Grapes & Varieties Flashcards
(141 cards)
1
Q
What genus do wine grapes belong to?
A
vitus
2
Q
What species do wine grapes belong to?
A
Vitus vinifera
3
Q
Where did vitus vinifera develop?
A
Caucasus mountains
4
Q
What is the second most important grape species?
A
Vitus lambrusca
5
Q
Why is vitus lambrusca important today?
A
Phylloxera resistant
6
Q
Where and when was v. lambrusca discovered?
A
North America colonial period
7
Q
The flavor associated with v. lambrusca is described as
A
Foxy
8
Q
What is phylloxera?
A
An aphid like insect that attacks vines
9
Q
When did phylloxera ravage European vineyards?
A
19th century
10
Q
What part of the vine is grafted onto the phylloxera resistant rootstock or trunk?
A
Scion
11
Q
Name two grapevine species
A
Vitus vinifera & Vitus Lambrusca
12
Q
Define species.
A
A scientific group of plants or animals that are genetically similar, have broad characteristics in common and can reproduce via sexual reproduction.
13
Q
What do you call a subspecies?
A
Variety
14
Q
Define variety with regard to grapes.
A
It is an identifiable group of vines of the same species that share many characteristics of appearance, flavor and growth.
15
Q
Define clones.
A
Grapes that are slightly different from their parent but are of the same variety.
16
Q
What could make a clone slightly different than it’s parent?
A
Growing conditions.
17
Q
Define a mutation and give an example.
A
A mutation is derived from a vine that has developed different characteristics from its parents or fellow clones through imperfect reproduction of cells as it grow. An example would be Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are mutants of Pinot Noir.
18
Q
Define and cross and give an example.
A
A cross is the offspring between two different subspecies, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Cab. Franc creating Cabernet Sauvignon.
19
Q
What do you call the result of sex. repro between two closely related but different species?
A
A hybrid.
20
Q
Why are hybrids not typically used?
A
High acid.
21
Q
Give an example of a hybrid grape that is used sometimes.
A
Seyval Blanc
22
Q
List 5 international varietals.
A
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir
23
Q
List 5 indigenous varietals.
A
Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Semillon, Albarino, Sangeovese
24
Q
Other terms for indigenous grapes are:
A
Native, traditional and antochthonous (aw-tock-toe-nous)
25
Name a popular and easy to grow white grape.
Chardonnay
26
Chardonnay is thought to be indigenous to where?
Burgundy
27
Describe "California style chardonnay".
Lower acid and fuller body.
28
How does chardonnay benefit from the interaction of wood?
Softens it.
29
What are the top producing countries of chardonnay?
France, US, Australia, Germany, Italy
30
What are the characteristic aromas of cool climate chardonnay?
Green apple, melon
31
What are the characteristic aromas of warm climate chardonnay?
Tropical fruits.
32
Chardonnay's aciditiy is what?
Medium to high.
33
Chardonnay's alcohol is what?
Medium to high.
34
What are the characteristic aromas of an oaked chardonnay?
Vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, toast
35
What white grape is among the most versitile?
Chenin Blanc
36
How long can sweet/dessert chenin blancs store in cellar?
Up to decades.
37
What name does chenin blanc go by in South Africa?
Steen
38
Chenin Blanc represents what percentage of planting in South Africa?
20%
39
Where else does Chenin Blanc have significant plantings?
Loire Valley, Central Valley of California
40
What are the characteristic aromas of Chenin Blanc?
green apple, melon, honey, citrus blossoms, mineral
41
What are the top prouducing countries of Chenin Blanc?
France, US, South Africa
42
What are some well known AOC examples of Chenin Blanc?
Vouvray, Savennieres, Saumur
43
Chenin Blanc alcohol is what?
medium to high
44
Chenin Blanc acid is what?
medium plus to high
45
What ancient white grape variety can produce a wide range of sweet wines?
