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WSET level 3 2020 > Bourdeaux - Red Wines > Flashcards

Bourdeaux - Red Wines Flashcards

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1
Q

What type of climate is Bordeaux?

A

Moderate maritime.

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2
Q

What contributes to the warming of Bordeaux?

A

the Gulf Stream - warming ocean current

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3
Q

What negative impacts does Bordeaux’s proximity to the Atlantic bring?

A

High levels of rainfall and humidity

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4
Q

What protects Bordeaux from the worst of Atlantic storms?

A

Landes Forest and sand dunes.

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5
Q

Potential negative impacts of rainfall Bordeaux?

A

Disrupts flowering and fruit set

Diluted fruit at harvest

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6
Q

What has brought consistency and healthier grapes to the region?

A

Canopy management. Specifically, trellising and Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)

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7
Q

What does VSP aid with in Bordeaux?

A

Sunlight and ripening
(No need to worry about sunburn)
Air circulation and limiting fungal disease = less need to spray chemicals and if needed, more effective spraying
Mechanical harvesting

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8
Q

What does Botrytis Cinerea (grey rot) lead to in black grapes? (Negative)

A

Colour loss,

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9
Q

What are the two main types of mildew and what are they treated with?

A

Powdery Mildew - sulphur-based spray

Downy Mildew - Bordeaux mixture (copper-based)

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10
Q

Where is Cabernet Sauvignon focused?

A

Haut-Medoc
Graves (pessac-Leognan)
and to a lesser extent, Bas-Medoc

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11
Q

What type of soil does Cab Sauv need to reliably ripen?

A

Gravel

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12
Q

Where is Cabernet Franc most important? Where else is it relevant?

A

Saint Emilion and Pomerol

Relevant in Medoc and Graves

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13
Q

What character does Cabernet Franc have when unripe?

A

Herbaceous and stalky

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14
Q

How does Cab Franc compare to Cab Sauv in terms of body and tannin?

A

Lower body and tannin

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15
Q

What type of soils does Cabernet Franc thrive in?

A

Well-drained, warm soil

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16
Q

What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

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17
Q

Where is Merlot particularly important?

A

Saint-Emilion and Pomerol (Right Bank)

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18
Q

What are the characteristics of “international style” Merlot? (colour, flavour, tannin, maturation)

A

Intense purple colour, concentrated blackberry and plum, soft velvet tannin. Often aged in new, toasty oak

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19
Q

What is the second style in which Merlot is made?

A

grapes are harvested earlier. medium body and alcohol, higher acid, fresh red fruit character with some vegetal, leafy aromas.

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20
Q

What does Merlot add to Bordeaux blends?

A

Smooth texture and juicy plum

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21
Q

What is avoided during fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Extractive cap management and high temperature (particularly towards the end of fermentation)

22
Q

Would you employ post-fermentation maceration with Cab Sauv? Why?

A

Yes

To encourage gentle extraction of tannin and to soften existing tannins

23
Q

Would you use post-fermentation maceration with Merlot? Why?

A

Yes

Extract colour and flavour

24
Q

Which grape buds and ripens earlier, Cab Sauv or Merlot?

A

Merlot

25
Q

Generally Haut-Medoc Cabernet exhibits what aromas and tannins when young?

A

Cedar and blackcurrant leaf

Grippy tannins

26
Q

Name the fourth, more minor black grape of Bordeaux

A

Petite Verdot

27
Q

Petite Verdot only ripens in some vintages, which ones?

A

Hot ones

28
Q

What does Petite Verdot add to a blend?

A

Tannin, colour and spicy notes

29
Q

How does the appellation ‘Bordeaux Superieur’ compare to generic Bordeaux?

A

Stricter rules and higher ABV

30
Q

Early drinking, medium bodied red with hints of cedar describes which appellation?

A

Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur

31
Q

What is Clairet?

A

Longer maceration rose

32
Q

What soils are most common in Bas-Medoc? What grape is most common?

A

Clay with gravel outcrops

Merlot

33
Q

Main smaller appellations/communes within the Haut Medoc?

A

St. Estephe
Paulliac
St. Julien
Margaux

34
Q

Blackcurrant fruit complemented by cedar notes from oak with long-ageing potential describes wine from…

A

Haut-Medoc and communes

35
Q

What is the most highly rated area in Graves?

A

Pessac-Leognan

36
Q

What is the main black grape in Pessac-Leognan?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

37
Q

How do wines from Pessac-Leognan compare with those of Haut-Medoc?

A

Lighter, more fragrant

38
Q

Wines from Graves (outside Pessac-Leognan) are heavier in what?

A

Merlot (and are less concentrated and complex than wines from Pessac-Leognan)

39
Q

What is the main soil type in Pessac-Legonan?

A

Gravel

40
Q

What are the four appellations that have agreed to share the name, ‘Cotes de Bordeaux’?

A

Francs
Cadillac
Blaye
Castillon

41
Q

What style of wine is made in Cote de Bordeaux appellations?

A

Early-drinking
Excellent value
Merlot-based

42
Q

How often does reclassification happen in Saint Emilion?

A

At least every 10 years

43
Q

What are the four chateaux classifications in Saint Emilion?

A

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru classe
Saint-Emilion Premier Gand Cru classe B
Saint-Emilion Premier Gand Cru classe A

44
Q

3 grapes of the Right Bank in order of prevalence?

A

Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon

45
Q

Break Saint-Emilion into it’s three parts.

A

Plateau
S S-E facing escarpment
Base of Escarpment

46
Q

What grapes are grown on the Saint-Emilion plateau? How?

A

Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Gravel and limestone soils

47
Q

Describe best wines from Saint-Emilion (tannin, flavour). How do these compare to Left Bank reds?

A

Medium-High tannins
Complex red berry and Plum
Evolving to Tobacco and Cedar
Wines are Soft with a rich mouthfeel in comparison to Left Bank

48
Q

How do wines from Pomerol compare to those of Saint-Emilion

A

Similar in quality and price

Richer and with spicier blackberry notes

49
Q

What year was the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce approached to create a list of best Medoc reds and Sauternes whites?

A

1855

50
Q

What are cru classe wines?

A

Wines from a Chateaux that was selected in 1855 as one of the best. Geographical boundaries can shift and quality is not tested

51
Q

What is the classification ‘cru bourgeois’ awarded to?

A

Individual wines from a specific vintage (wines must be submitted each year)

52
Q

Where are all the cru classe chateaux in Graves?

A

Pessac-Leognan

WSET level 3 2020 (41 decks)

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