Italy
What are the two words and/or acronyms for Italian PDO wines?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
Top black grape varieties of Spain
Tempranillo
Garnacha
Monastrell
The Hunter Valley is hot but has a moderating influence that makes lighter bodied wines than some of the other warm-hot regions in Australia. What is it?
High cloud cover
How might Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé differ from that of Touraine?
Sancerre will be more concentrated in flavor and have a more complex style.
Touraine is known for simple wines made under teh general appellation name "Sauvignon de Touraine"
What is pinotage a cross between?
Pinot Noir and Cinsault
Umbria has a white wine DOC, what are the principle grape varieties in this blend?
Grechetto and Trebbiano.
Med-high acid with flavors of ripe grapefruit and peach
Broadly, what are the three climactic areas of Spain?
N/NW - Moderate maritime. Atlantic weather systems, high rainfall
E - Warm Mediterranean. Often influenced by sea or altitude. Hotter as you go south
Meseta Central - Hot continental. Winter temps below freezing and very high summer temps. Limited rainfall. High diurnal range
What is special about Coonawarra's terroir?
Terra Rossa soil
What is the difference between a Vendanges Tardives (VT) and a Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) in Alsace?
VT - Late harvest. Can only be made from one of the 4 noble varieties and must have a specific sugar ripeness depending on the variety
SGN - Only be made from one of the 4 noble varieties and must have a specific sugar ripeness depending on the variety - sugar minimum is set higher for SGN and is usually achieved with noble rot
Vin de Constance is made from what grape variety?
Late Harvested Muscat
Explain the passito method of wine making and name two subregions in Italy that have DOCGs using it
Passito - Early picked grapes are dried before fermentation in the winter months
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - dry/off dry
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG - sweet (fermentation stops with sugar)
Recioto di Soave DOCG - sweet
How many months do wines need to be aged for the following designations
Joven
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva
Joven: 0
Crianza: 24 (6 in barrel)
Reserva: 36 (12 in barrel)
Gran Reserva: 60 (18 in barrel)
What are the climactic differences between Eden Valley and Barossa Valley? How does this change their varietal offerings?
Eden Valley - Cool/moderate climate. Above Barossa valley in the hills (alitude). High quality Rieslings. Also grows Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon
Name the dominant red varietal in the following subregions:
Médoc
Graves
Pomerol
Médoc - Cabernet Sauvignon
Graves - Merlot
Pomerol - Cabernet France
What South African wine region has gone from a high volume center to premium production Chenin Blanc and Syrah?
Swartland
What are the principle grape varieties in Super Tuscans? What classification names can you often find them under?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Toscana IGT
Bolgheri DOC
Maremma Toscana
Describe the differences in winemaking for early versus age-worthy Riojas
Early - Semi-carbonic maceration
Long-term - Destemmed, crushed, traditional fermentation
What are the 3 regions of fertile, riverbed soil in NSW/South Australia?
Riverina, Murray-Darling, Riverland
What is the purpose of Cinsault in Southern France?
Rosé production and to add red fruit flavors to other red blends
Describe the climate of the Worcester district and how they cope?
Hot and dry - irrigate from the Breede River
Bonus: fertile soils - high production
What are the two biggest climatic influences in Italian winemaking? Describe their influence
The Mediterranean and the Apennine mountains.
Mediterranean - cooling sea breezes, humidity
Appennine mountains - elevation, sloped vineyards
Raías Baixas is located on the Atlantic Coast. Describe their climate, how they cope, and the wine styles they make
Moderate maritime. Damp, humid, big risk of mildew and rot.
Pergola training systems
Refreshing, unoaked Albariño
Name the subregion: Cool maritime climate, known for sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris
Tasmania
Name the grand crus of Aloxe-Corton
Corton and Corton-Charlemagne
Walker Bay encompasses the wards of what area?
Hemel-en-Aarde