Wine (Region/Area)
Colour
Grape
Varieties
Climatic & Soil influences
Grapegrowing &
Wine making
influences
Style
Price
Notes (Similarities,
specificities)
Bordeaux AC
Bordeaux Supérieur
AC
Red
Cab Franc,
Cab Sauvignon,
Merlot
Mostly no oak
Dry
Medium body
Blackberry + cedar notes
**
Bordeaux Supérieur =
+0.5% min alcohol +
mainly red
Bordeaux AC
Bordeaux Supérieur
AC
White
Sémillon,
Sauvignon Blanc
No MLF
Can be fermented and
matured in new oak
Grassy elderflower
Toasty if oak aged
**
Bordeaux/Haut
Médoc AC
Red
Cab Franc,
Cab Sauvignon,
Merlot
Moderate maritime with:
1) warming effect from Gulfstream
2) hi rainfall from Atlantic
Gravel
Moderate maritime with:
1) warming effect from Gulfstream
2) hi rainfall from Atlantic
Gravel
Moderate maritime with:
1) warming effect from Gulfstream
2) hi rainfall from Atlantic
Gravel
Top quality aged in
new oak barriques
***
1855 classification with
5 rank system + cru
bourgeois
Bordeaux/ Pauillac AC
Red
Cab Franc,
Cab Sauvignon,
Merlot
Moderate maritime with:
1) warming effect from Gulfstream
2) hi rainfall from Atlantic
Top quality aged in
new oak barriques
Very structured
Hi tannins
Hi acidity
Concentrated blackcurrant
Toasted oak
Can age for decades
Very structured
Hi tannins
Hi acidity
Concentrated blackcurrant
Toasted oak
Can age for decades
****+
Most powerful and
structured of the Haud
Medoc AC
Top quality aged in
new oak barriques
****+
Mid way between
Pauillac and Margaux
Top quality aged in
new oak barriques
****+
More elegant
****+
1987 Cru Classé
chateaux list
Gravel
St Julien AC
Red
Cab Franc,
Cab Sauvignon,
Merlot
Moderate maritime with:
1) warming effect from Gulfstream
2) hi rainfall from Atlantic
Margaux AC
Red
Cab Franc,
Cab Sauvignon,
Merlot
Gravel
Moderate maritime with:
1) warming effect from Gulfstream
2) hi rainfall from Atlantic
Pessac Léognan AC
Red
Cab Franc,
Cab Sauvignon,
Merlot
Gravel
Moderate maritime with:
1) warming effect from Gulfstream
2) hi rainfall from Atlantic
Gravelly soils well suited for Cab Sauv.
Lighter body vs. Haut Medoc
More fragrant
Graves AC
Red
Saint Emilion AC
Saint Emilion Grand
Cru AC
Red
Bordeaux/Entre 2
mers AC
Pessac Léognan AC
White
Sauternes AC
Barsac
White
White
Cab Franc,
Cab Sauvignon,
Merlot
Merlot,
Cabernet Franc
Sémillon,
Sauvignon Blanc
Sémillon,
Sauvignon Blanc
Sémillon,
Sauvignon Blanc
Gravel
1) well drained plateau with limestone
and gravel (Grand Cru)
2) escarpments with clay limestone soils
(Grand Cru)
3) sandy soils at foot of escarpment
(lighter wines)
Sandier soil
Cooling influences of Garonne + Ciron
Misty autumn conditions
Cahors AC
Red
Malbec,
Merlot,
Tannat
Maritime climate but no cooling
influences
Madiran AC
Red
Tannat
Maritime climate but no cooling
influences
Bergerac AC
Red
Maritime climate but no cooling
influences
Monbazillac AC
White
Jurancon AC
White
Cab Sauvignon,
Cab Franc ,
Merlot
Sémillon,
Sauvignon Blanc
Petit Manseng
Cotes de Gascogne
IGP
White
Ugni Blanc and
others
Maritime climate but no cooling
influences
Maritime climate but no cooling
influences
Maritime climate but no cooling
influences
Less complex vs. Pessac
