Winemaking Flashcards
What is optimum temp range for white wine making?
12 -22 C (54 - 72 F)
What aroma is created when white wine fermentation temps are too low?
aromas of pear drops
Which French AOC is known for fermenting and maturing dry Sauvignon Blanc-based wines with a proportion of oak?
Pessac-Leognan
There are 6 main ways to produce sweet wines, what are they?
- Stopping fermentation
- adding a sweet component
- Noble Rot
- drying grapes on the vine
- drying grapes after picking
- freezing grapes on the vine
Botrytis Cinerea is often referred to as what?
Noble Rot
What unique characteristics are associated with wines produced from grapes affected by noble rot?
honey, apricot, citrus zest and dried fruit
What is the passito method?
drying grapes after harvest, to concentrate the sugars
Why might a winemaker decide to retain a small fragments from the grape skins and the pulp in the grape?
Some winemakers choose to retain a small amount fragments or ‘solids’ in the juice. It is thought that this makes the finished wine less susceptible to oxidation, and it can add complexity and a richer texture.
What is a risk of retaining a small amount of solids in the grape juice?
There is a risk of off-flavors forming meaning that this technique is rarely used for wines that are intended to show pure varietal character.
What is varietal labelling?
This is when wines are made from a single grape variety and will state the name of the grape variety used on the bottle’s label.
What are classic examples of grape varieties used to make high-volume, inexpensive white wines?
Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio
What characteristics of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio make them appealing choices to produce high-volume, inexpensive wines?
The restrained varietal character of these grapes means the wines they produce appeal to a wine range of consumers. Both Varieties are easy to ripen, especially in warm climates.
Where are many grapes for high-volume, inexpensive wines grown?
Warm or hot regions
What is one of the most common adjustments made to high-volume, inexpensive wines?
Acidification is one of the most common adjustments made to these wines. Chardonnay in particular can be flat and flabby when acid levels are too low.
What are the fermentation vessels of choice to produce high-volume, inexpensive white wines?
Stainless steel tanks
When will malolactic conversion be prevented when making high-volume, inexpensive white wines?
If the winemaker wants to retain acidity and primary fruit aromas, malolactic conversion will be prevented by chilling the wine and adding SO2
What is common characteristic links Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Torrontes?
They all have pronounced aromas and flavors
What are perhaps the two most famous regions for producing high-quality Sauvignon Blanc?
Loire Valley, France and Marlborough, New Zealand
What is frequently done to high-quality Sauvignon Blanc in Margaret River, Western Australia?
It is frequently blended with Semillon
What are the characteristics of high-quality Riesling produced in cool climates?
Wines with green fruit flavors and often floral notes
What are the characteristics of high-quality Riesling produced in warm climates?
In warmer climates, Riesling becomes richer in flavor, with more predominant citrus and stone fruit, but arguably loses some delicacy.
Why is Riesling perfect for making well-balanced wines in a range of sweetness levels?
Riesling is a mid- to late-ripening depending on the style of wine being produced; left on the vine it can accumulate sugar without losing its naturally high acidity, and is therefore perfect for making well-balanced wines in a range of sweetness levels.
What is the homeland of Riesling?
Germany
How do winemakers create creamy, spicy styles of Fume Blanc in California or Pessac-Leognan in Bordeaux?
The wines are barrel fermented
What is a feature of Chardonnay that means it can suffer in areas where spring frosts are common?
It is early budding
What are characteristics of high-quality wines produced from Chardonnay in cool climates?
In cool climates Chardonnay can display flavors of green fruit, such as apple, and citrus, such as lemon
What are characteristics of high-quality wines produced from Chardonnay in moderate climates?
In more moderate climates, the flavors can lean more towards white peach and melon as well as lemon
What are characteristics of high-quality wines produced from Chardonnay in warm to hot climates?
Stone fruits, such as peach, may be accompanied by ripe tropical fruits, such as banana and pineapple. In such climates Chardonnay can lose acidity quickly towards the end of the ripening process.
What is the classic French region known for Pinot Gris?
Alsace
What regions in Italy are known for making high-quality Pinot Grigio?
Alto Adige, Tentino and Fruili Venezia
What fermentation vessel is often used in the production of Chablis, the Pinot Grigios from north-east Italy, and Pinot Gris from New Zealand?
Stainless Steel or concrete
What fermentation vessel is often used for Chardonnay from the Cote d’Or?
Small, new oak barrels
What styles of white wine might not be desirable for malolactic conversion?
Because malolactic conversion decreases the perception of acidity and diminishes primary fruit flavors, it may not be desirable for fruity styles of wine
What is an ‘orange wine’?
Orange wines or amber wines are created when a winemaker chooses to extend the period of skin contact much further and ferment white grapes on their skins, as is standard practice for red winemaking. These wines are called ‘orange wines’ or ‘amber wines’ due to their color.
Where are ‘orange wines’ considered to be traditional styles?
Most notably, in the countries of Georgia and Slovenia and in the region of Friuli- Venezia Giulia in Italy
How does the taste profile of ‘orange wines’ compare to other white wines?
The taste profile of these wines can be very different from other white wines. Their tannins are clearly perceptible, and they often have flavors of dried fruits, dried herbs, hay and nuts.
There are three main ways to make a rose wine, what are they?
- direct pressing
- short maceration
- blending
What is the purpose of pre-fermentation extraction?
To extract color and flavor compounds
red wine fermentation usually ranges between what temperatures (C)?
20 - 32 C (68 - 90 F)
Why are red wines fermented at a higher temperatures compared to white wines?
to facilitate the extraction of color, flavors and tannins in red wines
What are the 4 main cap management techniques?
- Punching down
- Pumping over
- rack & return
- rotary fermenters
Which 2 methods of cap management techniques help to dissipate heat?
pumping over and rack & return
Post-fermentation extraction encourages further extraction of what?
tannin
What are 3 forms of whole bunch fermentations?
- Carbonic Maceration
- Semi-Carbonic Maceration
- Whole bunches with crushed fruit