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110 Cards in this Set

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  • Back
What are the common American species of Vitis?
V. labrusca, V. riparia, V. berlandieri, and V. rupestris
Give an example of how American grape species might be used in the production of vinifera wine.
American grapes may be hybridized with vinifera, though this is forbidden for quality wine in the EU. They may also be used as rootstock to protect the vinifera scion from phylloxera and impart tolerance to certain types of soils (e.g. V. berlandieri tolerates alkaline soils well).
Morio-Muskat is a cross of what two varietals?
Sylvaner x Pinot Blanc. Both of these are neutral, while Morio-Muskat is very floral.
Pinotage is a cross of what two varietals? Where is it important?
Pinot Noir x Cinsault, important in South Africa
Mueller-Thurgau is:
a hybrid, a cross, or a clone?
A cross common in Germany
What are the parental strains of Ruby Cabernet? What is it good for?
Cabernet Sauvignon x Carignan. It has high yields, as well as high heat and drought tolerance.
What are the two research universities that concentrate on wine-related studies?
UC-Davis and Research Institute at Geisenheim in Germany.
Explain what a clone is, especially as related to Pinot Noir.
A clone is a strain of a species (or varietal within a species) in which all individuals are genetically identical and can only be propagated by cutting. New clones are created by genetic mutation; Pinot Noir is famous for this, and "varietals" like Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are really just different clones (mutations) of Pinot Noir.
Why are native American grapes resistant to phylloxera?
American vines form protective layers underneath the feeding area of the louse and prevent further damage/infection.
What is Folle Blanc?
An old variety from Cognac which is close to extinction because no suitable phylloxera-resistant rootstock can be found to match it.
Where is phylloxera not a problem? Why?
Phylloxera is not known in Chile, South Australia, much of Argentina, and Hungary. This could be because of geographical isolation, strict quarantine requirements, or sandy soils, which restrict the phylloxera life cycle.
What are factors that must be taken into account when grafting a vinifera scion onto a rootstock?
Phylloxera resistance, desired product (high/low yields, early/late ripening), and local conditions (soil, water requirements, nematode resistance/tolerance, salinity requirements).
What is head-grafting?
Head-grafting is when the top of a mature vine is cut off and buds or cuttings of a new variety are grafted on the top. The new fruit is produced at the next vintage (vs. three years for grafted saplings). This is common in the New World.
What are the classic Chardonnay regions?
Burgundy, Champagne, Australia, California, and New Zealand
What fungal infection is Chardonnay susceptible to?
Powdery mildew (Oidium)
Where is Sauvignon Blanc planted widely?
Bordeaux, the Loire, and the New World (especially New Zealand).
What does the term Fumé Blanc mean?
Oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc
What are the classic regions for Sauvignon Blanc?
Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Marlborough, although good SB is also found in other parts of the Loire and New Zealand, as well as South Africa, Chile, Bordeaux, the Midi, and California.
Describe the character of a cool climate Riesling.
Fresh grape and apples, with high natural acidity often balanced by sugar.
Describe the character of a warmer region Riesling.
More citrus and peach notes than cool climate Riesling.
What is the distinct character of some Australian Rieslings?
Lime fruit.
What are the classic regions for Riesling?
Mosel, Nahe, Rheingau, and Pfalz in Germany; the Wachau in Austria; Alsace; the Clare and Eden Valleys in Australia; Marlborough and Nelson in New Zealand.
What is another term for true Riesling?
Rhine Riesling, Johannisberg Riesling, or Weisser Riesling.
What are terms similar to Riesling that are actually different grape varieties?
Welschriesling (Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria), aka Laski Rizling (Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia) aka Olasz Rizling (Hungary).

Also, Hunter Valley Riesling (Semillon) and Cape Riesling (Crouchen Blanc).
Describe the characteristics of Welschriesling.
Easier to cultivate than Rhine Riesling, producing a delicate wine with lower acidity. It suffers from over-cropping, but when well-made it can produce crisp, refreshing, dry white wines, and sensational botrytis-affected dessert wines.
Where does Pinot Gris produce its finest wines?
Alsace, but this style is copied in Tasmania and parts of New Zealand and the Pacific Northwest
Describe the non-Italian style of Pinot Gris.
Dry, but almost oily, high in alcohol and low in acidity. Can be rich, aromatic, with exotic fruit (melon, banana, mango) and sometimes botrytis flavors.
Can botrytis-affected dessert wine be made with Pinot Gris?
Yes.
What is the style of Pinot Gris/Grigio made in northeast Italy?
Grapes are harvested early to retain acidity and avoid too much fruitiness; the resulting wine is light, fairly neutral, and fresh tasting.
What style of Pinot Gris/Grigio is produced in most of the New World?
The light Italian style.
What is Pinot Gris known as in German?
Rulaender or Grauburgunder
What is the difficulty with growing Viognier?
Viognier has very low yields and rapidly builds up very high sugars before fruit flavor can develop, resulting in unbalanced, high alcohol wines.
What are the characteristic flavors of Viognier?
Peach, pear, violet
Is oak aging used for Viognier?
Sometimes, but resulting contact with air can destroy fruit.
Where do the finest Viogniers come from?
Tiny regions of Condrieu and Chateau Grillet in northern Rhone. These have delicate perfume, silky texture, and mineral flavors.
Good Viognier comes from south of France, Australia, and California as well.
Is Viognier usually aged?
Not usually - made to drink young, although a small number can age.
What are the three most common types of Muscat?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, Muscat of Alexandria, and Muscat Ottonel
What wines is Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains used for?
Asti, certain Vins doux Naturels, sweet Muscats of Samos; a version is used for Rutherglen Muscats.
Describe the characteristics of Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains.
This gives the most complex aromas of any Muscat, with a full spectrum of aromatic notes: when unaged, it's full of grape, peach, rose, and citrus, but when oxidatively oak-aged, they become very dark in color and develop aromas of raisins, fruit cake, toffee, and coffee while retaining Muscat perfume.
What wines is Muscat of Alexandria used for?
Other Vins doux Naturels, Spanish Moscatels, and as a component in some medium-dry wines in California, Australia, and South Africa.
What are the aromatic characteristics of Muscat of Alexandira?
Muscat of Alexandria tends to be less complex than Muscat Blanc, and smells simply of grapes.
What wines is Muscat Ottonel used for?
Dry white wines in Alsace and Central Europe
Is Muscat usually aged?
No, unless it is a part of an oak-aged fortified wine.
From what grape are the Loire wines Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume produced?
Chenin Blanc
What are the New World regions where Chenin Blanc is grown?
South Africa (known as Steen) and California
What is the difficulty in producing wine from Chenin Blanc?
Chenin Blanc ripens unevenly, and if grapes are not harvested selectively, a large portion can be unripe, resulting in leafy, vegetal flavors.
What are the characteristics of Chenin Blanc?
Wines tend to be high in acidity; young Chenin Blanc can be dry, with vegetal, green apples, and citrus pith flavors. Late harvest Chenin Blanc can have strong botrytis flavors with exotic fruit and intense sweetness balanced by high acidity. Most New World Chenin Blanc is simple, fruity, and slightly off-dry, although quality wine is made in both regions.
Is Chenin Blanc aged?
The finest Chenin Blanc ages very well, developing flavors of honey and toast.
What is the classic region for Chenin Blanc?
The Loire, particularly Vouvray, Savennieres, and Coteaux du Layon.
What is the classic grape of the Medoc?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Why is Cabernet Sauvignon suited to cooler climates?
It buds late, which reduces damage from spring frosts.
Why is Cabernet Sauvignon resistant to rot and insects?
The grapes are thick-skinned, with a high skin:pulp ratio.
What are the characteristics of cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon?
Classic blackcurrant, with green pepper and cedarwood notes that become accentuated with age.
What are the characteristics of warm-climate Cabernet Sauvignon?
Classic Cabernet Sauvignon, with more black cherry or even black olive.
What are the characteristic aromas of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon?
Mint, eucalyptus, or menthol (particularly from Coonawarra)
What are the classic regions for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Medoc, Coonawarra, Hawkes Bay, Napa, and Colchagua.
What are the characteristics of unblended Merlot?
Soft, undemanding, easy-to-drink, with soft tannins.
What is the "international" style of Merlot?
Made from grapes harvested as late as possible to create maximum color, blackberry, and plum fruit, with soft, velvety tannins and rich, full body due to high alcohol and concentrated fruit.
Where is the "international" style of Merlot produced?
The New World, south of France, and some Bordeaux estates.
What is the "Bordeaux" style of Merlot?
Made from grapes harvested earlier to make a lighter-bodied wine with less alcohol, but more red fruit character (raspberries, strawberries) and perhaps some leafy, vegetal notes.
What are the major regions for Shiraz/Syrah?
Australia, northern Rhone, south of France, and increasingly in South America
What is the most widely planted grape in Australia?
Shiraz
What are the characteristics of cool-climate Syrah?
Lots of tannins, blackberry fruit with black pepper and sometimes mint.
What are the characteristics of hot-climate Shiraz?
More full-bodied, with soft tannins, and earthy,leathery flavors and spice notes more like licorice and anise.
What is the most widely planted grape in Spain?
Garnacha
What are the important regions for Garnacha/Grenache?
It is the main grape of Navarra, and important in Rioja, particularly Rioja Baja. Also grownin southern Rhone, the Midi, California,and South Australia (McLaren Vale)
Is Garnacha/Grenache usually oak-aged?
It some cases, it can benefit from oak-aging (e.g. CDP)
What are the characteristic flavors of Grenache?
Red fruit (strawberry and raspberry) with hints of white pepper, wihch develops into leather, tar, and toffee as wine ages. Wine can be high in alcohol and full-bodied, with soft tannins. Unless its made from old vines, the color can be pale and oxidizes easily (even young wines can be brown at the rim).
Is Grenache thick or thin skinned?
Grenache grapes are thin-skinned and sweet.
Does Grenache prefer hot or mild conditions?
It needs hot conditions to ripen fully but is very tolerant of drought.
What is a problem with growing Pinot Noir grapes?
