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100 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
What does AOC stand for?
Appellation d’origine contrôlée
What is unusual about Alsace labelling conventions?
Alsatian wines are labelled with grape varietals, which is uncommon in France.
What are the three Alsatian AOC classifications?
AOC Alsace
AOC Alsace Grand Cru
AOC Cremant d'Alsace
What are the restrictions on Grand Cru wines in Alsace?
AOC Alsace Grand Cru wines are made from a single 'noble' varietal.
What are the Noble AOC Alsace Grand Cru varietals?
Riesling
Gewrurztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Gris
Sylvaner
What is the minimum percentage content of the named varietal on an Alsace wine?
100%
What are the climate characteristics of Alsace and how does it affect viticulture?
Lowest rainfall and most sustained sunshine in France leads to long, dry growing season and very ripe fruit.
What does "Vendanges Tardives" mean?
"Late Harvest" (there is a regional emphasis on late picking in Alsace)
Describe the consistency of style of Alsatian wines.
Consistent, reliable, and very recognizable.
What is Botrytis Cinerea and what does it do?
Noble Rot – a fungus that reduces water, concentrates sugar and acid, and imparts a particular flavour
What is the "Selection de Grains Nobles"?
Classification of rich dessert wines made from a selection of botrytized fruit (Alsace)
What are the four zones of the Loire?
Paynantes
Anjou Saumur
Touraine
Centre
Characterize the climate(s) of the Loire.
Many varied micro-climates result in a diversity of wine. The coast has a maritime climate, inland the climate is more continental.
Cooler climates in the Loire region have what general effect on wine?
Higher acidity
What are the signature white varietals of the Loire region?
Chenin Blanc
Melon de Bourgogne
Sauvignon Blanc
What are the signature red varietals of the Loire region?
Cabernet Franc (in abundance)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir (Red Sancerre)
Give four AOC/Varietal examples from the Loire region.
AOC Muscadet = Melon de Bourgogne
AOC Sancerre (WH) = Sauvignon Blanc
AOC Chinon = Cabernet Franc
AOC Vouvray = Chenin Blanc
What is Terroir?
French term for the total impact of a given site expressing itself through a wine.
Name 5 factors that contribute to Terroir.
Soil
Slope
Orientation to sun
Climate
Vineyard management (specific to place)
What is wine?
Fermented grape juice
What is the formula for fermentation?
Sugar + Yeast = CO2 and Alcohol
When does fermentation stop?
When sugar is exhausted or alcohol level becomes high enough to kill the yeast.
Do all yeasts have the same tolerance to alcohol?
No. Different strains have different tolerances.
What latitudes are ideal for growing vines?
Between 30 and 50° on either side of the equator
Name some key factors affecting viticulture.
Proximity to bodies of water
Latitude
Climate
Hours of sunlight
Soil properties
Terroir
What effect do large bodies of water have on climate.
They moderate temperature by acting as a heat sink.
What is Phylloxera Vastatrix?
An aphid that feeds on Vinifera roots, which was brought to Europe on American rootstock in the late 19th century.
What effect did Phylloxera have on European vineyards?
Destroyed most of the vines in Europe, particularly in France.
As a result of the Phylloxera plague, how are European vines cultivated?
They are grafted on American rootstock, which is immune.
What are the ideal conditions for storing wine?
Stable Temp.
Stable Humidity (75%)
Quiet (no vibrations)
Dark
Bottles Horizontal (to keep cork moist)
What are four reasons for decanting wine?
Separate wine from sediment
Aerate the wine
Bring up temperature
Presentation
What is the proper serving temperature for a racy white wine?
7-10° C
What is the proper serving temperature for an earthy or aromatic white?
8-12° C
What is the proper serving temperature for an oak aged white?
10-12° C
What is the proper serving temperature for a fresh light red?
13-15° C
What is the proper serving temperature for a fruity red?
15-17° C
What is the proper serving temperature for a bold red?
16-18° C
What is the proper serving temperature for a rich, full red?
19° C
What are the five tastes?
Sweet
Sour
Bitter
Salt
Umami
Where does viticultural history in Burgundy start?
Greek settlement of Marseilles in 5th century BC produced terroir driven wines.
Who developed disciplined methods of wine production in Burgundy and when?
Cistercian and Benedictine monks in the middle ages.
What was the result of inheritance laws on Burgundy?
Innumerable owners and thousands of tiny vineyards.
What is the geography and climate of Burgundy?
Inland (east central), continental climate
What is Kimmeridgian chalk?
Chalk particular to Chablis region made up of ground shell from when the area was subterranean
Which direction is best for vineyards in Burgundy to face and why?
East-facing vineyards have better sun exposure.
What are the typical red grapes of Burgundy?
Pinot Noir
Gamay (in Beaujolais)
What are the typical white grapes of Burgundy?
Chardonnay (plus Aligote)
Some Sauvignon Blanc in Saint Bris AOC
When was the first quality classification in Burgundy?
1855
What is the Burgundy "quality pyramid"?
Grand Cru (2%)
Premier Crus (aprox10%)
Village (commune) (30%)
Regional (56%)
What is the relationship between quality, price and quantity?
As quantity goes down, price and quality theoretically go up.
What are the Cotes d'Or and what region are they in?
Cotes de Nuits and Cotes de Beaune, Burgundy
What are the sub-regions of Burgundy?
From north to south: Chablis, Cotes de Nuits, Cotes de Beaune, Cotes Chalonnaise, Maconnais, Beaujolais
Characterize the wines of Chablis
Whites only, primarily chardonnay, with the exception of Saint Bris which is made with sauvignon blanc and sauvignon gris
Characterize the wines of Cotes de Nuits
The best Pinot Noir reds of the Burgundy region. All but one of the Red Burgundy Grand Crus are in Cote de Nuits.
