Testable Grape Tasting notes Flashcards
(30 cards)
Visual:
- Bright ruby with purple tones
- Low to Moderate plus
( Low to Medium Minus in basic village wines, with higher concentration in some Cru wines)
- Possible residual gas from Carbonic Maceration)
Aromas / Flavors
- Moderate Plus to High Intensity
Fruit:
- Tart Red Fruit (Strawberry, Red Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant) , Watermelon
Carbonic Maceration Notes:
- Pear Drop, Bubblegum, Cotton Candy, Lifted Red Fruit / Floral Aromatics
Floral:
- Violeta, Lilacs, Peonies
Other:
- Slight Black Pepper, Dry Savory Herbs
Earth:
- Moderate to High Minerality, Wet Granite, Stony, Crushed Rock
Oak:
- None or Neutral Cask
Structure
- Dry
- Moderate Minus to Moderate Body
- Diminished to Moderate Tannin
- Elevated Acidity
- Moderate Alcohol
Gamay ( Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)
Visual:
- Dark Ruby / Purple Color
- Moderate plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors:
- moderate plus intensity
Fruit:
- Black fruit ( Blackcurrant / Cassis, Blackberry, Black Cherry)
- Slight Red Fruit and Plum
Floral:
- Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal / Green:
- Sage, Green Bell Pepper, Mint, Tobacco, Dried Savory Herbs
Spice (Savory):
- Green Peppercorn, Anise, Clove, Exotic Spices
Other:
- Leather, Pencil Shavings, Cedar, Iodine, Medicinal, Game, Cigar Box
Earth:
- Moderate Plus to high Minerality, Graphite, Gravel, Iron, Damp Soil, Mushroom
Oak:
- Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak ( Baking Spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Structure
- Dry
- Moderate to Moderate plus Body
- Elevated Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux (Graves and Medoc)
Visual: Ruby Color, Slight Orange Rim (even in youth), Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
- Fruit: Cooked to Dried Red Fruits (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), roasted red plum, blackberry, raisin / fig
- Possible Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
- Floral: Red Flowers, Dried Lavender
- Herbal: Herbes de Provence, Garrigue / Wild Brush, Rosemary, Brewed Black Tea, Savory Herbs
- Spices: Curing Spices, Black Pepper, Juniper, Clove, Licorice, Lavender
- Other: Powdered Sugar, Dried Orange / Grapefruit Peel, Old Leather / Brettanomyces
- Earth: Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Stone, Gravelly, Baked Earth
- Oak: Large Neutral Casks (foudres) or Concrete Vats, although some modern special cuvèe styles may incorporate smaller barrels and new oak
- Structure: Dry, Moderate Plus to Full Body, Moderate to Elevated Tannin, Diminished to Moderate Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol
Grenache ( Grenache Noir)
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
AOC: Châteauneuf - du - Pape & Gigondas
Visual: Ruby Color with Garnet Tones, Moderate Plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit:
Blue Fruit (Plum, Blueberry)
Red Fruit: (Strawberry, Raspberry, Red Cherry)
Black Fruit: (Blackberry, Black Cherry), Fig / Fruitcake
Floral:
Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal:
Mint, Bay Leaf, Fern, Tobacco
Spice:
Licorice / Anise, Christmas Spice
Earth:
Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Clay, Mushroom / Truffle
Oak:
Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak, Chocolate, Coffee, Cinnamon, Vanilla
Structure:
Dry, Moderate to Moderate Plus Body, Moderate to Elevated Tannin, Moderate Acidity, Elevated Alcohol
Merlot
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux (Right Bank)
AOC: Saint Emillon or Pomerol
Visual: Ruby Color with Blue Tones, Moderate Plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Stewed Fruit Character Ripe Lush Blue Fruit ( Plum, Blueberry) Ripe Lush Black Fruit ( Blackcurrant) Lush Red Fruit (Red Cherry, Raspberry), Fig, Prune
Floral:
Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal:
Fern, Bay Leaf, Sage
Spice:
Christmas Spice, Licorice / Anise
Earth:
Low to Moderate Minerality
Oak:
Moderate to High Use of New French Oak or Mixed Origin Oak, Chocolate, Coffee,Mocha, Sweet Baking Spices, Vanilla
Structure:
Dry (with Ripe Attack), Moderate Plus to Full Body, Moderate Tannin, Diminished to Moderate Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol
Merlot
Country: United States
AVA: Napa Valley or Sonoma
Visual: Ruby / Garnet Color, Significant Garnet, Orange Rim Variation, Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: High Intensity
- Fruit:
Tart Red Fruit: ( Sour Cherry, Red Plum), Blackberry, Mulberry, Dried Plum / Prune and Dried Cherry
- Significant Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
Floral:
Heady Floral Character, Roses, Violets
Herbal:
Tea Leaf, Tobacco, Bitter Root, Tree Bark
Spice:
Licorice, Anise, Resin, Slight Clove / Cinnamon Spice
Other:
Tar, Leather
Earth:
High Minerality, Truffle, Mushroom, Dust, Organic Earth
Oak:
Neutral Large Cask ( Slavonian Oak and Chestnut Botti are considered traditional casks for Barolo)
Structure:
Dry, Medium to Full Body, High Tannin, Elevated to High Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol
Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmonte
DOCG: Barolo or Barbaresco
Visual: Ruby / Purple Color, Moderate Plus to High Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart / Ripe
- Black Fruit (Blackberry, Black Cherry, Black Plum)
- Blue Fruit: Blueberry , Boysenberry
- Red Fruit: Raspberry
Possible Carbonic Maceration and / or Stem Inclusion
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Lavender, Violets
Herbal / Green: Black / Green Olives, Green Peppercorn, Herbes de Provence, Rosemary
Spice: White / Black Pepper, Curing Spices, Juniper
Other: Tar, Hung / Cured Meat, Smoke, Bacon Fat, Band - Aid (Brettanomyces)
Earth: moderate plus to High Minerality, Granite, Crushed Rock
Oak: Neutral Barrel / Cask or Low to Moderate use of New French Oak
Structure:
- Bone Dry to Dry
- Moderate Plus Body
- Moderate to Elevated Tannin
- Elevated to High Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Syrah - Northern Rhône ( France)
Visual: Opaque, Dark Purple Color, High Concentration, Deep Stained Tears
Aromas / Flavors: High Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
- Black Fruit: Blackberry, Cassis
- Blue Fruit: Blueberry, Plum
- Dried Fruit: Fig, Raisin, Date, Raspberry Liqueur, Mulberry
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Lavender (less prominent, than in Northern Rhône examples)
Herbal / Green: Eucalyptus, Mint / Methol, Herbes de Provence, Rosemary
Spice: Blackpepper, Dried Savory Spices, Licorice, Christmas Spices / Fruitcake
Other: Bitter Chocolate, Smoke, Grilled Meat
Earth: Low to Moderate Minerality
Oak: Low to High Use of New American or French Oak, Vanilla, Coconut, Dill, Chocolate, Mocha, Baking Spices, Cumin, Curry / Febugreek, Maple
Structure:
- Dry
- Full Body
- Moderate to Elevated Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Elevated to High Alcohol
Shiraz - South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria (Australia)
Visual:
- Dark Ruby / Purple Color with Blue Tones
- Moderate Plus to High Concentration
- Electric Pink Rim
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus to High Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
- Black Fruit: Black Raspberry, Black Cherry, Blackberry
- Blue fruit: Concord grape jam, blueberry, plum
- Red Fruit: Raspberry Liqueur, Fig, Raisin, Prune
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Violets, Damson Flowers (floral aromatics are especially expressive in higher altitude wines)
Herbal / Green: may have slight green notes
Earth:Moderate Minus to Moderate Minerality, Clay / Mud
Oak: Low to High Use of New French and or American Oak, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Chocolate, Cinnamon
