WSET Level 3: Bordeaux Exam Questions and Answers |Graded A

CHATEAU - Answer- Most vineyards are known in Bordeaux as... 3 biggest Bordeaux Areas - Answer- Left Bank, Right Bank, Between Dordogne and Garonne Bordeaux Left Bank - Answer- Medoc: Saint Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien Haut Medoc: Margaux Graves: Pessac Leognan, Cerons, Barsac, Sauternes Bordeaux Right Bank - Answer- Saint-Emilion, Saint-Emilion Satellites, Pomerol, Fronsac, Cotes de Bourg, Premieres Cotes de Blaye Bordeaux Between Dordogne and Garonne - Answer- Entre-Deux-Mers, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux Climate - Answer- Moderate, maritime -Gulfstream warming effect extends growing season, protecting against spring frost, allowing grape ripening into Oct. -High humidity & rainfall (950mm) from Atlantic proximity -Sand dunes/ Landes forest protect vineyards from Atlantic storms. Weather - Answer- 1) Variable, annual vintage variation due to insufficient warmth during ripening period or too much rain at harvest. 2) High humidity: mildew/rot 3) Mists/autumn rain required for noble rot Soils - Answer- Warm, well drained. -Gravel, clay: Medoc, Haut Medoc, Graves -Gravel, clay with limestone subsoil: St-Emilion, Pomerol Bordeaux black grape varieties - Answer- Cab Sauv Merlot Cab Franc Petit Verdot Cabernet Sauvignon - Answer- At northern limit where it can successfully ripen. Only dominates in H-Medoc & P-Leognan (tho important in Bas Medoc & Graves): high stone & gravel soil content here helps reflect heat, only areas where it will reliably ripen Accts for 3/4 of blend in region's finest wines: Structured, high tannins & acid, oak affinity (toasty), blackcurrant fruit core. -Always blends w/Merlot. Best Cab-dom wines can age for decades (developing cigar box/cedar aromas). -Unripe: too-high tannins, overly herbaceous. Merlot - Answer- Most widely planted variety in Bordeaux Key regions: St-Em, Pomerol -Full body, moderate tannins. -Matures earlier than Cab Sauv -Adds softness, richness, body when blended with Cab Sauv -Cab Sauv/Franc give Merlot aromatic fruit, tannin, color. -On its own, lacks character unless very low yields imposed. Softness means it is suited as an appealing inexpensive wine (Bourg/Blaye). Cabernet Franc - Answer- -Main region: St-Emilion -Other regions: Medoc, Graves -Soil: warm, well drained Not the dominant variety among subregions: usually yields wines with less tannin, body, finesse than Cab Sauv. Ripe: Marked fragrance - key contribution Unripe: Stalky, herbaceous flavors Petit Verdot - Answer- Ripens fully only in very hot years -deep colored, tannic, ages slowly. -Minor role in blends: adds tannin, color, exotic/spicy notes to great wines. -Impact disproportionate to volume. Medoc/Graves: key black varieties (blended) - Answer- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc - Medoc, Haut Medoc, St-Estephe, Pauillac, St-Julien, Margaux, Graves, Pessac Leognan Libourne: key black varieties (blended) - Answer- Merlot, Cabernet Franc - St-Emilion & Satellites, St-Emilion Grand Cru, Pomerol, Fronsac/ Canon-Fronsac Bordeaux white grape varieties - Answer- Semillon Sauv Blanc Muscadelle Semillon - Answer- Most widely planted white variety in Bordeaux Thin skin, affinity for botrytis = wide use for sweet wine. Yields golden colored, full bodied wines that age well (affinity for oak). Sauvignon Blanc - Answer- In Bordeaux: distinctively herbaceous, grassy, elderflower -Single varietal dry whites (one exception to usual practice of blending) -When blended, high acidity counterbalances potential flabbiness in Semillon (i.e., in the great sweet wines of the region). Muscadelle - Answer- Makes up very small percentage of Bordeaux sweet & dry blends (important supporting role). -Pronounced floral/grapey flavor. Grape Growing - Answer- - High density planting - Lower yields = higher quality wine - VSP, green harvesting, leaf stripping = healthier & riper grapes, less need to spray. - Gentle slopes suitable for widespread machine harvesting - Hand picking used for premium quality wines/grapes affected by noble rot for sweet wines. Best producers use sorting tables. Key vineyard challenges - Answer- Variable levels of grape ripeness, fungal disease (from cloud cover, rain). -High rainfall can disrupt flowering/fruit set, promotes rot, dilutes grape flavors at harvest. Making Red Wine - Answer- -Destemming widespread -Blended in spring following vintage. -Varieties fermented separately, blended after fermentation - Maturation in vat, or in new/used oak barriques (225l), 15-18 mos typical. - Inexpensive wines: ready to drink, high proportion Merlot, matured in vat, no new oak - Higher priced wines: traditional fermentation, more new oak for maturation; need maturing in bottle for several years. Making White Wine - Answer- -Stainless steel used to retain varietal character of dry wines (e.g. Sauv Blanc).