***
1959 Cru Classé list of
Châteaux
Lo yielding
Aged in new French
oak
Mod to hi tannins
Soft and rich mouthfeel
Complex red berry fruit and
plum aromas
Can age for decades
****
****+
1955 Grand Cru system
from Grd Cru Classé to
1er Grand Cru classé A
&B
Best unoaked
Dry
**
Dry
****
Sweet
Hi alcohol
Lusciously sweet vs. hi
acidity
Rich texture
Orange marmalade aromas
Notes of apricot, honey and
vanilla
****
Deep colour
Hi tannins
Intense dark berry fruits
Can age -> cedar, earth
Deep colour
Hi tannins
Concentrated black fruit
Bordeaux-style
***
Sweet
**
Sweet
Hi acidity
Dry; Aromatic; Crisp ;Light
Green apples
***
Noble rot+
Passerillage (drying
grape on the vine)
Late harvest with
several tries
Lo yields
Grape selection
Fermented and aged in
new oak barrels
Aged in oak for the
best
Barsac can use
Sauternes or Barsac
Others: 1eres cotes de
Bordeaux AC, Loupiac
AC
Malbec min 70%
***
**
*
Also whites and rosés
Also dry white
Chablis AC
1er cru
Grand Cru
White
Chardonnay
Northern continental climate
Limestone+kimmeridgian clay
Portlandian clay (usually Petit Chablis)
1er cru: well exposed slopes
Grand cru: hillside across the river
Cote de Nuits Villages
AC
Red
Pinot Noir
Cote de Nuits
1er crus
Grands Crus
Red
Pinot Noir
Northern continental climate
Mostly on slopes facing south east or
east maximising sun exposure
Limestone+marl
Guyot pruning
Northern continental climate
Mostly on slopes facing south east or
east maximising sun exposure
Limestone+marl
Guyot pruning
Traditional
fermentation with
sensitive use of oak
maturation
Traditional
fermentation with
sensitive use of oak
maturation
Hi acidity
Stony or smoky minerality
Basic: Austere with green
plum fruit
1er cru: riper fruit (lemon)
Grd Cru: some oak flavours
Can age -> complex smoky
flavours
Red fruit flavours: cherry,
raspberry, strawberry)
Usually full bodied
Med to hi tannins
Med to hi acidity
Fullest bodied Pinot Noir in
Burgundy
Most longed-lived
**
***
****+
1er cru (40): Montée de
Tonnerre, Vaillons &
Fourchaume
Grand crus (7): Les
Clos, Grenouilles, La
Moutonne
***
Also whites
(Chardonnay)
****+
Most famous villages:
Gevrey Chambertin AC
Vougeot AC
Vosne Romanée AC
Nuits St Georges AC
Only 1 red grand crus in
Cote de Beaune (Aloxe
Corton)
Also in white
(chardonnay)
Bourgogne Hautes
Cotes de Nuit
Red
Pinot Noir
Cotes de Beaune
Villages AC
Red
Pinot Noir
Cotes de Beaune
1er Crus
Grands Crus
White
Chardonnay
Northern continental climate
Mostly on slopes facing south east or
east maximising sun exposure
Limestone+marl // Guyot pruning
Northern continental climate
Mostly on slopes facing south east or
east maximising sun exposure
Limestone+marl // Guyot pruning
Northern continental climate
Beaune
Traditional
fermentation with
sensitive use of oak
maturation
Traditional
fermentation with
sensitive use of oak
maturation
Traditional
fermentation with
sensitive use of oak
maturation
Lo yields
Lighter body
less concentration vs. village
**
Red fruit flavours: cherry,
raspberry, strawberry)
Usually full bodied
Med to hi tannins & acidity
***
****+
Only red. Blend from
any villages except
Volnay, Pommard,
Aloxe, Beaune.
