White Varieties

Question 1

Most common grape varieties in NE France during the middle ages

Answer 1

Pinot, Savagnin, Gouais Blanc

Question 2

Aligoté is a natural cross of…

Answer 2

Pinot and Gouais Blanc

Question 3

Is Aligote aromatic?

Answer 3

Yes, pretty jasmine and vanilla perfume. It’s also vigorous w high acid, medium body.

Question 4

Altesse is a very shy producer and related to Chasselas. Anything good about it?

Answer 4

Yes. It’s very resistant to rot and can deliver uncompromised clusters despite a long hang time.

Question 5

Where’s Altesse from?

Answer 5

Savoie. Also has livery acidity, hunts of honey and almond. Spicy aromatics and long lived.

Question 6

Auxerrois is a natural cross of

Answer 6

Pinot and GB. Believed to originate in Alsace-Lorraine.

Question 7

T of F? Auxerrois ripens to high sugar and low acid. Makes a fairly neutral wine.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What variety requires high temps to ripen its clusters?

Answer 8

Bourboulenc

Question 9

What variety produces wines of moderate alcohol and high acid w aromas of citrus and smoke?

Answer 9

Bourboulenc (L-R, Provence, Rhone). Unknown origin.

Question 10

Chardonnay is a natural cross of …

Answer 10

Pinot and GB. Native to Bourgogne.

Question 11

Chard synonym in Bourgogne

Answer 11

Beaunois

Question 12

Chard synonym in Jura

Answer 12

Gamay Blanc

Question 13

Chard synonym in Loire

Answer 13

Auvernat

Question 14

Melon d’Arbois and Melon a Queue Rouge are synonyms of

Answer 14

Chardonnay

Question 15

This grape is the standard for other varieties bc it was one of the most widely planted in mid 1800s. Used to classify ripening times.

Answer 15

Chasselas

Question 16

Who was Victor Pulliat?

Answer 16

French ampelographer who categorized grape ripening based on Chasselas (1827-1896)

Question 17

T or F? Chasselas is a newer grape variety native to France.

Answer 17

False. It’s an ancient grape variety native to Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

Question 18

Describe Chasselas

Answer 18

Abundant but inconsistent yields. Fairly neutral. On good sites it’s got flint or smoke, hay and flowers.

Question 19

DNA evidence has determined that Chenin blanc is an exact match for what grape?

Answer 19

Agudelo, a grape said to be native to Galicia Spain. CB is also related to Savagnin blanc. Origin is still TBd.

Question 20

This high-vigor variety is adaptable to different climates and soils. Cold hardy, wind and disease resistant. High acid and high extract. Susceptible to botrytis, ages for a long time

Answer 20

Chenin blanc.

Question 21

Primary aromas of Chenin blanc are

Answer 21

peach, quince, apricot, apple and pear.
secondary of dairy, tertiary of ripe grain, straw, marzipan and toasted nuts.

Question 22

Clairette’s origin…

Answer 22

Herault department of Languedoc. extremely vigorous. prefers warm, rocky, dry sites. high alc, low acid, apricot, apple, peach, fennel and lime. prone to oxidation.

Question 23

Colombard is a natural cross of

Answer 23

Chenin blanc and Gouais blanc.
Native to Charente department in Nouvelle-Aquitane

Question 24

Characteristicsc of Colombard

Answer 24

Prolific producer. Floral Notes. High Acid and high sugar.

Question 25

Is Courbu blanc related to Courbu noir or Petit Courbu?

Answer 25

NO. and probably no.

Question 26

T or F? Courbu blanc is only made into sweet wines?

Answer 26

False. It's made into dry and sweet wines. Moderately acidic. Grapefruit.

Question 27

What's a synonym for courbu blanc?

Answer 27

Hondarrabi Zuri in Spain

Question 28

What are two synonyms for Chenin blanc in the Loire?

Answer 28

Gros Pineau Pineau de la Loire. (Also Rouchelein in SW)

Question 29

Is Folle Blanche (aka Picpoul in Armagnac) related to Picpoul?

Answer 29

No. GB is one of its parents.

Question 30

What's a synonym for Folle Blanche in Loire?

Answer 30

Gros Plant

Question 31

This productive vine is believed to be native to SW France. Delicately flavored, high acid wine with notes of citrus and green apple.

Answer 31

Folle Blanche (Loire, SW)

Question 32

What are some offspring of GB?

Answer 32

Aligote, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Gamay, Melon, Romorantin, Sacy, Colombard, Folle Blanche, Grolleau Noir, Arbois, Riesling (these all have GB as a parent)

Question 33

GB isn't grown commericially, but where is it listed as being grown?

