Carmenère, Malbec, Pinotage Flashcards Preview

WSET ® Level 2 Wine > Carmenère, Malbec, Pinotage > Flashcards

Flashcards in Carmenère, Malbec, Pinotage Deck (17)
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1
Q

Which country is most identified with Carmenère?

A

Chile

2
Q

Which country is most identifed with Malbec?

A

Argentina

3
Q

Which country is most identified with Pinotage?

A

South Africa

4
Q

Fill in the blank:

One of the parent grapes of Pinotage is _____.

A

Pinot Noir

The other parent grape is Cinsault.

5
Q

Pinotage is predominantly grown in which South African wine region?

A

Western Cape

6
Q

Describe the character profile of Pinotage.

A
  • Dry
  • Medium to full body
  • Medium tannin
  • High acidity
  • Bright red fruits (strawberry, red cherry, red licorice, crunchy raspberry)
  • May or may not have oak influence
7
Q

With which grapes is Pinotage usually blended with?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
8
Q

Fill in the blank:

The term used in South Africa for blended wines of Pinotage, Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon is _____.

A

Cape Blend

9
Q

From which Old World region do Malbec and Carmenère originate?

A

Southwest France

In SW France these grapes are typically blended with other local varietals.

10
Q

Which region in Argentina has the highest density Malbec plantings?

A

Mendoza

11
Q

Is Mendoza at sea level or higher in elevation?

A

Higher in elevation

This creates optimal growing conditions for the sun-loving Malbec grape: warm days, cool nights.

12
Q

When Malbec is blended in Argentina, which grapes is it usually blended with?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
13
Q

Describe the profile of Argentinean Malbec.

A
  • Dry
  • Full body
  • High tannin
  • Medium acidity
  • Concentrated black fruits
  • If oak matured, flavors of vanilla, clove, coffee
  • If aged, flavors of dried black fruit and cured meat
  • Intensely dark in color, almost purple
14
Q

Where in Chile are the highest density plantings of Carmenère?

A

The warm and sunny areas of Central Valley.

Carmenère needs a lot of warmth and sunshine to fully ripen, which is why it performs better in Chile than it does in Bordeaux.

15
Q

What are some of the unpleasant aromas/flavors of underripe Carmenère?

A
  • Raw green bell pepper
  • Tomato leaf
  • Generally very herbaceous/not particularly fruity
16
Q

Describe the profile of ripe Carmenère.

A
  • Dry
  • Full body
  • High tannin
  • Medium to high acidity
  • Black fruits (dark plum, blackberry, black raspberry)
  • Herbal (eucalyptus)
  • If oak matured, notes of coffee, chocolate, mocha
17
Q

When Carmenère is blended in Chile, which grapes is it usually blended with?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot