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WSET Level 2 Award in Wines > White Wine Varietals and Regions > Flashcards

White Wine Varietals and Regions Flashcards

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1
Q

Why is Riesling ideal for making sweet wines?

A

It has naturally high acidity and is susceptible to Botrytis

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2
Q

Is Riesling capable of aging? If so, why?

A

High acidity preserves freshness of flavors

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3
Q

What is Germany’s most important grape varietal?

A

Riesling

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4
Q

Which Northerly German wine region is known for producing light-bodied, high-acid, medium sweet wines?

A

Mosel

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5
Q

What moderates the climate in Mosel’s vineyards?

A

Steep slope, Southeast aspect, proximity to a river, stony soils

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6
Q

Which German wine region is known for producing medium-bodied Riesling that is often dry or off-dry?

A

Rheingau

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7
Q

What moderates the climate in Rheingau’s vineyards?

A

Steep slope, Southern aspect, river proximity

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8
Q

With a similar climate to Alsace, which German wine region is known for producing dry, medium-bodied Riesling?

A

Pfalz

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9
Q

What moderates the climate in Pfalz vineyards?

A

Mountain protection, sunny and dry weather

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10
Q

Which wine region in France is known for it’s dry and sunny weather? What moderates the climate there?

A

Alsace; has mountain protection

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11
Q

What style of Riesling is Alsace known for?

A

Dry, pronounced aroma and flavor intensity; citrus, stone fruit, blossom notes; medium-body, high acid

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12
Q

What is Germany’s IGP designation?

A

Landwein

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13
Q

If you are drinking a Landwein Riesling, what characteristics would you expect?

A

Light-bodied, dry to off-dry

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14
Q

How would a wine qualify for Qualitätswein status?

A

Grapes must come from one of 13 PDO wine regions in Germany; must also have a certain level of ripeness to create more intense flavor and body fullness

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15
Q

How would a wine qualify for Prädikatswein status?

A

Grapes must come from a single PDO region in Germany; must also have even higher sugar level than Qualitätswein

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16
Q

What does “Trocken” indicate in a wine?

A

A dry wine

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17
Q

What does “Halbtrocken” indicate in a wine?

A

A wine with some sweetness

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18
Q

What are the six Prädikat categories?

A

Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Eiswein, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese

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19
Q

Describe the expected qualities of a Kabinett Riesling:

A

Light and delicate with notes of green apple, lime, and blossom

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20
Q

Describe the expected qualities of a Spätlese Riesling. What does Spätlese translate to?

A

More concentrated than Kabinett with fuller body and notes of ripe lemon, lime, and peach; Spätlese = “Late Harvest”

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21
Q

Describe the expected qualities of a Auslese Riesling. What does Auslese translate to?

A

Full and flavorful with notes of apricot, mango, and dried fruit; Auslese = “Selected Harvest”

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22
Q

What makes Eiswein so expensive?

A

Extremely concentrated and sweet; production is labor-intensive and weather conditions are not guaranteed

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23
Q

How would a Riesling wine qualify for Beerenauslese status? What does that name translate to?

A

Wines are made from selected berries and bunches that are affected by Botrytis; Beerenauslese = “Selected Berry Harvest”

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24
Q

How would a Riesling wine qualify for Trockenbeerenauslese status? What does that name translate to?

A

Made from individual berries that have been dried out by Botrytis; Trockenbeerenauslese = “Selected Dried Berry Harvest”

