Viticulture & Enology Flashcards
Note about diversity of wine cultivars versus other plants
Genus and species of grape used for wine
Where this type is thought to have originated, and how it spread through human intervention
While some crops, such as apples and tomatoes, have as wide-ranging a selection of cultivars as do grapes, no other plant is grown commercially in so many different varieties.
Vitis vinifera
In the Caucasus Mountains between Europe and Asia, then spreading across Europe, into the Middle East, and then around the world.
Define grape varieties and how they came about
How many are there generally
What is the second most commercially important grape species after Vitis vinifera
Vine subspecies that evolved into distinct types over time in different regions.
Thousands
Vitis labrusca
Second most commercially important grape species
Famous variety within this species
Why it is important
Where and when was this species of grapes found
Why they did not work for wine, with term to describe
Vitis labrusca
Concord
its sweet, flavorful grapes make table grapes good for fresh consumption or unfermented grape juice.
found growing wild in America during the colonial period
these grapes were found to have extremely high acidity and a characteristic flavor component that, while pleasant in fresh grapes, is generally undesirable in wine (termed “foxy”).
Advantage that North American grapes have over vinifera, with description of the issue (place and date)
What did not work for spreading this advantage, and what did, and terms for plant parts involved (2)
North American variety most used for this practice
3 others alsoused
their natural resistance to the aphid-like insect phylloxera, which ravaged European vineyards in the nineteenth century and continues to wreak havoc worldwide.
breeding vinifera with native North American vines to create phylloxera-resistant hybrid wine grapes did not work. Grafting the vinifera part of the vine (the scion) onto the trunk (rootstock) of North American achieved a phylloxera-resistant plant.
Vitis labrusca
Vitis riparia
Vitis aestivalis
Vitis rupestris.
Define “species,” with 3 components
Two examples
A species is a scientific grouping of plants or animals that are
1) genetically similar
2) have broad characteristics in common
3) can produce viable offspring through sexual reproduction.
Vinifera
labrusca.
AKA for “variety”
What variety means in winemaking
Examples (2 for 1)
subspecies
an identifiable group of vines of the same species that share many characteristics of appearance, flavor, and growth.
Chardonnay and Syrah are varieties of vinifera.
How almost all grape varieties are propagated commercially
What clones are techinically
What they mean in winemaking
How clones occur
What happens if the a desirable clone shows a consistent distinction from the parent
asexually
Technically, clones are asexually propagated plants that are identical to the parent plants.
In winemaking, “clone” means grapes that are slightly different from their parent.
asexually reproduced grapevines are planted in new surroundings and slight genetic variations occur as the plant modifies itself to adapt to its new conditions.
It may be determined to be a new clone and be assigned a new name or, in some cases, a new number.
Define “mutation”
Nature of mutation
Example (2 from 1)
A variation from the parent that occurs through imperfect reproduction of cells as it grows.
natural but slow
Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, are considered mutant strains of Pinot Noir.
Define cross/crossing, with example
Define hybrid, with example
Cross: offspring of sexual reproduction between different subspecies within the same species. Ex: Cabernet Sauvignon, a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. H
Hybrid: the result of sexual reproduction between two closely related but different species, such as Vitis vinifera and Vitis labrusca.
Why hybrids were developed
Two problems with hybrid grapes that make them not universally accepted for wine production
Note about hybrid fertility and propagation
3 well known and liked hyrbid varieties
to create a grape that could withstand the ravages of powdery mildew, phylloxera, cold weather, humidity, or other such challenges.
1) They struggle to develop adequate levels of tannin
2) can be exceedingly acidic.
They are normally not fertile, but they may still be propagated indefinitely through cuttings.
Seyval Blanc
Vidal Blanc
Baco Noir
Example of an indigenous species of wine that is widely grown but not well known globally, and where it is grown and how used
Two varieties that became globally famous but originated in Bordeaux
Same, for Burgundy
Airen, primarily grown in central Spain and often distilled into brandy.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Example of a wine that is globally famous because it grows well in almost all regions
4 other examples of same
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blank
Chardonnary
Merlot
Malbec
3 terms used to describe grapes that are grown primarily in one area, either because of lack of interest or because they do not do well when grown elsewhere.