Most famous villages:
Meursault AC
Puligny Montrachet AC
Chassagne Montrachet
AC
Beaune AC
Pommard AC
Volnay AC
Aloxe Corton AC whites
Bourgogne Hautes
Cotes de Beaune
Reds
Pinot Noir
Bourgogne Cote
Chalonnaise AC
Reds/
Whites
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Macon AC
White
Chardonnay
Macon villages AC
Macon +village name
AC
Maconnais/Pouilly
Fuissé AC
White
Chardonnay
White
Chardonnay
Beaujolais AC
Red
Gamay
Beaujolais Villages AC
10 Crus
Red
Gamay
Northern continental climate
Mostly on slopes facing south east or
east maximising sun exposure
Limestone+marl
Guyot pruning
Northern continental climate
Mostly on slopes facing south east or
east maximising sun exposure
Limestone+marl
Guyot pruning
Northern continental climate
Mostly on slopes facing south east or
east maximising sun exposure
Limestone+marl
Guyot pruning
Amphiteatre like slopes (natural
suntrap)
Warm dry climate
Granite soils
Warm dry climate
Rolling hills
Granite soils
Lighter body
less concentration vs. village
**
Also in whites
(Chardonnay)
Traditional
fermentation with
sensitive use of oak
maturation
Mature more quickly
**
MLF
Good balance of fresh apple
+citrus
Crisp acidity
Med to full body
*
Soft Chardonnay
More ripeness, body &
character vs. Macon AC
Rich
Hi alcohol 14%
Full bodied
Ripe peach & melon
Savoury nutty flavours from
new oak
**
Less prestigious
Rully AC - W
Givry AC - R
Mercurey AC -R
Montagny AC –W
Macon Superieur AC =
higher level of ripeness
vs. Macon AC
Also reds (Pinot Noir or
Gamay)
Can be a blend
***
Communal appellation
Lo tannins
Light body
Fruit-driven
Kirsch, bananas, bubblegum
and cinnamon
*
Lo to Med tannins
Light body
Red fruit
**
***
Barrel ageing (new
oak)
Wire training
Spur pruned and
shoots tied together to
hold vertically
Mainly Carbonic
maceration
Free standing vines
Gobelet training
Some oak ageing (large
VATs)
10 Crus
Chénas AC
Juliénas AC
Morgon AC
Fleurie AC
Chiroubles AC
Régnié AC
Moulin a vent AC
Saint Amour AC
Cote de Brouilly AC
Brouilly AC
Alsace AC
White
Reds
Pinot Gris,
Riesling,
Gewurtzraminer
Muscat
Cool, sunny dry climate with long dry
autumns
Vosges protection from winds & rain
East facing slopes = best sites
Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Noir
Edelzwicker
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
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
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
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
Muscadet AC
Muscadet de Sevre et
Maine AC
Muscadet de Sevre et
Maine sur Lie AC
White
Melon Blanc
Maritime climate with Atlantic ocean
giving short mild winters and evenly
rainfall. Warm summers
Muscadet region on rolling slopes
surrounding Nantes
Muscadet de Sevre -> Lac de Grandlieu
Mostly schist & gneiss
Good retention and drainage
Anjou-Saumur/
Coteaux du Layon AC
White
Chenin Blanc
Sheltered valley by river layon
AnjouSaumur/Savennieres
AC
White
Chenin Blanc
North bank of Loire
Air circulation + well exposed vineyards
Touraine/Vouvray AC
White
Chenin Blanc
Central
vineyards/Sancerre
AC
White
Sauvignon Blanc
Northeast of Tours
Tuffeau chalky soil allows large root
development + good drainage + hi
acidity driven by hi calcium content for
ripenin
Cool continental (close to Burgundy)
East side / West of Loire
Chalky well drained stony soils
Low south-east south-west facings hills
Central
Vineyards/PouillyFumé AC
N-Rhone/Cote Rotie
AC
White
Sauvignon Blanc
Red
Syrah
Cool continental (close to Burgundy)
East side / East side of Loire
Chalky well drained stony soils
Continental: warm summers
Granitic soil
Winds prevent fungal diseases
Best: steep south-facing slopes
Strong sun exposure
Wire training growing
to allow machine
harvesting
Spring debudding
Fermentation in large
old casks
No ageing
Sur lie ageing for 3
months
Passerillage
Passerillage
Fermented slowly in
large wooden casks
Pneumatic presses +
temp controlled
stainless steel VATs
Stakes/tepee growing
Hand harvest
Co-fermentation with
Viognier to stabilise
colour and
tannins+aromatic
intensity and viscosity
Dry/Austere
Fresh
Fine bubbles beading the
rim of the glass
Med- alcohol
Sur lie -> more yeasty
character
Drink young with shellfish
*
**
**
Sweet
Fresh fruit
Hi acidity
Med+ alcohol
Botrytised (orange
marmalade & honey)
Dry austere young due to hi
acidity
Full bodied
Can age -> honey + smokey
mineral flavours
Fresh apple to exotic fruit
Richer + rounder with age
Botrytis for sweet wines
***
Quart de Chaume AC
Bonnezeaux AC
***
Close to Vouvray in
style
***
Still, sparkling
Dry, medium dry or
sweet
Hi acidity
Drink young (generally)
**
Much more restrained
vs. NZ
Also reds (Pinot Noir)
Dry
Hi acidity
**
Close to Sancerre
Deep colour
Full bodied
Hi tannins
Black fruit, black pepper,
floral aromas
Spicy, floral freshness and
textural elegance
****+
If Viognier added, max.
