Red Wine, Set 2

Question 1

In what climates does Merlot prefer to grow?

Answer 1

• Moderate
• Warm

Question 2

From which region does Merlot originate?

Answer 2

Bordeaux, France

Merlot is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux.

The 2 regional appellations used for Merlot grown anywhere in Bordeaux are Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC.

Bordeaux Supérieur AOC has tighter regulations, producing lower yields, wine of a higher minimum alcohol, and a slightly longer aging process. The result: more complex, expensive wines!

Question 3

What grape variety/varieties go into making a red Bordeaux wine?

Answer 3

A blend of up to 6 varieties:

1. Merlot,
2. Cabernet Sauvignon,
3. Cabernet Franc,
4. Petit Verdot,
5. Malbec,
6. and occasionally Carménère.

Depending on the winemaker’s vision, Bordeaux blends are made from differing percentages of these grapes, all of which add a unique characteristic to the wine.

Overall, however, Bordeaux wines can be characterized as medium- to full-bodied with bold aromas of black currant, plums, and earthiness. There is a lot of variety depending on where in Bordeaux they originate, the producer, and vintage.

Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines are usually dominated by Merlot.

Question 4

What is the climate of the Bordeaux region?

Answer 4

Moderate

Question 5

Describe the typical profile of Merlot made with just-ripe grapes.

Answer 5

• Dry
• Light to medium body
• Medium acidity
• Medium tannins
• Red fruit aromas and flavors

Question 6

Describe the typical profile of Merlot made with riper grapes.

Answer 6

• Dry
• Medium to full body
• Medium acidity
• Medium tannins
• Black fruit flavors and aromas

Question 7

Why is Merlot typically blended into other wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 7

• Merlot softens the harder-edged tannins of other grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Merlot also adds red fruit flavors and approachability, allowing the wine to be drunk younger.

Question 8

What does it mean when a Bordeaux is classified as a “left bank” or “right bank” Bordeaux?

Answer 8

The grapes were sourced from vineyards that grow on the:

• Left bank or west side of the Gironde Estuary
• Right bank or **north/northeast side ** of the Dordogne River

The Gironde Estuary, which is fed by the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, supplies the region with much of the water and nutrients it needs to support viticulture.

While located in relatively close proximity to each other, the soils/terroir on the left- and right banks are substantially different, resulting in wines that have distinct characteristics.

Right Bank blends are typically Merlot-driven, while Left Bank blends are typically dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 9

What countries outside of France grow a fair amount of Merlot?

Answer 9

• United States
• Chile
• South Africa
• Australia
• New Zealand

Question 10

What appellation in California makes Merlot in an easy-going, medium-bodied, fruity style?

Answer 10

California appellation

With the California appellation, the grapes can be sourced from anywhere within the state of California.

Question 11

Which 2 appellations in California make full-bodied, robust styles of Merlot?

Answer 11

1. Napa Valley
2. Sonoma

Within this appelation, it’s super common for Merlots to be influenced by quite a bit of oak, whether it’s from oak chips or new oak barrels.

This imparts flavors of vanilla, coconut, spice, and smoke to the wine. Try to discern these flavors the next time you try a Merlot (or Merlot blend) from California!

Question 12

What area of Chile produces high yields and volumes of Merlot?

Answer 12

Central Valley

Chile’s Central Valley is warm and dry, perfect for making soft, approachable Merlot.

Question 13

Which region of South Africa is known for its Bordeaux-style red blends?

Answer 13

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch’s mountainous landscape ranges from a moderate to warm climate and is influenced by varying elevations and ocean breezes.

FYI: Bordeaux wine comes from Bordeaux, France but a Bordeaux-style wine can be made anywhere and is simply a red blend that contains a combination of the six principal Bordeaux varieties.

Question 14

Which region in Australia uses Merlot in their Bordeaux-style red blends?

Answer 14

Margaret River

Margaret River is a wine region in southwest Western Australia made up predominantly of boutique-sized wine producers. The climate here is more strongly maritime-influenced than any other major Australian region.

Question 15

The majority of Merlot in New Zealand comes from which region?

Answer 15

Hawke’s Bay, on the North Island

The climate here is moderate with good deal of rainfall.

Merlot in Hawke’s Bay can be bottled as a single varietal or used in blends, with styles ranging from light and approachable to full-bodied and age-worthy.

Question 16

What climate does Grenache/Garnacha prefer?

Answer 16

Warm

Question 17

In which country did Grenache originate?

Answer 17

Spain, where it is known as Garnacha.

Question 18

Describe the typical profile of Grenache/Garnacha

Try to list 7 points

Answer 18

1. Dry
2. Low to medium acidity
3. Low to medium tannin
4. Medium to high alcohol
5. Medium to full body
6. Very red fruited (wild plum, red cherry)
7. Occasionally spicy (white pepper, liquorice)

Question 19

Is Grenache thin skinned or thick skinned?

