CMS-A Strong Key Indicators: White Wines

Question 1

Albariño – Rías Baixas

Answer 1

Fruit / Fruit Character:
*Citrus Fruit: Orange, Grapefruit and Lemon (Fruit condition ranges from tart to ripe)
*Stone Fruit: Peach, Nectarine (Stone Fruit condition may seem canned/overripe)

Floral: Orange Blossom
Other: Saline, Sea Spray, Oyster Shell

Phenolic Bitterness*: Slight Phenolic Bitterness

Question 2

Chardonnay – California: Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Central Coast

Answer 2

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Tropical Fruit: Banana, Mango, Papaya, Pineapple (Tropical Fruit condition may be core/pit or ripe)

Vinification*: Malolactic Fermentation: Butter, Butterscotch, Cream
Yeast: Lees, Bread Dough

Phenolic Bitterness*: Slight astringency from oak barrels

Question 3

Chenin Blanc – Loire Valley: Savennières and Vouvray (Sec, Demi-Sec)

Answer 3

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Apple/Pear Fruit: Green, Yellow Apple, Pear, Quince (Fruit condition tart, ripe, baked, or bruised)
*Citrus Fruit: Lime, Lemon, Orange, Tangerine (Fruit condition tart, ripe, or pith)

Floral: Apple and Citrus Blossomss
Herbal: Salad Greens, Fresh Herbs, Hay, Straw
Other: Wax, Honey/Botrytis, Oatmeal, Lanolin, Wet Wool, Cheese Rind
Mineral: Wet Rock, Chalk

Question 4

Gewürztraminer – France: Alsace

Answer 4

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Tropical Fruit: Lychee, Pineapple, Mango (Fruit Condition ripe to overripe, canned)
*Stone Fruit: Apricot, Peach, Nectarine (Fruit Condition ripe to overripe, canned)

Floral: Pungent Flowers: Gardenia, Rose, Jasmine, Lilac, Honeysuckle, Potpourri
Spice: Juniper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Saffron, Star Anise, Allspice
Mineral*: Stony Minerality

Phenolic Bitterness*: Elevated Phenolic Bitterness

Question 5

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio – France: Alsace
Italy: Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli

Answer 5

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Apple/Pear Fruit: Yellow and Red Apple, Pear (Fruit Condition ripe, bruised, stewed, baked)
*Stone Fruit: Peach, Apricot

Floral: Yellow and White Flowers, Flower Stems
Other: Italy: Yeast, Skin Contact
Vinification*: Volatile Acidity, Oxidation

Question 6

Riesling – Germany: Mosel and Rhein
France: Alsace

Answer 6

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Stone Fruit: Peach, Apricot, Nectarine, Plum
*Citrus Fruit: Lemon, Lime, Orange, Tangerine
Apple/Pear Fruit: Apple, Quince, Pear

Floral: Fruit Blossoms, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Lavender
Herbal: Sage, Mint
Other: Terpene (Petrol), Honey, Beeswax, Marmalade (depending on ripeness and botrytis levels)
Mineral: Stone, Mineral, Petrol, Slate

Question 7

Riesling – Australia: South Australia: Clare Valley and Eden Valley

Answer 7

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Citrus Fruit: Lime, Grapefruit, Orange (Fruit Condition tart, ripe, pith)
*Tropical Fruit: Passion Fruit, Kiwi, Mango
Stone Fruit: Nectarine, Peach (Fruit Condition tart, pit/stone)

Herbal: Lime Leaf, Lemongrass, Sage, Mint
Other: Terpene (Petrol, Rubber)
Mineral*: Mineral, Stones, Slate

Question 8

Sauvignon Blanc – France: Loire: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé
Bordeaux: Pessac-Léognan and Graves

Answer 8

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Citrus Fruit: Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime (Fruit Condition tart, ripe, pith)
Apple/Pear Fruit: Green and Yellow Apple, Pear
*Other Fruit: Gooseberry, Fig, Cantaloupe

Herbal: Fresh Herbs: Lemongrass, Chive, Cilantro, Cut Grass, Hay, Dandelion
Vegetal: Pyrazines (Bell Pepper), Snow Pea
Other*: Lanolin, Wax, Cheese Rind, Onion/Mercaptans (w/Sémillon), Oxidation/Nuts

Question 9

Sauvignon Blanc – USA: California: Napa Valley and Sonoma (Oaked Style Only)
New Zealand: Marlborough

Answer 9

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Citrus Fruit: Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, Orange
*Other: Gooseberry

Herbal: Fresh Herbs: Lemongrass, Tarragon, Cilantro
Vegetal: Pyrazines (Bell Pepper) Jalapeño, Asparagus, Green Bean
Other*: Grass, Weeds
Sémillon – Wax

Question 10

Torrontés – Argentina: Salta and Mendoza

Answer 10

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Citrus Fruit: Tangerine, Orange, Lemon, Lime (tart, ripe, candied, pith)
*Tropical Fruit: Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Lychee
Apple/Pear Fruit: Yellow & Red Apple, Pear (ripe, candied)

Floral: Honeysuckle, Fruit Blossom, Acacia
Vinification: Sometimes Lees or Skin Contact
Earth*: Uncommon

Question 11

Viognier – France: Nothern Rhône Valley: Condrieu

Answer 11

Fruit/Fruit Character:
*Stone Fruit: Apricot, Peach (Fruit Condition ripe, dried)
*Tropical Fruit: Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, Fruit Cocktail (Fruit Condition tart, ripe)

Floral: Honeysuckle, Rose, Fruit Blossom, White & Yellow
Spice: Cinnamon, Ginger, Musk

Phenolic Bitterness*: Elevated Phenolic Bitterness