Structure:
- Dry (with Ripe Attack)
- Full Body
- Elevated Tannin
- Diminished to Moderate Acidity
- Elevated to High Alcohol
Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina
Visual:
- Light Ruby / Ruby Color
- Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart to Just Ripe
- Red Fruit: Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Wild Strawberry
- Black Fruit: Possible Black Cherry, Beet / Beetroot, Tomato
Possible Stem Inclusion
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Violets, Lilac, Potpourri
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Flouride, Limestone, Mushroom / Forest Floor, Damp Leaves
Oak: Neutral to High Use of French Oak, Toast, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Baking Spices, Cinnamon, Roasted Nut, Caramel
Structure:
- Dry
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Body
- Diminished to Elevated Tannin
- Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Côte d’Or - France
Visual:
- High Clarity
- Bright Ruby Color
- Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
Red Fruit: Strawberry Jam, Cherry, Raspberry
Black Fruit: Blackcherry, Plum, Prune
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal: Tea Leaf, Citrus Zest / Peel
Spice: Red Licorice, Clove, Cinnamon
Other: Cola, Cola Nut
Earth: Moderate Minerality
Oak: Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak (1/3 or more new barrels), Toast, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Baking Spices, Clove, Cinnamon, Roasted Nut, Caramel
Structure:
- Dry (with ripe attack)
- Moderate plus body
- Moderate Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - California
Visual:
- Ruby
- Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe / Lush
- Red Fruit: Strawberry, Cherry, Raspberry
- Black Fruit: Black Cherry
- Blue Fruit: Blueberry
Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal: Tea Leaf, Citrus Zest / Peel, Tomato Leaf
Spice: Red Licorice, Oak Spices
Earth: Moderate Plus Minerality, Wet Leaves, Compost, Mushroom, Forest Floor
Oak: Moderate to High Use of French Oak, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Coffee, Chocolate, Caramel
Structure:
- Dry (with ripe attack)
- Moderate Plus Body
- Diminished to Moderate Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Pinot Noir - Williamette Valley - Oregon
Visual
- light Ruby with slightly garnet tones
- Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration (concentration and color may be darker if the wine is a blend)
Aroma / Flavors:
Fruit: Tart / Dried
- Red Fruit: Sour Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant, Red Apple, Tomato
- Black Fruit: Black Cherry, Mulberry
Floral: Dried Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal / Green: Fennel, Roasted Savory Herbs, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Camphor, Bitter Root
Spice: Clove, Smoke (Brettanomyces Indictators), Coffee / Oak Spices
Other: Sanguine / Blood, Balsamic, Animal, Leather, Tar
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Clay, Crushed Rock, Baked Earth
Oak:
- none or large neutral cask with possible mixed use of French oak barriques ( classic examples do not see any significant new wood)
Structure:
- Bone Dry to Dry
- Moderate to moderate plus body
- Elevated to high tannin
- Elevated to high acidity
- Moderate to elevated alcohol
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Chianti Classico - Italy
Visual
- Dark Ruby with slightly garnet rim variation
- Moderate Plus Concentration
Aroma / Flavors:
Fruit: Tart / Dried
- Red Fruit: Sour Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant, Red Apple, Tomato
- Black Fruit: Black Cherry, Mulberry
Floral: Dried Flowers, Potpourri
Herbal / Green: Fennel, Roasted Savory Herbs, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Camphor, Bitter Root
