Round 1

Question 1

What year was the Atlas Peak fire in CA?

Answer 1

2017

Question 2

Two main bodies of water moderating climate of Bordeaux?

Answer 2

Gironde Estuary (Garonne & Dordogne) and the Atlantic

Question 3

What is the major climatic threat to Bordeux at harvest?

Answer 3

Rain common at harvest, can cause rot and thin the concentration of fruit

Question 4

What is the major climatic threat to Bordeux in the spring?

What threats to the vine does this create?

Answer 4

Frosts - cause coulure/shatter - uneven fruit set/millerandage

Question 5

Copper, sulfate, lime and water combine to make what?

Answer 5

Bordeaux mixture- prevents fungal infections

Question 6

Average annual rainfall, in inches, in the Medoc?

Answer 6

35-40 inches

Question 7

The last grape to ripen on the left bank of Bordeaux?

Answer 7

Petit Verdot

Question 8

The whites of Bordeaux allow up to 30% max of what ‘other’ varietals

Answer 8

Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Merlot Blanc (Semillon, Sauv B and Muscadelle mains)

Question 9

What are the four main varietals authorized for sweet wine prodcution in Bordeaux?

Answer 9

Muscadelle, Semillon, Sauv B and Sauv Gris

Question 10

Why is it necessary to pick botrytis affected grapes in “tries”?

Answer 10

Noble rot is fickle and does not attack grapes evenly, requiring the producer to pick the grapes individually, in separate forays into the vineyard.

Question 11

Why does St. Estephe have the highest percentage of Merlot grown on the Left Bank?

Answer 11

There is a higher percentage of clay in the soil, giving better water retention. Also, the river is wider offering a slightly more moderate climate to help Merlot ripen earlier.

Question 12

TorF, 90% of the Bordeaux vineyards are machine harvested?

Answer 12

T

Question 13

Explain to me why Bordeaux Is and has traditonally been planted with mixed varietals.

Answer 13

Mix of grapes grown in a vineyard, typically flowering and harvesting occur at different times for each grape, providing insurance against rain at harvest.

Question 14

Climate of Saint Emilion

Answer 14

Continental versus Maritime of Medoc

Question 15

Main two moderating rivers of Right bank in Bordeaux

Answer 15

Dordogne and Barbanne (could include the Isle River as well)

Question 16

Winkler scale rating of St. Emilon

Answer 16

2

Question 17

Why was Pressac and Carmenere not widely re-planted post Phyloxera

Answer 17

Mid ripening, susceptible to coulure. Poor grafting take for both Malbec and Carmenere

Question 18

Type of training on the left bank and on the right bank?

Answer 18

Double Guyot on left and single Guyot on right most common (Cordon Royat in Sauternes best for smaller berries prone to Botrytis)

Question 19

Why are vines trained high in Bordeaux?

Answer 19

Avoid frost, encourage air flow

Question 20

Compare the vineyard densities and vine spacing of commune level left bank vineyards to those of right bank St. Emillion and Pomerol.

Answer 20

Left bank communes are 7,000 vines per/ha and 1x1 meter spacing.

St Emillion and Pomerol are 5,500 vines per/ha and 1.3-1.5m spacing.

Right bank soils are shallower with hard limestone that vines cannot penetrate, thus roots spread out further.

Question 21

Why does the right bank have lower vine denisty compared to left bank?

Answer 21

Coolness and shallowness of soils of mainly clay and undelying limestone in some areas (5,000-5,550 per hectater up to 7,000+ premium AOPs/growers)

Question 22

What is la Terre Blanche

Answer 22

Limestone deposits in Margaux at Chateau Margaux

Question 23

Name 6 AOPs that require hand harvesting in successive tries

Answer 23

Cerons
Barsac
Sauternes
Cadillac
Loupiac
Saint Croix du Mont
Graves Superieures

Question 24

Name the original Bordeaux wine consultant and three major names who followed

Answer 24

Emilie Peynaud, Stephan Dernecourt, Michel Rolland, Denis Doubourdieu

Question 25

How did the Courtiers program of En Premier improve the quality of wines in Bordeaux?

Answer 25

En Premeur developed by courtiers to get cash ahead of time prior to release – this helped improve quality of wines with more potential investment at the winery as well as stability.

Question 26

What is today's more accurate Bordeaux classifcation system over the original 1855 class?

