Grape Varieties Flashcards by Robin Bennett

What is Grenache Blanc known for in terms of budding and ripening?

Early to mid-budding
Early ripening

Mainly found in regions like S. Rhone and South of France.

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List the regions where Grenache Blanc is primarily cultivated.

S. Rhone
South of France (IGP Pays d’Oc, Corbieres AOC, La Clape AOC)
Sapin/Catalunya (Priorat, Montsant, Costers del Segre)
S. Africa (Swartland)

It can be part of a blend for VDNs in Roussillon.

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What are the hazards associated with Grenache Blanc?

Good wind resistance

It tends to reach high alcohol levels, making it suitable for VDNs.

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What is the style of wines produced from Macabeu?

Sparkling wines in Spain
Fortified wines - VDNs

It contributes floral, citrus, green apple, pear, and honeyed notes.

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What are the hazards associated with Macabeu?

Heat tolerant
Drought tolerant

It thrives in hot, dry climates and has high yields.

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What is the significance of Malvasia Cândida in Madeira wine production?

Considered the King of Wines from Madeira

Historically important and treated with great care, producing highly sought-after wines.

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What are the hazards of Malvasia Cândida?

Susceptible to powdery mildew

Limited plantings lead to limited yields.

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What is the style of wines produced from Malvasia de São Jorge?

High acidity
High levels of sugar
Sweet-style wines (Malmsey)

Known for being amongst the richest and smoothest of Madeira wines.

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What are the hazards associated with Malvasia de São Jorge?

Susceptible to botrytis bunch rot

It is the most common Malvasia planted on Madeira.

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What are the regions where Malvasia Fina/Boal is grown?

Portugal: Douro (Malvaisa Fina)
Portugal: Madeira (Boal)

In Madeira, it’s for Boal Cachudo.

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What is the style of wines produced from Muscat of Alexander?

Naturally sweet, fortified wines
Less subtle, stickier sweet wines

Known for pronounced intensity and flavors like cooked orange and honey.

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What are the hazards associated with Muscat of Alexander?

Heat and drought resistant
Susceptible to powdery mildew

It accounts for 1.5% of the Jerez vineyard area.

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What is the style of wines produced from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains?

Aromatic grape
Often used for unaged styles of VDNs

Greater aroma and flavor intensity than Muscat of Alexandria.

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What are the hazards associated with Palomino?

Susceptible to downy mildew
Susceptible to powdery mildew

It accounts for 97% of the Jerez vineyard area.

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What is the style of wines produced from Pedro Ximénez (PX)?

Neutral variety
Sweet, fortified Sherry

Grapes accumulate high sugar levels in hot climates and are traditionally sun-dried.

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What are the hazards associated with Sercial?

Resistant to powdery mildew
Susceptible to botrytis bunch rot

It is used for the driest styles of Madeira.

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What is the style of wines produced from Terrantez?

Aromatic, full-bodied
Produces half sweet and half dry Madeira wines

It is a rare style based on a rare grape that is difficult to grow.

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What are the hazards associated with Verdelho?

Downy mildew
Powdery mildew

It is the second most planted vinifera variety after Tinta Negra.

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What is the style of wines produced from Grenache Noir?

Unaged fortified wines
Oxidative styles

Known for flavors of cherries and plums.

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What are the hazards associated with Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges?

Powdery mildew
Botrytis bunch rot

It is the only variety used to make Rutherglen Muscats.

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What is the style of wines produced from Sousão?

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Deep color
High acidity

Known for flavors like blackberry sauce and pomegranate.

What are the hazards associated with Tinta Amarela?

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Prone to fungal diseases

It is also known as Trincadeira.

What is the style of wines produced from Tinta Barroca?

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Soft, full-bodied
Cherry and blackberry flavors

It can lack acidity unless grown in cooler sites.

What is the style of wines produced from Tinta Negra?

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Used for various styles of Madeira

It is also known as Negramoli in Tenerife.

What is the **best suited site** for Tinta Barroca?

Coolest sites, such as higher altitudes or north-facing slopes ## Footnote Commonly found in Baixo Corgo and Cima Corgo.

What are the **hazards** associated with Tinta Barroca?

* Prone to heat damage * Grape shriveling ## Footnote Requires management due to high yield.