Characterize the wines of Cotes de Beaune
The best whites of the Burgundy region (Chardonnay). All but one of Burgundy's white Grand Crus are in Beaune.
Characterize the wines of Cotes Chalonnaise
Both red and white production, pinot noir, chardonnay, and aligoté
Characterize the wines of Maconnaise
Both red and white production, softer expressions, generally speaking, than those of the other Burgundy AOCs.
Characterize the wines of Beaujolais
White, red and rosés from Chardonnay and Gamay.
Characterize the soil of Beaujolais
Granite in the north, sand in the south
What is a 'climat' in Burgundy
Cru plot of land characterized by a micro climate and a particular terroir
What is a Negotiant?
A merchant who blends wines from a number of growers and sells under own label
What is a 'clos'?
A clos is an enclosed vinyard site surrounded by a stone wall
What is the ‘Hospice de Beaune’?
‘Hospice de Beaune’ is a charitable institute founded in 1443 which owns vineyards and holds an auction annually on the third Sunday of November, which features a party and the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. Prices at auction provide a guide to prices Burgundy can hope to fetch for the vintage released.
What is Beaujolais Nouveau?
Beaujolais Nouveau is a youthful fruity wine drunk basically without aging required. It may be sold from third Thursday in November. Made from Gamay. Its release is celebrated with a big party.
What is the geographical and historical significance of Bordeaux, aside from being a wine region?
Historically important port, particularly for trade with England
What characterizes land ownership in Bordeaux compared with other French wine regions?
Higher proportion of large estates
What is Bordeaux's claim to fame in the wine world?
Produces more of the worlds expensive and coveted wines than anywhere else
What area is Bordeaux in?
Mid-west France.
Describe the climate of Bordeaux and its effect on the wines of the region.
Mild moderate climate produces mild, moderate style wines.
What significant geographical feature moderates the climate of Bordeaux?
Proximity to Atlantic Ocean
What bodies of water do the wine growing sub-appelations of Bordeaux fall along?
The Gironde estuary and the rivers Dordogne (to the east) and Garonne (to the south) that flow into it
What are the best vineyard areas in Bordeaux?
Well drained soils, e.g. Graves (Gravel) Mineral rich alluvial soils on river banks
What is the difference between the climates of the left and right banks in Bordeaux.
They are both Maritime climate without significant climatic differences
What grape varietals can be found in Bordeaux whites?
Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon with a small percentage of Muscadelle
What grape varietals can be found in Bordeaux reds?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere (historically)
What wine styles dominate Bordeaux's right bank?
Merlot based blends (e.g. AOC St. Emilion)
What wine styles dominate Bordeaux's left bank?
Cabernet based blends (e.g. AOC Pauillac)
What Bordeaux sub-appelations produce the best whites?
Graves, Sauternes & Entre-deux-Mers
What is a Sauterne?
A sweet white wine produced from botrytized grapes
What general characteristics are common to wines of the Bordeaux region?
Blended wines that age well. Elegance, grace, and finesse.
What does Chateau-Estate mean?
Under single ownership
What are en primeur sales?
Wine futures, purchased before release and kept on property until bottled. These may be purchased several hundred thousand dollars' worth at a time.
What are the 5 classified first growth Bordeaux chateaux?
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
Chateau Latour
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild
Chateau Margaux
Chateau Haut-Brion (Graves)
What is notable about the first growth classification of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild?
Mouton-Rothschild promoted from 2nd to 1st in 1973, the other four were classified in 1855.
Where is the Champagne region?
In North-East France, it is the northernmost winemaking region in France.
What are the five sub-regions of Champagne?
Montagne de Reims
Cote des Blancs
Vallee de la Marne
Aube
Cote de Sezanne
What are the three varietals used in Champagne?
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Pinot Meunier
What is another name for the Methode Champenoise?
The Traditional Method
When is fruit harvested for Champagne, and to what effect?
Fruit is harvested early, resulting in light, low alcohol, high acid wine.
What is significant about the secondary fermentation of Champagne?
Secondary fermentation happens in bottle, restarted by the addition of 'liqueur de tirage,' containing sugar and yeast, which restarts fermentation, capturing the CO2 in the bottle and dissolving it in the wine.
What are the seven steps of the Method Champenoise?
1. Primary Fermentation
2. Assemblage
3. Secondary Fermentation (6-12 weeks)
4. Aging sur lie/Riddling or "Remuage" (1 year min.)
5. Degorgement
6. Dosage with "Liqueur d'expedition"
7. Bottle is re-sealed
What is the purpose of dosage?
Fill the bottle, balance dryness/sweetness of wine.
What is liqueur d'expedition?
Mixture of champagne and sugar and sometimes brandy used for dosage.
What is autolysis? What are its effects?
The chemical process resulting from aging on lees. It results in a creamy mouth feel, bready aroma, and reduced astringency.
What are the two sub-regions of Rhone and their climate characteristics?
Northern Rhone: Continental
Southern Rhone: Mediterranean
What red wine is predominant in the Northern Rhone?
Syrah
What white wines are predominant in the Northern Rhone?
Viognier
Marsanne/Roussanne (blend)
Red blends from the Southern Rhone are characterized by what varietals?
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvedre
Cinsault
White blends from the Southern Rhone are characterized by what varietals?
Roussanne
Grenache Blanc
Marsanne
What are the six most significant Bordeaux appelations?
Northern (Bas) Medoc
Haut Medoc
Graves & Pessac Leognan
Sauternes-Barsac-Cerons
St. Emilion
Pomerol