Grape Varieties

Question 1

In which French region is Carignan most important? Why?

Answer 1

The Languedoc

It was historically valued for it’s high yield and so was heavily planted, but yields reduce naturally and it produces quality juice after 50 years

Question 2

What are the budding and ripening characteristics of Carignan? What effect do these have on its cultivation?

Answer 2

It is late budding and late ripening

Carignan avoids spring frosts but requires a long, warm growing season

Question 3

What is Carignan susceptible to?

Answer 3

Powdery mildew

Grape moths

Question 4

Is Carignan a low yielding or high yielding variety?

Answer 4

High yielding in its youth, but markedly lower as it approaches 50 years of age

Question 5

Is Carignan suited for mechanical harvesting?

Answer 5

No, as the bunches are firmly attached to the vine

Question 6

Is Carignan low in acidity? Tannins?

Answer 6

No, it is high in both acidity and tannins

Question 7

What is the typical character of wine made from Carignan?

Answer 7

Medium ruby
High acid
High tannins
Simple blaclberry aromas in inexpensive wines
Intense black fruit, spice, and earthiness in premium and above wines

Question 8

What region is known for its cultivation of Piquepoul? Where is it located?

Answer 8

Picpoul de Pinet AOC in the Languedoc, France

Question 9

What attribute makes Piquepoul valuable in the south of France?

Answer 9

It retains acidity as it ripens in warm climates

Question 10

True or False

Piquepoul has classically produced still and sparkling wines in France

Answer 10

False. It was used in the production of local Vermouth until the 1970s and 1980s. Gentle pressing, avoidance of oxidation, and low temperature fermentation improved still wine quality

Question 11

What is the typical character of wines made from Piquepoul?

Answer 11

Dry
Medium (+) to high acidity
Medium body
Medium intensity lemon fruit with light floral notes

Question 12

What is an alternative name for Malbec?

Answer 12

Cot

Question 13

What soil type does Pinot Gris prefer?

Answer 13

Heavy, clay soils

Question 14

Riesling is important in which countries and regions?

Answer 14

Germany (overall)

France (Alsace)

Australia (Clare Valley)

USA (Finger Lakes)

Question 15

Why has Riesling been so successfully cultivated in Germany? What percentage of plantings does it comprise?

Answer 15

Riesling has thick wood and has been able to survive tough German winters. It is also late budding, which offers it resistance to spring frosts.

Riesling accounts for 23% of German grape plantings.

Question 16

Why did Riesling plantings fall in Germany during the 1970s and ‘80’s?

Answer 16

Riesling is late ripening and needs dry autumns, which formerly meant that Riesling might not ripen fully in some vintages. More reliable crossings such as Muller-Thurgau that could achieve the legal must weight requirements were planted instead.

Question 17

What types of wines does Riesling produce? Why?

Answer 17

A full range of styles, from dry to sweet and even sparkling. It is able to retain high acidity when fully ripe, can obtain high sugar levels, and is sensitive to botrytis.

Question 18

What type of aromatic intensity and complexity can Riesling offer? What does it smell like?

Answer 18

Riesling is capable of offering pronounced intensity and highly complex wines.

Aromatics range from green fruit to tropical fruit and can include floral aromas. With age, it develops toasty, honeyed, and petrol aromas.

Question 19

What was one of the earliest German crosses that still maintains significance today? When, where, and by whom was it developed?

Answer 19

Müller-Thurgay, invented in 1882 by Hermann Müller at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute.

Question 20

What is Müller-Thurgae a cross of?

Answer 20

Riseling and Madeleine Royale

Question 21

What is Müller-Thrugau also known as?

Answer 21

Rivaner

Question 22

When and why did Müller-Thurgau become popular?

Answer 22

It was widely planted in Germany in the 1970s and 1980s to provide a more consistent crop over Riesling.

Question 23

What types of wines does Müller-Thurgau produce? Why?

Answer 23

Relatively simple, early drinking wines with simple fruity and floral aromas that generally have less structure and character than Rieslings.

It is also used widely in off-dry and inexpensive blends, such as Liebfraumilch which was popular in the ’70s and ’80s

Question 24

What is Germany’s most planted black grape variety?

Answer 24

Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)

Question 25

What is Germany’s most important black grape crossing? When, where, and by whom was it developed?

Answer 25

Dornfelder, developed by August Herold at the State Education and Research Institute for Viticulture and Pomology in Weinsberg, Württemberg in 1955.

Question 26

What types of wines does Dornfelder produce?

Answer 26

Two very distinct styles

Fruity, easy drinking with some residual sugar and aromas of sour cherry and blackberry

More complex, structured, ageable examples with oak fermentation and/or maturation with a focus on structure

Question 27

Which winegrowing regions have considerable Dornfelder plantings?

Answer 27

Rheinhessen and Pfalz in Germany where it is the most planted black variety

Question 28

Where is Teroldego most likely to be found?

Answer 28

Trentino-Alto Adige

It is the most common black grape in Trentino

Question 29

What are the viticultural characteristics of Teroldego? How is it typically cultivated?

Answer 29

Teroldego is vigorous and mid to late ripening. It is somewhat resistant to mildew but can suffer from dry stems.

It was traditionally trained in pergolas to manage vigor and encourage high yields. Quality focused producers have shifted to Guyot.

Question 30

What is the typical character of Teroldego?

Answer 30

Deep color, mouth watering acidity, medium body, medium ripe tannins, and deep black cherry aromas

Question 31

Where is Marzemino most likely found?

Answer 31

Trentino

Question 32

What are the viticultural characteristics of Marzemino? How is it typically cultivated?

Answer 32

It is susceptible to botrytis bunch rot and powdery mildew

It was historically trained on pergolas for high yields but quality focused producers are using spurred cordons

Question 33

Where is Lagrein most likely to be cultivated?

Answer 33

Trentino-Alto Adige

Question 34

What types of sites should Lagrein be planted on to encourage ripening? What are its viticultural characteristics?

Answer 34

Warm sites with long daylight hours.

It is subject to poor fruit set, which can reduce yields. Lagrein can also be affected by mildew.

Question 35

Where is Moscato Rosa likely to be cultivated?

Answer 35

Trentino

Question 36

What types of wine are made from Moscato Rosa?

Answer 36

Sweet wines with aromatics of rose

Question 37

What is Moscato Rosa susceptible to?

Answer 37

Poor fruit set and botrytis bunch rot

Question 38

Where is Nosiola typically cultivated?

Answer 38

In the Valley of the Lakes in Trentino, the region’s warmest area.

Question 39

What types of wines is Nosiola used to produce?

Answer 39

Small volumes of distinctive white wines with aromas of hazelnut that derive from the grape as opposed to oak.

Vino Santo (not Vin Santo) is a style of white wine from semi-dried Nosiola.

Question 40

What is Nosiola susceptible to?

Answer 40

Sour rot, powdery mildew, and spring frosts

Question 41

What is the relationship among Teroldego, Marzemino, and Lagrein? How does this affect their viticultural traits and wine character?

Answer 41

Teroldego is a parent of Marzemino and Lagrein, having spontaneously crossed in the wild twice with the same (likely now extinct) varietal.

All three grapes are vigorous, mid to late ripening, and produce deeply colored wines with medium tannins.