Practice Exam Questions Flashcards
What are the major varieties of Entre-Deux-Mers
Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
T/F: Garonne and Dordogne rivers connect at the Gironde estuary and flow out to the Atlantic Ocean
True
Explain the differences in soils in the Medoc and St. Emilion. How does this affect the varieties grown in each?
In the Medoc, the soils are gravel croupes (mounds of gravel) unearthed when the Dutch drained the Medoc. The gravel retains daily heat and drains well which is good for Cabernet Sauvignon.
In St. Emilion the soils are clay based, which retains more water and are cooler in temperature. This is great soil for Merlot as it tends to be a vigorous vine and the soils temper it’s growth
What regional appellation in Bordeaux is for dry red wines and OFF-DRY white wines?
Bordeaux Superior AOP
What are the six commune appellations of the Haut-Medoc?
St. Estephe, St. Julien, Margaux, Paulliac, Listrac, Moulis
What are the five first growths of Bordeaux
Latour
Lafite-Rothschild
Moutin Rothschild
Margaux
Haut-Brion
Explain the St. Emilion Classification System
Created in 1955, the St. Emilion classification system was meant to be revised every decade and catagorized Chateau into Grand Cru Classe A, Grand Cru Classe B, and Grand Cru Classe. This is different than St. Emilion Grand Cru, which is awarded to Chateau after submitting their wines to a tasting panel and meeting requirements such as a minimum of 12.5 abv. Any Chateau can apply for Grand Cru status(and many have the designation of), but very few are awarded Grand Cru Classe
Name four sweet wine appellations of Bordeaux
Sauternes, Barsac, Cadillac, St. Croix du Mont
Put these villages in order from North to South: Pommard, Morey-St-Denis, Beaune, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey-Chambertin
Morey-St-Denis
Nuits-Saint-Georges
Beaune
Pommard
What is the major river of Burgundy
Saone
What are the soils of the Cote-de-Nuits
Marl, clay, limestone
What is the Napoleonic Code
Created in 1804, it required that all male heirs received equal shares of inheritance. This fractured the vineyards in Burgundy and is why they are so fragmented to this day
Explain the grapes and process of making Cremant de Bourgogne
Traditional method sparkling wine where the 2nd fermentation takes place inside the bottle
9 months on the lees
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Name the Grand Crus of Puligny-Montrachet
Le Montrachet
Chevalier-Montrachet
Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet
What are the dosage levels for Champagne from driest to sweetest
Brut Nature (0-3g)
Extra Brut (0-6g)
Brut (0-12g)
Extra Dry (12-17g)
Sec (17-32g)
Demi-Sec (32-50g)
Doux (50+g)
What grapes are used to make Champagne
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Meunier
What are the five districts of Champagne? What varieties are more prominently grown in each
Montagne de Reims (PN)
Valee de la Marne (PM)
Cotes de Blancs (CH)
Cotes Sezanne (CH)
Cotes de Bar (PN)
Explain the steps of Methode Champenoise (11)
Initial vinification
blending
bottling
addition of liqueur di tirage
secondary fermentation
lees aging
riddling
Disgorgement
liqueur di expedition
corking
resting
What is the main soil type in Champagne
Chalk
What is remuage
Riddling
Explain the Echelle des Crus
introduced in 1920 (since ceased)
ranked different villages into quality levels from 80-100
helped stabilize market prices for grapes
percentage was equal to amount of money CIVC set for the price of grapes
if a village is ranked 90%, and the cost of grapes was $100 a kilo, then all the producers in that village would receive $90 per kilo
Basic; 80-89%
Premier Cru; 90-99%
Grand Cru: 100%
What is the Club Tresors? Name three producers
28 Artisan Wine makers in Champagne
Paul Bara
Salmon
Forget-Chemin
Explain the differences in wine styles from the right and left banks of Chablis. Why?
Left Bank: cooler morning sunlight and afternoon shade. less ripeness, more austere,higher in acid.
Right Bank: warmer afternoon sunlight , higher levels of ripeness, more fruit, higher alcohol
What are the noble varieties of Alsace
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat