French Grapes Checked Flashcards

Question

Côtes de Bordeaux

Answer 1

**Early drinking** Merlot Based Excellent value for money

Answer 2

Predominantly **UNOAKED** Sauvignon Blanc

Answer 3

Within Sauternes - Can use either for AC * *Sweet**, but balanced with **High Acidity,** High in alcohol * *Apricot** and **Citrus** peel aromas of noble rot, **Toast** and **Vanilla** from oak fermentation and/or maturation Use **Sémillon** because of its **THIN SKIN** and susceptibility to Botrytis. **SavBlanc** for **High Acidity & Fruit**, **Muscadelle** - for **Exotic Perfume** Specific mésoclimate w all communes close to two rivers (**Ciron & Garonne**). In the Autumn, the cool spring-fed Ciron meets the warmer Garonne -\> evening mist form and linger until late morning when the sun burns them away

Answer 4

High in alcohol * *Sweet**, but balanced with **High Acidity** * *Apricot** and **Citrus** peel aromas of noble rot, **Toast** and **Vanilla** from oak fermentation and/or maturation Use **Sémillon** because of its **THIN SKIN** and susceptibility to Botrytis. **SavBlanc** for **High Acidity & Fruit**, **Muscadelle** - for **Exotic Perfume** Specific mésoclimate w all communes close to two rivers (**Ciron & Garonne**). In the Autumn, the cool spring-fed Ciron meets the warmer Garonne -\> evening mist form and linger until late morning when the sun burns them away

Answer 5

Mainly produces Red, but also whites, Rosés and Sweet wines in the same styles as **Bordeaux** varieties

Answer 6

Within Bergerac Good value **botrytised** sweet wines from **Sémillon** & **Sauvignon Blanc** **Minimum 14.5% ABV**

Answer 7

70% **Malbec (Auxerrois)** + **Tannat** and/or **Merlot** Known as **Black Wine** Deep Color, High Tannin, Intense **Black Fruits**, Oak Aged **Cedar & Earth** **Very Tannic & Long Lived**

Answer 8

**Ugni Blanc (Tebbiano)** Dry, Light Body **Green Apples**

Answer 9

SW France - Made of blends with majority **Tannat** **Deeply Colored, High Tannin** **Traditionally** - More drinkable for extended periods of bottle-ageing to soften tannins **Today** - Riper grapes & modern winemaking for higher level of softer, riper tanniins

Answer 10

Petit Manseng (white) Dry & Complex Sweet, **High Acid** Pronounced **Apricot**, **Grapefruit**, some **Spicy** notes from Oak Use ***Passerillage*** (shrivel on vines, not Noble Rot) for sweetness **Top Quality, small thick skinned white grape** **Very low Yields, ideal for Sweet Wines**

Answer 11

**High Acid, Low-Medium Tannin** **Red Fruit (youth) evolve** to **Earth**, **Game** & **Mushroom** **Whole bunches** have become more popular 16 - 18 months Barrel aged

Answer 12

Steely & High Acid Riper more **Concentrated Fruit, Citrus over Green Apple** **Balanced & Complex** Style 1: Some aged in **Old Oak** for rounder texture & subtle flavors Style 2: Stainless or concrete for **Pure Fruit** **50% of vineyards in Burgundy** **Pioneers MLF, Lees and Oak (6-9 months)**

Answer 13

Can be austere with **Green Fruity and High Acidity** Can display **Ripe Fruit**

Answer 14

Complex & expressive Full Body, Balanced Acidity Deep with age to **Vegetal**

Answer 15

**Medium - Full Body, Medium Acidity** **Fresh Apple & Citrus Fruit** **Creaminess** from **MLF** Mâcon Village have more ripeness and body

Answer 16

**Riper Tropical Notes** and **Stone Fruits** Matured for a period of time in a barrel (6-9 months) - **Toast Oak** Vines planted on **Roche de Solutré** (lime stone amphitheatre) **MLF, Lees also used**

Answer 17

**White** grape producing **neutral** wines with **High Acidity** Usually neutral, but **can produce high quality** when grown on sites where it can ripen fully *Could produce good wines in Burgundy but best spots go to Pinot and Chardonnay*

Answer 18

**Early budding, flowering, ripening** (susceptible to frost) High yielding, so easy to over produce thus plant high density + rigorous pruning + goblet **Low Tannin, Early drinking red** **Ripe Berry Fruit** Found in Côte Chalonnaise and Beaujolais

Answer 19

Their higher altitudes and greater exposure to **Wind** gives them a cooler climate and wines with **LESS BODY** and **LESS CONCENTRATION**

Answer 20

High Acid, Low-Med Tannin **Red Fruits, Earth, Game, Mushrooms** **16-18** months barrel ageing (better in new oak)

Answer 21

Light & Fruity Early drinking

Answer 22

Medium Body, Medium Tannin Fragrant aromas of **Raspberry** and **Cherry** **Semi-Carbonic Maceration** Early budding, flowering, ripening (susceptible to frost) High yielding, so easy to over produce thus plant high density + rigorous pruning + goblet

Answer 23

Light Body, Light Tannin **Red Berry Fruit, Kirsch, Banana, Cinnamon spice** **Charles Dubeouf (1st maker)** Released to consumers on the 3rd Thursday after vintage & cannot be sold after 31st Agust

Answer 24

Sparkling wine using **Traditional Method** Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, Riesling (can be blended) **High Acid, Light Body**

Answer 25

ALWAYS SWEET Must have minimum sugar ripeness **Noble Rot** can vary from wine to wine Only Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat only grapes allowed ***No official label for sweetness***

Answer 26

DRY (traditional) to MEDIUM-SWEET **Late Harvest** ***Passerillage*** and some may be influenced of Noble Rot Only Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat only grapes allowed No official label for sweetness

Answer 27

**Dry**, **Medium to full-bodied, High Acidity, Medium alcohol** **Citrus and stone fruit** Pronounced **Steely / Stony** character Many now made with residual sugar ***Do not show the Floral found in Germany***

Answer 28

Pink skin gives gold color Full Body, Oil Texture, Low-Medium Acidity, High Alcohol (14%) **Lychees, Roses, Sweet Baking Spices**

Answer 29

**Rich & Full-bodied, Gold Color (similar to Gerz)****, More Acidity than Gewurts, High Alcohol** Similar colour to Gewurztraminer but less aromatic **Pronounced** flavour of **Fresh & Dried Fruits,** **Honey**

Answer 30

Dry, Light, Simple Refreshing and **Non-Aromatic** **Used in Sparkling wine**

Answer 31

Similar to Pinot Blanc **Light, Simple & refreshing, Non-aromatic** **Spicer** than Pinot Blanc & more **Full-bodied**

Answer 32

**Alsace Blends** carrying producer's brand name Rare but can be **High Quality** including blends from Grand Cru vineyards

Answer 33

**Delicately perfumed** Some richness (but less than Gewurztraminer) Best drunk young Widely Planted

Answer 34

**Only Black Grape allowed** Lack weight and concentration of Burgundy At best, **Light & Fruity Red/Rosé** Some made with **New Oak**

Answer 35

Very Chaulky and Well Drained Soils Sauvignon Blanc - only white permitted - ***Early Drinking*** **Dry, Light Body, High acidity** **Green Apple, Grass, Asparagus and Wet stone** ***Pneumatic press and mostly fermented and aged in temp controlled stainless.** Some use old oak and keep wine on lees.* Cooler vintages may use MLF ***Chavignol Villag***e and ***Les Monts Damnés*** vineyard have high reputations

Answer 36

Very Chaulky and Well Drained Soils Sauvignon Blanc Dry, Med Body, High acidity **Hints of Green Apple, Asparagus and Wet stone, Smoke** **High Proportion of Cask Ageing - less herbaceous & more rounded (vs Sancerre)** *Pneumatic press and mostly fermented and aged in temp controlled stainless. Some use old oak and keep wine on lees.*

Answer 37

Sauvignon Blanc - limestone & flatter landscape West of Sancerre (Near Bourges) Very similar but cheaper than Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé

Answer 38

Often **less concentration** than more prestigious appellation Made in a simple fruity style

Answer 39

Dry-Sweet, Still or Sparkling, High Acidity, Non-Aromatic **Green Fruit, Herbaceous, Tropical** (**Apricot** & **Citrus Peel** for noble rot) **Steely, Smoke** **Honey, Toast & Hay** *Needs several passes in vineyard to pick due to under ripeness (dictates style)*

Answer 40

Dry to Luscious, Sparklng and Still **Light Body, High Acid, Fresh, Fruity and Floral** **Honey and Dried Fruit with age** **Dry - Fresh Apple** **Sweet - Stone & Tropical fruits** Oak rarely used

Answer 41

Chenin Blanc Medium to full-bodied, High Acid Sweet wine - some of Most Renowned **Less floral, Lemon, Pineapple** **Marmalade (noble rot), Apricot (noble rot)** Warmer than Touraine - Sheltered Valley of River Layon

