Other Reds

Question 1

Rioja

Answer 1

-Tempranillo
-4 Styles:
-Rioja - has Tempranillo
-Crianza - min one year in casks and few months in bottle, aged mostly in
used oak
-Reserva - selected wines from the best vintages, min 3 years aged, with at
least one year in casks
-Gran Reserva - selected wines from exceptional vintages with at least 2
years in oak casks and 3 years in the bottle (most are 10 years or older when
you first see them available)

T.N. - earthy, fruity, leather, cherry, plum, figs, cedar, tobacco and cloves. Medium-plus tannin and medium-minus acidity

Pairing - bbq, spicy food, grilled meats, pizza and pasta

Question 2

Tempranillo (new world)

Answer 2

• Typically oak aged 6-18 months in American or French oak
• Medium-plus tannin, medium-minus acidity
• More fruit driven then Spanish Tempranillo (Rioja)

T.N.- cherry, plum, tomato, dried fig, cedar, leather, tobacco, clove and vanilla

Pairing - bbq, pizza, tomato based dishes, polenta, Mexican food, manchego cheese

Question 4

Zinfandel

Answer 4

-Lighter bodied, but it’s moderate tannin and high acidity make it taste bold. Most also have higher alcohol levels 14-17%

T.N. - new world Zinfandel are jam, blackberry, black pepper, cheery, plum, cranberry, licorice, spic and tobacco

Pairing - curry spice, bbq, poultry, pork, hard and rich cow/sheep cheeses (manchego)

Question 5

Shiraz (Syrah)

Answer 5

• Rich, powerful and sometimes meaty
• Most planted grape in Australia
• Dry, full-bodied, medium-high tannins with medium acid

T.N. - blackberry, blueberry, black plum, milk chocolate, vanilla, herbs, tobacco and green pepper

Pairing - dark meats, lamb, Asian and Indian food, blue cheese burger, stinky cheeses

Question 6

Petite Sirah

Answer 6

• Originated in France is a cross between Syrah and Peloursin
• Deep color and full bodied, medium acid
• Grown mainly in California

T.N. - blueberry, dark chocolate, sugar plum, black pepper and black tea. Smoky fruit flavors with vanilla when oaked

Pairing - rich, fatty foods, roasted pork, bbq, Gouda, mushroom

Question 7

Mourvèdre

Answer 7

• Originated in Spain, but is one of the major Rhône grapes as well and is often blended (ex. Chateauneuf du Pape)
• Usually medium to long oak again due to high tannins

T.N. - blueberry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, violet, rose, smoke with high tannins and medium plus acidity

Pairing - mushrooms, short ribs, pork shoulder, lamb, bbq, pork veal

Question 8

Malbec

Answer 8

• Argentinas main grape
• Doesn’t need much oak-aging. Many only get 4-6 months in oak and top Malbecs get 18-20 months in oak

T.N. - dry, full-bodied, medium tannins, medium-low acidity, rich dark fruit nose and jammy flavors of blackberry, red plum, vanilla, dark chocolate and oak

Pairing - full-flavored foods, but doesn’t have a super long finish so goes well with leaner red meats, poultry, mushroom sauces, melted cheeses particularly blue cheese