsh
For example, some young red wines can feel very astringent and harsh in the mouth, while more mature reds can be smooth and creamy.
What natural or added compounds act as preservatives in wine to prevent oxidation and bacterial growth?
Sulfites
What term is used for the combination of soil, climate, and geography, which, together, imparts unique characteristics to the grapes grown there?
and, therefore, the resulting wine
Terroir
The way the soil drains and its capacity to hold heat; the topography of the land and its exposure to the sun; and the location of the vineyard relative to the equator and nearby oceans and rivers… these are all aspects that contribute to the winemaking concept of “terroir” which is usually expressed in the quality, complexity, and flavor/aroma profile of the resultant wine, giving it a sense of place.
How is wine aged?
Two ways:
- In the barrel, and
- In the bottle
and sometimes a mixture of both
Aging wine allows it to develop complex flavors and aromas over time.
Some winemakers will cellar wine for one year, many years, or even decades before releasing it to market.
When you buy a wine, you can age it at home if you like, provided you can store it somewhere cool and dark.
Age is not directly proportional to quality! It’s possible for some wines to just get too old and will taste either sour, fruitless, and like vinegar or cooked (like stewed fruit / prunes).
How should wine be stored?
In a cool, dark, and stable environment
(between 60°F (15°C) and 68°F (20°C))
Furthermore, wines with corks should be stored on their sides to keep the cork moist, while wines with screw caps can be stored either upright or on their sides.
Wine fridges are fantastic appliances for this purpose, since not everyone’s home comes with a basement or a cool, dark place they can store their wine.
What is the ideal serving temperature for red wine?
Red wine is typically served between 60°F (15°C) and 68°F (20°C).
In other words: on the cool side of room temperature.
Red wines can be served at the same temperature that they’re stored.
What is the ideal serving temperature for white wine?
White wine is usually served between 45°F (7°C) and 50°F (10°C).
In other words: chilled!
Whites wines should be served at a cooler temperature than they’re stored. So it’s a good idea to put a white wine in the fridge several hours beforehand so that it’s nice and chilled by the time you intend to serve it.
List four places in your home you should never store wine
Unless you’re trying to make red or white wine vinegar.
(Fun fact: The French words “vin aigre” mean “sour wine”, which is where the word vinegar comes from!)
- Kitchen, especially on top of the refrigerator
- In direct sunlight or bright artificial lights
- Near a radiator, heating vent, or AC unit
- Bathroom
Wine doesn’t store well in heat, light, and in environments that have extreme fluctuations in temperature, like your kitchen, where you fire up the stove on the daily.
Which of Brainscape’s wine articles should I read to cure me of my wine ignorance?
10 Things everyone should know about wine
It’s a fun and easy read, I promise!
What does the wine term Brut mean?
Dry
Brut just means “dry”, but for sparkling wine.
What do you call a wine professional who curates wine lists, suggests pairings, and assists with wine service in restaurants?
A sommelier
As in Brainscape’s “Somm Talk” YouTube series.
What are 3 questions you can ask a sommelier to make a good wine choice?
- “What wine would you recommend to go with [meal X]?”
- “I usually like [wine X]. Do you have anything that’s similar to that?”
- “What on the wine list is exciting to you right now?”
How can you ask a sommelier/server for a good wine recommendation if you’ve got a strict budget?
“What is your favorite wine for under $80?”
(or whatever you’re comfortable spending).
You could also ask:
- “Do you have any wines on special tonight?”
- “What are some simple wines that are a great value?”
- “What are some wines with [characteristic X] that are ‘not too crazy fancy’?”
Aside from budget, what # 1 criterion should you consider when ordering or buying wine?
The meal you intend on pairing it with.
What you want to eat—more specifically its weight, complexity, and flavor profile—is paramount in choosing the perfect wine.
Ask the sommelier/server: “We’d like to order the Greek pizza / sea bass / filet mignon / quarter-pounder with cheese (just kidding), etc. What wine do you recommend to go with it?”
What is wine made from?
Fermented grape juice
Actually, wine is technically made from any fermented fruit. (Did you know that cider is technically apple wine?)
This is as opposed to beer, which is made from fermented grains.
But, of course, when people colloquially refer to “wine”, it’s of the grape variety.