Introductory Sommelier Exam - Bordeaux Questions And Answers With Verified Updates

How does noble rot affect semillon? - mold punctures grape skin water germinates pores & evaporates grape dehydrates sugar in juice concentrated acidity isn't diminished What are the grape varieties grown in Bordeaux? - Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Carmenere White: Semillon, Sauvingnon Blanc, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc What is the climate of Bordeaux? - Maritime What major bodies of water influence Bordeaux? - Atlantic Ocean Gironde Estuary (Dordogne River and Garonne River meet) What are typical Bordeaux blends in the Medoc Communes (left bank)? - 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot What are typical Bordeaux blends in St-Emilion and Pomerol (right bank)? - 70% Merlot 30% Cabernet Franc Why is there so much variation in vintages in Bordeaux? - Inconsistent weather Rainfall during growing season Humidity brings the potential for moldwhat does spring time frost cause? - 1) coulure 2) millerandage coulure - failure of grapes to develop after flowering =decreases yield millerandage - grape bunch contains berries that differ substantially in size & maturity = decreases yield What is Bordeaux mixture? - fungicide that prevents springtime frost a mix of copper sulfate + lime + water What are the common vinification practices in Bordeaux? - New French oak barriques (2yr for red, 16mo for white) State-of-the-art technology and equipment The two most important grapes in Bordeaux are ______ and _______. - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon True or false: merlot adds structure (tannin) - False. It's fleshy, mouthfilling, and supple True or false: merlot is compatible with clay - True. Water drainage is important for most grapes, which clay soil doesn't offer, but merlot is cool w/ dat. True or false: Bordeaux wines are about elegance and intensity and are rarely massive or powerful. - TrueWhat major land/sea masses contribute to Bordeaux climate? - Atlantic Ocean & Gironde estuary protects vines from frost/freezes Medoc: pine forests protect vineyards from harsh winds What is the Bordeaux soil like in Medoc and Graves? - Gravel What is the Bordeaux soil like in Saint-Emilion? - Gravel, limestone, sand What is the Bordeaux soil like in Pomerol? - Iron pan under sand and clay Bordeaux is the _______ AOP region in France. - Largest The Medoc classification was established in _____. - 1855 What are the regional appellations labeling used in Bordeaux? - Bordeaux Bordeaux Superieur Commune Appellations in Bordeaux can be described as... - Smallest AOCs in each region, generally of the highest quality. What does Chateau mean? - An estate under single ownership. What does En Primeur mean? - The annual offering of Bordeaux wine as futures (purchase before bottled). What are the major sub-regions in Bordeaux? - Left Bank: Medoc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac Entre-Deux-Mers Right Bank: St. - Emilion, PomerolWhat are the AOCs that make up Medoc? - Medoc Haut-Medoc True or false: Medoc only produces reds - True True or false: Medoc AOC is superior to Haut-Medoc AOC - False. Medoc AOC has clay soil (bad water drainage) while Haut-Medoc has gravel What are the commune AOCs in Haut Medoc? - Pauillac Margaux Saint-Julien Saint-Estephe In Medoc, what came about as the result of the 1855 classification? - 61 properties or chateaux (60 in Medoc, 1 in Pessac-Leognan), rated from first (best) through fifth (worst) growths