Grape bunches are very tight, so they are prone to rot; with use of systemic sprays and improved canopy management this is less of a problem than it used to be.
What are the characteristics of young Pinot Noir?
Fruity red fruit perfume, usually with soft, light tannins and light color (because of thin skins)
What are problems with aging Pinot Noir?
It tends to age unpredictably and can change style with age. Vegetal and farmyard aromas that many like/dislike.
Where are classic-style Pinot Noirs produced?
Burgundy, Carneros and Sonoma (California), Walker Bay (South Africa), Yarra Valley (Australia), and Marlborough, Martinborough, and Central Otago (New Zealand).
What are wines produced from Sangiovese?
Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as non-DOC Tuscan wines
What is a "super-Tuscan"?
Sangiovese blended with Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the aromatic characteristics of Sangiovese?
It is usually not as aromatic as international varieties, but high in acidity, with sour cherry flavors, sometimes with astringent tannins and earthy, dusty, tea-leaf aromas.
What are important regions for growing Sangiovese?
Central and southern Italy and Argentina, and recently in other countries.
What is the leading quality red grape in Spain?
Tempranillo
What are other synonyms for Tempranillo?
Ull de Llebre, Cencibel, and Tinto del Pais in Spain; Tinta Roriz and Aragonez in Portugal
What is the more common name for Tinta Roriz?
Tempranillo
What is the more common name for Cencibel?
Tempranillo
What is a synonym for Aragonez?
Tempranillo
What top quality wines are made from Tempranillo?
The best Riojas and the wines of Ribera del Duero
What are growing characteristics of Tempranillo?
It ripens early and grows best on chalky soil.
What are the characteristics of wine made from Tempranillo?
Flavors of soft leather and ripe strawberries, light tannins and color; often blended with other grapes.
What are important regions for growing Tempranillo?
Northern Spain, Argentina, experimental in other New World countries
Why do cooler regions tend to have predominantly white wines?
Red grapes need more sunshine to ripen fully.
Approximately how much rain do grapevines need?
About 700 mm annually, but less is okay in cooler climates.
Why are most vineyards confined between 30-50 degrees latitude?
Too far north, summers are too cold for grapes to ripen fully; too far south, seasons are not clearly defined enough to provide vine with clear signals for dormancy and growth
What are the two most important aspects of climate?
Temperature and rainfall; these depend on latitude, altitude, topography, and proximity to bodies of water
What are the two major types of climate?
Maritime (including Mediterranean) and Continental
What defines a Maritime climate?
Warm summers and mild winters resulting from close proximity to large bodies of water.
What defines a Mediterranean climate?
A Maritime climate where most of the rain falls in the winter, with dry summers that are perfect for viticulture.
Where are the Mediterranean-climate growing regions?
California, Chile, South Africa, much of south and south-west Australia, as well as Mediterranean coast.
What defines a Continental climate?
Extreme temperatures in winter and summer in regions in the middle of a large landmass
What are cool water currents that have a cooling effect on landmasses?
Alaska Current in western USA, Humboldt Current in Chile, and the Benguela Current in South Africa
What are warm water currents that have warming effects on landmasses?
The Gulf Stream in northern Europe
How does being near a river affect frost damage on a vineyard?
The movement of water encourages air currents that reduce severity of frosts in the area.
What happens when warm air meets cold bodies of water? Why is this important for wine-making?
When warm air meets cold water, mists are formed which facilitate the growth of noble rot and allow the production of sweet wines (e.g. Tokaji and Sauternes).
What impact do mountains have on grape-growing?
Mountains can act as rainshadows, are a source of cold winds, and offer altitude to allow growing in hotter latitudes. Also, there is a greater drop in temperature from day to night at altitude, which helps some varieties ripen without losing acidity or fresh fruit aromas.
How are grape growing regions classified in Europe?
Regions are divided into Zones, and laws regarding enrichment or de-acidification change among Zones.
What is the coolest grape growing zone in Europe?
Zone A, covering most of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and part of the Czech Republic
What are the laws regarding enrichment and de-acidification in Europe's coolest Zone?
Alcohol can be enriched by 4.5% in poor years and de-acidification is allowed.
What is the hottest grape growing zone in Europe?
Zone C IIIb, covering most of Portugal, southern Spain, southern Italy, and parts of Greece
What are the laws regarding enrichment and de-acidification in Europe's hottest zone?
Producers may either enrich by up to 2% or increase tartaric acid; de-acidification is forbidden.
How are climates classified in California?
California uses a degree-day system, which adds the amount that the temperature exceeds 50 F for each day of the growing season. This gives a measure of usable heat for the year.
How are climates classified in Australia?
Climates are classified using the Mean Temperature of the Warmest Month, which is adjusted by factors such as hours of sunlight, humidity, rainfall, evaporation, and continentality (difference between mean summer and winter temperatures).
What is a site climate?
Site climate is the climate of an individual vineyard or part of a vineyard.
What is a microclimate?
The climate within a vine's canopy, which can be changed by canopy management: extra shady leaf cover can lower temperatures by a few degrees, and leaf plucking can maximize sun exposure.