20% allowed
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
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
N-Rhone/CrozesHermitage AC
Red
Syrah
Continental: warm summers
Granitic soil
Winds prevent fungal diseases
North-> slopes
South -> Flat plain
S-Rhone/Cotes du
Rhone
Cotes du Rhone
village AC
Red
Grenache,
Syrah,
Mourvedre,
others
Mediterranean
Flatter terrain vs. N-Rhone
Hi winds
> Possible to add
Roussanne + Marsanne
up to 15% for co
fermentation
> Carbonic maceration
for less expensive light
wines
> Oak-ageing for
expensive wines
> 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
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
Dry
Lo acidity
Hi alcohol
Rich
Exotic apricot, spice and
floral aromas
Deep colour
Fullest bodied Rhone wine
Hi tannins
Black fruit, black pepper,
floral aromas
Can age very well
Lighter machine harvested
with carbonic maceration to
full bodied complex
concentrated wines
****+
**
Less prestigious higher
volume region
Medium bodied
Fruity
Simple & soft
*
18 Villages: greater
percentage of
Grenache, Syrah,
Mourvedre
****+
More body, structure and
spiced red fruit flavours vs.
generic
Full bodied
Hi alcohol
Concentrated spiced red
fruit flavours
Chateau Grillet AC:
single property
Can be found in
Northern rhone as well
****
1st area to get AC
Rosé not permitted
Part of the 7 crus:
Vacqueyras, Gigondas,
Lirac, Tavel, Beaume de
Venise, Vinsobres
S-Rhone/Lirac / Tavel
Rosé
Cinsault,
Grenache
Mediterranean
Full bodied
Intense flavour
**
Tavel: only rosé
Lirac: reds & whites too
Concentrated
*
Also rosé & whites
Medium to full body
Hi acidity
Ripe peach flavour
** to
****+
Geisenheim: world
famous wine research
centre
Light body
Lo alcohol
Hi acidity
Medium sweetness
Floral green fruit character
** to
****+
Michelsberg –
Grosslage from the flat
area of Mosel
Green grapes, salad, white
pepper + mineral notes
***
Other reknowned
areas: Kamptal,
Kremstal
Riesling too
West bank of Rhone
Southern/Cotes du
Roussillon
Rheingau/Rudesheim,
Geisenheim,
Johannesberg
Reds
White
Syrah, Grenach,
Mourvedre,
Carignan
Mediterranean
Riesling
Cool continental with potentially wet
summers
Northern bank of Rhein + Main river
Modestly steep hills south facing
+ protection of Taunus hills to the North
Rudesheim: steeper hills
Rugged and mountainous
Long sunlight hours, low rainfall + strong
winds
Vineyards planted in
rows up the slope or
terraced
Handwork
Stakes with canes tied
at the top to maximise
sun exposure
Minimal adjustments
to the wine
Stainless steel VATs or
large oak vessels
Mosel/Bernkastel,
Piesport
White
Riesling
Cool continental with potentially wet
summers
Bernkastel/Piesport in middle Mosel
along the Mosel river before it joins the
Rhine up north
Steep slopes with a south facing aspect
and stony soil to maximise sun exposure
and warmth
Vineyards planted in
rows up the slope or
terraced
Handwork
Stakes with canes tied
at the top to maximise
sun exposure
Minimal adjustments
to the wine
Stainless steel VATs or
large oak vessels
NiederOsterreich
/Wachau
White
Gruner Veltliner
Moderate Cool continental with hi
continentality and diurnal range
Cooling Northerly winds
Northern bank of the Danube river
Traditionally no oak
ageing
Hun/Tokaji
Piemonte/Barolo
DOCG + Barbaresco
DOCG
White
Red
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
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
Veneto/Valpolicella
DOC
Red
Corvina,
Rondinella,
Molinara
Limestone+granite slopes
Veneto/Valpolicella
Amarone
Red
Corvina,
Rondinella,
Molinara,
Limestone+granite slopes