Answer 33

Champagne. Big clusters w big berries

Question 34

T or F? Grenache blanc is a vigorous variety w full bodied whites with low to mod acidity and good extract. Prone to oxidation. Green apple and pear and white flowers.

Answer 34

True

Question 35

T or F? Grenache blanc, gris and noir share the same DNA fingerprint w different phenotypes or outward expressions of those genes?

Answer 35

True

Question 36

What grape has been grown in Savoie for centuries and legend says it was brought by bishops from Cyprus?

Answer 36

Gringet. It could be native... tbd. mid-ripening w floral, bright acid, yellow plum

Question 37

what's the larger-berried, thinner skinned offspring of Petit Manseng?

Answer 37

Gros Manseng. it has less intense aromaticcs. high acid, high sugar, citrus and spice

Question 38

This prolific producer from Savoie could easily delivery a huge crop of 6 tons/ac. wines are lightly perfumed, high acid w wildflower and citrus aromas

Answer 38

Jacquere

Question 39

This Rhone native is v vigorous, hardy, large clusters w small berries. Prefers warm, stony soils on less fertile sites. Wines are powerful a mod acid, high alc and high extract.

Answer 39

Marsanne

Question 40

Mouzac blanc

Answer 40

fairly aromatic, high acid w notes of bruised apple. native to SW france. (bdx, L-R, SW)

Question 41

T or F? Melon de Bourgogne hails from the western part of the Loire?

Answer 41

False! It's from Bourgogne Grows in Beaujolais, Bourgogne, Loire

Question 42

T or F? Muscadet (aka Melon or Melon de Bourgogne) is NOT related to Muscat family of grapes.

Answer 42

True.

Question 43

T or F? Melon is delicate in the vineyard and a shy producer.

Answer 43

False. It's hardy, frost-resistant and productive.

Question 44

This grape is native to Savoie and traditionally used in sparkling wine production. High yielding and fairly neutral. Ripens w high sugar and high acid.

Answer 44

Molette

Question 45

Mondeuse blanche x Dureza

Answer 45

Syrah

Question 46

T or F? Mondeuse blanche is native to Savoie and makes a high alc, low acid, fairly neutral white.

Answer 46

True

Question 47

Native region of Muscadelle is...

Answer 47

Gironde/Dordogne area

Question 48

What grape expresse exuberant grapiness w some musk?

Answer 48

Muscadelle

Question 49

T or F? Muscadelle is NOT related to Muscat

Answer 49

True

Question 50

What 3 types of Muscat grow in France?

Answer 50

Muscat a Petits Grains blanc Muscat d'Alexandrie Muscat Ottonel

Question 51

What's most likely the origin of Muscat a petits grains blanc?

Answer 51

Greece

Question 52

T or F? There are pink, red and black skinned versions of Muscat a petits grains blanc.

Answer 52

True. All ripen w high sugar, high extract, good acid.

Question 53

Is Muscat a petits grains blanc aromatic?

Answer 53

Yes. with raisin, honey, peach, apricot, mango, orange blossom, and musk.

Question 54

This muscat isn't as delicate as Muscat a petits grains blanc. It's more powerful. x with Myscat a petits grains blanc and axina de tres biax (A black skinned table grape)

Answer 54

Muscat d'Alexandrie

Question 55

chasselas x muscat d'eisenstadt cross

Answer 55

muscat ottonel

Question 56

which muscat variety has less acid, aroma and flavor than others, but is an early ripener which makes it good for cool climates?

Answer 56

Muscat Ottonel

Question 57

T or F? Petit Courbu is a shy producer with small clusters, small berries, wines w honey and lemon.

Answer 57

True grown in Southwest.

Question 58

Clusters of this grape are often left on the vine to partially raisin (passerillage) to craft sweet wines. Flavors of ripe peaches, honey and cinnamon.

Answer 58

Petit Manseng. It's an exotic grape w high sugar and acid. bunches are loose, berries are thick skinned. Savagnin was one of its parents.

Question 59

T or F? Pinot blanc, gris and noir share eh same DNA fingerprint w different phenotypes or outward expressions of those genes.

Answer 59

True

Question 60

Synonym of Pinot Blanc in Alsace

Answer 60

Klevener

Question 61

Pinot Vrai is a synonym for what grape?

Answer 61

Pinot blanc

Question 62

T or F? Pinot blanc is native to france and produces small berried fruit. Wines are fairly neutral w mod acid. apple and almond.

