Bordeaux Grapes

Question 1

What are the three main white grapes used in Bordeaux production?

Answer 1

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle

Question 2

Name the four varieties traditionally used in red Bordeaux blends

Answer 2

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Question 3

Is Cabernet Sauvignon known for expression of red fruit or black fruit flavours?

Answer 3

Black fruit

Question 4

Which widely planted white grape variety, used in dry white blends or sweet wines, has thin skins making it susceptible to noble rot?

Answer 4

Sémillon

Question 5

Which grape variety is Sémillon blended with to add acidic structure and distinctive grass and elderflower characteristics?

Answer 5

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 6

Is Cabernet Sauvignon a thick or thin skinned grape?

Answer 6

Thick

Question 7

Colombard is one of the lesser-known grapes accepted under the Bordeaux AC, but does it make red or white wine?

Answer 7

White wine

Question 8

Is the lesser-known grape Muscadelle usually added to sweet or dry white wines?

Answer 8

Sweet white wines

Question 9

Which grape variety adds a deeper color, tannins and a characteristic blackcurrant aroma, to a blend with Merlot?

Answer 9

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 10

Is Malbec permitted in Bordeaux AC blends?

Answer 10

Yes, it is one of the certified grapes for Bordeaux AC red wine blends

Question 11

Is Cabernet Franc primarily used in blends on the Left or Right Bank?

Answer 11

Right Bank

Question 12

What effect on the water and sugar content does Botrytis cinerea have on berries?

Answer 12

It reduces water content and concentrates sugars

Question 13

This is a certified grape for Bordeaux AC red wines, but in reality, it’s far more popular in Chilean winemaking. What is it?

Answer 13

Carménère

Question 14

This grape makes white Bordeaux wines, it has high acidity and a herbaceous character. What is it?

Answer 14

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 15

Wines made in Barsac are entitled to have either one of two appellations on their labels, what are they?

Answer 15

Barsac or Sauternes

Question 16

What do the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot have in common?

Answer 16

They are typically used in red Bordeaux blends

Question 17

What is the English translation of the wine region Entre-Deux-Mers?

Answer 17

Between two seas

Question 18

Which First Growth château is located in Graves?

Answer 18

Château Haut-Brion

Question 19

The communes of Bommes and Fargues are found in which appellation?

Answer 19

Sauternes

Question 20

Carménère is a certified grape for Bordeaux AC red wines, but in reality it’s far more popular for winemaking in which country?

Answer 20

Chile

Question 21

Sweet wines from Sauternes must adhere to regulations stipulating minimum levels of what alcohol percentage?

Answer 21

13%

Question 22

Is Merlot an early or late ripening grape?

Answer 22

Early

Question 23

Which grape variety dominates in Haut-Médoc?

Answer 23

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 24

A ‘green’ or herbaceous character is commonly associated with unripe grapes of which variety of red wine?

Answer 24

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 25

A Bordeaux red wine is dominated by Merlot, is it more likely to be from the Left or Right Bank?

Answer 25

Right Bank

Question 26

Are you more likely to find Petit Verdot in Left Bank or Right Bank red wine blends?

Answer 26

Left Bank

Question 27

Damp misty mornings followed by warm afternoons are ideal conditions for which type of rot?

Answer 27

Noble rot

Question 28

A tendency towards flabbiness in the mouth with weak flavors and aromas is the potential flaw of single varietal white wines made with which grape?

Answer 28

Sémillon

Question 29

Is Ugni Blanc one of the classified grapes in Bordeaux?

Answer 29

Yes, it is one of the classified grapes for Bordeaux AC white wines, which in reality is rarely used

Question 30

Give another name for Malbec?

Answer 30

Cot or Côt

Question 31

In which Bordeaux wine region is the maximum yield restricted to 25hl/ha (1.4 tons/acre)

Answer 31

Sauternes

Question 32

Pavillon Rouge is a second wine of which château?

Answer 32

Château Margaux

Question 33

What is Cot, or Côt another name for?

Answer 33

Malbec

Question 34

What are the main red grapes in Bordeaux?

Answer 34

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère

Question 35

What are the main white grapes in Bordeaux?

Answer 35

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle

Question 36

What's a typical left bank Bordeaux blend made of in order of proportion?

Answer 36

``` Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec Petit Verdot ```

Question 37

What's a typical right bank Bordeaux blend made of in order of proportion?

Answer 37

Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon