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WSET Level 3 > Chapter 12-Introduction to France > Flashcards

Chapter 12-Introduction to France Flashcards

1
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Moderate Maritime Climate

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2
Q

What warming influence impacts Bordeaux?

A

The Gulf Stream

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3
Q

What impact does the Atlantic Ocean have on Bordeaux?

A

Rainfall and humidity

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4
Q

What protects Bordeaux vineyards from the worst of the Atlantic storms?

A

Landes Forest and coastal sand dunes to the west of the region

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5
Q

What are the 4 dominating black varieties of Bordeaux?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Petit Verdot

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6
Q

What is top quality Bordeaux aged in?

A

Small oak barriques of 225 litres

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7
Q

What is the most important variety for sweet wine in Bordeaux?

A

Sémillon

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8
Q

What is the style of Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?

A

Wines with citrus and green fruit aromas

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9
Q

What are the characteristics of the Muscadelle grape?

A

Grapey, floral character, plays a supporting role in sweet and dry wine production

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10
Q

What are the generic appellations for Bordeaux?

A

Boudreaux and Bordeaux Superieur?

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11
Q

What is the difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur?

A

Bordeaux Supérieur requires a higher level of alcohol in the final wine

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12
Q

What are the characteristics of a red Bordeaux/ Bordeaux Supérieur?

A

Medium bodied wine with ripe red and black fruit, some cedar notes from oak

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13
Q

What are the soils of the Medoc?

A

Predominantly clay, but outcrops of Gravel

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14
Q

What typifies the wines of the Bas-Medoc vs those in the south?

A

Higher proportion of merlot, more early drinking

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15
Q

Name the 4 smaller appellations (communes) in the Haut Medoc from North to South

A

Saint Estèphe
Pauillac
Saint-Julian
Margaux

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16
Q

What characterises the communes within the Haut-Medoc area?

A

High percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Core of blackcurrant fruit, cedar notes from oak. Grippy tannins when young, long ageing potential.

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17
Q

What is the most highly rated area of the Graves?

A

Pessac Leognan

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18
Q

What are the soils of the Pessac Lèognan?

A

Gravelley, suited to cab sav

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19
Q

What is the difference between finest wines of the Haut Medoc and Pessac Lèognan wines?

A

Pessac Lèognan lighter in body and more fragrant

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20
Q

what wines are made in the Graves?

A

Less concentrated and complex, higher proportion of merlot

21
Q

What grape are Right Bank Bordeaux blends dominated by?

A

Merlot

Cabernet Franc to a lesser extent

22
Q

What are the two principal appellations of Right Bank Bordeaux?

A

Saint Émillion

Pomerol

23
Q

Within Saint Emillion there are three distinct groups of vineyards on differing soils. What characterises the vineyards on a plateau to the north and west of the Saint emillion town?

A

Warm, well drained gravel and limestone soils encourage Cabernet Franc and sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon

24
Q

Within Saint Emillion there are three distinct groups of vineyards on differing soils. What characterises the vineyards on the escarpment to the south east?

A

Medium to high tannins but compared with more structured wines of left bank, softer mouthfeel, complex red berry and plum aromas. Develop tobacco and cedar notes as they evolve.

25
Q

Within Saint Emillion there are three distinct groups of vineyards on differing soils. What characterises the sandy soils at the foot of the escarpment?

A

Lighter bodied, less prestigious

26
Q

What characterises pomerol wines?

A

Richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character

27
Q

What characterises the wines from the Cotes de Bordeaux?

A

Merlot based

Early drinking

28
Q

What appellations are able to put their names in front of cote de Bordeaux?

A

Blaye
Cadillac
Castillon
Francs

29
Q

What is the name of the appellation located between the Rivers Garonne and Dordogne?

A

Entre- Deux Mers

30
Q

What is produced in Entre Deux-Mers?

A

White wines

31
Q

What characterises the white wines of Graves and Pessac Léognan?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

Unoaked style

32
Q

What is Pessac Lèognan the home of?

A

Dry whites. Premium blends of Sauvignon Blanc and semillon. Matured/fernented partly in new oak. Med-full body, toasty oak flavours

33
Q

Where are the top sweet Bordeaux appellations located?

A

On the banks of the Garonne and its tributary the Ciron

34
Q

Why are the rivers of the Garonne/Ciron the top sweet wine appellations of Bordeaux?

A

Rivers create ideal misty autumn conditions for noble rot to develop on fully ripened grapes

35
Q

What is needed in years where there is little noble rot?

A

Passerillage

36
Q

Where do the best sweet wines of Bordeaux come from?

A

Sauternes, lies on the West Bank of the Garonne

37
Q

What does AOC mean?

A

Appellation d’origine contrôlée.

38
Q

What does Vin de Pays mean?

A

French for protected geographical indication

39
Q

What is IGP?

A

French for IGP

40
Q

What does the labelling term Vin de France mean?

A

Wines without a GI are termed Vin de France

41
Q

What are cru classés?

A

Bordeaux 1855 classification listing best red wines of the Medoc and white wines of Sauternes

42
Q

What is does the classification cru bourgeois mean?

A

Later introduced for other chateaux after 1855 classification. Cru Bourgeois only awarded to wines Ina specific vintage rather than chateau itself

43
Q

What prestigious village lies within Sauternes?

A

Barsac

44
Q

What wines dominate in Sauternes and Barsac and why?

A

Semillion because of thick skin and susceptibility to botrysis

45
Q

What grapes are used in Sauternes and Barsac wines?

A

Sémillion
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle

46
Q

What does Sauvignon Blanc add to a Sauternes?

A

Refreshing acidity and fruity aromas

47
Q

What does Muscadelle add to Sauternes?

A

Exotic perfume

48
Q

What do the best wines of Sauternes demonstrate?

A 
High alcohol 
Sweet 
Balanced by high acidity
Apricot and citrus peek of noble rot 
Toast and vanilla from oak fermentation/maturation

WSET Level 3 (4 decks)

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