Notes Flashcards
(58 cards)
Define “brix”
measure of sugar in the grapes
French term for “old vines”
vieilles vignes
The more char on a barrel, the ___ oak flavors + tannins
less
These 3 vintages in the past two decades were great vintages for every major wine region
2005
2010
2015
Less than _% of the world’s wines are meant to be aged for more than 5 years
1
What are the affects of tannin dropping to the bottom of the barrel as sediment?
Less tannin, so wine tastes softer
more prominent fruit + acidity
as a wine ages, its fruit flavors may taste ____
dry. dried cherries, plum, etc
t/f: wine may develop more vegetal aromas as it ages
true. mushrooms, canned peas, asparagus, etc
What does a burnt matches smell indicate?
sulfur dioxide. flaw
what flaw does an aroma of vinegar indicate?
volatile acidity
t/f: sulfur is produced during fermentation
true
t/f: the majority of the contents of a bottle of wine is water
true
Who first started wineries in California?
Spanish missionaries
California produces __% of American wine
90
Federal law in the US mandates if a label lists the grape, at least __% of that wine must be made from said grape
75
Why do American wineries often use proprietary names?
Allows wineries to differentiate their best wines from other wines from the same AVA, varietal, or their other offerings. Also due to 75% varietal listing mandate
t/f: many of the larger houses in California produce more than 20 labels
true
Name 4 areas in California with a cool enough climate to suit Pinot Noir
Carneros
Monterey
Sonoma
Santa Barbera
t/f: Bordeaux wine is more accessible young than California
false
Why do California wines taste more accessible when young than Bordeaux?
California reds have more generous fruit + less tannins
Name two wine-grape species native to North America
Vitis Labrusca + Vitis Rotundfolio
How many AVAs does the US have?
240+
If an AVA appears on a label, what % of grapes must come from that region?
85%
Which two California counties have the most Syrah planted?
San Luis Obispo + Sonoma