Muscat
46
Name 3 other mutations/relations of muscat?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat Ottonel.
47
In what climate does muscat perform best:
Warm to hot.
48
The best known muscat based wine is called what and from where?
Moscato d'Asti from Northern Italy
49
What are the top producing countries for muscat?
France, Italy, Chile, Australia
50
What are the characteristic aromas of Muscat?
honey, musk, orange blossom, floral, apricots
51
The acid level of muscat is what?
low to medium
52
The alcohol level of muscat is what?
medium to high
53
What white grape variety has a dusty or light pink skin?
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
54
Pinot Gris is a mutation of what grape?
Pinot Noir
55
Cool climate Pinot Gris is produced where?
Oregon, Alsace & Germany
56
What is the style profile of cool climate Pinot Gris?
Medium plus acidity, medium to full body, apple, pear or almond like aromas.
57
What are the the German names for Pinot Gris?
Rulander or Graubugnder
58
In what areas would you find a higher alcohol and less acidic Pinot Grigio?
California & Australia due to warmer climates
59
What are the characteristic aromas of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris?
Apple, melon, lemon, peach, minerals
60
What is the acidity of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris?
Low to medium
61
What is the alcohol of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris?
Medium
62
Well known examples of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris are from
Northeastern Italy, Alsace, Oregon
63
The top producing countries for Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris are
Italy, France, US, France, Australia
64
What white grape has an intensly floral aroma and petrol scent?
Riesling
65
The alcohol level in a Riesling can go as low as
7 - 8%
66
What is the acid level in a Riesling?
High to very high
67
What is the american grape that is a synonym for Riesling?
White Riesling
68
What are the top producing countries for Riesling?
France, Germany, US, Australia
69
Well known examples of Riesling are from
Mosel, Rheingau, Rheinhessen and Pfaltz in Germany, Alsace, Clare & Eden Valleys in Australia, Finger Lakes in NY, and Washington State
70
What is the alcohol level in a Riesling?
low to very high
71
What are the characteristic aromas of Riesling?
Peach, nectarine, honeysuckle, apricot, petrol and baking spices (well aged)
72
Oak aged Sauvignon Blanc is known as
Fume Blanc
73
Sauvignon Blancs best know growing area is
New Zealand
74
Sweet dessert wines from the Bordeaux area, including Sauternes, are from what white grape?
Sauvignon Blanc
75
Sauvignon Blanc is frequently blended with what grape to balance acid in Bordeaux?
Semillon
76
Well know examples of Sauvignon Blanc are from
New Zealand, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, white Bordeaux & Fume Blanc
77
The top producing countries of Sauvignon Blanc are
New Zealand, France, US, Chile & South Africa
78
The acid level of Sauvignon Blanc is
Medium plus to high.
79
The alcohol level of Sauvignon Blanc is
medium
80
The characteristic aromas of a cold climate Sauvignon Blanc are
Grass, hay, grapefruit
81
The characteristic aromas of a warm climate Sauvignon Blanc are
Melon, asparagus
82
The characteristic aroma of a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc is
Flint
83
The characteristic aromas of an oak aged Sauvignon Blanc is
toast, smoke
84
The characteristic aromas of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is
Gooseberry
85
What white grape, due to its low natural acidity, is thought of as a blending partner?
Semillon
86
A Chardonny/Semillon blend can be found where?
Australia
87
What white grape has a distinct waxy or oily character?
Semillon
88
What region in Australia is known for producing 100% Semillon?
Hunter Valley
89
Viognier is typically found where in France?
Northern Rhone
90
What grape has the Virginia Wine Board declared as their state grape?
Viognier
91
The characteristic profile of Viognier is
Rich, full bodied, viscous
92
The characteristic aromas of Viognier are
peach, flowers, tangerine
93
What other names does Pinot Blanc go by in Italy, Germany & Austria?
