Certified Sommelier Wine Info Flashcards
Factors that affect Wine Style and quality
LocationClimateTopographySoilVarietalViticultural practicesHarvestYearly weather/vintageTerroirRegional wine law
Grapes thrive in what climate?
TemperateThough some grow in extreme climates No grapes grow in tropical climate
Threats from climate for grapes include
FrostHailStrong winds
What influences climate?
Bodies of waterMountainsAltitude/elevationWind
Old world countries + definition
FranceItalySpainPortugalGermanyAustria-Wide climate range-Most aspects of grape growing and wine making are bound by laws
New World countries + definition
All non European countriesNASouth AmericaSouth AfricaAustralia NZ-Wide climate range
How does Topography affect vineyards?
Sun exposure ElevationValley floor/ hill side
Latitudinal zones of wine growing
30-50 degrees, either side of equator
What properties do soil add to grape growing?
DrainageWater retentionSun reflection
Most common species of wine grapes?
Vitis Vinifera- Native to Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia- 10,000+ varieties - I.e. Cab Sauv, Merlot, Chard, Riesling, Syrah
What do grape skins add to the wine making process?
TanninsColorFlavor
What does grape pulp add to the wine making process?
WaterSugarAcids
Cool Climates produce what wine styles?
Less ripeLess sugarHigh acidLower alcohol
Warm climates produce what wine styles?
More ripeMore sugarLess acidHigher alcohol
What's green harvesting?
Letting grapes fall to the ground while others continue to ripen.
6 steps of Vinification
Pre-Fermentation (Destemming, sorting, crushing)FermentationWine makingAging/MaturationBottlingPackaging
Alcoholic fermentation equation
Sugar + yeast = alcohol + CO2 + heat
What does barrel aging add?
EvaporationOxidation (color changes)Texture changes (softens)Flavors (oak, toast, vanilla, spice, coconut)
What is malolactic fermentation?
The conversion of tart malic acid into softer lactic acid, can often give a buttery taste
What is autolysis?
The breakdown of dead yeast, forms sediment in the second fermentation. Adds rich/creamy texture and flavors such as bread dough, yeast, toast, and nuts.
What is Carbonic maceration?
Whole grapes are fermented in a co2 rich environment prior to crushing, often associated with Beaujolais and Gamay to create super fruity aromatic wines. I.e. banana
What is chapitalization? Who would use it?
The addition of sugar to the must to increase the final alcohol and glycerin level-Used for underripe grapes, cold climates
What is acidification? Who would use it?
The addition of tartaric and malic acids to the must or to a finished wine.- used for overripe, too sweet grapes, hot climates
What is "fining" in preparation for bottling?
Clarifies wine for attractiveness. Can be done by cold stabilization-- a process that causes tartrate crystals to precipitate out of wine at very low temperatures (25 degrees F).
What's the AOP?
Appellation d'Origine Protégée - Quality designation system for EU50% of all French Wine falls in this categoryBoundaries are regulatedViticultural practicesWinemaking techniques regulated100% of grapes must come from designated AOP
AOP Quality Levels
AOP - 50% all French wineIGP/Vin de Pays - 30% all French wine - fewer restrictions, hybrids allowed, 85% must be from designated regionVin de France - 20% all French wine, least restrictive, high yields, no specific place of origin, oak chips allowed
