Blind tasting Flashcards

Question

What are the primary fruit characters of warmer climate whites?

Answer 1

Stone fruits, peach and apricot Warmer remember if the scale has tropical fruits such as passion fruit, mango and papaya

Answer 2

Fresh fruit

Answer 3

Baked, stewed or jammy And at the warmer end of the scale dried fruit and raisins

Answer 4

Herbaceous notes. When subtle these can be pleasant

Answer 5

``` Honeysuckle Honey Beeswax Ginger Faint antiseptic note or musty wine ``` The intensity of these aromas reflects the degree of botyritization

Answer 6

Sauternes in Bordeaux Coteaux du Layon from the Loire Tokaji Aszu from Hungary Spätlese Riesling from Germany

Answer 7

Autolytic notes Yeast Rising bread dough Brioche Biscuit Accompanied by creaminess on the palate

Answer 8

As they are masked by skin contact which most red wines have

Answer 9

``` Riesling (old oak yes) Gewürztraminer Pinot Gris Pinot Grigio Garganega Albariño Zweigelt ```

Answer 10

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Bandol Chianti Brunello

Answer 11

``` Mushroom Truffle Wet leaves Leather Coffee Butterscotch ``` A mature fine wine dominated by tertiary aromas but retaining a core of sweet and juicy fruit is one of the wonders of the world

Answer 12

It may reflect poor winemaking or over-maturation

Answer 13

``` Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Furmint Pinot Noir Sangiovese ```

Answer 14

High levels of malic acid and by extension the suppression of malolactic fermentation

Answer 15

Higher acidity than equivalent warmer climate wines

Answer 16

Early harvesting Grapes naturally high in acidity Cool climate

Answer 17

The total pre-fermentation sugar levels in the grape

Answer 18

Because while tannin levels are related to the thickness of the grape skins and so the grape variety. Colour can be extracted from the skins by cold maceration for example without much tannin transfer Moreover, some varieties most notably Nebbiolo are relatively light in colour but heavy in tannins.

Answer 19

``` Long and dry autumn days Moderating impact of Mosel River Sun exposure and reflection of sun from river Long growing season and ripening period Late harvesting ``` All combine to enable grapes to accumulate high levels of sugar in spite of cool temperature

Answer 20

While Hunter Valley is very warm is experiences a lot of fog and is frequently clouded over. The heat promotes phenolic ripeness but the lack of sunshine’s restricts sugar accumulation leading to wines with a relatively low alcohol level.

Answer 21

Sémillon | Merlot

Answer 22

Riesling Cabernet Franc Nebbiolo

Answer 23

Bolder Fruit driven Higher alcohol

Answer 24

More minerally or earthy | Higher acidity

Answer 25

``` B balance L length I intensity C complexity T typicity ```

Answer 26

There cannot be length without intensity

Answer 27

Pinot Gris Give away for others ``` Riesling = petrol Sauternes = vanilla custard Tokaji = apricot Gewürztraminer = Turkish delight ```

Answer 28

Sauternes ``` Give away for others Pinot Gris = pear and spice Riesling = petrol Sauternes = vanilla custard Tokaji = apricot Gewürztraminer = Turkish delight ```

Answer 29

Gewürztraminer, Alsace ``` Give away for others Pinot Gris = pear and spice Riesling = petrol Sauternes = vanilla custard Tokaji = apricot ```

Answer 30

Riesling likely from Mosel Valley Alsace producers tend to think of petrol note as a fault ``` Give away for others Pinot Gris = pear and spice Sauternes = vanilla custard Tokaji = apricot Gewürztraminer = Turkish delight ```