Pinot Bianco in Italy, Weissburgunder in Germany and Austria
94
What grape has the aromas of flowers, spice, lychee & rose?
Gewurtzraminer
95
Where is Gewurtztraminer most prominent today?
Alsace
96
Name a neutral white grape also used in balsamic vinegar?
Trebbiano
97
What is the grape name for Trebbiano in France?
Ugni Blanc
98
What white grape is also used for the production of brandy & cognac in France?
Ugni Blanc
99
What is the white grape from Hungary?
Furmint
100
Name 4 indigenous white Italian grapes
Cortese, Vermintino, Glera, Verdicchio
101
Name 4 indigenous white grapes from Spain.
Albarino, Palamino, Xarel-lo, Pedro Ximenez
102
Name a white grape indigenous to Switzerland.
Chasselas
103
Name a white grape indigenous to Argentina
Torrentes
104
Name a white grape indigenous to Austria.
Gruner Veltliner
105
Name two white grapes significant in Germany
Muller Thurgau, Silvaner
106
Name white grapes significant in Portugal.
Alvarinho, Arinto, Fernao Pires, Laoureiro
107
Name white grapes significant in Greece.
Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Rhoditis
108
Name secondary white grapes significant in France.
Marsanne, Rousanne, Aligote
109
What is the best known red blending partner to Cab. Sauv and Merlot in Bordeaux?
Cabernet Franc
110
Well known examples of Cabernet Franc are from
Bordeaux, Loire Valley, northeast Italy, New York State, California
111
The top producing countries of Cabernet Franc are
France, US, Italy
112
The characteristic aromas of a warm climate Cabernet Franc are
Raspberry, violet
113
The characteristic aromas of a cool climate Cabernet Franc are
Strawberry, cranberry, tobacco, mushroom, bell pepper
114
The tannin level found in a Cabernet Franc is
light to medium
115
The acid level found in Cabernet Franc is
medium to high
116
The alcohol level found in Cabernet Franc is
medium
117
What is the world's most widely grown red grape?
Cabernet Sauvignon
118
What is the red grape known for it's consistency, reliability, depth of flavor and ability to develop complex flavors over a long aging period?
Cabernet Sauvignon
119
The tannin levels in a Cabernet Sauvignon are
high
120
Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with what grape in Australia?
Shiraz
121
The acid level found in Cabernet Sauvignon is
medium to high
122
The alcohol level found in Cabernet Sauvignon is
High
123
The top producing countries of Cabernet Sauvignon are
France, US, Australia, Chile
124
Well know examples of Cabernet Sauvignon are from
Bordeaux, Napa Valley
125
The characteristic aromas of a cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon are
Black current, black cherry, eucalyptus, bell pepper, mint
126
The characteristic aromas of a new oak aged Cabernet Sauvignon are
dark chocolate, cedar, vanilla, tobacco
127
The characteristic aromas of a well aged Cabernet Sauvignon are
coffee caramel, cigar box
128
Grenache is added to Syrah & Mourvedre to add
color, acidity and complexity
129
In what climate does Grenache thrive?
Hot & dry
130
Where did Grenache originate?
Spain where it is known as Garnacha
131
Grenache is known as what in Italy?
Cannonau
132
In what part of Italy would you find Grenache grown?
Sardinia
133
What red grape oxidizes quickly and picks up a salmon or orange tinge?
Grenache
134
What red grape can take on a noticibly rusticity in the wine's aroma or bouquet?
Grenache
135
Old vine Grenache is highly prized for it's
concentration of flavor
136
Well known examples of Grenache are from
Southern Rhone, Priorat, Rioja, Navarra, Australia
137
The top producing countries of Grenache are
France, Spain
138
The characteristic aromas of Grenache are
Strawberry, cranberry, sour cherry, flowers, black pepper
139
The acidity of Grenache is
low to medium
140
The tannin in Grenache is
low to medium
141
The alcohol in Grenache is
High.
