Wine Profiles Flashcards
What climate does Pinot Noir prefer?
cool to moderate regions
In the coolest climates, what characteristics of Pinot Noir become excessive?
vegetal characteristics of cabbage and wet leaves
In the warmest climates, what characteristics of Pinot Noir become excessive?
Fruit becomes very jammy
What is the tannin and acid level of Pinot Noir?
Low Tannin, High Acid
Describe the fruit characteristics of Pinot Noir?
characteristics of cranberry, strawberry, cherry, raspberry
Describe secondary characteristics of Pinot Noir that develop with age?
mushroom, wet leaves and gamey meat
What is the most notable region for Pinot Noir?
Burgundy, France
What are the best example of Pinot Noir labeled in Burgundy?
Grand and Premier Cru
Name some locations where Pinot Noir is notable?
France, Germany, Pacific Northwest USA, New Zealand and Australia
What climate does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer?
warmer to hot regions
When under-ripe, what characteristics does Cabernet Sauvignon exhibit?
unappealing herbaceous and harsh tannins
What is the tannin and acid level of Cabernet Sauvignon?
High tannin, depending on where it is grown medium to high acid
Describe the fruit characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Ripe Cabernet Sauvignon has black fruit flavors along with pyrazines (such as bell pepper and mint)
In Bordeaux, how is quality conveyed via naming?
Domaine labeling
What climate does Merlot prefer?
from cool to warmer regions with differing results
In cooler regions, what characteristics does Merlot exhibit?
a wine with red fruit characteristics of strawberry and plum, along with some herbaceousness such as mint, and good tannins and acid.
In warmer regions, what characteristics does Merlot exhibit?
In warmer climates, the acid is decreases and the tannins become softer which the fruit characteristics move toward black fruit with a fuller body, higher alcohol.
Name two grapes that are notably blended with Merlot and the primary regions where it originated
Left bank Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon. Right Bank Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc
From where is the most expensive Merlot sourced?
he most expensive Merlots are likely from the right bank of Bordeaux where they are labeled regionally and, in Saint-Émilion as Crus
What climate does Syrah prefer?
grown in moderate to warmer regions.
Describe Syrah grapes
Syrah is a small, thick and deeply colored skinned black grape
Describe the color, body, acid and alcohol of Syrah
The wines are often deeply colored, high body, high alcohol wines with high tannins and moderate acidity.
Describe two flavors often attributed to Syrah
The often exhibit dark fruit (blackberry) and chocolate flavors.
Describe differences in moderate climate Syrah
In more moderate regions they tend to show some spice and herbaceous qualities
Describe difference in warmer climate Syrah
flavors moves toward deeper fruit and liquorice
Does Syrah see Oak?
Often yes
Where is the classic region for Syrah?
The classic regions for Syrah is the Rhône regions of France
Name some common Northern Rhône blending grapes used with Syrah?
Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier grapes
How many southern Rhône blending grapes are there?
13
What is the Syrah-only AOC of the Northern Rhone?
Cornas AOC
What is the new world country most commonly associated with Syrah
Australia, Shiraz
Provide an alternate name for Grenache
Garnacha
Describe Grenache grapes
large black grape variety with thin skins and high sugar content and low levels of acid
What is the preferred climate of Granche?
Hot
Describe the alcohol and tannin content of Grenache wines
high alcohol low tannin
Describe the color and body of Grenache wines
Deeply colored, full body
Describe the fruit characteristics of Grenache wines
strawberry and raspberry along with spicy notes of white pepper and liquorice
Grenache is often associated with this style of wine when used as a single varietal
Rose
A common blending grapes with Grenache and where?
Syrah, Rhone
Where is most grenache grown?
Southern France and Spain are where most Grenache is grown
Say Aglianico
“alli-yawn-nico”
Describe Aglianico wines
is a black grape that makes a deeply colored, intense wines
Describe the aromas from Aglianico
It has complex floral and dark fruit aromas
Describe the color and body of Aglianico wines
deeply colored full-bodied
Describe the tannin and acidity Aglianico wines
high tannin and high acidity
Where is Barbera grown?
Piedmont region of Italy
Describe the acidity and tannin of Barbera-based wines
medium body, high acidity and moderate tannin
Does Barberba see oak?