Answer 19

Thin skinned

Grenache produces wines of just-medium color intensity, which makes it a good grape for making rosé.

Question 20

What method of rosé production is usually deployed for Grenache/Garnacha?

Answer 20

Short maceration

Short maceration is where the red skins are in contact with the juice for only a few hours and so only the desired amount of color and tannin is extracted. The resultant pink juice is then drained from the skins and fermented at a temperature usually used for making white wine.

Question 21

Why do winemakers often blend other grape varieties with Grenache/Garnacha, such as Syrah (in France) and Tempranillo (in Spain)?

Answer 21

Syrah and Tempranillo add depth of color, tannin, and acidity to Grenache’s light color, low acidity, and low-ish tannins.

It’s all about balance, baby!

Question 22

True or false:

A simple Grenache crafted for early consumption will usually be fermented and aged for a short time in oak vessels, while a more complex, sturdy, and high-quality Grenache will usually be fermented and/or aged in inert vessels.

Answer 22

FALSE

Simple, easy drinking Grenache wines are typically fermented in inert vessels, while complex, high quality wines are fermented in oak—be it new, used, or a combination of both—which is what contributes to that complexity.

Question 23

What 3 flavors do Grenache or Grenache-based wines develop as they age?

Answer 23

• Meat
• Earth/mushrooms
• Dried red fruits

Question 24

Which region in France is known for Grenache?

Answer 24

The Rhône Valley, specifically the Southern Rhône

The climate here is particularly warm, which is influenced by its more southerly latitude than Northern Rhône and relative flatness, which allows for more direct sunlight.

Grenache is one of many black grapes grown in the Southern Rhône region. In fact, it’s typically blended with Syrah and other local grape varieties like Mourvèdre.

Question 25

What is the **most important appellation** in the Southern Rhône for Grenache?

Answer 25

Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC ## Footnote Yep, *that* Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is arguably one of the best recognized wine regions in the world, second only to Champagne. What makes the vineyards here special? They're filled with **large stones** (called "pudding stones") which absorb heat during the day and then redistribute that heat to the vines at night, allowing for long, lazy ripening periods and the development of complex fruit characteristics.

Question 26

**Describe the typical flavor profile** of a red wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC. | Try to list 8 points!

Answer 26

1. Dry 2. Full body 3. High alcohol 4. Medium acidity 5. Medium tannin 6. Ripe red and black fruits (because it's usually blended) 7. Herbal notes (thyme, rosemary) 8. Herbaceous notes (tomato leaf)

Question 27

Which **2 appellations in the Southern Rhône** are known for simple, approachable, and affordable Grenache-based blends?

Answer 27

1. Côtes du Rhône AOC 2. Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC ## Footnote Of the two, Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC tends to produce slightly more complex and interesting wines.

Question 28

What is an **important appellation in the South of France** for Grenache-based red blends and rosés?

Answer 28

Minervois AOC ## Footnote Grenache here is usually blended with Syrah.

Question 29

Which **appellation in Spain** is known for making full-bodied, high alcohol, robust Grenache-based blends?

Answer 29

Priorat DOCa ## Footnote Priorat is located in Catalunya (Catalonia), in northeastern Spain. The region is known for its **dry, bold red wine blends** made primarily from Grenache and Carignan.

Question 30

What **2 north-central appellations in Spain** are known for fresh, red-fruited wines with Grenache as a component?

Answer 30

1. Rioja DOCa 2. Navarra DO ## Footnote Rioja is known for its oak-aged red wines, while Navarra is known for dry rosés.

Question 31

Okay, seriously, what's with all the AOC, DOC, DOCa, DO, etc. acronyms?

Answer 31

These acronyms are all **wine classifications** that will appear on the wine label. Understanding what these mean will tell you about **what grapes were used**, **where they were grown**, **the style in which the wine was made**, and **the quality you can expect from it**. ## Footnote For example, AOC stands for "Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée," an important classificiation system for French wines. *Appellation* is the legally defined geographical area that identifies the origin of a wine and *d'Origine Contrôlée* tells you that there's a system in place to **guarantee a certain level of quality** of the wines produce within that region. Winemakers have to meet specific AOC requirements if they want to, for example, put "Champagne" or "Chablis" on the bottle. We cover this topic in A LOT more detail in our deck 'Buying, Storing, & Serving Wine.'

Question 32

In Australia, Grenache is grown and made as a high-quality grape variety in which **2 warm places?**

Answer 32

* Barossa Valley * McLaren Vale ## Footnote Grenache wines made here are typically blended with Shiraz and other varieties, like Mourvèdre.

Question 33

Tempranillo is **which country's** most important black grape variety?