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25
Which two Australian wine regions are known for Riesling production? What moderates the climate there?
Eden Valley, Clare Valley; climate is moderated by high altitude
26
What makes Chenin Blanc such a versatile wine?
It can grow in any climate; it's flavors vary according to ripeness; it has naturally high acidity; it is susceptible to Botrytis
27
Which region in France is known for Chenin Blanc production? Where is it located?
Vouvray AOC; Loire Valley
28
What varietals out of Vouvray are produced besides Chenin Blanc?
None - it is the only varietal allowed in the AOC
29
What is South Africa's most widely planted white grape varietal?
Chenin Blanc
30
Why is Chenin Blanc so favored in South Africa?
Maintains acidity despite warm climate
31
What grape is Chenin Blanc commonly blended with in South Africa?
Chardonnay
32
What grape is often blended with Chenin Blanc to produce a wine that is refreshing and floral?
Viognier
33
Which AOC in France is best known for Sémillon?
Bordeaux AOC
34
What wine is Sémillon often blended with?
Sauv Blanc
35
What characteristics does Sémillon add to blends?
Adds body and aging potential via acidity
36
Which Bordeaux AOC subregion is known for the production of highly concentrated and sweet Sémillon wines?
Sauternes AOC
37
Why is Sémillon particularly well suited for sweet wine production?
Very susceptible to Botrytis
38
Describe a typical Sauternes AOC wine:
Sweet with medium to high alcohol content and well-balanced acidity; full bodied; pronounced flavors of apricot and smoke and vanilla from oak maturation
39
Which region in Australia is known for the production of light, dry, low-alcohol, single-varietal Semillon?
Hunter Valley
40
Which regions in Australia are best known for Semillon production?
Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley
41
What country is Furmint most closely associated with?
Hungary
42
Why is Furmint good for making sweet wines?
Naturally high acidity, susceptible to Botrytis
43
Which region of Hungary is most famous for Furmint?
Tokaj
44
What is the name of the sweet wine made from mostly Furmint in Hungary?
Tokaji Aszú
45
How is Tokaji Aszú labeled to indicate sweetness? Of the two classifications, which is sweeter?
5 Puttonyos or 6 Puttonyos; 6 is sweeter
46
What winemaking adjustment is common in Chardonnay?
Acidification for warm climate Chardonnay
47
Which regional appellation in France is best known for Chardonnay?
Bourgogne AOC
48
Which village in Bourgogne AOC is known for producing dry, acidic Chardonnay with notes of apple, lemon, and wet stones?
Chablis AOC
49
Which region of Bourgogne is known for a moderate climate which produces riper Chardonnay with notes of peach and melon?
Côte d'Or
50
Which two villages in the Côte de Beaune are known for producing very good quality Chardonnay that often sees oak maturation and/or lees stirring?
Meursault AOC, Puligny-Montrachet AOC
51
Where are the villages of Meursault AOC and Puligny-Montrachet AOC located? What region encompasses the town?
Côte d'Or; Bourgogne
52
Where is Mâconnais located? What types of wine are mainly produced in its Mâcon AOC?
Southern Bourgogne; wines are fruity, unoaked, and simple in flavor
53
Which village in Mâconnais is known for producing high quality, concentrated wines with notes of stone fruit, tropical fruit, and oak?
Pouilly-Fuissé AOC
54
How does Chardonnay from the South of France IGP differ from the other regions?
Warmer climate -> riper and fruitier Chardonnay; oak chips often used to save money as wine is fairly cheap
55
Where is Carneros located and what moderates the climate there?
Northern California; cooled by morning fog from San Pablo Bay
56
What moderates the climate in Sonoma, California?
Cool Pacific sea breezes
57
What is the climate of Napa Valley like? What type of Chardonnay is produced there?
Warm; full-bodied Chardonnay with pronounced tropical fruit notes and oak-derived flavors
58
What moderates the climate in Santa Barbara County, California?
Cooling sea breezes
59
What type of climate can be found in Oregon? What style of Chardonnay is usually produced there?
Moderate; Chardonnay is usually acidic with notes of lemon and melon
60
Which three regions in Australia are best known for Chardonnay production?
Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Margaret River
61
What moderates the climate in Australia's Adelaide Hills region?