Spice: Clove, Smoke (Brettanomyces Indictators), Coffee / Oak Spices
Other: Sanguine / Blood, Balsamic, Animal, Leather, Tar
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Clay, Crushed Rock, Baked Earth
Oak:
- large neutral cask with possible mixes use of French Oak Barriques
Structure:
- Bone Dry to Dry
- Full Body
- Elevated to high tannin
- Elevated to high acidity
- Elevated alcohol
Sangiovese - Tuscany - Brunello di Montalcino - Italy
Visual:
- Ruby
- Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration
Aroma / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Tart / Dried
- Red Fruit: Cherry, Strawberry, Red Currant, Sour Asian Plum, Dried Plum
Significant Oxidation and Brettanomyces for Gran Reserva Styles
Floral: Red and Dried Flowers
Herbal: Tobacco , Dill
Other: Sweet and Sour Sauce, Iodine, Leather, Spice
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Baked Earth, Clay, Compost
Oak: Low to Moderate Use of New American or Mixed American / French Barrels ( Long Aging in Oak for Reserva and Gran Reserva Styles), vanilla, coconut, dill, cumin, curry, fenugreek, sandalwood
Structure:
- Dry
- Moderate Plus Body
- Elevated Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Tempranillo - Rioja - Spain
Visual
- Ruby / Dark Ruby
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Concentration ( color and concentration are highly affected by blending other varieties)
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus to High Intensity of Aromas
Fruit: Ripe / Jammy
- Red Fruit: Raspberry, Cranberry Jam, Raisin, Fig, Cherry Compote, apricot, peach yogurt
- Black Cherry: Blackberry, Cassis
- Blue Fruit: Blueberry
Non - Fruit: Black pepper, Briar, Slight Potting Soil / Turned Earth
Oak: Neutral to Moderate Use of New American Oak, French Oak, of Mixed Barrels: Vanilla, Sawdust, Coconut, Chocolate, Mocha, Coffee, Caramel, Dillwood, Cinnamon
Structure:
- Dry (often with perceptible RS)
- Full Body
- Moderate Tannin
- Moderate to Elevated Acidity
- Elevated to High Alcohol
Zinfandel - California
Visual
- Pale Straw / Straw with hints of Green
- Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Intensity
Fruit: Tart to Ripe
- Tree fruit: Green Apple, Yellow Apple, Green Pear
- Citrus: Lemon
Floral: Faint white Flowers, Apple Blossoms, Hasthorne Acacia
Earth: High Minerality, Stony, Chalk,
Oak: None or Neutral Barrel
Struture:
- Bone Dry to Dry
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Body
- Elevated to High Acidy
- Moderate Alcohol
Chardonnay - Chablis - France
Visual:
straw to yellow / pale gold
Moderate to Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit:
Tree Fruits: Green / Yellow Apple, Pear, Quince
Citrus: Lemon, Melon
Stone Fruit: White Peach, Yellow Cherry
Sulphuric Note (especially in youth): Flint, Burnt Match, Slight Cabbage
Oxidative Notes: Almond, Hazelnut, Cheese Rind
Malolactic Notes: Slight Butter, Crème Fraiche / Sour Cream
Floral: White Flowers, Acacia, Hawthorne, Honeysuckle, Apple Blossoms
Other: Slight Spice, Slight Savory Herbs
Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Limestone, Button Mushroom
Oak: Low to high use of French oak, toffee, salted caramel, butterscotch, sweet baking spices, cinnamon, toast, smoke
Bottle Age Aromas: Truffle, Honey, Nut
Structure:
- dry
- moderate to full body
- elevated acidity
- moderate to elevated alcohol
Chardonnay - Côte de Beaune - France
Visual
- yellow / pale gold
- moderate plus concentration
Aromas / Flavors
- Moderate to Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe
Tree Fruits: Yellow Apple, Baked Pears
Citrus Fruit: Meyer Lemon , Ripe Apricot, Melon
Tropical Fruits: Pineapple, Mango
Floral: White Flowers, Apple Blossoms, Honeysuckle
Oxidative Notes: Hazelnut, Almond
Malolactic Notes: Butter, Yogurt, Crème Fraiche / Sour Cream
Other: Sweet / Canned Corn
Earth: Low Minerality, Sight Limestone
