Wine Basics Flashcards
What information is on the wine label?
Who made the wine, where it was made, when it was made (vintage), what is in the bottle (grape varieties)
What are the major differences between how red and white wines are made?
red wine fermentation has skin contact; vatting occurs in red wine (pumping of skins, pulp, and juice into fermentation tank); red wines are bottle aged twice
What do the various grape components contribute to the finished wine?
skin - tannins, color; stalk - tannins; pulp - sugar, acids, water, pectin; bloom - yeast, bacteria; seeds - bitter oils
What are the major components of wine?
alcohol, sugar, organic acids, water, residual sugar, grape skins
How does alcohol content influence taste, texture, and shelf life?
Affects body (high alcohol = fuller body); too high alcohol gives a burning sensation
What is a fortified wine?
wines that have alcohol added
How does sugar affect wines and what increases sugar content in wines?
sugar yields alcohol; riper grapes = more sugar
How do organic acids influence the taste, texture, and shelf life of wine?
contribute to crispness, structure, and balance; levels of acidity affect taste (flat vs crisp vs sour)
How does residual sugar influence the taste, texture, and shelf life of wine?
balances high acidity; <4% sugar = dry wine
How does grape skin influence the taste, texture, and shelf life of wine?
provide color (anthocyanins); provide tannins; provide antioxidants (resveratrol, believed to be effective in lowering cholesterol)
What is chapitalization and how does it affect wine?
addition of sugar to the grape in order to boost the natural sugar level and produce higher alcohol content (done in cool growing regions)
What is malolactic fermentation and how does it affect wine?
secondary fermentation; converts malic acid to lactic acid (softer); gives wine buttery feel
What is acidification and how does it affect wine?
the addition of acid to finished wine (usually tartaric); done in warm growing regions
What is amelioration and how does it affect wine?
addition of water and sugar to grape must; dilutes acidity and increases alcohol yield; done in cooler NY growing regions
What is viniculture?
winemaking
What is viticulture?
grape growing (variety, age, density, yield, soil type)
What is the difference between aroma and bouquet?
aroma - fragrance associated with grape variety; bouquet - fragrance developed in wine making and aging process
What are some of the aroma and taste characteristics of gewurtztraminer?
(white) spicy, geranium, honeysuckle, ginger, grapefruit, melon
What are some of the aroma and taste characteristics of sauvignon blanc?
(white) grassy, herbaceous, bell pepper, grapefruit
What are some of the aroma and taste characteristics of chardonnay?
(white) apple, toasty, vanilla, buttery/creamy; aged - peach, pineapple, sage, honey
What are some of the aroma and taste characteristics of riesling?
(white) apricot, peach, green apple
What are some of the aroma and taste characteristics of chenin blanc?
(white) fruity, grassy, melon, bananas, apples, citrus
What are some of the aroma and taste characteristics of merlot?
(red) herbaceous, tea, floral, violet, black pepper
What are some of the aroma and taste characteristics of pinot noir?
(red) velvety, coffee, earthy, leathery, chocolate, berries