Define Autochtonous
3 features of grapes described by the 3 terms above
Tradition
Native
Indigenous
Refers to indigenous grapes that are the result of natural cross-breeding or mutation in a specific area
1—Grown primary in one place
2—have a long history in the area
3—have adjusted well to their local conditions
Note about traditional/ native/ indigenous grapes and replicability
Example of such a grape, with where it is grown.
They are thought to reach their highest quality under specific conditions that may be impossible to duplicate elsewhere
Nebbiolo, grown in northwestern Italy
6 international white grape varieties
Chardonnay Chenin Blanc Muscat Pinot Grigio/Pinto Gris Riesling Sauvignon Blanc
Honor held by Chardonnay grape
Where it is grown
Two features that make it especially popular
It is the world’s most popular white grape variety with wide consumer recognition
Almost everywhere in the new world, and making inroads in Europe
1—relatively easy to grow
2—no standout flavors or aromas that may be considered an acquired taste”
To where Chardonnay is thought to be indigenous, and of how some people think it reaches its highest expression
Another place where Chardonnay is especially important, and why
Describe Chardonnay grown in cooler climates
Describe Chardonnay grown in warmer climates, with 2 specific areas and a descriptive term
Burgundy; some feel it’s at its finest when grown in that area’s limestone soils.
Champagne, used in its sparkling wine
When grown in cooler climates, produces wines similar to its place or origin
When grown in warmer climates, such as California or Australia, it tends to produce less acidic and fuller- bodied wines known as “California Style.”
Flavor, alcohol and body of Chardonnay grown in warmer climates
Flavors, acidity and body of Chardonnay grown in cooler climates
Ripe, tropical fruit flavors with high alcohol and stronger body
Citrus and green fruit aromas with crisp acidity and light to medium body
Note about sugar use in Chardonnay, with two purposes and where often utilized
Note about Chardonnays and aging, with specific example
Rarely made into a truly sweet wine, but minimally detectable amounts may be retained to round out the body and keep ETOH level down, esp in New World wines.
This grape often improves with age, esp with barrel aged, which continue to improve in the bottle. Some top flight white Burgundies can evolve to more complexity and flavor for a decade or more
3 well known examples of Chardonnay
3 top producing countries for Chardonnay
White Burgundy
Champagne
“California Style” new world versions
France
US
Australia
Typical acidity of Chardonnay
Typical alcohol of Chardonnay
Acidity: medium to high
ETOH: medium to high
3 characteristic aromas of cool climate Chardonnays
1 characteristic aroma of warm climate Chardonnay
1 characteristic aroma of malolactic fermented Chardonnay
3 characteristic aromas of oak-aged Chardonnay
Green apple
Melon
Pear
Tropical fruit
Butter
Vanilla
Butterscotch
Toast
Special feature of Chenin Blanc variety, with example
Well known feature of Chenin Blanc, and under what circumstance, and how it is utilized
One of the most versatile grape varieties, capable of making world-class wines of all sweetness levels, from dry to sweet, in still or sparkling versions.
Known for high acidity, esp when grown in cool-climate vineyards, making it ideal for sparkling wines.
Note about use of sugar in Chenin Blanc wines, with particular descriptor
How long the product can last
Where is considered the home of Chenin Blanc
A small amount of sugar may be left to take the edge of their acidity, but more sugar can result in superb late-harvest dessert wines, sometimes with botrytis influence.
These can last for decades
Loire Valley
Two areas other that its home in the Loire Valley where Chenin Blanc is grown
What it is called in the first region mentioned
Note about popularity of this variety in the first mentioned region (2)
South Africa
Calfornia’s Central Valley
Steen
It is the most widely planted grape variety in Africa at 18% of all plantings.
There is twice as much Chenin Blanc grown in South African than in France.
3 well known examples of Chenin Blanc
Top-producing countries for Chenin Blanc
Vouvray
Savennieres
Saumur
South Africa
France
United States
7 characteristic aromas of Chenin Blanc
2 characteristic aromas of aged Chenin Blanc
Green apple Melon Green plum Citrus blossom Earth Mineral Wet wool
Honey
Quince
General acidity of Chenin Blanc
General alcohol of Chenin Blanc
Acidity: medium-plus to high
ETOH: medium to high
Note about age and prevalence of muscat
What is primarily used for and how this influences popularity (statistic)
Note about other kind of wine it makes
It’s ancient grape variety carried in almost every wine region of the world.