Answer 62

true

Question 63

Picpoul blanc is native to

Answer 63

Southern France

Question 64

This grape means lip stinger, thrives in hot climates, high accid, aromatic wines w mod alcohol. Green apple and citrus.

Answer 64

Picpoul blanc (also blanc, gris and noir share the same DNA fingerprint w different expressions)

Question 65

This grape is indigenous to the Rhine and is an offspring of GB. Winter hardy and late budding, it ripens w high sugar and acid. Peach, apricot, pineapple, citrus, linden, jasmine. High acid.

Answer 65

Riseling

Question 66

This grape is grown exclusively in the Cour-Cheverny. It's a Pinot Teinturier x GB cross

Answer 66

Romorantin

Question 67

T or F? Although Romorantin buds early, if often has trouble ripening its fruit.

Answer 67

True. Optimally it's mineral w honey and beeswax.. Grown in the Loire.

Question 68

The more elegant and aromatic version of Marsanne, although it suffers from irregular yields and is sensitive to rot and mildew.

Answer 68

Roussanne

Question 69

T or F? Roussanne crats complex, age worthy wines w floral, high alc, moderate high acid. Honeysuckle, quince, apricot, acacia, white peach. Genetically linked to Marsanne and both native to the Rhone.

Answer 69

True

Question 70

Pinot x Gouais cross

Answer 70

Sacy. It's native to Bourgogne or NW France. high acid, low alc wines that taste of pear.

Question 71

Bergeron is a synonym of what grape in Savoie?

Answer 71

Roussanne

Question 72

Tressallier is a synonym of what grape in the Loire?

Answer 72

Sacy

Question 73

What word is taken from the french word "Sauvage" meaning wild?

Answer 73

Sauvignon (SB section)

Question 74

T or F? Sauvignon blanc shares a kinship with Savignin blanc

Answer 74

True

Question 75

T or F? Sauvignon blanc is native to the Loire.

Answer 75

True

Question 76

Descriptors for Sauvignon blanc include...

Answer 76

Gunflint, herb, hay, boxwood, gooseberry, lemongrass, grapefruit, pineapple and blacckcurrant.

Question 77

What's the homeland of Savagnin blanc?

Answer 77

northeastern France and southwestern Germany Now grown in Jura.

Question 78

T or F? Savagnin blanc is low acid, low alcohol and needs to be drunk early.

Answer 78

False. High acid, high alc, capable of aging.

Question 79

T or F? Savagnin rose and Gewurztraminer are separte and distinct grape varieties.

Answer 79

False. They are variants of Savagnin blanc.

Question 80

Like GB, Savagnin blanc was widely grown during the Middle Ages and is parent of...

Answer 80

Petit Meslier, Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc, Petit Manseng, Sylvaner.

Question 81

Semillon is native to

Answer 81

Sauternes

Question 82

What makes Semillon susceptible to botrytis

Answer 82

its thin skins

Question 83

Characteristics of semillon

Answer 83

mod aroma, high alc, high extract, mod to low acidity. can be deeply pigmented and oxidized. in youth, pear, apricot, citrus, nut skin, w age, spice, caramel, lanolin, beeswax

Question 84

Sylvaner/Silvaner is native to

Answer 84

eastern Austria. Fairly neutral.

Question 85

Savagnin blanc x Osterreichisch Weiss (which is an offspring of GB)

Answer 85

Sylvaner

Question 86

Synonym of Ugni Blanc

Answer 86

Trebbiano Toscano

Question 87

Ugni blanc is native to

Answer 87

Italy

Question 88

What's a synonym of Ugni Blanc in Corsica?

Answer 88

Rossala

Question 89

What's a synonym of Ugni Blanc in Provence?

Answer 89

Roussan

Question 90

T or F? Ugni Blanc is easy to grow, vigorous and high yielding. Good acid and delicate, neutral white wines. Hints of citrus and almond.

Answer 90

True

Question 91

Vermentino is native of

Answer 91

Italy. Made its way to Corsica and south of France.

Question 92

Vermentino likes coastal sites and has two styles:

Answer 92

1. lively and aromatic w lots of citrus OR fat and round style w ripe apple, pear apricot and sweetgrass

Question 93

Viognier is a native of

Answer 93

the Rhone

Question 94

T or F? Viognier is a vigorous and hardy vine that thrives in poor, dry, stony soil

Answer 94

True

Question 95

T or F? Viognier produces wines that are low alc and high acid

Answer 95

False

Question 96

T or F? Viognier wines have aromas of peach, apricot, nectarine, honey, musk, ginger and white flowers. The vine is related to Mondeuse blanche.

Answer 96

True