Varieties of Bordeaux

Question 1

What are the principle grape varieties of Bordeaux?

Answer 1

Merlot

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Franc

Malbec

Petit Verdot

Sauvignon Blanc

Semillon

Muscadelle

Question 2

What are the principal black grape varieties of Bordeaux?

Answer 2

Merlot

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Franc

Malbec

Petit Verdot

Question 3

What are the principle white grape varieties of Bordeaux?

Answer 3

Sauvignon Blanc

Semillon

Muscadelle

Question 4

Describe Merlot’s budding and ripening characteristics.

Answer 4

Early Budding

Mid Ripening

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Spring frosts due to early budding

Coulure, drought, and botrytis

All of these reduce yields

Question 6

What is the advantage of using Merlot in Bordeaux?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Where is Merlot the dominant grape?

Answer 7

The Right Bank and the Northern Medoc

Question 8

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

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What does Merlot contribute to Bordeaux wines?

Answer 9

Medium to Pronounced Intensity Fruit

Cool Years: Strawberry, Red Plum, Herbaceous

Warm Years: Cooked Blackberry, Black Plum

Medium Tannins

Medium to High Alcohol

Question 10

Describe Cabernet Sauvignon’s budding and ripening characteristics.

Answer 10

Late Budding

Late Ripening

Question 11

What is Cabernet Sauvignon susceptible to?

Answer 11

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

Early autumn rains

Question 12

How does Cabernet Sauvignon’s budding affect its growth?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Describe the berries of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Answer 13

Small and thick skinned with high tannins

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What does Cabernet Sauvignon contribute to Bordeaux wines?

Answer 15

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

High Acidity

High Tannins

Question 16

Describe Petit Verdot’s budding and ripening characteristics.

Answer 16

Early Budding

Late Ripening (later than Cab. Sauv.)

Question 17

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

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Where does Petit Verdot grow best in Bordeaux?

Answer 18

The warmer parts of the Medoc

Question 19

How much Petit Verdot is typically found in Bordeaux wines?

Answer 19

Often less than 5%

Question 20

What does Petit Verdot contribute to Bordeaux wines?

Answer 20

Power

Deep Color

Spice Notes

High Tannins

Question 21

Is Semillon early, mid, or late ripening?

Answer 21

Mid ripening

Question 22

What is Semillon susceptible to?

Answer 22

Botrytis bunch rot
Noble Rot in the right conditions

Question 23

What kind of yields does Semillon provide?

Answer 23

It can be high yielding

Question 24

Describe the character of Semillon wines.

Answer 24

Light Intensity Apple, Lemon, Grassy (Underripe)

Medium to Medium (+) Acidity

Medium Alcohol

Medium Body

Question 25

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

Answer 25

It softens Sauvignon Blanc's intensity and has an affinity with Vanilla and Sweet Spice flavors from French oak Low to Medium Intensity Aromas Medium Acid Low to Medium Weight and Body

Question 26

What does Semillon offer to botrytized sweet Bordeaux wines?

Answer 26

Honey and Dried Peach/Lemon aromas Waxy texture

Question 27

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

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Do Semillon wines age well?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Where does Muscadelle need to be planted? Why?

Answer 29

On a well exposed site due to its vulnerability to botrytis

Question 30

What wines are Muscadelle often used in?

Answer 30

Sweet white wines

Question 31

What does Muscadelle offer to sweet white wines?

Answer 31

Flowery and Grapey notes

Question 32

What are the budding and ripening characteristics of Cabernet Franc?

Answer 32

Early Budding Mid Ripening

Question 33

What is Cabernet Franc susceptible to?

Answer 33

Spring Frosts Coulure

Question 34

What does Cabernet Franc provide to Bordeaux Blends?

Answer 34

Underripe: Herbacous, Leafy aromas Ripe: Pronounced Redcurrant, Raspberry, Violet, Leafy aromas High Acidity Medium Tannins Light to Medium Body

Question 35

What are the budding and ripening characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 35

Late Budding Early Ripening

Question 36

What are the benefits of growing Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?

Answer 36

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

Question 37

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

Answer 37

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

Question 38

What is Sauvignon Blanc susceptible to?

Answer 38

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

Question 39

What does Sauvignon Blanc contribute to Bordeaux wines?

Answer 39

Cool years: Grass, Bell Pepper, Asparagus, Gooseberry, Grapefruit, Wet Stone Warm Years: Ripe Citrus, Passionfruit High Acidity Medium Alcohol Medium Body

Question 40

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

Answer 40

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. Passionfruit!

Question 41

What type of vineyard management is important when growing Malbec?

Answer 41

Canopy management due to the vine's vigor.

Question 42

What is Malbec susceptible to?

Answer 42

Coulure

Question 43

What does Malbec offer to Bordeaux wines?

Answer 43

Deep ruby color Medium to Pronounced Violet, Red and Black Plum Medium to Medium (+) Acidity Medium (+) to High Tannins