Wine Laws Flashcards
What are the five hierarchical categories in South Africa’s WO system?
- geographical unit (Western Cape)
- region (Coastal Region, Cape South Coast)
- district (Walker Bay)
- ward (Hemel-en-Aarde)
- estate wines
What are the three hierarchical categories in Australia’s GI wine laws?
- zone (Western Australia, Southeastern Australia, Barossa)
- region (Barossa Valley, Eden Valley)
- sub-region
What are the PGI terms in France?
- IGP
- Vin de Pays (VdP)
Where is Cru Bourgeois found, and what are the levels? How often is it reviewed?
- Found in the Médoc
- Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels
- Every five years
Where is Cru classé found? Are reds and whites classified together or separately?
- Graves (all in Pessac-Léognan)
- Reds and whites classified separately
Describe Burgundy’s classification system
- Regional appelations
- Commune (village) appelations
- Premier cru, Grand cru (single vineyards)
Beaujolais Nouveau: when can it be sold?
Release no sooner than the third Thursday in November. Cannot be sold by growers or negociants after the following August 31st.
Vendanges Tardives (VT): Requirements?
- Only the four noble varieties
- Minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety
- In the best wines (not a requirement), passerillage, and maybe some noble rot
Sélection de grains nobles (SGN): Requirements?
- Made from one of four noble varieties
- Higher minimum sugar requirements than VT, usually achieved with noble rot
- Not produced every year, and only in small quantities
Qualitätswein in Germany: What is it?
- The basic PDO category
- Must come from one of 13 designated winegrowing areas
Prädikatswein in Germany: What is it?
- A category within Qualitätswein
- Has higher must weights than Qualitätswein
- Has six subcategories
What are the six levels of Prädikatswein in Germany, in increasing must weight?
Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein Trockenbeerenauslese
What is VDP.Grosses Gewächs?
- Wines made by members of the VDP (include vast majority of best sites in Germany)
- GG represents dry wines from VDP.Grosses Lage (the best sites within the VDP sites)
Qualitätswein in Austria: What is it?
- Basic PDO category
- Can be made from generic regions or specific regions
Prädikat in Austria: What is it?
- Qualitätswein can be labeled with a Prädikat level
- Generally same as Germany, but generally reserved for med-sweet and sweet wines
- Also includes Strohwein or Schilfwein (grapes dried on straw or reed mats over winter to dry them)
DAC in Austria: What is it?
- Wine producers agree on a style to establish a DAC
- Once they do, only wine that conforms to that style can be labeled with the DAC (otherwise have to use generic region)
Aszú: Requirements?
- Minimum of 120 g/L of residual sugar (150 for six puttonyos)
- Min of 18 months in oak (old or new)
Eszencia: Requirements?
- Free-run juice of Aszú berries
- Min 450 g/L residual sugar
- Years to ferment, very low sugar (<5%)
- Very rare
How is DOCG stricter than DOC?
- Stricter requirements
- In most cases must be bottled within area of production
What is the primary PGI term in Italy?
IGT (Indicazione Geographica Tipica)
Classico: Requirements?
- Wines made solely from original classified lands
Riserva in Italy: requirements?
- Higher in alcohol
- Longer ageing than minimums
What is DO in Spain?
- Basic PDO level
What is DOCa/DOQ in Spain?
- DOs of at least 10 years can apply
- Rioja and Priorat only
Vinos de Pago: Requirements?
- Small number of estates with high reputations
- Estates may only use their own grapes, and must vinify and mature on the estate
What is the PGI term in Spain?
Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)
What is the minimum ageing requirements for red and white Joven wines?
0 months
What is the minimum ageing requirements for red and white Crianza wines?
- Red: 24 months, 6 in oak
- White: 18 months, 6 in oak
What is the minimum ageing requirements for red and white Reserva wines?
- Red: 36 months, 12 in oak
- White: 24 months, 6 in oak
What is the minimum ageing requirements for red and white Gran Reserva wines?
- Red: 60 months, 18 in oak
- White: 48 months, 6 in oak
What is the GI term in the US?
AVA (American Vinticultural Area)
What is the GI term in Canada?
VQA (Vinters Quality Alliance)
What is the hierarchy of vineyard areas in Chile?
- Denominaciones de Origen (DOs) - four primary ones
- Subregions within the DOs that generally follow river valleys
What is the further classification of vineyard areas in Chile, used in addition to DOs?
- Costa
- Entre Cordilleras
- Andes