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
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
Passito: grapes dried
after picking in special
lodges
Deep amber
Hi acidity
Intense aromas of orange
marmalade, apricot & honey
****
Puttonyos system to
express level of
sweetness
0 to 5
Pale colour
Hi alcohol
Hi acidity
Hi tannins
Structural rigidity
Red fruit, rose, liquorice,
hay
****
Barbaresco DOCG =
very similar, less
structure, same price
Light
Fruity
Sour cherry character
Herbal notes with black fruit
Drink young with duck, ham
or salami
*
Full bodied
Hi alcohol
Rich
Hi acidity
Nose of chocolate, dark rum
and leather
****
Langhe DOC = best
value Nebbiolo **
Most red DOC after
Chianti
Bardolino similar style
but from Lake garda
area
Valpolicella Classico
zone: Illesi hills
~ Good Beaujolais
Veneto/Valpolicella
Recioto
White
Corvina,
Rondinella,
Molinara
Limestone+granite slopes
Veneto/Soave DOC
White
Garganega
East of Valpolicella area
Volcanic hills with basalt subsoil
Tuscany/
Chianti DOCG/ Chianti
Classico DOCG
Red
Sangiovese
Tuscany/Brunello di
Montalcino DOCG
Red
Sangiovese
(brunello)
Tuscany/Vino Nobile
di Montepulciano
DOCG
Red
Sangiovese
(prugnolo)
Rioja/Rioja DOCa
Red
Tempranillo,
Garnacha,
Mazuelo
Graciano
Mediterranean
Altitude 500m + Hi diurnal range => firm
acidity
Rolling hills with clay over limestone
Warmer drier climates vs. other Chianti
zones + cool maritime breeze from
south west for cool evenings/nights
Clay over limestone
Rolling hills
Clay over limestone with % of sand =>
lack of finesse
East to south east slopes
Warmer evenings
Best sites: lower vineyards
Northern spain
Along the Ebro river
Sheltered by Cantabrian mountains
3 sub-regions:
1. Alavesa – 800m altitude+chalky
soils+Atlantic influences
 lightest Riojas+finesse
2. Alta – 500-800m+limestone-based
clay+Atlantic influences
3. Baja – warmer continental
climate+heavy+lo rainfall
 great for Garnacha Tinta+Graciano
Passito: grapes dried
after picking in special
lodges
Sweet wine
Full body; Rich
Lighter in alcohol vs.
amarone
Hi acidity
Pronounced floral notes of
camomile and iris
Hi acidity
Sour cherry fruit
Earthy dusty aromas
****
Full body
Rich
Hi alcohol
****
Min 2 years ageing
3 years for Riserva
Botte replaced by new
oak barriques
Full bodied > Chianti
Hi alcohol > Chianti
Less finesse vs.
Chianti/Brunello
***
Low bush vines with
gobelet system
Wire training now
allowed and growing
Tempranillo dominant
for fruit (ripe
strawberry/plum)
Garnacha for
body+alcohol
Graciano to add
powerful black fruit+
acidity+tannins+struct
ure
Deep colour
Hi tannins
Lo acidity
Full body
Fruit+obvious oak
characteristics
** to
***+
Min 80% Sangiovese
Use of oak botte or
French barriques
Barrique becoming
standard
Min 5 years ageing
Barrel maturation =
key
Tradi: long American
oak barriques ageing
Now: longer
maceration+ French
new oak shorter ageing
*
#1 wine in volume
Classico zone -> Soave
Classico Superiore
**
Mazuelo = Carignan =
Carinena
Specific ageing reqs:
Joven -> None
Crianza -> 24 mths with
12mths in cask
Reserva -> 36 with 12
mths in cask
Gran Reserva -> 60mths
with 24mths in cask
Rioja/Rioja DOCa
White
Viura,
Malvasia,
Garnacha
Blanca
Catalunya/Priorat
DOC
Red
Grenache
Carinena,
Cab Sauvignon,
others
Ribera del Duero DOC
Red
Tempranillo
Galicia/Rias Baixas DO
White
Albarino
Northern spain
Along the Ebro river
Sheltered by Cantabrian mountains
3 sub-regions:
1. Alavesa – 800m altitude+chalky
soils+Atlantic influences
2. Alta – 500-800m+limestone-based
clay+Atlantic influences
3. Baja – warmer continental
climate+heavy+lo rainfall
Viura main grape
