Questions and Answers
What is the primary ingredient used to make conventional wine?
The harvest season for wine grapes in the northern hemisphere is from August to September.
True
What is the most common grape variety used for making wine?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine grapes are generally _____, sweeter, and have lots of seeds compared to table grapes.
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Match the following wine terms with their definitions:
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What method is used when grapes are blended and fermented together?
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Wine tends to be on the basic end of the pH scale.
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What is the typical range of alcohol by volume (ABV) for wine?
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Tannin contributes to the _______ quality of red wine.
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Match the following wine characteristics with their descriptions:
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Study Notes
What is Wine?
- Wine is an alcoholic beverage created from the fermented juice of grapes.
- Other fruits can also be fermented to create beverages called wine, but "wine" typically refers to grape wine.
- Wine grapes differ from table grapes: they are smaller, sweeter, and have more seeds.
- Wine production contrasts with beer brewing, which uses fermented grains.
Wine Grapes
- Most wines originate from Vitis vinifera, a species of vine from the Caucasus region.
- There are thousands of Vitis vinifera varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon being the most common.
Vintage Definition
- "Vintage" refers to the year the grapes were harvested and converted into wine.
- Wine grapes require an entire season to ripen before harvesting.
- Harvest seasons are from August to September in the Northern Hemisphere and February to April in the Southern Hemisphere.
Single-Varietal Wine
- A single-varietal wine primarily consists of one grape type, often labeled with that grape’s name (e.g., Riesling).
- Regulations for labeling vary by country regarding the percentage of grape variety required.
Wine Blend
- A wine blend combines multiple grape varieties and is a traditional winemaking method.
- Most blends are mixed after fermentation and aging, while field blends are fermented together, exemplified by Port wine.
Taste of Wine
- Unique wine flavors derive from several elements, including acidity, sweetness, alcohol, tannin, and aroma compounds.
Acidity
- Wines are acidic, with pH levels ranging from as low as 2.5 (like lemons) to around 4.5 (like Greek yogurt).
Sweetness
- Sweetness in wine varies from 0% sugar to levels comparable to maple syrup; "dry" wines contain no sweetness.
Alcohol
- Alcohol content in wine typically ranges from 10% to 15% ABV, with exceptions like Moscato d’Asti (5.5% ABV) and Port (up to 20% ABV).
Tannin
- Tannin contributes to the astringency of red wines and can be tasted similarly to a wet black tea bag on the tongue.
Aroma Compounds
- Wine’s complexities come from various compounds, affecting flavors and aromas; differences in grape varieties result in distinct scents like berries or flowers.
- Aging, especially in oak barrels, further develops flavors through oxidation and imparts additional aromas, such as nuttiness and dried fruit/flower notes.
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Description
Explore the traditional winemaking method of blending in this quiz. Learn about the characteristics that define wine's unique flavor profile, including acidity, sweetness, and aroma. Delve into famous wine blends like Port and the concept of field blends.