Burgundy Climate, varietals and soil
ContinentalPinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay, AligoteNorthern- Chalk/ Clay, Southern- Granite
Burgundy labeling/ classifications pyramid
Grand Cru (33 - 2%)Premier Cru (550-600 12%)Village (30%)Regional appellations
Burgundy - Domaine vs Negociant
Domaine- entire process takes place at domaine itselfNegociant - merchants buy grapes and or finished wine for blending and bottling under their own label (due to inheritance laws and tiny plot ownership)
Chablis Climate, soil and grapes
Continental - susceptible to late frostKimmeridgian clay/ limestone100% Chardonnay
Beaujolais grapes, soil, climate
GamayGranite Carbonic maceration
Côte de nuits grapes, soil and vinification
Pinot NoirLimestone soil Uses new oak
Côte de Beaune grapes, soil, vinification
Pinot Noir and ChardonnayLimestoneNew oak
Macconnais grapes and vinification
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, GamayUnoaked
Bordeaux climate
maritime, western France on Atlantic Ocean
Bordeaux grape varietals
Cab SauvMerlotCab francMalbecPetit VerdotCarmenereSemillonSauv Blanc Muscadelle
Bordeaux vinification
225 L French Oak Barriques
Bordeaux Appellations, bottles/year, producers
50+ appellations950 million bottles/year10,000 producersLargest AOP in France
Bordeaux terminology - Chateau
Estate is under single ownershipSize of estates vary and can change
Medoc grapes, soil
Cab SauvGravel
First Growth Chateaux of the 1855 Classification
Lafite-RothschildLatourMouton-RothschildMargauxHaut-Brion
Graves soil, wines
GravelRed, dry whites
Sauternes grapes and vinification
Semillon, Sauv Blanc, MuscadelleAged in new oak, botrytis
Entre deux mers grapes, vinification
Semillon, sauvignon blanc, muscsdelle Dry whitesStainless steel tanks
Saint-Emilion Classification System
Grand Cru ClassePremier Grand Cru Classe (B)Premier Grand Cru Classe (A)
Saint-Emilion Grape Varieties, soil
Merlot, Cab FrancGravel, Limestone, Sand
Pomerol Grapes and soil
Merlot, Cab FrancClay over iron pan
Champagne geography, climate
Northern France, northern most limit of vine growingCool continental, Atlantic influence
Champagne grape varieties
Chardonnay (finesse), Pinot Noir (stricture), Meunier (fruit)
Champagne production - Classic method
Step 1 - Making Base Still wine, grapes are pressed gently and quickly to avoid oxidation and color, fermented in stainless steel or woodStep 2 - Assemblage of Cuvée - cuvée can come from multiple grapes, vintages, and regions Step 3 - secondary fermentation - yeast is added to individual bottles and sealed with crown cap to create bubbles Step 4 - Sur Lie Aging, 12 mo minimum Step 5 - Riddling, gradual movement of lees to neck of bottleStep 6 - disgorgement, removal of leesStep 7 - dosage, sugar + wine mixture to adjust sweetness level
Autolysis
Gradual breakdown of yeasts cells
Sweetness levels for Champagne
Brut Nature (0 grams per liter)Extra Brut (0-6 grams per liter)Brut (0-12 grams per liter)Extra Dry (12-17 grams per liter)Sec (17-32 grams per liter)Demi-Sec (32-50 grams per liter)Doux (50+ grams per liter)
Champagne Age Designations
NV- minimum 15 months, 12 mo on the leesVintage - minimum 36 months
What is the champagne transfer method and why is it used?
Bottles are disgorged under pressure into large tanks, filtered and rebottled.Eliminates ridding, extra lees contact, used for bottling extra large and extra small formats.
