Wine

What is wine?

Fermented juice of the grape.

What is Aspect?

The general combination of climate, altitude, slopes, water, soil and sun among others.

What is vinification?

The process of making wine.

What is Champagne?

-A specific wine, not a style -Sparkling wine -Invented by Dom Perignon, Benedictine monk -Champagne region of France, North.

Major styles of Brandy are?

-Armagnac- single distillation -Cognac- double distillation (vs, vsop, xo) -Eaux de vie- various fruits -Calvados- apples -Marc/Grappa- grape pulp

Levels of sweetness due to residual sugars:

-Brut Nature: 0-3 grams -Extra Brut: 0-6 grams -Brut: 0-15 grams -Extra Sec: 12-20 grams -Sec: 17-35 grams -Demi-sec: 35-50 grams -Doux: 50+ grams

What is Brandy?

-Distilled from fruit wines and ages in Oak barrels.

Maturing/aging wine does what?

-Oak or stainless steal -Oak- adds tannins, vanillins, toasted flavor (light, medium, heavy) -Evaporation occurs and alcohol content is reduced.

What are the styles of Fortified Wine?

-Port, vermouth, sherry, marsala, Madeira

Making of Champagne

-Similar to wine, assemblage and blending. -Second fermentation in the bottle -Remuage- 8 weeks, encourage sediment to move to the neck -Aging: 15 to 30 months -Disgorgement: Removal of sediment, frozen brine solution

What is the perfect latitude and growing temperature of a grape?

-Temperature zones between 30 and 50 degrees latitude. - Annual mean temperature between 50 and 60 degrees F.

The acid or sugar ratio of a grape does what?

-The sugar dictates alcohol level. -The sugar and acidity levels determine balance.

Where do grapes grow best?

-The west coast which is cooler and less humid. -Forests, mountain ranges, large bodies of water.

Why is soil important?

-Thin topsoil -Well drained subsoil with good water retention -Temperature potential -Required minerals

Rule of thumb for wine and food pairing?

-White with pultry and fish -Red with meats -Match the "weight" of the food to the "weight" of the wine -Hearty foods require a heavy wine -Lighter foods go best with lighter wines but most food can be paired with heavier wines.

What is fortified wine?

-Wine that has had grape spirit added to prevent further fermentation. -Ex. Brandy -Up to 24% alcohol

Climate assists grapes how?

-With temperature and the appropriate combination of heat, sunshine, rain and frost.

What happens during Vinification?

1) Crusher/stemmer; stems removed 2) Pump into fermentation tank 3) Skins transferred to press 4) Pressed juice and free run finished separately then blended in storage tank 5) Racking- draining liquids of its lees (sediment) 6) Fining- Assists the clarification of wine, called "Rafting" 7) Malolactic fermentation- Secondary fermentation 8) Wine maturing in wood barrels or bottles

The general topography for grape growing should be?

1) Sunshine- south facing slopes attract more hours of sunshine. 2) Sun strength- vines on a slope absorb the greater strength of the sun's rays. 3) Slopes- better drainage and altitude. 4) Proximity of water- reflects rays.

What happens during Viticulture?

1) Vine training; 2 basic systems -Cane training -Spur training 2) This determines size, shape and height. 3) Creates maximum benefits from aspect and climate.

What is terroir?

A French word referring to the unique characteristics of a vineyard such as climate, soil and aspect, which contribute to the characteristics of a wine.

What is table wine?

A generic term to distinguish wine from fortified wine.

What is a blend?

A mixture of wines made from different grape varieties, vineyards, regions, or vintages.

What is a varietal?

A wine named after the sole or main grape variety from which it was made.

Why are certain vintages considered superior or inferior?

It all depends on the weather that year; climate is critical.

The skin structure of a grape does what?

It contains most of the aromatic characteristics with which we associate varietal identity.

The skin color and thickness does what?

It controls deepness and intensity of color.

What is viticulture?

The science and practice of grape growing.

Enology (Oenology)

The scientific study of wine with practical consequences.

The size of a grape does what?

The smaller the fruit the more concentrated the flavor.

Factors affecting taste and quality

Variety, location, climate and weather, aspect, soil, viticulture.