Answer 33

Spain

Question 34

What are the **2 most important appellations** in Spain for quality Tempranillo?

Answer 34

1. Rioja DOCa 2. Ribera del Duero DO ## Footnote Rioja DOCa has a moderate climate with hot summers, cold winters, and a relatively high rainfall creating perfect conditions for producing top quality grapes. Ribera del Duero DO has a Mediterranean climate with Atlantic Ocean influences but also a high degree of continentality marked by long, harsh winters and hot, dry summers.

Question 35

What is the expansive **appellation in northeastern Spain** that is known for making **high-volume Tempranillo?**

Answer 35

Catalunya DO ## Footnote "High volume** as in: they make a lot of inexpensive, quaffable Tempranillo wines.

Question 36

Describe the **general profile of a Tempranillo wine.** | Try list 6 points

Answer 36

1. Dry 2. Medium body 3. Medium tannin 4. Medium acidity 5. Red fruit (red cherry) 6. Black fruit (black plum) ## Footnote When Tempranillo is grown and made to be aged long term (like the wines of Rioja DOCa), it's usually blended with other grapes.

Question 37

Much like Garnacha, Tempranillo can be quite **versatile**. Describe **3 styles** in which Tempranillo can be made.

Answer 37

1. Simple, fruit-forward, juicy, affordable wines with no oak influence; 2. Complex, powerful, expensive wines with years of oak influence; 3. Everything in between! ## Footnote Okay, so technically, the third point doesn't count as a "style of wine" but the point is that, like Garnacha, Chardonnay, and Penelope Cruz, Tempranillo "looks good" in just about any styles it wears!

Question 38

What is the **traditional vessel for aging Tempranillo** or Tempranillo-based wines?

Answer 38

Small, new oak barrels (usually American) ## Footnote This imparts flavors of **vanilla, cedar, and smoke** to the wine. **Insider tip:** dill and coconut are the *tell-tale descriptors* for American oak on Tempranillo!

Question 39

On bottles of Rioja, you'll see the terms **Crianza, Reserva, or Gran Reserva**. What do these mean?

Answer 39

How long the wine was aged before it's released to the market. ## Footnote * **Gran Reserva** wines are wines of great vintages that have been aged for a total of *60 months* with at least two years in oak barrels and two years in the bottle! That's why they're more expensive than... * **Crianza** (red) wines, which are aged for *24 months* with a minimum of six months in oak barrels * **Reserva** wines are aged for a minimum of *36 months* with one year in oak. Only **top-tier grapes** are used to craft Gran Reserva and Reserva wines in Spain. Watch: ['What's the difference between Rioja Crianza, Reserva & Gran Reserva'](https://youtu.be/E1l_AIYUlBo)

Question 40

In **which 4 ways** does Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero differ from Tempranillo from Rioja? ## Footnote Ribera del Duero is generally warmer and more mountainous than Rioja.

Answer 40

**Ribera del Duero** * Fuller bodied * Higher in alcohol * Higher in tannin * Blacker fruit profile **Rioja** * Medium bodied * Medium alcohol * Medium tannin * Red/black fruit profile

Question 41

**Describe a typical joven**, the very youngest style of aged wine in Spain.

Answer 41

Young, fresh, and fruity

Question 42

Which **country** is known for its **Carmenère?**

Answer 42

Chile

Question 43

Which **country** is best-known for producing **Malbec?**

Answer 43

Argentina

Question 44

Which **country** is known for **Pinotage?**

Answer 44

South Africa ## Footnote The **Western Cape**—where Pinotage is predominantly grown—is really the beating heart of the South African wine industry. In fact, about **90% of all the wines** produced in the country originate from this coastal province's vineyards and cellars.

Question 45

What are the two **parent grapes** of Pinotage?

Answer 45

**Pinot Noir** and **Cinsault** ## Footnote In South Africa, Cinsault is actually known as *Hermitage* and so **Pinot** Noir + Hermit**age** = Pinotage! The variety was created from a crossing of these two grape varieties at the University of Stellenbosch.

Question 46

**Describe** the character profile of Pinotage. | Try to list 6 points!

Answer 46

1. Dry 2. Medium to full body 3. Medium tannin 4. High acidity 5. Bright red fruits (strawberry, red cherry, red licorice, crunchy raspberry) 6. Typically oaked ## Footnote While typically made as a single varietal wine, Pinotage is also often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Question 47

In South Africa, **what term** is used for a red wine blend of Pinotage, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and/or Shiraz?

Answer 47

Cape Blend ## Footnote **Fun fact:** If you like your South African wine, you can describe it as "lekker" in Afrikaans (delicious) or "heerlik" (heavenly). Don't forget to rrrrroll your 'rrrrs'!

Question 48

What is the **prevalent black grape** variety in Tuscany?

