wset_level_3_-_key_wines_table
Alsace AC White
Reds Pinot Gris,
Riesling,
Gewurtzraminer
Muscat
Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Noir
Edelzwicker
Cool, sunny dry climate with long dry
autumns
Vosges protection from winds & rain
East facing slopes = best sites
Slopes -> low training +
orientation to
maximise sun exposure
+ hand harvesting
Plain -> high training to
minimise spring frost
Double Guyot
Minimal wine
alteration/treatment
Stainless steel or very
old oak cask for
fermentation
No MLF
Dry to off dry
Aromatic
Med alcohol
Pinot Blanc:
Dry, full bodied, spicy
Sylvaner:
Best drunk young
Pinot Noir:
Light fruity red
Far less concentration and
weight of Burgundy Pinot
Noir
***
Alsace Grand Cru AC White Riesling,
Gewurtzraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat Cool, sunny dry climate with long dry
autumns
Vosges protection from winds & rain
East facing slopes = best sites
Slopes -> low training +
orientation to
maximise sun exposure
+ hand harvesting
Plain -> high training to
minimise spring frost
Double Guyot
Minimal wine
alteration/treatment
Stainless steel or very
old oak cask for
fermentation
No MLF
Use of passerillage for
VT and SGN
Riesling:
Full bodied, dry, med
alcohol, hi acidity, mineral
character
Gewurtzraminer:
Golden colour
Aromatic spicy nose of
lychees, roses, baking spices
Full bodied with oily texture
Med to Lo acidity
Hi alcohol
Good with smoked fish,
strong cheese+Asian dishes
Pinot Gris:
Rich, full bodied, hi alcohol
but less aromatic and
colourful
Muscat:
Grapey Muscat flavour, dry
**** Also in:
VT:
14% (Riesling/Musct)
15.5% (Gewurtz/PGris)
Selection Grains
Nobles:
16.4% (Riesling/Musct)
18.2% (Gewurtz/PGris)
Cousins:
Auslese for VT
BeerenAuslese for SGN
N-Rhone/Condrieu AC White Viognier Continental: warm summers
Granitic soil
Winds prevent fungal diseases
Steep well exposed terrace vineyards Best: lo yielding
Needs careful handling
Use of new oak
increasing
Dry
Lo acidity
Hi alcohol
Rich
Exotic apricot, spice and
floral aromas
****+ Chateau Grillet AC:
single property
N-Rhone/Hermitage AC Red Syrah Continental: warm summers
Granitic soil
Winds prevent fungal diseases
Well exposed steep slopes behind the
town of Tain and along the Rhone
Possible to add
Roussanne + Marsanne
up to 15% for co
fermentation
Deep colour
Fullest bodied Rhone wine
Hi tannins
Black fruit, black pepper,
floral aromas
Can age very well
****+
N-Rhone/Crozes-Hermitage AC Red Syrah Continental: warm summers
Granitic soil
Winds prevent fungal diseases
North-> slopes
South -> Flat plain
> Possible to add
Roussanne + Marsanne
up to 15% for co
fermentation
> Carbonic maceration
for less expensive light
wines
> Oak-ageing for
expensive wines
Lighter machine harvested
with carbonic maceration to
full bodied complex
concentrated wines
** Less prestigious higher
volume region
S-Rhone/Cotes du Rhone
Cotes du Rhone village AC Red Grenache,
Syrah,
Mourvedre,
others
Mediterranean
Flatter terrain vs. N-Rhone
Hi winds
> Grenache bush
trained low to the
ground to protect from
wind & warmth from
soil
> Carbonic maceration
frequent
Storage in stainless
steel
> More stringent yields
and minimum alcohol
to reach for
Medium bodied
Fruity
Simple & soft
More body, structure and
spiced red fruit flavours vs.
generic
* 18 Villages: greater
percentage of
Grenache, Syrah,
Mourvedre
Can be found in
Northern rhone as well
S-Rhone/Chateauneuf du Pape AC Red Grenache
Syrah,
Mourvedre
Mediterranean
East bank of the Rhone
Reasonably flat
Wide range of soils
Galets soil that reflect and absorb heat
during the day and redistribute it at
night
Full bodied
Hi alcohol
Concentrated spiced red
fruit flavours
**** 1st area to get AC
Rosé not permitted
Part of the 7 crus:
Vacqueyras, Gigondas,
Lirac, Tavel, Beaume de
Venise, Vinsobres
Hun/Tokaji White Furmint
Harslevelu
Sarga Muscotaly
(Muscat Blanc a
petits grains Continental climate with short, cold
winters and long warm summers
Foothills of the Carpathian mountains
Slopes + southerly exposures+long dry
autumns+humidity from Bodrog and
Tisza rivers
Grape selection while
picking between aszu
and szamorodni
Tokaji: berries
macerated with base
wine during/after
fermentation for
36hours
Press+maturation for
min 3 years with 2 in
oak barrels
Deep amber
Hi acidity
Intense aromas of orange
marmalade, apricot & honey
**** Puttonyos system to
express level of
sweetness
0 to 5
Piemonte/Barolo DOCG + Barbaresco DOCG Red Nebbiolo Mediterranean climate with cooling
effect from altitude
2 distinct soils:
1)Blue tortonian soils -> softer
fruitier early maturing (Barolo)
2)Beiger Helvetian soil -> more
structured and longer to
mature (Monforte)
Best south facing sites
Vineyard: key to
prevent disease + lo
yielding grape
Hail risks
Winery: keep to
manage ripeness and
tannins.
Tradi: long maceration
Modern: use of rotary
fermenters new oak
barriques
Min 3 years ageing
with 18mths in oak
Riservas 5 years with
18mths in oak
Pale colour
Hi alcohol
Hi acidity
Hi tannins
Structural rigidity
Red fruit, rose, liquorice,
hay
**** Barbaresco DOCG =
very similar, less
structure, same price
Langhe DOC = best
value Nebbiolo **
Veneto/Valpolicella DOC Red Corvina,
Rondinella,
Molinara
Limestone+granite slopes Light
Fruity
Sour cherry character
Herbal notes with black fruit
Drink young with duck, ham
or salami
* Most red DOC after
Chianti
Bardolino similar style
but from Lake garda
area
Valpolicella Classico
zone: Illesi hills
~ Good Beaujolais
Veneto/Valpolicella Amarone Red Corvina,
Rondinella,
Molinara,
Limestone+granite slopes Passito: grapes dried
after picking in special
lodges
Full bodied
Hi alcohol
Rich
Hi acidity
Nose of chocolate, dark rum
and leather
****