Answer 42

Chenin Blanc Full Body, Dry, High Acid **Lemon, Apple, Pineapple** Can be complex and age worthy (decades in bottle) Good air circulation at the vineyards, impedes noble rot, allows for later harvest (hence fruit aromas)

Answer 43

Must be from Pinot Noir Usually Pale in Color, Light Body, Dry **Delicate Fruit** ***Direct pressing or short maceration on skins*** ***Fermented in inert, temperature controlled vessels to retain fruit***

Answer 44

Both have own Appelation And two of the World's greates sweet wine

Answer 45

Ripens Early, **Frost Resistant**, Suited to cool climate **Dry, Light Body, High Acidity, Medium ABV Max 12%** **Subtle Green Fruit flavours** **Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC** Formerly large old oak, now Stainless Drink Young

Answer 46

Nantais Bottled in **Spring** after the **Harvest** On the lees over winter Gives richer texture ***Handled very little - retains delicacy***

Answer 47

CabFranc **Saumer-Champigny - Rich, Fresh, with great concentration** Lighter in body and tannin than those of Touraine **Juicy Berry fruit and Floral notes** Young drinking Can be served chilled Some producers making fuller-bodied, age worthy reds

Answer 48

2nd most planted Black Grape Early bud/ripen Usually grown in gobelet Touraine and Anjou **Fruity, early drinking wines**

Answer 49

Grown in Central Valley Light in Style

Answer 50

Sweet, blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon ## Footnote **High Acidity and Age worthy**

Answer 51

1. Direct Pressing or 2. short skin maceration Typically fermented in inert, temp-controled vessels for fruit flavors

Answer 52

Local high yielding grape often blended with **CabFranc** Thin and used in many **Rosés**

Answer 53

Med-Dry Less sweet than d'Anjou, predominantly **Grolleau** (black grape) and blended with **Cabernet Franc**

Answer 54

**Deeply coloured, Medium to high tannins** **Black Fruit** and sometimes **Black Pepper** or **Floral** aromas Some use new oak for best, or old or large barrels **Use white grapes to stabilise color extraction** from red grapes and **add aromatic** intensity (Viognier-20% max)

Answer 55

**Full bodied whites, Low Acidity, High alcohol** Flavours of **Blossom** and **Apricots, Stone Fruit** Careful handling so they dont develop **Overty Oily** character Some made off-dry from late-harvest

Answer 56

Blended together **Maresanne** = Richness & Weight, Deep Color, Full Bodied, Honeysuckle **Roussanne** = Acidity & Perfumed Fruit, Aromatic, High Acidity Not as aromatic as Viognier, can age and develop complex **Hazelnut**

Answer 57

Deep Colored, Full Body **Spicy Aromatic, Floral Freshness & Textural Elegance** Distinct from Hermitage

Answer 58

Within Condrieu - Viognier - White only DOC **Amphiltheater single estate, South Facing protected from North Winds** Similar style as Condrieu But picked earlier, fermented higher temps with MLF & aged in would for 6 months **FAMOUS DRY, M-FULL Body, LOW Acidity, HIGH alcohol,** **APRICOT, PEACH, BLOSSOM** aromas **Light OAK AGED** - **VANILLA** ***1. Low-yielding, old vines*** ***2. Steep, well-exposed terraced vineyards*** ***3. Constant ventalation prevents rot***

Answer 59

Viognier -White only DOC **FAMOUS DRY, M-FULL Body, LOW Acidity, HIGH alcohol,** **APRICOT, PEACH, BLOSSOM** aromas **Light OAK AGED** - **VANILLA** ***1. Low-yielding, old vines*** ***2. Steep, well-exposed terraced vineyards*** ***3. Constant ventalation prevents rot***

Answer 60

Lighter-bodied & Fruitier Often incorporating **carbonic maceration** **Blackcurrant & Raspberry,** Expressing **Pepper** perfume aspects of Syrah Lightest Bodied in N Rhône

Answer 61

**Syrah + Marsanne and Roussanne** (no more than **15%**) **Deep** Colored, **Fullest** Body in N Rhône, Can age **Lieux-Dits** - a named vineyard site Not AOC, which organizes Hermitage, each vary in steepness, aspect, giving wines subtle differences Usually blends but now some single variety

Answer 62

Most production volume **Max 15% Marsanne/Roussanne** M-H Acidity, M-H Tannin **Black Fruit & Spice** Quality varies dramatically **More Concentrated, Complex & Tannic** Some more expensive are aged in oak