Non Champagne French Sparkling wines
Cremant - made method traditional
Italian Sparkling Wines
Asti DOCG (Piedmont) Charmat- MoscatoProsecco (Veneto) Charmat- GleraLambrusco (Emilia-Romagna) Charmat- LambruscaFranciacorta DOCG (Lombardia) Traditional- Ch, PN, PB
Spanish sparkling wine
Cava (Catalonia)- Traditional-Xarel-lo-Parellada-Macabeo
Regions of Loire Valley
Pays NantisAnjou-SaumurTouraineCentral Vineyards
Pays Nantais climate, soil, vinification
MaritimeGravel, sandSur lie agingHome to muscadet
Anjou-Saumur climate, grapes
Continental/maritimeChenin Blanc, Cab franc
Touraine climate, grapes
Continental Chenin Blanc, Cab francHome to Vouvray
Loire Central Vineyards climate, grapes
ContinentalSauv Blanc, Pinot NoirHome to Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume
Alsace geography, climate
Northeastern France, German BorderContinental
Alsace Grape Varieties
RieslingGewurztraminerMuscatPinot GriPinot BlancPinot Noir
Alsace Labelling
Most wines are labeled by varietalMust be 100% if varietal is on label
Alsace AOCs
Vendage Tardive - late harvest, single variety, rich/full bodiedSelection de Grains Nobles- Botrytis, single variety, small quantities
The Northern Rhône grapes
ViognierMarsanneRoussaneSyrah
Northern Rhône climate, soil, vinification
ContinentalGranite New French oak barriques
Southern Rhône AOC's
Châteauneuf-du-PapeGigondasVacqueyrasCotes-du-RhoneCotes-du-Rhone VillagesTavelLirac RasteauBeaumes-de-VeniseVinsobres
Northern Rhone Appellations
- Cote Rotie - Red wine only, Syrah - Condrieu - white wine only, viognier- Chateau-Grillet -- St. Joseph - Syrah, rousanne, marsanne- Crozes-Hermitage - Syrah, rousanne, marsanne- Hermitage - Syrah, rousanne, marsanne- Cornas - Syrah - Saint-Peray
Southern Rhône climate, soil, vinification
Mediterranean ClayLots of blending, oak, no chapitalization
Southern Rhône grapes
RousanneGrenache BlancGrenacheSyrahMourvedre
Languedoc-Roussillon AOCs
- Cotes du Roussillon (Cotes du Roussillon Villages, Banyuls)- Coteaux du Languedoc (Minervois, Fitou, Corbieres, Vin de Pay)
Languedoc-Roussillon climate and soil
Warm MediterraneanChalk, limestone
Languedoc-Roussillon Primary Varietals
Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, viognier, granache blancCarignan, cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab franc
Italian Wine Classification System
DOCG (74)DOC (332)IGT (118)Vino
Italian Label Terms
⢠Classicoâhistoric or "classic" growing area of a specific DOC/G zone⢠Riservaâa wine which has been aged a longer, specified time than non-Riserva counterpart, applies to DOC and DOCG⢠Superioreâhigher level of alcohol or aging, sometimes special geographic origin, applies to DOC wines⢠Rosatoârose⢠Rossoâred wine⢠Seccoâdry ⢠SpumanteâSparkling⢠FrizzanteâSightly Sparkling⢠DulceâSweet
Piedmont DOCGs
Barolo - 100% Nebbiolo, oak agingBarbaresco - 100% Nebbiolo, oak agingMoscato d'Asti Barbera d'AstiGaviBrachetto d'Acqui
Lombardy grape varieties, DOCG
ChardonnayPinot BlancoPinot NeroNebbioloFranciacorta DOCG - method Classico, sparkling wines only
Piedmont grape varieties
CorteseMoscatoArneisNebbioloBarberaDolcettoBrachetto
Trentino-Alto Adige geography, climate
NE Italy, borders Austria and SwissContinental
Veneto DOCGs
Soave - garganega grapeProsecco - glera grapeValpolicella - corvina grape (amarone)
Amarone della Valpolicella vinification
Appassimento process - grapes are dried on wicker mats for weeks, results in high alcohol wines (14-16%)
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia grapes
Pinot grigioFriulanoMerlot
Emilia-Romagna Grapes/wine
Lambrusco
Tuscany DOCGs
Chianti, minimum 70% Sangiovese Chianti Classico, minimum 80% Sangiovese Brunello di Montalcino, 100% Sangiovese + 4 years of aging
Sicily climate and grapes
Mediterranean/ maritimeNero d'avola
Tuscany climate, grapes
Continental/maritimeSangiovese, Syrah, Cab Sauv, Merlot
Greek major region/grape
Macedonia (xinomavro red)
Germany climate and grapes
Cool continental - difficulty ripening due to high latitude Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Spatburgunder (PN)
Alternate names for Pinot Noir
Spatburgunder (Germany)Pinot Nero (ITALY)
German wine vinification
Stainless steelChapitalizationBotrytis sometimes
German/ Austrian Wine Classifications
- Tafelwein: table wine- Landwein: regional wine, rarely exported- Qualitatswein (QbA): quality wine from one of the 13 major regions- Pradikatswein (QmP): quality wine determined by the degree of ripeness at harvest; only classification that cannot be chaptalized; 6 QmP levels ranging from driest to sweetest
The six prädikat German wine levels of quality
By increasing ripeness:KabinettSpätleseAusleseBeerenausleseEisweinTrockenbeerenauslese
Concerning German wine, what is the VDP and GG?