Answer 31

American oak

Answer 32

``` Chablis Muscadet Savennières Sancerre Riesling ```

Answer 33

``` Gewürztraminer Pinot Gris Viognier Muscat Torrontes ```

Answer 34

``` Pinot Noir Gamay Grenache Tempranillo Nebbiolo ```

Answer 35

``` Gamay Pinot Noir Dolcetto Barbera Valpolicella ```

Answer 36

``` Southern Rhône GSM blends Northern Rhône Syrah Rioja Chianti Nebbiolo ```

Answer 37

N Rhône Syrah: darker fruit, black pepper, higher acidity, lower alcohol, chewier tannins Rioja: brick red, less herbal, lower alcohol, more oaked and often with American oak Chianti: brighter with higher acidity, higher and firmer tannins, drier finish Nebbiolo: rust red tinge, more floral, higher acidity, much higher tannins

Answer 38

Muscadet; paler, slight effervescence, lees character, lighter body, lower acidity, lower alcohol, less mineral Savennières: more aromatic, fuller body, higher alcohol, bitter aftertaste Sancerre: more aromatic notes of gooseberry and grass Riesling: much more aromatic, petrol and possible residual sugar

Answer 39

Viognier: No pink tinge, more stone fruit, less exotic, often less oily, dry, lacks bitter finish Pinot Gris: pear or stone fruit, no lychee, often less oily, higher acidity, greater structure Muscat: grapey, orange blossom, lighter body, Lower alcohol, often drier Torrontés: lacks lychee notes, less oily, more mineral

Answer 40

Gamay: Blue tinge, estery notes, lower acidity, alcohol and tannins. Rarely oaked Grenache: spicier, higher alcohol, lower acidity Tempranillo: brick red, less finest etched fruit, lower acidity, often oaked with American oak (coconut) Nebbiolo: rust-red tinge, fuller body, much higher tannins

Answer 41

Pinot Noir: no blue tinge, no estery notes, higher acidity, alcohol and tannins often oaked Dolcetto: darker colour, more Italian cherries and bitter almonds, lower society, higher alcohol and tannins, drier finish Barbera: more cherry than strawberry, higher acidity, more often oaked. Drier finish Valpolicella: Sour cherry note, higher acidity

Answer 42

Merlot: Plums not cassis or green peppers, more earth and less gravel. Lower acidity, higher alcohol. Softer tannins Syrah: black pepper, no cassis or green pepper, lower acidity, less structured Cabernet Franc: more aromatic, lighter fruit, lesser structure and tannins Cahors: inkier, earthy mineral notes, higher tannin Argentine Malbec: fuller body, higher alcohol, Lower acidity and softer tannins.

Answer 43

Riesling is invariably high in acidity and unoaked/aged in old oak 👁 Pale in colour, sometimes with a touch of effervescence 👃🏼intensely fragrant, more floral than fruity with notes of sting rainwater and sherbet 👄 filigree and delicate with a mineral or salty finish Alcohol is very low (on sweeter styles), acidity very high But balanced by sugar and extract Sweeter examples may be botrytized Riesling from the Saar and Ruwer Valleys are steelworkers than those from the middle Mosel

Answer 44

Compared to Riesling from the Middle Mosel, Riesling from the Rhiengau is more masculine, 👁deeper in colour 👃🏼Riper fruit 💋 firmer structure and texture, riper fruit and higher in alcohol It is commonly made in an austere, completely dry style

Answer 45

Alsatian Riesling tends to be drier, richer and higher in alcohol than Riesling from across the Rhine 👃🏼Often steely and inexpressive in its youth, aromas of mineral, apple, citrus fruits, stone fruits, jasmine and honey With age: it develops a complex bouquet dominated by pure fruit flavours and appealing petrol or kerosene note 👄 typically with a long dry finish that rides home on a backbone of acidity

Answer 46

Cracked pepper, violets, spice liquorice Elegance, soft tannins

Answer 47

``` Oak MLF/C dominant Range of body Range of acidity Range of alcohol Range from green apple, steely mineral to tropical Dry Range of quality ```

Answer 48

Likelihood of sweetness No oak High acidity Range of flavours from apple, floral to tropical via varietally specific petrol/kerosine/nutty character Alcohol could be lower MLF/C unlikely

Answer 49

Likihood of only one oaked sample Varietally specific passion fruit (tropical), grassy, asparagus, gooseberry High acidity MLF unlikely

Answer 50

``` Oak potential MLF potential Range of body Range of sweetness Potential evidence of botrytis Medium to high acidity Varietally specific wet wool - apple, quince or pineapple - honey with age or botrytis ```

Answer 51

There will be a Pinot Gris from Italy and a Pinot Gris from Alsace One of the wines will have at least some sugar One of the wines will have high acidity and one will be medium Neutral character and riper character Spicy character

Answer 52

Will be a simple Merlot and a top quality Bordeaux Likely countries/area are Chile or California Range of everything

Answer 53

``` Majority of pale colour Range of oak use Non-high tannin High levels of acidity Range of alcohol levels Dominance of red fruit Gamey notes Forest floor/farmyard Lighter end of body No carbonic Maybe slightly floral ```

Answer 54

``` Majority palate colour Range of oak use Range of tannin Acidity likely to be lower Could be a blend Alcohol and body should be high ```

Answer 55

``` Deep colour Distinctive pencil shavings Cassis, minty, eucalyptus notes, green pepper Likelihood of oak High tannin Likelihood that a Bordeaux will be present High acidity Range of alcohol from 13% upwards ```

Answer 56

``` Deep colour Red or black fruit Pepper Violet Spicy liquorice Meaty Medium plus to high tannin At least one sample that has lots of oak Elevated alcohol ```

Answer 57

A range of climates from fresh and fruity whites to relatively heavy warm climate reds Oak and ageing a feature of Spain Bankers: Tempranillo (Rioja), Grenache (Priorat) Rioja can come in Joven unoaked and very likely in two different styles, lightly extracted and heavily extracted Secondary wines white Rioja, Albariño, Monastrell, Rueda and Bierzo

Answer 58

Pinot Noir is likely Riesling is essential Sweetness levels will probably differ Winemaking is generally clean, clear, vibrant and unoaked Acidity levels are high

Answer 59

A range of climates and winemaking styles from fruity unoaked whites to outstanding red wines in a hot climate The relatively high acidity in all wines and distinct red cherry notes in many of the reds show the wines to come from Italy Then go on further to grape variety or winemaking Bankers: Nebbiolo, Amarone/Valpolicella, Sangiovese

Answer 60

Typical oaky winemaking ``` Shiraz Sémillon Pinot Noir Riesling Chardonnay Cabernet Sauvignon - coonawarra warm climate structure eucalyptus ```

Answer 61

Sauvignon Blanc Pinot about Evidence of top quality grapes Third option will just agree with New Zealand Chardonnay Pinot Gris Syrah Cab Sav Clarity and purity of fruit

Answer 62

Chenin Blanc and Pinotage are very likely at any quality level Cab Sav Sauvignon Blanc (early picked styles Chardonnay Pinot Noir Warm climate structure plus cool climate structure

Answer 63

Carménère is a strong candidate Green beans /herbaceous note Any other international variety up for grabs, SB, Cab Sav Relatively warm climate structure

Answer 64

Malbec and Torrontes Smells like Muscat but has the alcohol and acidity closer to Viognier It has a distinct bitterness Chardonnay and Cab Sav are possibilities

Answer 65

Cab Sav Pinot Chardonnay Zinfandel Zin, mixture of red and black fruit, relatively high alcohol, mixture of herbaceous and raisins fruit Merlot Fine Blanc Winemaking and climate structure push towards a softer, fruitier and slightly sweeter style of wine