Wine Varieties Flashcards
What are the main black grape varieties in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux main black grape varieties:
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
What are the main white grape varieties in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux Main white grape varieties:
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
In Bordeaux, how many grape varieties are permitted under the appellation regulations?
13
Which Bordeaux grape variety?
Medium tannins, Medium body
Red fruit, berries, perfume and spice
Cabernet Franc
Which grape variety is the most widely planted in Bordeaux?
Merlot
Which Bordeaux grape variety?
Ripens fully only in very hot years.
Produces a very deep coloured, tannic wine.
Ages slowly
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is added in small quantities to a Bordeaux blend to add what characteristics?
- Tannin
- Colour
- Spicy notes
What is the most important variety for sweet wines in Bordeaux?
Why?
Sémillon
Sémillon has thin skins and an affinity for noble rot
What aromas characterise a Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc?
Citrus and green fruit aromas
Which grape variety is the one exception to the generalisation that all Bordeaux wines are blends?
Sauvignon Blanc
In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc adds what characteristic to blended wines?
Higher acidity
Which Bordeaux grape variety?
Pronounced grapey, floral flavour
Important supporting role in sweet and dry wine production
Only makes up a small percentage of any blend
Muscadelle
What are flavour characteristics of Muscadelle?
Grapey, floral flavours
What is another name for Bordeaux red wine?
Claret
What grape varieties are grown in Alsace?
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinto Gris
Muscat
In Alsace, what are termed the noble varieties?
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinto Gris
Muscat
True or False?
The majority of Alsatian wines are made from blends
False
The vast majority of Alsatian wines are made from a single grape variety
In Alsace, blended wines made from juice that was not selected for varietal wines are called what?
Edelzwicker
or
Gentil
In Alsace, what grape variety is the most widely planted?
Riesling
In Alsace, what are the characteristics os a good quality riesling?
Medium to full bodied Dry with medium alcohol High acid Citrus and stone fruit aromas Pronounced stone or steely character
Do German or Alsatian rieslings show more floral character in general?
German
Which Alsace grape variety?
Pungent aromatic spicy nose reminiscent of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices. Some wines have a golden colour Full bodied, rich oily texture Low to medium acidity High alcohol
Gewurztraminer
In Alsace, what are the aroma characteristics of Gewurztraminer?
Pungent aromatic spicy nose reminiscent of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices
Which Alsace grape variety?
Medium to full bodied Dry with medium alcohol High acid Citrus and stone fruit aromas Pronounced stone or steely character
Riesling
Which Alsace grape variety?
Rich, full bodied
High in alcohol
Fresh and dried fruit flavours
Honeyed character
Pinto Gris
In Alsace, what are the characteristics of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains?
Intensely aromatic
Flavours of orange blossom, rose and grape
Light to medium body
low to medium acidity
What are the 2 Muscat varieties grown in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel
Which of the 2 Muscat varieties grown in Alsace is more widely planted and why?
Muscat Ottonel can be relied on to crop more regularly
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is prone to poor fruit set and rot.
What Loire Valley grape variety?
High acidity
Aromas and flavours of green apple and asparagus
Hint of wet pebbles
Sauvignon Blanc
What are the aroma and flavour characteristics of a Pouilly Fumé wine?
Sauvignon Blanc High acidity Aromas and flavours of green apple and asparagus Hint of wet pebbles Subtle smokey notes
What are the aroma and flavour characteristics of a Sancerre wine?
Sauvignon Blanc
High acidity
Aromas and flavours of green apple and asparagus
Hint of wet pebbles
Name 2 aromatic white grape varieties
Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
What are the aroma and flavour characteristics of a Chablis?
Chardonnay
High Acidity
Green apple and citrus
Hint of wet stones and slate
What 3 grape varieties are used to make sweet wines in Sauternes?
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
Describe a high end wine from Sauturnes
High in alcohol
Sweet yet balanced with high acidity
Apricot & citrus peel aromas of Noble Rot
Toast & vanilla from oak fermentation and/or maturation
Describe a high end wine from St- Émilion
Merlot based Med-High tannins Soft and rich mouth feel Red berry fruit and plum aromas Tobacco and cedar notes as it evolves
Describe a high end wine from Margaux
Cabernet Sauvignon based Core of blackcurrant fruit Cedar notes from oak Grippy tannins when young Long ageing potential
Describe a high quality Asti
Sweet Low alcohol Fruity aroma of peach and grape Floral overtones No autolytic characters