VDP- association for estates producing high quality nonchapitalized wineGG- "Grosses Gewachs" great growth dry wines
Mosel Grape Varieties, soil
RieslingBlue slateSouth facing vineyards
Rheingau Grape Varieties
RieslingSpätburgunder- create richer style wines
Rheinhessen grapes
Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner
Pfalz grapes, geography
Riesling, Spätburgunder, Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder
Austria grape varieties, climate
Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Zerigelt, BlaufränkischContinental
Austrian Wine Regions
TOTAL of 4 (inclu. Vienna)3 States:1. Niederösterreich (Lower Austria, WHITE) --60% of wines produced --defined by the Danube river and valley2. Wachauâ Some of Austria's best white wines, unique classification for dry wines 3. Kremstal DAC4. Kamptal DAC
Austrias state of Wachau has unique classifications for dry wines, what are they?
Steinfeder - 11.5% max alcoholFederspiel - 11.5-12.5% alcoholSmaragd - 12.5% min alcohol, botrytis
Spanish Wine Classifications
Wines without GI - VinoWines with GI - IGP (Vino de la Tierra) â IGP Wines break down to: VCIG, DO, Vinos de Pagos (Single Estate), DOCa (highest denomination, Rioja and Priorat)
Northwest Spain (Rias Baixas) grapes, climate, vinification
AlbariñoMaritime, humidPergola system, Stainless steel, crisp dry mineral wines
North Central Spain climate and grapes
Continental with Extreme diurnal shifts Verdejo, Tempranillo
North central Spain DOs and DOCas
Ribera del Duero DO - Tempranillo Toro DO - TempranilloRueda DO - Verdejo, Sauv Blanc Rioja DOCa - Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura
Rioja DOCa aging levels, sub regions
Crianza (aged 2 years, 6mo in barrel), Reserva (aged 3 years, 1 year in barrel) , Gran Reserva (aged 5 years, 2 years in barrel)Alavesa, Alta, Baja
Northeastern Spain grapes, geography
Xarel-loParelladaMacabeoGarnachaMonastrellTempranilloMountainous continental
Northeastern Spain DOCa and grapes
PrioratGarnacha, Cariñena, Cab Sauv, Syrah
Portuguese wine classification
Wines without GI - VinhoWines with GI - IGP, DOP/DOC (Regulated style, max yeilds, min alcohol, aging)
Portuguese DOP regions
Vinho Verde - northern most, maritime, Albariño Douro - Northern, hot, Touriga NationalPortoMadeira
When was American Prohibition?
1920-1933
When was the great Depression and how did it affect Prohibition?
1929-1939The loss of legal jobs and tax revenue from alcohol basically threw the US into the GD, turning many people again the idea of Prohibition until finally states were granted the ability to decide their own alcohol laws in 1933.
What is the Judgement of Paris 1976?
California wine was booming and a blind taste test was held in Paris to compare French vs Californian chardonnays and Cab/Bordeaux's. It was thought Cali couldn't compete against "the best in the world" and ended up winning both categories.
What is the governing body for US wine law?
Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
What were the first 2 AVAs in America?