What is the **main use** of Tinta Negra in Madeira wines?

Provides wines of all sweetness levels ## Footnote Often labeled according to sweetness level rather than grape variety.

What percentage of Madeira production does Tinta Negra account for?

80-85% ## Footnote It is the most planted variety on the island.

What are the **hazards** associated with Tinta Negra?

Sensitive to abrupt temperature changes ## Footnote High yielding and easy to grow.

What is the **ripening characteristic** of Tinto Cão?

Late ripening ## Footnote Known for concentrated wines and high acidity.

What are the **hazards** associated with Tinto Cão?

* Relatively resistant to fungal diseases * Very heat tolerant ## Footnote Low-yielding variety with small, thick-skinned grapes.

What is Tinta Roriz also known as in Spain?

Tempranillo ## Footnote Also referred to as Aragonez in other parts of Portugal.

What are the **flavor characteristics** of Tinta Roriz?

* Raspberry * Black plum fruit ## Footnote M to M(+) acidity and tannins, lends body and deep color to port blends.

What is the **hazard** associated with Tinta Roriz?

* Powdery mildew * Eutypa dieback * Fairly resistant to botrytis bunch rot ## Footnote Best grown in relatively cool sites.

What are the **style characteristics** of Touriga Franca?

* Red and black fruits * Floral character * Contributes color, tannin, and acidity ## Footnote Blackberry, pomegranate, graphite, rose, pink peppercorn.

What is the **hazard** associated with Touriga Franca?

Relatively resistant to fungal disease due to thick skin ## Footnote High vigor needs to be managed, usually by summer pruning.

What is the **ripening characteristic** of Touriga Nacional?

Mid-ripening ## Footnote Known for deep color and high tannins.

What are the **hazards** associated with Touriga Nacional?

* Coulure can lower yields substantially * Vine imbalance ## Footnote High vigor needs managing with summer pruning.

What is the **style** of Grenache Gris?

May be part of a blend for VDNs ## Footnote Known for being a pink-skinned cousin of Grenache Blanc.

What are the **hazards** associated with Grenache Gris?

Resistant to drought ## Footnote Prefers warm, dry environments and is vigorous, needing management.

What two roles do a grape variety play in a fortified wine?

* Provide its own aroma and flavor characters * Be used as a relative natural base for the maturation flavors

What is the most obvious example of a fortified wine where the grape variety provides the main flavors of the wine and how does this impact the winemaking?

* Vins Doux Naturels from Muscat * Enhanced by protective winemaking and early release from the winery

What is an obvious example of where a grape variety is neutral, supporting the characteristic aromas of the maturation process?

Palomin is a relatively neutral variety, allowing the characteristic aromas of Sherry from the maturation process come through

What structural components in all (black and white) grape variety are important factors in final wine?

* Acidity

What structural components in black grapes are important factors in the final wine?

* Color * Tannin

What is an example of a fortified wine where the naturally high acidity levels in the grape varieties makes the wine notable for high acidity?

Maderia - notable for its high acidity - is made with number of varieties (Sercial, Verdelho) that have naturally high levels of acidity.

What is an example of a wine known for its low level of acidity?

Sherry is notable for low acidity (trait of Palomino) ## Footnote Combo of bone-dry palate, low glycerol, pungency from high levels of acetaldehyde can give palate sensation of high acidity, esp in Fino and Manzanilla

How do red fortified wines make use of the color pigments in the skins of black grapes?

* Red Port is made from blend of black grape varieties to achieve a lighter or darker color depending on style. * Basic Tawny needs to look aged in short period of time, so will be blended from base wines light in color. * Vintage Port blended to retain deep color, even over decades in bottle.

Which two black grape varieties used in Port increase color intensity of the final wine?

* Touriga Nacional * Sousão

How do red fortified wines make use of tannins in black grapes?

* High levels tannins not required nor desirable in early drinking styles, e.g, Ruby Port or Maury Grenat. * High tannin levels are required for long bottle aging to help stabilize color. * High tannin levels are required to aid bottle longevity (if other components concentrated and balanced). * Tannins soften with bottle age and, therefore, even high levels can become integrated and provide necessary structure and balanace.

Grape Varieties Flashcards

(50 cards)