Introductory Sommelier Exam – Bordeaux Practice Questions and Answers (100% Pass)

Introductory Sommelier Exam – Bordeaux Practice Questions and Answers (100% Pass) What is the climate of Bordeaux? - Answer️️ -Maritime What major bodies of water influence Bordeaux? - Answer️️ - Atlantic Ocean Gironde Estuary (Dordogne River and Garonne River meet) What are the grape varieties grown in Bordeaux? - Answer️️ -Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Carmenere White: Semillon, Sauvingnon Blanc, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc What are typical Bordeaux blends in the Medoc Communes (left bank)? - Answer️️ -70% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot What are typical Bordeaux blends in St-Emilion and Pomerol (right bank)? - Answer️️ -70% Merlot 30% Cabernet Franc Why is there so much variation in vintages in Bordeaux? - Answer️️ -Inconsistent weather Rainfall during growing season Humidity brings the potential for mold ©SOPHIABENNET@2024/2025 Tuesday, August 20, 202410:21 AM 2 what does spring time frost cause? - Answer️️ -1) coulure 2) millerandage coulure - Answer️️ -failure of grapes to develop after flowering =decreases yield millerandage - Answer️️ -grape bunch contains berries that differ substantially in size & maturity = decreases yield What is Bordeaux mixture? - Answer️️ -fungicide that prevents springtime frost a mix of copper sulfate + lime + water What are the common vinification practices in Bordeaux? - Answer️️ -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 _______. - Answer️️ -Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon True or false: merlot adds structure (tannin) - Answer️️ -False. It's fleshy, mouthfilling, and supple ©SOPHIABENNET@2024/2025 Tuesday, August 20, 202410:21 AM 3 True or false: merlot is compatible with clay - Answer️️ -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. - Answer️️ -True What major land/sea masses contribute to Bordeaux climate? - Answer️️ -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? - Answ