Answer 63

100% Syrah (only reds allowed) **Deep Color, Full Body, Similar to Hermitage, but more rustic** Best vineyards sheltered from wind - very steep terraces

Answer 64

**Concentrated, Spiced Red Fruit flavours** **Too hot - baked & jammy** Syrah added for color and tannin

Answer 65

Deeply Coloured, Very high tannins **Dense, Black Fruit** flavours and **Gamey/Meaty** aromas when fully ripe to blends *Prized in Chateuneuf du Pape* Adds color & complexity + **Gamey**, **Meaty** to Blends

Answer 66

4th most important in SR blends Provides **Red Fruit** (rather than structure), lighter, softer and more aromatic High yield, early ripening, Low Tannins, Adds Spice and Acidity to blends **Blends with Grenache for fresh Fruity Rosés** (prone to rot suits rosés)

Answer 67

**Style 1:** Light-Medium Body, Fresh, **Fruity Wines** with Low Tannins (semi-carbonic) **Style 2:** Full Body, Highly Tannins **Spice, Meat & Earth**

Answer 68

White Grapes noteable in N & S Rhône Aromatic Qualities Best white wines in Provence

Answer 69

Usually richly textured **Full Body, Low-Med Acidity, High Alcohol** **Subtle fruity aromas** - Rarely made with new oak Very small production

Answer 70

Medium Body **Fruity, Simple** Can be made white, red, rosé

Answer 71

1. Minimum alcohol levels 2. Maximum yields 3. A greater percentage of the blend must be made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre 4. **100%** of the wine must come from the **village** on the label * Have more body, structure and Spiced Red Fruit v Cote du Rhone* Such as ***Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne***

Answer 72

1. **Traditional -** Later Harvest, High Proportions of Grenache, 4yrs élevage (2yrs cement / 2yrs old oak) 2. **Modern** - shorter maceration & time in wood - Approachable early but can age 3. **Négociant Style** - carbonic maceration - wines ready to drink earlier

Answer 73

Full Bodied and Richly textured, High alcohol **Concentrated spiced red fruit flavours** versus Lesser are diluted with High Alcohol

Answer 74

Made mainly from **Grenache** and **Cinsault** **Full-bodied** **Intensely flavoured** Capable of further complexity when bottle-aged **Tavel (R)**: **Rosés only,** **Lirac (R/W/R)**: Robust, Meaty **Reds**, **White**, Heady **Rosé** (red & white style of CdP)

Answer 75

Both Crus Usually Grenache-led blends Full-bodied and **Spicy** (similar to Chateauneuf-du Pape) Many are as good as Chateauneuf-du Pape

Answer 76

Southern Rhône Picked dry and healthy **NOT DRIED** Low to Medium Acidity and display perfumed aromas of **Orange Blossom, Rose and Grape** Keep varietal flavor

Answer 77

**Deep Color, High Tannin, High Acidity** **Can lack fruit/finesse** Quality from Old vines & Poor soils But can produce very high yields

Answer 78

Dry wines, Full Body, Low Acidity **Soft, Peachy fruitiness** Tend to oxidise easily Roussillon

Answer 79

Dry, Aromatic from Languedoc Refreshing, High Acidity, **Green & Citrus Fruit** **Good tolerance to sand and coastal areas**

Answer 80

Pale, Dry, Light-bodied **Delicate** flavours of **Grapefruit and Red fruits**

Answer 81

Aromatic & Crisp Qualities Best white wines in Provence

Answer 82

Premium **Reds** based on **Mourvedre** (ripens reliably on the southern facing terraced slopes - hand picked/18 months in cask) **Dark Color, Full-bodied, Powerful tannins, Complex Reds** **Aged: Bramble, Meat and Liquorice-spice** flavours Require bottle age

Answer 83

Prinicipal ingrediant in Madiran (blend of CabFranc & CabSav) Used in Red Wines Blends **Deeply Colored, High Tannin (can be astringent), High Alcohol** **Best wines - Black Fruit** and **High Soft Tannins** Need long bottle ageing to **soften tannins**

Answer 84

**Required min 11% ABV** **Full Bodied, Rich Color, Intense Flavor** Ageing potential * Macerates Black & White Whole bunches together* * 24hr maceration, 10 day fermentatino (no MLF), 18-20 months in Stainless*

