Chapter 8 - White and Sweet Winemaking Flashcards
(39 cards)
Why would a white wine maker reduce skincontact?
Seperating the juice and skins as fast as possible reduced the risk of too much contact with oxigen.
Why is skincontact sometimes used in white wines?
For flavour intensity and structure.
Why is white wine often clarified before fermentation?
Freshly pressed juice contains fragments of cells from the grape skins and pulp.
This can lead to unpleasant aroma’s and stop fermentation.
Why would a white wine NOT be fully clarified before fermentation?
It can add complexity and texture. And some believe it helps fight oxidation later on in the process.
What is the optimum temperature for white wine fermentation?
Between 12 and 22 degrees.
What does very cold fermentation to for a white wine?
Can give peardrop aroma’s and fail to capture variatal aroma’s.
What does fermentation at higher temperatures do for white wines?
Instill more complex, non-fruit, aroma’s. But can also lead to loss of varietal characteristics.
How can temperature be controlled during fermentation?
Fermenting in stainless steel vessels that allow for temperature control
What are some choices a winemaker faces AFTER fermentation (3).
The use of oak during maturation (wether it be oak vessels, chips or staves)
Lees contact
MLF
Name 5 aromatic grape varieties
Riesling Muscat Sauvignon Blanc Gewurztraminer Torrontés
Describe sauvignon blanc as a variety (3)
Highly aromatic
High acidity
Early ripening
What are the 2 most famous regions for Sauvignon Blanc?
Loire valley and Marlborough
What is the difference between Marlborough and Loir valley Sauvignon Blanc?
L: green apple and asparagus, wet pebbles
M: gooseberry, elderflower, grapefruit and passionfruit
Both are cool climate, but M has longer sun hours
Name 2 regions producing fresh and fruity sauvignon blancs
South Africa and Chile
Name 2 regions producing more fuller bodies styles of Sauvignon Blanc
Margaret River and Pessac Leognan.
They often blend with Sémillion and often even mature (a part) on oak
Why is Sauvignon Blanc sometimes blended with Sémillion?
To lend body to the wine
Describe Riesling as a variety
Tolerant to cold winters
Late budding (so protected from spring frost)
Mid- to late ripening
Cool climate: green fruit, floral
Warmer climates: richer flavour with citrus and stone fruit, loss of delicacy
Why is riesling so perfect for making wines in a range of sweetness styles?
It retains a lot of acidity, even if left on the vine for a longer time
How does Riesling age
It can stay alive and fresh for decades
Flavours of honey and toast
Still high levels of acidity
Gout de petrol
What are main growing places for Riesling? And in what styles?
Germany: riesling-homeland. Range of sweetness styles, always with high acidity. Concentrated and refreshing.
Austria: mostly dry or very sweet
Alsace: mostly dry
Australia (Clare and Eden Valley): bone dry, high acidity, notes of lemon
Washington State: dry
New Zealand and Finger Lakes AVA: fruity and off-dry
What are the usual winemaking choices for aromatic wines?
To keep fruit and floral notes, it must be treated delicately:
- monitor SO2 levels against oxidation
- little to no skin contact (often whole bunch pressing)
- clean juice through gentle clarification
- inert vessels for fermentation (no flavour imprint and temperature control). Sometimes large, used foudres for micro oxidation, just to give some structure
- little to no post fermentation winemaking
- no MLF by using SO2
Is Riesling sometimes matured in oak?
Yes, in Alsace and Germany. In large, old, oak vessels for up to a year.
What is Fumé Blanc?
A spicy and creamy style of Sauvignon Blanc from California.
Barrel fermented Ambient yeasts Lees MLF New oak
Why are Chardonnay and Pinot Gris interesting varieties for winemakers?
They are more neutral in flavours and aroma’s, so the winemaker can play a bigger role in the final product
