Wine Identification Flashcards
Learn the right vocabulary and characteristics to properly describe a Merlot, a Chardonnay, a Zinfandel, or any other variety of common red, white, or rosé wines.
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 should you taste for in a Shiraz?
- blackberries and black plum
- gamey meat
- black pepper
What type of wine is a Merlot?
* **(mer-loh)*
- Red wine
- Easy-to-drink softness
- A fine complement to any meal
What should you taste for in a Merlot?
- dryness
- plum black cherry
- leather
- currant
- bell pepper
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 should you taste for in a Cabernet Sauvignon?
- full body
- dark cherry
- cedar
- tobacco
- chocolate
- black currant
- green pepper
- olive
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 should you taste for in a Malbec?
- plums
- berries
- spice
- however, varies greatly
What type of wine is a
Pinot Noir?
(pee-noh nwahr)
- Red wine
- Pair with grilled salmon, chicken, or lamb
What should you taste for in a Pinot Noir?
- cherries
- raspberries
- earthiness
What type of wine is a Chardonnay?
(shar-doh-nay)
- White wine
- Popular in the 1990s
- Pair with fish or chicken dishes
What should you taste for in a Chardonnay?
- lemon or grapefruit
- pear or apple
- buttery tone
- vanilla
- toast
- coconut
- toffee
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 should you taste for in a Barbera?
- black cherry
- plum
- silky texture
- acidity
What type of wine is a
Sauvignon Blanc?
(**saw-vee-nyon blahnk)
- White wine
- Pair with seafood, poultry, and salads
What should you taste for in a Sauvignon Blanc?
- herbal character
- bell peppers
- freshly mown grass
- apples
- pears
- tropical fruits
- smoky quality
What type of wine is a Sémillon?
(seh-mee-yohn)
- White wine
- Pair with clams, mussels, or pasta salad
What should you taste for in a Sémillon?
- Fig-like character
- Often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to dilute its strong berry flavors
What type of wine is a Muscat?
(**MUHS-kat)
- White wine
- Best served on its own
What should you taste for in a Muscat?
- sometimes sweet
- always fruity
- reminiscent of grapefruit
- musky aroma
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 should you taste for in a Sangiovese?
- medium body
- fresh berry
- plum
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 should you taste for in a Riesling?
- fresh apples, peaches, and/or limes
- florals
- kerosene
- ranges from dry to sweet
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 should you taste for in a Gewürztraminer?
- Fruity flavors
- Aroma of rose petals, peaches, lychees, and allspice
- Not as refreshing as other whites
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 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 type of wine is a White Burgundy?
Chardonnay
What is a “magnum” when referring to wine?
The equivalent to two standard 750 ml bottles of wine, or 1.5 liters
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 should you taste for in a Zinfandel?
- berries
- jam-like flavors
- mild spiciness
- varies depending on whether white or red
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