Steeply terraced vineyards
Good sun exposure+warmth from
Llicorella soil (red slate+mica sparkling in
the sun)
Cooling effect of altitude especially at
night
Soil poor in nutrients but good water
retention
Continental climate mitigated by hi
altitude
Hi sunlight+Hi diurnal range perfect for
Tempranillo
Maritime climate -> humid conditions
Northwest of Spain
Tradi: long American
oak ageing  golden
colour, savoury
flavours
Now: low temp
fermentation, stainless
steel for maximum
fruit
Lo yields
Handwork
Ageing in new French
oak
Long maceration
Short ageing in new
oak barrels (growingly
French)
Pergola system to
protect grapes from
fungal diseases
Gentle handling and
temperature control
Douro
Napa/Napa valley
AVA
Red
Red
Touriga
Nacional,
Touriga Franca,
Tinta Roriz
Cabernet
Sauvignon/
Merlot
Warm maritime (west) to hot
continental (east)
Steep hillsides terraces at 200 to 850m
Schistose soil for good
drainage/retention+reflecting heat
during cool nights
California North Coast: btw Macamayas
and the Vaca mountains
Mediterranean climate
Hot and dry with cooling from fog from
mountains (Davis II + III)
Lo rainfall // Spring frosts: big issue
Irrigation needed (esp.
In north)
Long hang time of the
fruit + hi tech
winemaking
Use new French oak
***
Specific ageing reqs:
Joven -> none
Crianza -> 18mths
Reserva -> 18 with 6
mths in oak
Gran Reserva -> 48
mths with 12mths in
oak
Deep colour
Full bodied
HI tannins
Hi alcohol (min 13.5%)
Fresh black fruit+toasty oak
flavours
****
Also White and Rosé
Dark colour > Rioja
Powerful > Rioja
Anstrigent tannins > Rioja
Dar fruit and plum character
Dry
Delicate, fragrant, fruity
Med alcohol
Hi acidity
Drink now
****
Rosé as well
No whites
Ripe fruit
Lively acidity
Spicy + tannic
Finesse + structure
**
Extremely expressive Cab
Sauvignon
Opulent complex ripe
flavours
Powerful toasty
** to
****+
**
Tinta Roriz =
Tempranillo
Barca Velha – most
famous Portuguese red
from Douro
Napa/Rutherford AVA
+ Oakville AVA
Napa/Mount Veeder
AVA
Red
Red
Cabernet
Sauvignon
Cabernet
Sauvignon
California North Coast (Napa county)
Volcanic soil, relatively fertile but free
draining
Between the Macamayas and the Vaca
mountains
Hot and dry with cooling from fog from
mountains (Davis II)
Rutherford: gravelly clay soil
Spring frosts: big issue
California North Coast (Napa county)
No cooling effect from fog but 800m
Volcanic soils
Mediterranean climate
Long hang time of the
fruit + hi tech
winemaking
Med to hi alcohol
Soft tannins
Ripe dark cherry fruit
Powerful
*** to
****+
Both part of Napa
valley floor
Opus I -> Oakville AVA
Hi alcohol
Firm tannins
Spicy
Well structured
Ripe, dark fruit >
Oakville/Rutherford
*** to
****+
Ripe red fruit flavour (red
cherry, strawberry)
*** to
****+
Also Chardonnay
Oil stoves + wind
turbines vs. spring frost
Elegant
Ripe red fruit flavour (red
cherry, strawberry)
*** to
****+
Also Chardonnay
Long hang time of the
fruit + hi tech
winemaking
Soft textured
Full bodied
*** to
****+
Vigorous reds
** to
****+
Oil stoves + wind
turbines vs. spring frost
Use new French oak
Long hang time of the
fruit + hi tech
winemaking
Lo yields
Oil stoves + wind
turbines vs. spring frost
Napa/Los Carneros
AVA
Red
Pinot Noir
North Coast of California
Cooling effect from ocean (Davis I)
San Pablo bay’s fog in the morning
blocking part of the sun
Sonoma/Russian river
valley
Red
Pinot Noir
Sonoma/Alexander
Valley
Red
Cabernet
Sauvignon
North Coast of California
Cool conditions; often foggy
Sandy+gravelly
Along Russian River
North Coast of California
Proximity to oceanic fog+wind ingress
through coastal gaps
Significantly warmer