Augusta (1980)Napa Valley (1981)
U.S. Labeling Requirements - Variety
75% of specified variety except90% in Oregon
U.S. Labeling Requirements - appellation
75% min for Country, State, County85% min for specific AVA95% min for specific vineyard100% min for estate bottling
California North Coast Counties
NapaSonomaMendocinoLakeSolanoMarin
Oldest, still operating winery in Napa
Charles Krug (1861)
Napa Valley AVAs
Los CarnerosOak KnollYountvilleStags LeapMount VeederOakvilleRutherfordAtlas PeakSpring MountainSt. HelenaHowell Mountain
Napa Valley Stats - acres, wineries
45,000+ acres under vine420+ wineriesAccounts for 25% of Cali wine sales
Napa valley climate, grapes
Warm MediterraneanChard, Sauv Blanc, Cab Sauv, Merlot
Sonoma County AVAs
Alexander ValleyDry CreekMoon MountainKnights ValleyRussian RiverLos CarnerosSonoma CountySonoma MountainSonoma ValleySonoma Coast
Mendocino County
- Cooler coastal climate with an active sparkling wine industry- Warm interior with old vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carigange, etc.- Notables include Anderson Valley, Redwood Valley, Yorkville, Potter Valley
Sonoma County grapes
ChardonnaySauv BlancCab SauvMerlotZinfandelPinot NoirSyrah
Central Coast AVA
⢠Monterey - fog and wind influence, wide variety of grapes ⢠San Luis Obispo⢠Santa Barbara - Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez valley, Santa Rita Hills⢠Paso Robles - Rhône varietals and Zinfandel
Oregon climate, grapes, soil
Cool wet maritimePinot Gris, chard, Riesling, Pinot NoirVolcanic and clay soils** All grapes grown west of the Cascade Mountains
Oregon AVA
Willamette Valley
Washington State grapes, climate, AVA
Riesling, Chard, Cab Sauv, Merlot, SyrahLong dry seasonsAVAs- Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, Walla Walla **All grapes grown east of the Cascade Mountains
New York climate, grapes
Continental, Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, PN, Merlot, Cab Franc
Which states dont produce wine?
None, all 50 states produce
Merlot was thought to have been destroyed by phylloxera in Europe, when/where was it rediscovered?
Chile - 1994
Chile's major geographical formations affecting wine
Pacific Ocean to westAndes Mountain rangeWarm desert in north
Chilean Grape Varieties
W- Chard, SBR- Cab, Merlot, Carmenere
Why is Chile unaffected by phylloxera?
Geographical isolation
Chilean Wine labeling laws
DO - Denominación de Origen75% must come from stated region75% must be stated variety75% must be stated vintage**Most wines meet 85% standard in order to ship to EUMinimum ABV - 11.5%
Chile major Wine Regions
Aconcagua DO Casablanca Valley DO - maritime Central Valley DO - Maipo Valley is a sub-AVA known for its Cab Sauv
Argentina Climate, Grapes
Desert, windyTorrontes, Malbec, Syrah, Cab Sauv
Argentina Wine Laws
80% minimum of variety
Argentina - Mendoza AVA grapes, sub AVAs, production
MalbecUco valley, maipo valleyLargest viticultural region anywhere
Argentina - Salta grapes, geography
Torrontes, MalbecMost northern region in Argentina, highest altitude plantings in the world
ARGENTINA: Patagonia grapes
Torrontes, Malbec, Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir
South Africa grape varieties
chenin blanc (aka steen)pinotage (PN x Cinsault hybrid)Cabernet Sauvignon pinot noirsyrahmerlot
South African labeling requirements
WO (Wine of Origin) 1973Varietal - 85% minimum if exported to US or EUVintage - 85% minimumRegion, Estate = 100% varietalReserve - unregulated
South African wine of origin system
Geographical Units (I.e. Western Cape)Regions (I.e. Coastal Region)Districts (I.e. Stellenbosch, Paarl, Walker Bay, Swartland)*Wards (I.e. Constantia)Estates (I.e. Single Vinyards)
Australian grape varieties and label law
Chard, Sauv Blanc, semillon, RieslingShiraz, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Grenache, PN-Minimum 85% varietal for labeling
Australian vinification practices
Lots of blendingUse of American and French oakModern techniques - stelvin
Australia - New South Wales grapes, geography, significant sub AVA
Semillon, Chardonnay, ShirazSoutheast corner - hot and humid mostlyHunter Valley
Australia - Victoria grapes, geography, significant sub AVAs
Chardonnay, Shiraz, PN, MuscatSouth east corner of continent, coastal coolYarra Valley (PN, Chard), Rutherglen (fortified)
South Australia GI's
Claire Valley - Riesling/ShirazBarossa Valley*- hot continental, GSM and Cab Sauv Eden Valley - higher/cooler, Riesling/chard/shirazMcLaren Vale - GSM/ Cab SauvSouthern ValesCoonawarra - best region for Cab Sauv
Western Australia climate, geography, grapes
Warm Mediterranean South west corner Chard, semillon, SB, Cab, Shiraz, Merlot, Mlbc
New Zealand north island GIs, grapes, climate
Auckland - Cab Sauv, Merlot - Warm maritimeWairarapa (Martinborough) - PN, SBHawkes Bay - Chard, Syrah
New Zealand South Island GIs, grapes, climate
Marlborough - SB, PN - cool, Dry Central Otago - PN - cool continental
What is botrytis cinerea? How does it affect grape production?
AKA "Noble rot", a useful mold that dehydrates the grapes and concentrates sugars. Adds flavors of honey, mushroom, saffron.Used in the production of the finest dessert wines in the world, notably from Sauternes.
Examples of late harvest/ botrytis wines in France/ Germany include:
Sauternes - from BordeauxSelection de graines nobles (SGN) - AlsaceChenin Blanc Dessert Wines - Loire Pradikatswein - auslese, beerenauslese, troken
What is Vin Santo?
Semi-sweet to sweet dessert wine made from grapes dried in lofts. Long aged in wood. Distinctive nutty, resiny flavorFrom Italy
What is Icewine/Eiswein?
Grapes harvested in winter after being frozen on the vine. Creates a natural concentration of sugars with no botrytis.Specialty of Germany and Canada
What is a fortified wine?
Have additional alcohol (brandy) added during their production to 16-24%.Fortified during fermentation > Sweet (Port)Fortified after fermentation > Dry (Sherry)
Examples of fortified wines are:
Vin Doux Natural (France)Port (Portugal)Sherry (Spain)Madiera (Portugal)
What is a Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)
A fortified, sweet wine. Grape spirit is added during fermentation to stop fermentation and leave a significant amount of unfermented grape sugar.
How is port made?
Touriga National grapes are used, and fortified with brandy spirit during fermentation to stop fermentation and create a sweet red with alcohol 19-22%.
What are the different kinds of ports?
⢠Ruby Port - young, aged 2-3 years⢠Tawny Port - matured entirely in cask, with age declarations (I.e. 10, 20, 30 yr etc.)⢠LBV- sourced from best vineyards, aged 4-6 years in cask, vintage and bottling must be declared on label⢠Vintage Port- only 3% of al production, usually 2 years aged, sources from top vineyards ⢠Single Quinta Port - similar to single vineyard, sourced from best vinyards, no declared vintages
Sherry Geography, climate
Southwest tip of SpainHot maritime
Sherry grapes
Palomino - majorityPedro Ximenez - for blending to add sweetness and color
What is sherry?
A fortified wine that has brandy spirit added in after fermentation for alcohol content. Uses Solara system to age.
Styles of Sherry
From light/delicate to heavy/dark/boldFino - FlorManzanilla - FlorAmontillado - FlorOloroso - no FlorPedro Ximenez (sweeter)Cream sherry (sweeter)
Madeira geography, grape
Island off of Moroccan/Portuguese coastTinta Negra
Madeira Vinification
Fortified at different times during fermentation depending on how sweet they want it to come out.Wine casks are heated (cooked) causing sugars to Caramelize, oxidation to speed upMost is blended, age indication on label is the average age
The 5 major components of wine include:
- Water (80-90%)- Alcohol (10-15%)- Acid- Sugars- Phenolic compounds
What is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages?
ethanol (aka ethyl alcohol)It evaporated quickly and carries the aromas of the wine to the nose.
What are the 6 main acids in wine?
-Tartaric -Malic-Citric-Lactic-Acetic-Succinic
What are the 2 sugars found in grapes?
- Glucose- Fructose
Name 5 different phenolic compounds.
-Anthocyanins-Flavonols-Tannins-Vanillin-Reservatrol
What chemical compounds give red wine their color?
A combination of Anthocyanins and acids. More acidic wines appear redder, less acidic wines appear more blue.
What are flavonols?
Yellow pigments in white wines. They increase with sun exposure, so the more sunlight, the more golden in color.
What is TCA?
Cork taint, a mold that grows in the cork tree and sweeps into wine creating a wet cardboard flavor.