Wine and Spirits Final

What defines a dessert wine?

Residual sugar level (grams per liter).

What is residual sugar?

Natural grape sugar remaining after fermentation

What are the 3 steps of Ice Wine production?

1. Grapes freeze on vine

2. Pressed while frozen

3. Must meet strict temperature/grape standards

Minimum temperature for Ice Wine harvest?

Below 18°F

What grape is most common in Eiswein (Ice Wine)?

Riesling

What is Botrytis (Noble Rot)?

Fungus that concentrates sugar/flavor in grapes

Ideal conditions for Botrytis?

Cool dewy nights, foggy mornings, warm afternoons

What is Tokaji Aszú?

Hungarian dessert wine made from botrytized grapes

Main grape of Tokaj?

Furmint

What is Sauternes AOC known for?

Only sweet wines (no dry wines)

Main grapes in Sauternes?

Sémillon & Sauvignon Blanc

Typical Sauternes flavors?

Honey, citrus peel, tropical fruit, vanilla

What is distillation?

Heating liquid to separate alcohol (lower boiling point), then condensing vapor

What ABV are most spirits diluted to before bottling?

40% ABV

What does oak aging add to spirits?

Color + flavors (vanilla, coconut, spice)

What defines Cognac?

Grape-based, double distilled in pot stills, aged in oak

Cognac aging levels?

VS (2 yrs), VSOP (4 yrs), XO (10 yrs)

What is vodka made from?

Grains or potatoes, distilled to 95–96% ABV

Bourbon requirements?

• ≥51% corn

• Aged in new charred American oak

What makes Tennessee whiskey different?

Maple charcoal filtration

Key whiskey regions?

Scotland, USA, Ireland, Canada, Japan

What is Scotch known for?

Often peated flavor

What is Irish whiskey known for?

Unmalted barley → nutty/oily texture

What are the two rum bases?

• Sugar cane juice (grassy)

• Molasses (caramel/brown sugar)

What are the 5 roles of ice in cocktails?

Chilling, dilution, texture, visual appeal, aeration

What is dilution?

Ice melting to balance strength

What are the “Basic Six” cocktails?

Manhattan, Martini, Jack Rose, Old Fashioned, Daiquiri, Sidecar

Base spirit of an Old Fashioned?

Bourbon

Manhattan ingredients?

Whiskey + sweet vermouth

Martini ingredients?

Gin/Vodka + dry vermouth

Main cocktail techniques?

Stir, shake, blend, build/layer

What is fat-washing?

Infusing spirits with fats for texture

Ideal temp for sparkling/dessert wine?

35–45°F

Ideal temp for red wine?

55–65°F depending on body

What happens if white wine is too cold?

Aromas muted

What happens if red wine is too warm?

Tastes “hot” (alcoholic)

Proper serving order?

Ladies → guests → host

What should you do before pouring wine?

Present label & confirm with guest

What is ABV?

Alcohol by volume

What is aeration?

Introducing air into wine or cocktails

What is a pot still?

Batch distillation → more flavor

What is a column still?

Continuous distillation → higher purity

What is Rhum Agricole?

Rum from fresh sugar cane juice

What is premiumization?

Focus on quality over quantity

Can Tennessee whiskey be made outside Tennessee?

No

Minimum % for Australian GI labeling?

85%

What does the Solera system do?

Blends different vintages for consistency

What is required to legally be Bourbon?

≥51% corn + new charred oak aging

Can bourbon only be made in Kentucky?

No, anywhere in the U.S.

What is Tequila made from?

Blue agave

Why can’t tequila be made in Texas?

Must be produced in Mexico