Answer 48

Sangiovese ## Footnote Never heard of Sangiovese? We cover dozens of grape varieties in these flashcards—some, like Sangiovese, you may never have heard of before—so for guidance on the ones you should *definitely* know, check out: ['What international wine varietals should you know?'](https://youtu.be/Q631a9Yx_AA)

Question 49

**Describe the typical profile** of Sangiovese. | Try list 7 items

Answer 49

1. Dry 2. High tannin 3. High acid 4. Red fruits (cherries, plums) 5. Dried herbal notes (especially dried pizza herbs: oregano and basil) 6. Most are affordable/simple wines with no oak 7. Some concentrated styles of Classico and Riserva will see oak

Question 50

What are the **4 most important** DOC/DOCGs for Sangiovese in Tuscany? ## Footnote DOCG stands for *Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita* and roughly translates to "Designation of origin guaranteed" in Italian. Seeing this on the label of your wine bottle means that the wine producers followed the strictest regulations possible to make that wine. DOC stands for "Denominazione di Origine Controllata", which is one tier down from DOCG. The rules governing quality and authenticity are still very strict, but they’re a little more generous than those for DOCG status.

Answer 50

1. Chianti DOCG 2. Chianti Classico DOCG 3. Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 4. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Question 51

Which DOCG in Tuscany produces Sangiovese at its **most simple that drinks best in its youth?**

Answer 51

Chianti DOCG ## Footnote While it is labeled a DOCG, the quality of Chianti tends to be **inconsistent across producers** because the area is big and broad, encompassing a diversity of terroir conditions (micro-climates, aspects, soil types, etc.).

Question 52

How does **Chianti Classico DOCG compare to Chianti DOCG** in terms of terroir and age-worthiness?

Answer 52

**Chianti Classico:** * Is at a higher elevation (longer growing season) * Is more likely to be matured in oak vessels * Will display more complex aromas and flavors ## Footnote Chianti DOCG, by comparison, is young, bright and fresh... the kind of easy drinking wines Italians have with breakfast. *Just kidding*

Question 53

Which wine is **aged longer**, Chianti Classico DOCG or Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?

Answer 53

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG ## Footnote Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG will usually have a fuller body, more alcohol, and more oak than Chianti Classico DOCG. Because the Riserva is aged longer, it will more likely display secondary and tertiary flavors than Chianti Classico.

Question 54

Brunello is the **name for what** in Montalcino? | Montalcino is a town in Southern Tuscany

Answer 54

Brunello is the name for **Sangiovese** in the local dialect.

Question 55

**Describe the profile** of Brunello di Montalcino. | Try list 8 points

Answer 55

1. Dry 2. High alcohol 3. Full body 4. High tannin 5. High acid 6. Concentrated red-fruit profile 7. Always matured in oak vessels (mostly neutral) for long period prior to release (notes of clove, cedar) 8. Great aging potential

Question 56

Corvina is **the most important black grape** in which Italian region?

Answer 56

**Veneto** in the northeast. ## Footnote Veneto is home to a number of quality denominations, like Soave, Prosecco, Valpolicella, and Bardolino.

Question 57

**Describe the profile** of Corvina. | Try list 6 points

Answer 57

1. Dry to off-dry, depending on the DOC or DOCG 2. Light to full body 3. Low to medium tannin 4. High acid 5. Red fruits (cherries, plums, fresh figs) 6. Gentle florals (Hibiscus) ## Footnote Corvina is one of those versatile grape varieties that can be made in a number of styles from the **velvety, light-bodied red blends of Valpolicella DOC** to **rich, powerful, and full-bodied Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG.**

Question 58

Name **4 important DOC/DOCGs** in Veneto, whose wines are **dominated by the black grape Corvina.**

Answer 58

1. Valpolicella DOC 2. Valpolicella Classico DOC 3. Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 4. Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (a sweet wine) ## Footnote Remember, "Classico" wines are typically from smaller, hilly areas and have **more distinctive character, body, and complexity** Think: * Soave vs Soave Classico * Valpolicella vs Valpolicella Classico * Chianti vs Chianti Classico

Question 59

**What's unique** about the way Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG are made?

Answer 59

They're made with **partially dried grapes** to drive power and concentration ## Footnote **Appassimento** is the widespread **winemaking technique** in Veneto, Italy that's used to make these wines. Harvested grapes are **dried on mats** prior to fermentation to concentrate sugars, acid, aroma and flavor characteristics.

Question 60

**Describe the profile** of Amarone della Valpolicella. | Try to list 7 points

Answer 60

1. Dry to off-dry 2. Full body 3. High alcohol (15%+ abv) 4. High tannin 5. High acid 6. Dried fruits (figs, raisins, prunes) 7. Ripe red fruits (cherries) ## Footnote Amarone shows both ripe and dried fruits because the grapes are only *partially* dried, not fully dried, prior to fermentation.