Oak: Moderate to high use of French Oak, Toffee, Salted Caramel, Butterscotch, Sweet Baking Spices, Vanilla, Pie Crust, Toast
Structure
- Dry (may have slight RS)
- Moderate Plus to full body
- Moderate Acidity
- Elevated Alcohol
Chardonnay - Oak Driven - California
Visual
- Pale Straw with Hints of Green
- Moderate Minus Concentration
- Slight Residual Gas ( in youth)
Aromas / Flavors:
- Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe
Citrus: Orange, Meyer Lemon, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Melon
Stone Fruit: white peach, peach pit, apricot, nectorine
Tree Fruit: Green Apple
Floral:
- White and Yellow Flowers
- Citrus and Apple Blossoms
Other: Bubblegum, Agave, Slight Beer Yeast, Leesy, Saline, Possible ML fermentation
Earth:Moderate Plus Minerality
Oak: None
Structure:
- Dry
- Moderate Body
- Elevated Acidity
- Moderate Alcohol
Albariño - Rías Baixas - Spain
Visual
Pale Straw / Straw with hints of green
Moderate Concentration
Aromas / Flavors:
Moderate to Moderate Plus Intensity of Aromas
Fruit:
Tree Fruit: Green, Golden, Oxidized Apple, Quince, Yellow Pear
Citrus: Tangerine , Orange, Lemon
Sulphuric Notes in youth
Oxidative Notes: Slightly Bruised Apple, Bitter Nut, Almond, Cheese Rind / Soft Cheese
Floral: Orange Blossoms, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Fragrant White Flowers
Herbal: Chamomile / Herbal Tea, Medicinal Notes, Dandelion Greens, Wasabi, Savory Herbs, Tree Bark
Botrytis: Honey (particularly with Bottle Age), Ginger, Marmalade
Other: Wet Wool, Lanolin
Earth: Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Damp Straw, Limestone / Tuffeau, Wet Stones, White Mushroom
Oak: None or Neutral Cask
Structure:
- Dry to Off Dry (examples typically have slight RS)
- Moderate Body
- High Acidity
- Diminished to Moderate Alcohol
Chenin Blanc - Vouvray - Loire Valley - France
Visual
Pale Yellow / Gold
Moderate Plus Concentration
Aromas / Flavors:
Tree Fruit: Green / Golden / Oxidized Apple, Quince, Yellow Pear
Citrus: Tangerine, Bergamot, Lemon, dried Apricot
Oxidative Notes: Bruised / Rotten Apple, Cider, Bitter Nut, Almond / Marzipan, Pistachio, Cheese Rind / Soft Cheese
Floral: Honeysuckle, Jasmine, White Flowers
Herbal: Chamomile / Herbal Tea, Medicinal Notes, Dandelion Greens, Wasabi, Savory Herbs, Tree Bark
Botrytis (possible): Honey (particularly with bottle age), Saffron, Ginger, Marmalade
Other: Wet Wool, Lanolin
Earth: Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Damp Straw, Schist, Wet Stones, White Mushroom
Oak: None or Neutral Cask
Structure
- Dry
- Moderate to Full Body
- High Levels of Extract
- High Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
Chenin Blanc - Savennières- Loire Valley
Visual
Yellow / Gold
Moderate Plus to High Concentration
Aromas / Flavors: High (Heady) Intensity
Fruit: Ripe
Tropical Fruit: Lychee, Pineapple, Tropical Fruit Punch
Stone Fruit: Peach, Jam, Dried Apricot
Citrus: Orange Marmalade, Grapefruit Pith
Floral: Roses, Floral Perfume
Spice: Cinnamon, Clove, Gingerbread, Musk, Potpourri, Exotic Spices
Other: Honey, Bergamot Oil, Face Lotion / Perfumed Hand Soap
Earth: Moderate to Moderate Plus Minerality
Oak: None or Neutral Cask
Structure:
- Dry to Off Dry
- Moderate Plus to Full Body
- Diminished to Moderate Acidity
- Moderate to Elevated Alcohol
- Phenolic Bitterness
Gewürztraminer - Alsace - France
Visual
Pale straw with hint of Green (possibly with slight copper and pink tones)
Moderate Concentration
Aromas: Moderate Intensity
Fruit: Tart
Citrus Fruit: Lemon
Tree Fruit: red and yellow Apple
Stony fruit: white peach, nectarine , melon
Floral: White and yellow flowers
Herbal: Watercress / Arugula
Other: Peanut Shell, Lager Yeast / Stale Beer
Earth: Moderate to Moderate Plus Minerality, stone / chalk, ashen notes, saline
Oak: none
Structure
- Dry
- Moderate Body
- Elevated Acidity
- Moderate Alcohol
- Slight Phenolic Bitterness
Pinot Grigio - Italy
