Grape varieties Flashcards
Pinot Noir main characteristics
Thin skin (prone to diseases)
High acid
Low-med Tannins
Red fruit flavors (strawberry, cherries, raspberry)
Zinfandel characteristics
Warm climate grape
High sugar
High/low alcohol
Red to back fruit flavors and some cooked/dried fruits because of heat
Riesling main characteristics
Cool to moderate climate
High acid (dry to sweet due botrytis)
Floral and fruity flavors of green fruits (apple, pear), citrus (lemon, grapefruit) more developed of stone fruits (peach, nectarine, apricot) and tropical (banana, pineapple)
Chenin Blanc characteristics
Versatile
High acid
Non-aromatic
Steely and smoky flavors to honey and toast for more developed (oak)
Can range from dry to sweet +sparkling
Flavors from fresh apple to tropical fruits
Semillon characteristics
Grape used for Sauternes***
Usually blended w/ Sav. B for complexity
Moderate to warm climates
Med to high acid
Apple, lemon grass to more developed
Furmmit characteristics
Hungary (Tokaj region)
Susceptible to botrytis
High acid
Amber color (age/oak)
Fresh and dried stone fruits
Citrus, smoke and spices
Caramel
Can be blended for complexity
Chardonnay characteristics
Versatile
Cool to warm climates
Med to high acid
Green to tropical flavors depending on weather
Develops and age well w/ time
Sauvignon Blanc characteristics
Aromatic
Dry
High acid
Light to med body
Herbaceous (grass, green pepper, capsicum, asparagus)
Refreshing usually for drinking young
Pinot Gris / Grigio
Gris: (can be Cru in Alsace)
Picked later
Med acid
Higher sugar / body
Complex
Flav. Peach mango and ginger
Grigio: (Veneto region)
Light body
Simple and unoaked
Gewurztraminer characteristics
(Alsace most famous)
Aromatic
Floral aromas and spice
Cool to moderate climate
Full body
High alcohol due sugar concentration in grapes
Viognier characteristics
(Northen Rhône - Condrieu AOC)
Moderate climate
Dry
Low acid
High alcohol
Full body
Aromatic / Floral
Can oak
Albariño Characteristics
(Rias Baixas - Spain)
Dry
High acid
Med body
Lemon and peach/apricot flav
Merlot characteristics
(Right bank Bordeaux)
Saint-Emilion, Pomerol
Red/black fruit flavors (strawberry, red plum)
Herbaceous
Med Body
Med acid
Med tannins
Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics
Left bank Bordeaux - Medoc/St Estephe/Haut-Medoc/Paulliac/Margoux/St Julien
(Think skins)
Black fruit (blackcurrant/black cherries)
Herbal (mint) / Herbaceous (capsicum)
High tannings
High acid
Syrah / Shiraz characteristics
Northen Rhône / Australia
Thick skins (deep color)
Black fruits (blackberry black cherries)
Herbal
Spices
High acid and Tannins
