Grapes - White

Question 1

What is the most widely planted white grape in Bordeaux?

Answer 1

Sémillon (48%)

Question 2

What is the second most widely planted white grape in Bordeaux?

Answer 2

Sauvignon Blanc (44%)

Question 3

What is the third most widely planted white grape in Bordeaux?

Answer 3

Muscadelle (6%)

Question 4

Sémillon is thin skinned. True or false?

Answer 4

True

Thin skin, susceptible to botrytis

Question 5

Is Sémillon early or late ripening?

Answer 5

Late

Still hanging on vine when autumn mists hit

Question 6

How would you describe Sémillon’s alcohol level?

Answer 6

High

Question 7

Sémillon acidity - high, low or in between?

Answer 7

Moderate to low acidity

Question 8

Sémillon is native to where?

Answer 8

Sauternes

Question 9

Describe Sémillon’s texture as a wine (2)

Answer 9

Waxy

Lanolin

Question 10

Give descriptors (8) for Sémillon as a dessert wine

Answer 10

Tropical fruit
Saffron
Honey
Apricot
Quince
Citrus
Nectarine
Caramel

Question 11

Give descriptors (5) for dry Semillon

Answer 11

Lemon
Citrus
Pear
Fig
Mineral

Question 12

With age, Sémillon takes on which two descriptors?

Answer 12

Smoke

Toast

Question 13

Which ripens earlier - Sauvignon Blanc or Sémillon?

Answer 13

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 14

Which buds earlier - Sauvignon Blanc or Sémillon?

Answer 14

Semillon

Question 15

Which two diseases (etc) is Sauvignon Blanc prone to?

Answer 15

Black rot

Powdery mildew

Question 16

If Sauvignon Blanc is grown in dense vine canopy with shaded clusters, which two descriptors in the wine?

Answer 16

Jalapeno

Bell pepper

Question 17

When Sauvignon Blanc is exposed to more sunlight, which (4) descriptors are you likely to find?

Answer 17

Melon
Pear
Kiwi
Grapefruit

Question 18

3 points of difference for Sauvignon Gris (Vs Sauvignon Blanc)

Answer 18

Pink skin
More perfumed
Fuller bodied

Question 19

Before Sauvignon Blanc took over in the 1980s, what was the second most planted white grape in Bordeaux?

Answer 19

Ugni Blanc

Question 20

What does botrytis do?

Answer 20

Penetrates grape skin
Dessicates the berry
Concentrates sugars and flavours

Question 21

Where is most Muscadelle grown?

Answer 21

Entre Deux Mers’ sweet regions

Question 22

Muscadelle is prone to which two vineyard maladies?

Answer 22

Powdery mildew

Rot

Question 23

Muscadelle descriptors (4)

Answer 23

Exuberant grapiness
Musky
Floral
Bubble gum

Question 24

Harvest order for 3 key white grapes

Answer 24

Some Boys Seek Money

Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon - Muscadelle

Question 25

Colombard parentage

Answer 25

Chenin Blanc X Gouais Blanc

Question 26

Most Colombard found where (2)

Answer 26

Bourg and Blaye

ColomBard

Question 27

5 auxiliary white grapes

Answer 27

Colombard
Mauzac Blanc
Merlot Blanc
Ondenc
Ugni Blanc

Question 28

Merlot Blanc parentage

Answer 28

Merlot X Folle Blanche

Question 29

Is Merlot Blanc a colour mutation of Merlot?

Answer 29

No

Merlot X Folle Blanche

Question 30

Give 2 descriptors for Ondenc

Answer 30

Honey

Apple

Question 31

Ugni Blanc - high or low yields?

Answer 31

Consistently high - 150hl/ha

Still ripens and achieves good acid levels

Question 32

Where is most Ugni Blanc planted?

Answer 32

Entre Deux Mers

Question 33

Folle Blanche is only permitted in which AOC?

Answer 33

Cotes de Blaye

Question 34

Chenin Blanc only allowed in which AOC?

Answer 34

Cotes de Blaye

Question 35

Chenin Blanc descriptors

Answer 35

Peach
Quince
Apricot
Apple
Pear
Clotted cream
Creme fraiche
Buttermilk
Honey