Answer 26

Liv-Ex: Today’s more accurate classification system – London International Vintners Exchange – trading of Bordeaux that lists the sell price of Bordeaux classe on today’s prices in market (Palmer, Pontet-Canet and Lynch-Bages are considered 2nd growths).

Question 27

Who first introduces Micro-Bullage in France and where?

Answer 27

1991 Patrick Ducornau intorduces micro-bullage or micro-oxygenation in Madiran to soften the tannic Tannat (polymerization – elongates tannin chain and fixes pigmentation) - note bullage is different than oxygenating a wine via racking etc. This is the process of injecting oxygen in a more pure form through the barrel or tank.

Question 28

The two rivers that produce the humidity key to potential noble rot of the AOPs Saussignac and Monbazillac are the

Answer 28

Dordogne and Gardonette (important to Haur Montravel and Cotes de Montravel sweet wines as well)

Question 29

Where find a required carbonic Rouge Premiuer style of wine in SW France?

Answer 29

One style of Gaillac AOP - Gaillac Rouge Premeur of 100% hanf harvested Gamay

Question 30

Identify the primary grape(s) within the following AOPs: Marciallac, Fronton, Madiran

Answer 30

a) Marcillac AOP (Fer) b) Fronton AOP (Negrette) c) Madiran AOP (Tannat)

Question 31

What happened in Bordeaux during the vintage of 1956? What lasting effect did this have on viticulture in Bordeaux?

Answer 31

Huge & crippling winter freeze & spring frost on Right Bank. Transitioned plantings to Cabernet Franc & Merlot (less Cot & Carmenere)

Question 32

What factors contribute to St-Julien have 80% of vineyards as classified growths. List 4 specifics

Answer 32

- Coupes soils - good drainage - sloping south vineyards - close to river (moderated). Somewhat approachable & somewhat structured style made wines likable by courtiers.

Question 33

Chateau Figeac was the first producer in the Right Bank to do what?

Answer 33

Vinify a 2nd wine "La Tour de Figeac" 1945 - employ temp controlled tanks 1971 - Housed a religious order

Question 34

List two synonyms for Malbec

Answer 34

Auxerroix (SW), Cot, Pressac (Right Bank)

Question 35

List a synonym for Caberent Franc

Answer 35

Bouchet (St-Emilion), Breton (Loire)

Question 36

What is the synonym for Grand Vidure

Answer 36

Carmenere (Medoc)

Question 37

Why was Les Landes planted in Bordeaux?

Answer 37

To stop the spread of the sands. The pine trees were brought from Provence to stabilize the sand and dunes from the beach.

Question 38

What first ‘Disease American’ inflicted Bordeaux?

Answer 38

Oidium in 1852

Question 39

What American Disease followed Phylloxera in 1869?

Answer 39

Peronospera (Downy Mildew) in 1870s

Question 40

In 2021 there were 6 new varietals authorized for Bordeaux due to climate impact, name four of them

Answer 40

The newly approved varieties are four reds: *CAMs Touriga Nacional* Castets Arinarnoa Marselan Touriga Nacional Two whites: *LA* Alvarinho Liliorila all of which are described as "well-adapted to alleviate hydric stress associated with temperature increases and shorter growing cycles.

Question 41

What was the newest DOCG added in July of 2025?

Answer 41

Cirò Classico This is Italy’s 78th DOCG wine to date, and the first for the region of Calabria. Cirò Classico DOCG is, in effect a well-aged and tightly regulated version of the red wines of the Cirò DOC hailing from that appellation’s most historic (Classico) vineyards. Cirò Classico DOCG is approved for dry red wines only. According to the standards of production, it must appear “ruby red in color, with a tendency to turn garnet with age.” Aromas should be “intense and complex, with aromas of red fruit,” while the flavor should be “dry, full-bodied, harmonious, and lingering.” Other production standards for Cirò Classico DOCG include the following: Vineyard Area: limited to the municipalities of Cirò and Cirò Marina, located along the coastal hills bordering the Ionian Sea Grape varieties: minimum 90% Gaglioppo; up to 10% Magliocco and/or Greco Nero Minimum alcohol by volume: 13% Aging: The wine must be aged for a minimum of 36 months before being released to distribution; this age is to be calculated beginning on January 1 of the year following the harvest. Of the total aging period, a minimum of 6 months must occur in wood. Production, aging, and bottling must occur within the designated production zone.

Question 42

What are the DOCG's of Calabria?

Answer 42

Cirò Classico In 2025, this became Italy’s 78th DOCG wine to date, and the first for the region of Calabria. Cirò Classico DOCG is, in effect a well-aged and tightly regulated version of the red wines of the Cirò DOC hailing from that appellation’s most historic (Classico) vineyards. Cirò Classico DOCG is approved for dry red wines only. Grape varieties: minimum 90% Gaglioppo; up to 10% Magliocco and/or Greco Nero Minimum alcohol by volume: 13% Aging: The wine must be aged for a minimum of 36 months before being released to distribution; this age is to be calculated beginning on January 1 of the year following the harvest. Of the total aging period, a minimum of 6 months must occur in wood.

Question 43

What body of water boarders Ciro Classico DOCG?

Answer 43

Ionian Sea

Question 44

As of July 2025, what is the newest style of wine affiliated with Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO? What types of wine is this affiliated with? What natural means of production is used to achieve this?

Answer 44

Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO will allow unfortified wines to be bottled under the auspices of the DO if they obtain a minimum of 15% abv (by natural means). The following types of Sherry may be bottled as unfortified wine (while the allowance for fortified styles remains): Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, and Palo Cortado. The use of the traditional practice of asoleo (drying the grape bunches in the sun after harvesting) may provide the grapes (must) with the natural means to reach 15% abv via primary fermentation, reducing the need for fortification.

Question 45

As of July 2025, what are the newest grapes allowed in the production of Cognac AOP? Why were they allowed?

Answer 45

Vidal, Coutia and Luminan. (All are hybrids) They are resistant to downy mildew and powdery mildew while remaining suitable for producing wines for distillation due to the low sugar content and high acidity. According to the EU, the reasoning behind this change is “the need to select vine varieties suited to environmental requirements and climate change, which is having a significant impact on agricultural production systems.” These new grape varieties will be allowed for limited use as follows: For large estates, the total combined vineyard acreage of the new grape varieties may not exceed 5% of the total estate holdings. For estates smaller than 20 hectares, they may constitute up to 10% of the total holdings.

Question 46

What is the mountain range that protects Ciro Classico DOCG?

Answer 46

Sila Mountain Range

Question 47

Château L’If is located in what AOP? What is considered its counterpart?

Answer 47

Château L’If, the refined Saint-Emilion counterpart to Le Pin. In 2010, Jacques Thienpont acquired a small 5-hectare vineyard formerly named Château Haut-Plantey on the Saint-Emilion plateau, near Troplong-Mondot. Jacques named the property L’If (French for the yew tree located on the property), a nod to the family’s Le Pin (“pine tree”) estate in Pomerol. Cyrille, his cousin, leads the estate and the winemaking, which now spans 8 hectares planted with approximately 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc on limestone-clay soils. The estate has very small production (~10,000 bottles annually), making each release quite exclusive.

Question 48

Damery, Cumières, Hautvillers, Fleury-la-Rivière, and Vauciennes are located in what village exactly and what style of wine comes from here?

Answer 48

Damery, Cumières, Hautvillers, Fleury-la-Rivière, and Vauciennes—are located in the Vallée de la Marne champagne region, specifically within the Grande Montagne de Reims and the Grand Vallée de la Marne sub-regions. Hautvillers is particularly notable as a historic site, sometimes called the birthplace of Champagne, while Cumières is a Premier Cru village along the Marne River.

Question 49

Bouzy, Ludes, Montbré, and Louvois are located in what village exactly and what style of wine comes from here?

Answer 49

Bouzy, Ludes, Montbré, and Louvois are all villages within the Montagne de Reims region of Champagne, France. Bouzy and Louvois are classified as Grand Cru villages, while Ludes and Montbré are Premier Cru villages.

Question 50

What is drier Extra Brut or Brut?

Answer 50

Extra Brut is drier than Brut, as it contains less residual sugar per liter. While both are dry, Extra Brut has less than 6 grams of sugar per liter, whereas Brut contains less than 12 grams per liter.

Question 51

What was the 2024 vintage like in the Loire Valley?

Answer 51

The 2024 Loire Valley vintage was challenging. Production was down 40% overall due to : - late spring frosts - heavy summer rainfall - and mildew pressure, which led to low yields.