Altitude
62
What moderates the climate in Australia's Yarra Valley region?
Cool ocean currents from the south
63
What moderates the climate in Australia's Margaret River region?
Cooling sea breezes
64
What two regions in New Zealand are known for Chardonnay?
Marlborough, Hawke's Bay
65
What moderates the climate in New Zealand's Marlborough region?
Sea breezes and plentiful rainfall
66
What two regions in Chile are best known for Chardonnay?
Casablanca Valley, Central Valley
67
What moderates the climate in Chile's Casablanca Valley region?
Pacific sea breezes and morning fog
68
Which two regions in South Africa are best known for Chardonnay?
Western Cape, Walker Bay
69
What type of Chardonnay is produced in South Africa's Western Cape region and what is it often blended with?
High volume; often blended with Chenin Blanc
70
What moderates the climate in South Africa's Walker Bay region?
Strong southern sea breezes
71
Which two cool climate regions in Loire Valley only permit Sauvignon Blanc to be grown?
Sancerre AOC, Pouilly-Fumé AOC
72
Which Sancerre-adjacent region in the Loire Valley is known for producing fruity and inexpensive Sauv Blanc?
Touraine AOC
73
Which two AOCs in Bordeaux are known for making Sauv Blanc with complex and concentrated flavors? What varietal is often blended in with it?
Graves AOC, Pessac-Léognan AOC; Sémillon
74
What attributes does Sémillon contribute to Sauv Blanc blends?
Body and aging potential
75
What region in New Zealand is best known for Sauv Blanc? What makes it fairly unique?
Marlborough; wines are often blends of grapes from different sites and ripeness levels
76
Which two regions in Australia are best known for Sauv Blanc production?
Margaret River, Adelaide Hills
77
What moderates the climate in Australia's Adelaide Hills region?
Altitude, cool sea breezes
78
Which two regions in Chile are best known for Sauv Blanc production?
Casablanca Valley, Central Valley
79
What moderates the climate in Chile's Casablanca Valley region?
Sea breezes, morning fog
80
What two regions in South Africa are best known for Sauv Blanc?
Constantia, Elgin
81
What moderates the climate in South Africa's Constantia region?
Sea breezes
82
What moderates the climate in South Africa's Elgin region?
Altitude
83
Which two Italian wine regions are best known for producing light, simple, unoaked Pinot Grigio wines in high volumes?
delle Venezia DOC, Veneto IGT
84
Which Italian wine region is best known for producing more complex, fuller-bodied Pinot Grigio?
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
85
Which French wine region is best known for Pinot Gris production?
Alsace AOC
86
If you see "Vendanges Tardives" on a wine label, what does this indicate?
Late harvest
87
Describe the structural characteristics of Gewürztraminer:
Full body, low-medium acid, high-alcohol (high sugar)
88
What is the most famous region for Gewürztraminer production?
Alsace AOC
89
Describe the structural characteristics of Viognier:
Low-medium acid, medium-full body, high alcohol
90
Which Northern Rhône AOC is most famous for Viognier wines?
Condrieu AOC
91
What characteristics would you expect in a Condrieu AOC Viognier?
Lightly oaked to contribute vanilla notes but not so much to overpower delicate aromatics
92
Which Spanish region is most famous for Albariño production?
Rías Baixas DO
93
What moderates the climate in Rías Baixas?
Proximity to Atlantic ocean
94
If you are drinking wine from the Gavi DOCG what is the primary varietal in your wine? Describe the character of the wine:
Cortese; light, acidic, dry, notes of blossom, green apple, lemon
95
If you are drinking wine from the Soave DOC or the Soave Classico DOC, what is the primary varietal in your wine? Describe the character of the wine:
Garganega; acidic, medium-body, green apple, lemon, and peach flavor notes
96
Describe the character of wines from the Recioto di Soave DOCG:
Sweet wine made from grapes dried with the appassimento method
97
Describe the general character of Verdicchio:
Dry, high acid, medium body, notes of green apple, lemon, and fennel; generally simple and fruity
98
Describe the general character of Fiano:
Medium acid, medium-full body, notes of peach, melon, and mango
99
What adjustments are commonly made to Fiano during winemaking?
Lees contact, oak maturation

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines (8 decks)

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