Often yes
Flavors of Barbera?
Red fruit flavors and black pepper (Dark Cherry, Dried Strawberry, Plum, Blackberry)
Where did Carménère originate and where it is it primarily grown now?
France and now Chile
Describe the color and body of Carménère wines?
deep in color, medium to full body
Describe the acidity and alcohol of Carménère wines?
high acidity and high alcohol
What type of climate does Carménère require?
warm and sunny site to ripen completely
Describe the fruit characteristics of Carménère
Flavors of black fruit and peppery spice
What regions is associated with Gamay?
southern Burgundy region of Beaujolais
Describe the body and acidity of Gamay-based wines?
light to medium bodied red wine with medium to high acidity
Describe the alcohol and tannin of Gamay-based wines?
medium alcohol and low tannin
Does Gamay see Oak?
Usually no
Describe the fruit characteristics of Gamay-based wines
Gamay show red fruit (strawberry, raspberry and cherry) along with some spice such as cinnamon and pepper
Where did Malbec originate and where it is it primarily grown now?
France, still exists as a blend, but now strongly associated with Argentina as a varietal
Describe the body and tannin of Malbec?
full-bodied wines with medium to high tannins,
Describe the fruit character of Malbec?
dark fruit and spicy flavors. (Black cherry, Pomengranate, Plum, Raspberry, Blackberry, Blueberry)
Does Malbec see Oak?
Often Yes
Describe Montepulciano
Montepulciano is a black Italian wine grape
Describe the color and acid of Montepulciano
deeply colored, high acid
Describe the tannin and alcohol of Montepulciano
medium to high tannin and alcohol
Describe the flavors of Montepulciano
flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum when at its best
Where is Nebbiolo from?
Piemonte region of Italy
Describe the body and acid of Nebbiolo
full body, high acid
Describe the tannin of Nebbiolo
high tannin
Describe some flavors of Bebbiolo
It’s known for red fruit flavors along with strong earthy elements such as mushroom, tobacco or tar
Where was Pinotage created
South Africa
What is Pinotage a cross between?
Pinot noir and Cinsaut (locally known as hermitage)
Describe the body and tannin of Pinotage
full bodied, medium tannin
Describe the flavors of Pinotage
red fruit flavors of strawberry, cherry, raspberry with vegetal and animal notes
Where is Sangiovese primarily used?
Sangiovese is a black grape variety central to the wines of Chianti and Brunello
Describe the tannin and acidity of sangiovese
that offers a red wine of high tannin and acidity
Describe the body of sangiovese
medium to full body
Describe flavors and aromas of Sangiovese
Typically, Sangiovese offers flavors of red cherries, plum, earth and green tea.
Where is tempranillo primarily grown
Tempranillo is a dark grape variety very important to Spain and Portugal.
Does tempranillo see oak
Often, yes
Describe the body and acid of tempranillo
medium body, and acid and tannin and often sees oak
Describe the tannin of tempranillo
medium tannin
Where is the most important region for tempranillo?
Rioja
Describe tempranillo’s fruit and use in rioja?
In regions such as Rioja it offers flavors of strawberry and is often blended with Grenache.
Describe tempranillo’s fruit In Ribera del Duero
In Ribera del Duero it shows black fruit such as blackberry and plum.
Describe the flavors of Zinfandel
flavors of black and dried fruit along with spice such as blackberry, prune, raisin, clove and liquorice
Describe the color, body and alcohol of Zinfandel wines
saturated, full bodied, high in alcohol
Describe cool climate chardonnay
green fruit and citrus
Describe moderate climate chardonnay
white stone fruit with citrus and melon
Describe warm climate chardonnay
tropical notes
Does chardonnay see oak?
Often but not always
Name a few common techniques used with chardonnay and their result
additions of oak, malolactic fermentation and lees aging or stirring: significant body and creamy textures
Describe the aromas and flavors of Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic white grape that is often known for its pyrazine-based aromas such as fresh-cut grass and bell pepper along with green fruit (gooseberry and passionfruit)
Describe the acid and body Sauvignon Blanc
Usually high in acid, medium in body
What is the effect of warmer climates on Sauvignon Blanc
less aromatics
When might Sauvignon see Oak?