Answer 85

**1. Limited Skin Maceration** - most popular. Grapes crushed, juice left in skin contact for 6-48 hours, juiice is racked then fermented **2. Direct Pressing** - limited skin maceration, (extremely short period), Juice is removed immediately, Pigments will leave a little color, Light in colur, Citrus, hints of Strawberry **3. Saignée Method** - Starts macerating a red, but bleeds off some of the juice. Likely to be richer in style **4. Blending** - White + Red only allowed in New World

Answer 86

**Cahors** - Thin Skinned needs more sun than CabSav or Merlot Cultivated bush vine (gobelet) Produces Darkest, Most Tannic wines in limstone soils **Ripe fruit gives Deep Color, High Tannins, Aromas of Tobacco and Raisin**

Answer 87

Vins de Garage Top wines produced in tiny quantities by microchâteaux from **low yields & super-ripe** grapes (Parker influenced) Wines are **full bodied, concentrated w moderate acidity, soft tannins and rich, complex berry fruit**

Answer 88

**Chablis AC**: lean, austere green apple, greengage & mineral flavours high acidity **Chablis Premier Cru**: riper fruits flavours, heavier body, creamier texture with greater integration, minerality. Chablis **Grand Cru**: smoky complex flavours. Needs age

Answer 89

**Gevrey-Chambertin**: full bodied, aromatic w good ageing potential **Morey St Denis**: more delicate wines vs. Gevrey-Ch. but more robust vs. Chambolle-Musigny **Chambolle-Musigny**: only reds; fragrant, smooth & elegant **Vougeot:** rarely seen. Lacks flair of neighbors. dimension & weight with wild, gamey edge **Vosne Romanée**: only reds, spicy, balanced elegant **Nuits-St-Georges**: compact, substantial wines **La Tache (Grd Crus from Vosne)**: strongest in minerals, intense and spicy

Answer 90

**Aloxe-Corton**: deep coloured, robust reds **Savigny-les-Beaune**: red wines w rich bouquet, mild fruitiness / striking nervy whites **Beaune**: powerfully structured reds / smooth elegant whites **Pommard**: aromatic, robust reds that need time to mature **Volnay**: fragrant, elegant reds; amongst the best of CdB **Meursault**: woody Chardonnays **Puligny-Montrachet**: mineral, elegant white wines w nerves & style **St Aubin**: fruity, elegant nervy whites / mild reds **Chassagne-Montrachet**: slightly broader whites vs. Puligny-Mtrachet; robust reds needing time **Santenay**: mainly beefy reds w tannins **GC - Corton** : only reds, deeply coloured packed with fruit, tannins & acidity w long ageing potential **GC – Corton-Charlemagne**: concentrated mineral whites w rigid structure **GC – Chevalier Montrachet**: mineral, aromatically complex whites

Answer 91

39 villages which can use their village name on the label Max 60hl/ha; min 10% abv

Answer 92

(48m btls/year) x10 - From south of Macon to Mt Brouilly; 58hl/ha; min 10-10.5% abv * *Saint-Amour**: 315ha; sweet, ripe fruit, less personality vs. other Crus **Juliénas**: 610ha; hi tannins & acidity; can age well **Chénas**: 270ha; granitic subsoils; less overtly fruity w weight & density/complexity; longer ageing **Moulin-a-vent**: 655ha; most serious cru; hi proportion of oak barrel ageing; can age up to 10 years **Fleurie**: 870ha; most fragrant & elegant cru **Chiroubles**: 365ha; highest spots for light wines best enjoyed young **Morgon**: 1,155ha; schist + granite soil -\> v distinctive wine; can age well. **Régnié**: 490ha; most recent cru (’88) & slow to make a name for itself **Brouilly**: 1,320ha; to be drunk young **Côtes de Brouilly**: 320ha; slightly better quality (vines planted on slopes); drink young

Answer 93

High Yields High Acidity Mostly S Rhone and Provence

Answer 94

**Rose de Loire -** Made mainly in Anjou-Saumur. Always dry and must have min 30% Cab Franc and/or Cab Sav- **Cabernet d'Anjou** - Medium sweet and made from a blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sav **Rose d'Anjou** - less sweet than Cab d'Anjou and largely made from Grolleau blended with Cab Franc **Sancerre Rose** - Must be made 100% Pinot Noir. Pale colour, light in body and dry with delicate fruit flavours

Answer 95

**Savennieres** - Full bodied, complex and dry. Good air circulation round the vines enables late harvest whilst impeding Noble Rot. **Coteaux de Layon** - Renowned sweet wine. Lies in a sheltered valley of R. Layon that encourages Noble Rot

French Grapes Checked Flashcards

(120 cards)