Producing sweet wines; quality of sweet wines has increased its popularity, incl double digit grown in US
Almost makes good dry wines but these are less well known
3 popular Muscat varieties, a result of multiple mutations this vine has undergone, with the highest quality one first
Aromas all Muscats share (2)
Climate Muscat does best in, with one exception
Muscat Blac a Petit Grains (white Muscat with small berries)
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat Ottonel
1) floral
2) fresh white grape
Most do well in warm to hot weather, but Ottonel does well in cool climates
3 well known dessert Muscats with countries of origin
Most well known/ popular dessert Muscat, with country of origin and characteristics of the wine
Vins doux naturels from Southern France
Rutherglen Muscats from Australia
Moscatels from southern Spain
Moscato d’Asti from northwestern Italy; slightly sparkling, moderately sweet.
3 well known examples of Muscats
4 top producing countries of Muscats
Southern France
Northern Italy
Australia
Italy
France
Chile
Australia
6 characteristic aromas of Muscats
Musk Honey Orange blossom Floral Apricot Table grapes
Typical Muscat acidity
Typical Muscat alcohol
Low to medium
Medium to high
What Pino Gris means in French and Pinot Grigio means in Italian, and why it’s called that
What these are mutations of, and where they developed, and how they moved
Note about difference despite being the same type grape
“Gray Pinot,” in reference to grape’s dusky or light pink skin
Pino Noir from from Burgundy, then moved to Italy
While Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are technically synonymous, each is associated with a particular variety of wine
Where characteristic Pinot Gris was originally grown
Another place where it is successfully grown, and when it was introduced
Climate type where it is grown
Another country where similar style of wine is made, with the name of the grape (2)
Alsace region of France
Oregon, introduced in the 1960s
Cool
Germany
Rulander or Grauburgunder
Pinto Gris:
Acidity
Body
Aroma type associated, with 3 specifics
Sugar
Acidity: medium-plus
Body: medium to full
Aroma: neutral, incl apple, pear, and almond
Sometimes a moderate amount of residual sugar
Why Pinot Grigio is more recognizable to most people than Pinot Gris
Three places where popularity led to new or increased plantings
It became a popular alternative to Chardonnay after being introduced to US market from northeastern Italy in the late 1970s
California
Australia
Italy
Difference in character b/w warmer-region Pinot Grigios grown in US and Australia vs those grown in cooler region of Italy
Two specific cool Italian regions where Pinot Grigio is grown
Describe normal characteristics of wine labeled Pinot Grigio (3), with an exception to the norm (2)
Those from warmer regions display medium-minus acidity and higher ETOH content vs those grown in cooler regions
Alto Adige
Veneto
Dry, neutral and unoaked; some can be aromatic and lees-aged
3 well known examples of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
5 top producing countries for Grigio/Gris
Northeastern Italy
Alsace
Oregon
Italy US Germany France Australia
6 characteristic aromas of Pinto Gris/Grigio
Typical Gris/Grigio acidity
Typical ETOH
Apple Lemon Melon Peach Minerals Almond
Low to high
Medium
To where riesling is indigenous
Note about climate and location for riesling
Note about characteristic aroma and how it changes
Another aroma that makes it easy to identify
Germany
It can withstand cold weather and thus works well in German and in regions with other marginal climates
Floral bouquet changes with region of growth and reflects particular terroirs
Petrol
Note about Riesling and sweetness
Note about dryness and popularity
Dryness of many commercial rieslings
Note about alcohol, with example
Another thing riesling can produce, and from what (2)
Riesling wines cover the full spectrum of sweetness levels.
In recent years, dry Rieslings have become more common
Commercial Rieslings are often made in the off-dry or medium-sweet range.
Often have low levels of alcohol (7% or 8% abv (alcohol by volume)).
Produces luscious dessert wines from late-harvest or botrytis-affected grapes.