Moderate climates
What are the traditional premium regions for Sauvignon Blanc
The traditional premium regions include the Loire Central Vineyards Bordeaux
What grapes is blended with Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux
Semillion
What new world region is most strongly associated with Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand
Describe Riesling
Riesling is a fruity and floral aromatic grape variety
What is the traditional climate of Riesling
long associated with the cooler climates of France, Germany and Austria
Describe cool climate riesling
green fruit flavors often with floral and lemon/lime citrus notes
Describe warm climate riesling
stone fruit and more pronounced citrus as they become riper
What key attribute of Riesling allows for its use in age-worthy sweet wines
High acid
Does Riesling see oak?
almost never
Provide an example of a well-known new world Riesling region
Claire Valley, Australia
Where is Albariño an important grape?
Spain and Portugal
Where are the most notable plantings of Albariño
Rias Baixas
Describe the fruit of Albariño
It provides a wine with citrus (lemon/lime/grapefruit) and fresh green fruit
Does Albariño see oak?
Typically unoaked,
Describe the acid and body of Albariño
Albariño is known for its high acidity and medium body
Name two regions associated with Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is widely grown in both the Loire Valley of France for Premium wines and in South Africa as a source of inexpensive whites
Describe cooler climate Chenin Blanc
citrus, green and tropical fruit along with green leafiness
Which are of the Loire Valley makes a variety of well known Chenin Blanc wines?
in the Vouvray AOC, it is made into wines with a wide range of sweetness
Describe warmer climate Chenin Blanc
In warmer South Africa, it yields medium-bodied dry and off-dry wines with tropical fruit and citrus.
Which region is commonly associated with Gewürztraminer ?
Gewürztraminer is most commonly associated with Alsace, France
Describe the aromatics intensity of Gewürztraminer
It produces a pungent, intensely aromatic
Describe the aromatics of Gewürztraminer
Rose, blossoms, tropical and stone fruit along with ginger are common
Describe the styles of wines made from Gewürztraminer
wines that can be made dry, off-dry or medium with high alcohol, low acidity and an accompanying full body
Describe the range and fruits of Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris generally indicates a full-bodied dry to sweet wines with spicy tropical flavors of ginger, banana and melon and occasionally honey
What is the traditional home of Pinot Gris and what is a modern region of note
Although Alsace is the traditional home, New Zealand is now also producing notable examples.
Describe Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a generally neutral dry wine with medium or light body and medium acidity.
Where in Italy does Pinot Grigio show some of the styles of Pinot Gris
the northern regions of Italy (Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia) show some of the characters of those produced in Alsace.
Where is Semillon used to make varietally labeled wines?
Semillon used to make varietally labeled wines in Australia
Describe the acid, body and alcohol of Australian Semillon
dry, high acid wine which is light in body and alcohol.
Describe the aromas and flavors of Australian Semillon
It produces a fairly neutral delicate wine with some citrus but can age into a wine with toast, honey and nut.
What noted region uses Semillon as a blending grape?
In Bordeaux, Semillon is blended with Sauvignon Blanc to make both dry and the sweet wines that can age with honey and toasty flavors.
To where is Torrontés native?
Argentina, it is widely planted in the Cafayate region
Describe the acidity and alcohol of Torrontés?
Torrontés produces dry white wines with medium acidity and body, but high alcohol
Describe the aromas of Torrontés
Torrontés produces wines with intense fruity and floral aromas.
Describe the wine produced by Trebbiano
It produces a neutral white wine with high acidity.
Where else is the Trebbiano used notably?
It is also known as Ugni Blanc in France where it is important to Cognac production
Where is most Verdicchio used?
Most is produced in the Marche region of central Italy
What type of wine uses Verdicchio?
It can be used to make still and sparkling wine
Where the name ‘Verdicchio’ come from
Due to its greenish hue
Detail the acid and body of a Verdicchio wine
Verdicchio produces a high acid and medium bodied white wine
Describe some aromas of Verdicchio
lemon, fennel and almonds
Is Viognier an aromatic grape?
Viognier can produce an intensely aromatic wine
Describe the acidity, alcohol and body of Viognier wines
Viognier can produce wine with low acidity and high alcohol and body
What is the classic region for Viognier
Northern Rhône
Describe classic aromas of Viognier
stone fruit and pear along with floral (violet)
