Wine Identification Flashcards

Learn the right vocabulary and characteristics to properly describe a Merlot, a Chardonnay, a Zinfandel, or any other variety of common red, white, or rosé wines.

1
Q

What type of wine is a Shiraz?
(shee-RAZZ)

A
  • Red wine
  • Pair with meat
    (steak, beef, wild game, etc.)
  • Known as Syrah in France and the U.S., but Shiraz in Australia and South Africa
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2
Q

What should you taste for in a Shiraz?

A
  • blackberries and black plum
  • gamey meat
  • black pepper
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3
Q

What type of wine is a Merlot?
* **(mer-loh)*

A
  • Red wine
  • Easy-to-drink softness
  • A fine complement to any meal
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4
Q

What should you taste for in a Merlot?

A
  • dryness
  • plum black cherry
  • leather
  • currant
  • bell pepper
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5
Q

What type of wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon?
(cab-er-nay saw-vee-nyon)

A
  • Full-bodied red
  • Common variety
  • Best known in Napa Valley
  • Generally goes best with simply prepared red meats
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6
Q

What should you taste for in a Cabernet Sauvignon?

A
  • full body
  • dark cherry
  • cedar
  • tobacco
  • chocolate
  • black currant
  • green pepper
  • olive
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7
Q

What type of wine is a Malbec?
(mahl-bek)

A
  • Red wine
  • Often blended with other varieties e.g., Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot to make Bordeaux-style wines
  • Goes well with any meat dish
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8
Q

What should you taste for in a Malbec?

A
  • plums
  • berries
  • spice
  • however, varies greatly
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9
Q

What type of wine is a
Pinot Noir?
(pee-noh nwahr)

A
  • Red wine
  • Pair with grilled salmon, chicken, or lamb
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10
Q

What should you taste for in a Pinot Noir?

A
  • cherries
  • raspberries
  • earthiness
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11
Q

What type of wine is a Chardonnay?
(shar-doh-nay)

A
  • White wine
  • Popular in the 1990s
  • Pair with fish or chicken dishes
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12
Q

What should you taste for in a Chardonnay?

A
  • lemon or grapefruit
  • pear or apple
  • buttery tone
  • vanilla
  • toast
  • coconut
  • toffee
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13
Q

What type of wine is a Barbera?
(bar-BEAR-ah)

A
  • Red wine
  • Similar to Merlot
  • Goes well with many dishes, especially those with tomato sauce
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14
Q

What should you taste for in a Barbera?

A
  • black cherry
  • plum
  • silky texture
  • acidity
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15
Q

What type of wine is a
Sauvignon Blanc?
(**saw-vee-nyon blahnk)

A
  • White wine
  • Pair with seafood, poultry, and salads
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16
Q

What should you taste for in a Sauvignon Blanc?

A
  • herbal character
  • bell peppers
  • freshly mown grass
  • apples
  • pears
  • tropical fruits
  • smoky quality
17
Q

What type of wine is a Sémillon?
(seh-mee-yohn)

A
  • White wine
  • Pair with clams, mussels, or pasta salad
18
Q

What should you taste for in a Sémillon?

A
  • Fig-like character
  • Often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to dilute its strong berry flavors
19
Q

What type of wine is a Muscat?
(**MUHS-kat)

A
  • White wine
  • Best served on its own
20
Q

What should you taste for in a Muscat?

A
  • sometimes sweet
  • always fruity
  • reminiscent of grapefruit
  • musky aroma
21
Q

What type of wine is a Sangiovese?
(san-joe-VAE-sae)

A
  • Red wine
  • Made from the same grapes as Chianti
  • Generally bright colored and acidic
22
Q

What should you taste for in a Sangiovese?

A
  • medium body
  • fresh berry
  • plum
23
Q

What type of wine is a Riesling?
(REESE-ling)

A
  • White wine
  • Often considered one of the finest wines
  • Pair with fish, chicken, pork dishes, and Thai food
24
Q

What should you taste for in a Riesling?

A
  • fresh apples, peaches, and/or limes
  • florals
  • kerosene
  • ranges from dry to sweet
25
Q

What type of wine is a Gewürztraminer?
(geh-VAIRTZ-trah-mee-ner)

A
  • White wine ideal for sipping
  • Pair with Asian food, pork, and grilled sausages
26
Q

What should you taste for in a Gewürztraminer?

A
  • Fruity flavors
  • Aroma of rose petals, peaches, lychees, and allspice
  • Not as refreshing as other whites
27
Q

What type of wine is a
Pinot Grigio?
(**pee-noh GREE-joe)

A
  • White wine
  • Also called Pinot Gris
  • Varies from light & crisp to rich & spicy
  • Very versatile as a dinner wine
28
Q

What type of wine is a
Petite Sirah?
(peh-TEET sih-RAH)

A
  • Red wine made from a dark, tannic grape
  • Different from the bolder Syrah grape
  • Popular in California
  • Often blended with Zinfandel to give more density
29
Q

What grape variety would you most likely find in a white Bordeaux?
(bor-doh)

A

Sauvignon Blanc

Some Bordeaux blends are also made with the Sémillon grape

30
Q

What type of wine is a White Burgundy?

A

Chardonnay

31
Q

What is a “magnum” when referring to wine?

A

The equivalent to two standard 750 ml bottles of wine, or 1.5 liters

32
Q

What grape varieties can be found in a red Bordeaux?
(bor-doh)

A
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet Franc
33
Q

What are some popular types of sparkling wines?

A
  • Prosecco
  • Champagne
  • Sekt
  • Cava
  • Crémant
34
Q

What should you taste for in a Zinfandel?

A
  • berries
  • jam-like flavors
  • mild spiciness
  • varies depending on whether white or red
35
Q

What does it mean to say that a wine is “hot”?

A

It has a high or unbalanced alcohol level, which may create a burning sensation as you swallow