Chenin Blanc, Semillon and Furmint

Question 1

In what climates does Chenin Blanc grow?

Answer 1

Cool
Moderate
Warm

Question 2

What flavours will you typically get from Chenin Blanc when it is the
-least ripe?
-most ripe?

Answer 2

green fruit (apple) and citrus (lemon)
stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (pineapple, mango)

Question 3

True or false: Chenin Blanc is susceptible to botrytis.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What characteristic of Chenin Blanc makes it well suited to later harvesting?

Answer 4

Its high natural acidity

Question 5

Is Chenin Blanc of very good or outstanding quality suitable for bottle aging? Why?

Answer 5

Yes, thanks to its high acidity

Question 6

What is the name of the classic region in France for Chenin Blanc where it is the only permitted variety?

Answer 6

Vouvray AOC

Question 7

Will a wine labelled Vouvray typically have oak flavours?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

True or false: Vouvray is produced in a range of sweetness levels (from dry to off-dry to medium to fully sweet)?

Answer 8

True

Question 9

True or false: Vouvray can only be made into still wines.

Answer 9

False, sparkling wines are also produced.

Question 10

Which South African region are inexpensive, high-volume brand Chenin Blanc wines often labelled under?

Answer 10

Western Cape

Question 11

If an inexpensive Western Cape Chenin Blanc has flavours of vanilla, how has the winemakers achieved these flavours?

Answer 11

Oak chips

Question 12

How are higher quality South African wines produced?

Answer 12

Lower yields = smaller quantities of concentrated fruit

Question 13

What grape variety is sometimes blended with Chenin Blanc in inexpensive, high-volume Chenin Blanc in South Africa?

Answer 13

Chardonnay

Question 14

What grape variety is sometimes blended with Chenin Blanc in South Africa to produce a floral style?

Answer 14

Viognier

Question 15

What aromas and flavours are commonly found in south African Chenin Blanc?

Answer 15

Tropical flavours (pineapple, mango)
Vanilla, smoke (oak)

Question 16

In what type of climates does Semillon primarily grow?

Answer 16

Moderate and warm climate

Question 17

What flavours can you expect in a youthful Semillion?

Answer 17

Apple, lemon, grass

Question 18

True or false: Semillon is particularly susceptible to botrytis.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

True or false: the acidity level and body of Semillon wines depends on the ripeness of the grapes.

Answer 19

True. Semillon wines can range from medium to high acidity depending on the level of ripeness, and they can range from light to full body.

Question 20

What tertiary flavours can you expect from a very good to outstanding quality Semillon which has been bottle matured?

Answer 20

Dried fruit, nuts, honey

Question 21

What is the most important wine region in France for Semillon?

Answer 21

Bordeaux (and the smaller appellations that exist within its borders)

Question 22

What variety is often blended with Semillon in Bordeaux to make both dry and sweet wines?

Answer 22

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 23

Are very good to outstanding white wines in Bordeaux commonly matured in oak?

Answer 23

Yes, and they can develop in bottle for many years too.

Question 24

What is the name of the small AOC within Bordeaux which exclusively produces sweet wines?

Answer 24

Sauternes AOC

Question 25

What causes the wines of Sauternes AOC to be sweet?

Answer 25

Botrytis/noble rot

Question 26

What grape varieties are used in Sauternes?

Answer 26

Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc

Question 27

Describe a typical wine from Sauternes (sweetness, acidity, body, alcohol, flavours, quality).

Answer 27

Sweet
High acidity
Medium to high alcohol
Full bodied
Pronounced flavours of stone fruit (apricot) and oak maturation (vanilla, smoke)
Very good to outstanding
Can mature for many years in bottle (dried fruit, honey, caramel)

Question 28

Which 2 Australian wine regions are well known for producing single variety Semillon wines?

Answer 28

Hunter Valley
Barossa Valley

Question 29

Describe the distinct style of Hunter Valley Semillon wines (sweetness, acidity, body, alcohol, flavours).

Answer 29

Dry
High acidity
Light body
Low alcohol
Neutral flavours in youth (lemon, grass, apple)
Complex tertiary flavours develop in bottle (honey, nuts)

Question 30

True or false: Barossa Valley Semillon wines are always made in a style similar to those of the Hunter.

Answer 30

False. They can sometimes be fuller bodied and oak matured.

Question 31

Name the white grape variety which is mostly grown in the region of Tokaji in Hungary.

Answer 31

Furmint

Question 32

Why is Furmint so well suited to producing sweet wines? (2)

Answer 32

It’s susceptible to botrytis
It has very high natural acidity

Question 33

What labelling term will indicate that a Tokaji wine is sweet/was made with botrytis affected grapes?

Answer 33

Tokaji Aszú

Question 34

True or false: wines made with Furmint are always sweet.

Answer 34

False. Furmint can also be made in dry or medium styles (however the sweet wines are the most famous)

Question 35

True or false: Tokaji Aszú wines are always sweet.

Answer 35

True. if the label says “Tokaji Aszú”, the wine is always made with botrytis affected Furmint (and othe rlocal varieties) and is always sweet)

Question 36

What labelling term on a Tokaji Aszú will indicate the expected amount of residual sugar/sweetness?

Answer 36

Puttonyos
(5 Puttonyos or 6 Puttonyos, with 6 being sweeter than 5)

Question 37

What is the typical colour of a Tokaji Aszú wine? Why?

Answer 37

Amber
They traditionally spend a significant amount of time ageing in oak.

Question 38

Describe a typical Tokaji Aszú wine (sweetness, acidity, body, flavours, quality).

Answer 38

Sweet
High acidity
Full body
Pronounced flavours of fresh and dried stone fruits, citrus, oak-derived flavours (vanilla, smoke) and tertiary aromas (dried fruit, caramel, nuts)
Very good to outstanding quality