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WSET Diploma D3 > Varieties of Bordeaux > Flashcards

Varieties of Bordeaux Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the principle grape varieties of Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Franc

Malbec

Petit Verdot

Sauvignon Blanc

Semillon

Muscadelle

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2
Q

What are the principal black grape varieties of Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Franc

Malbec

Petit Verdot

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3
Q

What are the principle white grape varieties of Bordeaux?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

Semillon

Muscadelle

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4
Q

Describe Merlot’s budding and ripening characteristics.

A

Early Budding

Mid Ripening

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5
Q

What is Merlot susceptible to? How do these affect yields?

A

Spring frosts due to early budding

Coulure, drought, and botrytis

All of these reduce yields

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6
Q

What is the advantage of using Merlot in Bordeaux?

A

It ripens before the early autumn rains arrive and also in cooler vintages compared to Cabernet Sauvignon

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7
Q

Where is Merlot the dominant grape?

A

The Right Bank and the Northern Medoc

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8
Q

What is the benefit of growing Merlot on clay soils in Bordeaux?

A

It can ripen fully on the cooler soils and the water-holding clay enable the vines to produce large berries typical of Merlot

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9
Q

What does Merlot contribute to Bordeaux wines?

A

Medium to Pronounced Intensity Fruit

Cool Years: Strawberry, Red Plum, Herbaceous

Warm Years: Cooked Blackberry, Black Plum

Medium Tannins

Medium to High Alcohol

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10
Q

Describe Cabernet Sauvignon’s budding and ripening characteristics.

A

Late Budding

Late Ripening

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11
Q

What is Cabernet Sauvignon susceptible to?

A

Fungal disease, esp. powdery mildew, Eutypa, and Esca

Early autumn rains

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12
Q

How does Cabernet Sauvignon’s budding affect its growth?

A

It gains some protection from spring frosts due to its late budding

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13
Q

Describe the berries of Cabernet Sauvignon.

A

Small and thick skinned with high tannins

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14
Q

Why does Cabernet Sauvignon need to grow on warm, well-drained soil? Where in Bordeaux is Cabernet Sauvignon best suited?

A

It is late ripening. In the cooler Bordeaux climate, the warm gravel beds of the Medoc encourage the grapes to ripen.

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15
Q

What does Cabernet Sauvignon contribute to Bordeaux wines?

A

Pronounced Intensity Violet, Blackcurrant, Black Cherry, Menthol/Herbaceous Flavors

High Acidity

High Tannins

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16
Q

Describe Petit Verdot’s budding and ripening characteristics.

A

Early Budding

Late Ripening (later than Cab. Sauv.)

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17
Q

How has Petit Verdot’s rudding and ripening characteristics affected its popularity in Bordeaux?

A

It was unpopular in the past due to its frost vulnerability, risk of not ripening, and potential for exposure to autumn rain.

Due to warmer weather it is more likely to ripen and has become increasingly valued.

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18
Q

Where does Petit Verdot grow best in Bordeaux?

A

The warmer parts of the Medoc

19
Q

How much Petit Verdot is typically found in Bordeaux wines?

A

Often less than 5%

20
Q

What does Petit Verdot contribute to Bordeaux wines?

A

Power

Deep Color

Spice Notes

High Tannins

21
Q

Is Semillon early, mid, or late ripening?

A

Mid ripening

22
Q

What is Semillon susceptible to?

A

Botrytis bunch rot (Noble Rot in the right conditions)

23
Q

What kind of yields does Semillon provide?

A

It can be high yielding

24
Q

Describe the character of Semillon wines.

A

Light Intensity Apple, Lemon, Grassy (Underripe)

Medium Body

Medium Alcohol

Medium to Medium (+) Acidity

25
Q

What does Semillon offer to high quality dry white Bordeaux blends?

A

Low to Medium Intensity Aromas

Low to Medium Weight and Body

Medium Acid

It softens Sauvignon Blanc’s intensity and has an affinity with Vanilla and Sweet Spice flavors from French oak

26
Q

What does Semillon offer to botrytized sweet Bordeaux wines?

A

Honey and Dried Peach/Lemon aromas

Waxy texture

27
Q

Why do some top Sauternes have a higher proportion of Semillon? Name two top quality producers who do this.

A

Semillon is more suscepitble to Botrytis than Sauvignon Blanc, the other grape that is a major component of Bordeaux Blanc (sweet and dry).

Chateau Climens and Chateau d’Yquem use a high proportion of Semillon in their Sauternes.

28
Q

Do Semillon wines age well?

A

Yes. They are prized for their ageability and the development of toast and honey over time.

29
Q

Where does Muscadelle need to be planted? Why?

A

On a well exposed site due to its vulnerability to botrytis

30
Q

What wines are Muscadelle often used in?

A

Sweet white wines

31
Q

What does Muscadelle offer to sweet white wines?

A

Flowery and Grapey notes

32
Q

What are the budding and ripening characteristics of Cabernet Franc?

A

Early Budding

Mid Ripening

33
Q

What is Cabernet Franc susceptible to?

A

Spring Frosts

Coulure

34
Q

What does Cabernet Franc provide to Bordeaux Blends?

A

Underripe: Herbacous, Leafy aromas

Ripe: Pronounced Redcurrant, Raspberry, Violet, Leafy aromas

Light to Medium Body

Medium Tannins

High Acidity

35
Q

What are the budding and ripening characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Late Budding

Early Ripening

36
Q

What are the benefits of growing Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?

A

It avoids spring frosts due to its late budding and can be picked before the autumn rains due to its early ripening

37
Q

What type of soils are best suited for Sauvignon Blanc? Why?

A

Sauvignon Blanc should be grown on poor soils due to its high vigor

38
Q

What is Sauvignon Blanc susceptible to?

A

Powdery mildew, botrytis, and trunk diseases (Eutypa, Esca)

39
Q

What does Sauvignon Blanc contribute to Bordeaux wines?

A

Cool years: Grass, Bell Pepper, Asparagus, Gooseberry, Grapefruit, Wet Stone

Warm Years: Ripe Citrus, Passionfruit

Medium Body

Medium Alcohol

High Acidity

40
Q

Doing what in the vineyard can have a significant affect on the aromatic profile of Sauvignon Blanc wines? Why?

A

Row orientation and canopy management.

Growing Sauvignon Blanc in shadier conditions results in more green pepper and grassy notes. Sunlight develops more tropical fruit aromas.

41
Q

What type of vineyard management is important when growing Malbec?

A

Canopy management due to the vine’s vigor.

42
Q

What is Malbec susceptible to?

A

Coulure

43
Q

What does Malbec offer to Bordeaux wines?

A

Deep ruby color

Medium to Pronounced Violet, Red and Black Plum

Medium to Medium (+) Acidity

Medium (+) to High Tannins

WSET Diploma D3 (12 decks)

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