Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 1

Grape variety
(6 points)

Answer 1

Black grape variety with thick skins that contain high levels of color, flavor and tannin:
Thick skin
High Acidity
High Tannin
High Flavor
Black fruit
Herbaceous

Question 2

Climate

2 points

Answer 2

Moderate to Warm

1. Does best in moderate and warm climates
2. Might struggle to ripen in moderate climates depending on the weather in that vintage

Question 3

Winemaking Options
(4 points)

Answer 3

1. Single varietal or blended
2. Simple or complex
3. Medium- to full-bodied
4. Oak maturation is common

Question 4

Very good or outstanding examples

3 points

Answer 4

Dried fruit
Earth
Forest floor

Question 5

Blending

2 points

Answer 5

Often blended with varieties with lower tannin and acidity levels such as Merlot:

1. to balance a wine’s acidity if it’s too low (raises acidity)
2. to add tannin to a wine for a particular style

Question 6

Main Characteristics of the Wine

3 points

Answer 6

1. Dry, high acidity, high tannin and medium or full in body
2. Pronounced flavours of black fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry) and, usually, herbal (mint) or herbaceous notes (green bell pepper/capsicum)
3. In warm climates, these fruit flavours can become ripe and sometimes cooked in character with little or no herbaceous notes

Question 7

Maturation and Blending

1. Oak
2. Single varietal/blended

Answer 7

1. Oak maturation in barrel allows small amounts of oxygen into the wine which helps to soften the tannins
2. Single varietal wines and blended with Merlot or local varieties, depending on where it is grown (Carmenere in Chile, Pinotage in South Africa (Cape Blend))

Question 8

Regionally Important Labelling Terms in Bordeaux:

1. Château
2. [Grand ] Cru Classé
3. Cru Bourgeois

Answer 8

Château - wine made from grapes grown on producer’s land, not bought-in grapes

[Grand ] Cru Classé - best wines from best Chateaux, can mature for many years/decades in bottle. Strong indicator of quality.

Cru Bourgeois - wines from the Medoc that have not been classified as Grand Cru Classe. Not as expensive but can be v.g. to outstanding with long ageing potential.

Question 9

Important Regions

Answer 9

1. France - Bordeaux - Left Bank, Medoc, Haut-Medoc, Margaux, Pauillac, Graves, Pessac-Leognan (all AOC); South of France
2. USA - California - Napa Valley (Calistoga, Oakville, Rutherford), Sonoma, Central Valley
3. Chile - Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley, Central Valley
4. South Africa - Stellenbosch
5. Australia - Margaret River, Coonawarra
6. New Zealand - Hawke’s Bay