Fertile valley
Sonoma/Dry Creek
Valley
Red
Zinfandel
North Coast of California
Proximity to oceanic fog+wind ingress
through coastal gaps
Clayey, gravelly soils (stony hillsides)
Use new French oak
Oil stoves + wind
turbines vs. spring frost
Oil stoves + wind
turbines vs. spring frost
Use new French oak
Old vine Zinfandel
Oil stoves + wind
turbines vs. spring frost
Zinfandel = Primitivo
Also Sauvignon
US/Central
valley/Lodi
Red
Zinfandel /
Cabernet
Sauvignon
Chile/Aconcagua
region/Casablanca
sub region
White
Chardonnay /
Sauvignon Blanc
Chile/Central
Valley/Rapel/Colchag
ua zone + Cachapoal
zone
Red
Carmenere/Cab
Sauvignon/Syra
h
Arg/Mendoza/Uco
Valley
Red
Malbec/Cabern
et Sauvignon
Bonarda
Arg/Mendoza/Lujan
de Cuyo
Red
Malbec
Arg/Mendoza/Maipu
Red
Malbec/
Syrah/
Cabernet
sauvignon
SA/Coastal/Stellenbos
ch district
Red
Cabernet
Sauvignon
Shiraz
Central Valley of California
Cooler vs. rest of Central valley (Davis IIIIV) and similar to Napa thanks to cooling
breezes from San Francisco bay
North of Chile (north of Santiago)
Chile: warm Mediterranean climate
Cooling influences from Andes (east)
and Pacific Ocean (west). Morning mists
and afternoon winds from the ocean
Just South of Santiago
Chile: warm Mediterranean
Cachapoal: no ocean breezes -> warm
Colchagua: large and more varied,
influence of Rapel river
Arg: continental climate with cooling
effect from altitude + large diurnal range
Mendoza: True desert conditions
Altitude + snow-melt from Andes (west)
Altitude key to cool temp and to
increase diurnal range
Uco Valley: highest in Mendoza 1400m
Summer hail: regular hazard
Arg: continental climate with cooling
effect from altitude + large diurnal range
Mendoza: True desert conditions
Altitude + snow-melt from Andes (west)
Altitude key to cool temp and to
increase diurnal range
Lujan de cuyo: 1000m
Arg: continental climate with cooling
effect from altitude + large diurnal range
Mendoza: True desert conditions
Altitude + snow-melt from Andes (west)
Altitude key to cool temp and to
increase diurnal range
Maipu: 700m hi
Just inland from False bay and by
mountains
Good sufficient rainfall in winter and
Variety of soil, aspect and altitude ->
terroir
Best terroir: hillside wtih acid soils
Hi yields
Old vines
Full body
Hi alcohol
Concentrated red berries
Irrigation
** to
****+
Reputation for
Zinfandel
**
***
Also Pinot Noir
~San Antonio
neighbouring subregion
Irrigation
Full bodied reds
**
* to
****+
Drip+flood irrigation
Organic possible
thanks to dry
conditions
Hi acidity
Fresh
Can age
*to***
**
Mendoza: 70% of ARG
wine production
Bonarda:
Drip+flood irrigation
Organic possible
thanks to dry
conditions
Soft, round, sweet spice
from old Malbec vines
**
Mendoza: 70% of ARG
wine production
Drip+flood irrigation
Organic possible
thanks to dry
conditions
Elegant
Fresh floral aromas
*
Mendoza: 70% of ARG
wine production
Also Bonarda
Dark, plummy
*
to****
* to
***
Large wineries + bulk
wine
Bordeaux style blends
Cab+merlot
AUS/South-eastern
Australia
Red
Shiraz+Cabernet
AUS/South
Australia/Barossa
Valley
Red
Shiraz
AUS/South
Australia/Eden Valley
White
Riesling
AUS/South
Australia/Adelaide
Hills
White
Chardonnay
AUS/South
Australia/Clare valley
White
AUS/South
Australia/McLaren
Vale
Aus: predominantly mediterranean
Mainly from Murray-Darling and
Riverina
Dry and Hot
AUS: Mediterranean climate
Barossa: Hot dry climate
Ironstone+limestone soils
Irrigation from
Murrumbidgee River
Blends rather than co
fermentation
Old bush vines
American oak
AUS: Mediterranean climate
Eden valley: Moderate to warm climate
with varying altitude.
Cooler sites for Riesling
AUS: Mediterranean climate
Adelaide Hills: Moderate climate+400m
altitude+sandy loam with poor water
retention+dry summers
Unoaked
Riesling
AUS: Mediterranean climate
Clare: hot but cooled by afternoon
breezes + cool nights. Up to 500m high
Various soils including terra rossa
Unoaked
Red
Shiraz
AUS/Limestone
Coast/Coonawarra
Red
Cabernet
Sauvignon,
Shiraz
AUS/Yarra valley
Red
Pinot Noir
AUS/Hunter valley
Red
Shiraz
AUS: Mediterranean climate
McLaren Vale: Just south of Adelaide
Sea afternoon breezes tempering
climate
Part of South Australia/Limestone coast
Cold currents from the Antarctic -> cool
to moderate maritime climate
+Terra rossa soil
Victoria/Port Phillip zone
By Melbourne
Moderate maritime climate
Hi rainfall
Various soils
High cloud cover + ocen breezes reduce
heat in summer
Hi rainfall in growing season
Well draining soils
Irrigation often
necessary during
growing season
Canopy management
to prevent rot
Bulk wine
*
Full bodied
Soft earthy spicy
Dark ripe fruit
Can age -> leather, spice
caramel notes
Medium body
Slightly off dry
Hi acidity
Intense lime citrus
Complex elegant
Hi acidity
Distinct citrus + stone fruit
*
to****
Also Semilllon sweet
wines from long
autumn (Botrytised)
+ Cheap ChardonnaySémillon blends
**
Also reds from Shiraz
Also Chardonnay
** to
****
Also Pinot Noir and
sparkling
Also Sauvignon Blanc
Dry
Citrus+Lime
HI acidity
Can age -> petrol, honey,
toast
Dark fruit aromas
Soft ripe tannins
***
Also Shiraz
Cab: intense structured with
cassis+eucalyptus/mint
Can age
***
Rich in fruit (strawberries,
raspberries, plums and dark
cherries)
Ripe and soft tannins
Some oak flavours
Red fruit flavours
(raspberries and cherries)
Soft tannins
Earthy undertone
* to
****
Also Chardonnay
(melon fig and white
peach) + Sparkling
wines
***
Also dry Sémillon (lo
sugar/hi acidity)
AUS/Margaret River
Red
Cabernet
Sauvignon,
Merlot
Warm maritime climate ~Bordeaux
Hi rainfall but mainly winter
AUS/Margaret River
White
Chardonnay
Warm maritime climate ~Bordeaux
Hi rainfall but mainly winter
Barrel ageing and MLF
to add complexity
NZ/Marlborough
White
Sauvignon Blanc
NZ: cool to moderate maritime climate
1. Wairau: cool climate with hi diurnal
range
2. Awatere: drier, cooler and windier 
higher acidity wines with tomato
character
Hi tech hygiene,
temperature control,
anaerobic winemaking
and screwcaps
 purity of fruit
Elegant restrained to fruity
Powerful
Tannins slightly earthy
Structure and complexity
Concentrated stone fruit
aromas
Hi acidity
Intense aromas of capsicum,
gooseberry but also herbal
notes, passion fruit, tomato,
Hi fruit concentration
Hi acidity
Can age -> asparagus
Also Sauvignon Blanc
**
Also Chardonnay ***
and Pinot Noir ***
Risk of frost
NZ/Hawke’s Bay
Red
Cabernet
Sauvignon
Merlot
NZ/Central Otago
Red
Pinot Noir
NZ: cool to moderate maritime climate
Warmest area with longest sunshine
hours
Varied soils, aspect & altitudes
Moderate to cool continental due to
influence of Southern Alps foothills
Long periods of sunshine
Hot summers
Hi diurnal range in growing season
Most wines blended
Bordeaux type blends
***
Hi alcohol
Marlborough plantings:
¾ of Sauvignon BLc
***