Chapter 3 - Grape Varieties Flashcards
(70 cards)
What genus do grapes belong to?
Vitis
What is the most widely used grape for winemaking?
Vitis vinifera
Where were vinifera vines developed?
Caucasus Mountains between Europe and Asia, spreading across southern Europe and into the Middle East.
What is the second most important grape species?
Vitis labrusca, which includes Concord grapes.
What advantage do native North American grapes have?
Natural resistance to phylloxera, aphid-like insects that ravaged European vineyards in the 19th century.
What is the scion?
Vinifera part of the vine that can be grafted onto the rootstock of North American vines to produce a phylloxera resistant plant.
What are other native North American vine species?
Vitis riparia, Vitis aestivalis, and Vitis rupestris
What is a species?
Scientific grouping of plants or animals that are genetically similar, have broad characteristics in common, and can sexually reproduce.
What is a variety?
Subspecies. An identifiable group of vines of the same species that share appearance, flavor, and growth.
What is a clone?
Grapes slightly different from their parent.
What is a mutation?
Derived from a vine that has developed different characteristics from its parents or fellow clones through the imperfect reproduction of cells as it grows.
What is a cross?
Offspring between different subspecies within the same species.
What is a hybrid?
Result of sexual reproduction between two closely related but different species.
What are international varieties?
A select group of grapes varieties that thrive in a wide range of growing conditions and are grown in many areas throughout the world.
What are indigenous (autochthonous) varieties?
Grape varieties that either have not been widely transplanted or have been tried with unimpressive results to date.
What are white grapes/wines?
Grapes and wines that do not have any red or purple pigmentation.
What characteristics are common in warmer climate Chardonnay?
Ripe, tropical fruit flavors. High alcohol and considerable body.
What characteristics are common in cooler climate Chardonnay?
Citrus flavors and green fruit aromas. Crisp acidity and light to medium body.
Well known examples of Chardonnay
White burgundy, champagne, “California style” New World versions
Top producing countries of Chardonnay
France, United States, Australia
Characteristic aromas of Chardonnay
Cool climate - green apple, melon, pears
Warm climate - tropical fruit
Malolactic fermentation - butter
Oak-aged - vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, toast
Acidity and alcohol of Chardonnay
Acidity - medium to high
Alcohol - medium to high
What percentage of South African plantings is Chenin Blanc?
18%
What is Chenin Blanc known for?
High acidity, especially in cool-climate vineyards, ideal as a base for sparkling wines. Very versatile from dry to very sweet, still or sparkling.
