Level 3 practice questions

Qn 1. How does the climate influence the style of a red wine produced in a cool climate?

No answer yet.

Qn 2. Name three varieties used in Sauternes and briefly describe each variety’s contribution to the style and quality of the wine.

Sauternes is a high quality, expensive, sweet white Bordeaux wine with potential for long ageing.
It is made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion and Muscadelle. Sauvignon Blanc with its high acidity brings balance into the wine. Semillon brings a gold color, a full-body, a high alcohol level and the sweetness to the wine due to botrytis (noble rot) and/or passerillage (drying the grape on the vines to increase the sugar level). Botrytis grapes add honey and orange marmalade aromas. Passerillage grapes give dry fruits flavors. Semillon harvest requires hand picking. Pickers have to pass several times through the vines to select the grapes which increase the production cost. Another reason that contributes to the premium price is the fermentation and maturation in new oak barrels for up to 3 years.
Finally muscadelle grape is blended in a small proportion for it grapey and floral aromas to the wine.

Qn 3. The difference in quality between a Pauillac AC and a generic Bordeaux AC may be attributed to which factors?

No answer yet.

Qn 4. What are the ideal conditions for long term storage of wine and how might it affect the wine if these conditions are not met?

Bottles should be stored undisturbed in a cool dark place. Bottles should be stored on their side with constant humidity and constant temperature 10-15 degrees C. In the case of some wines, not adhering to these guidelines will we result in an underdeveloped wine that is not ready to drink.

Qn 5. Describe the service steps in opening and decanting an old bottle of red wine.

Remove the bottle horizontally from it’s rack and place in decanting basket or hold carefully to not agitate sediment
Remove the foil by cutting with wine key
Wipe neck of bottle with clean cloth
Gently pull the cork out using wine key
Wipe the neck of the bottle again with clean cloth
Remove the bottle from the decanting basket if applicable and carefully pour the wine into decanter over a light. Once sediment is visible at the neck of the bottle stop pouring to prevent from going the decanter
Pour a sample of the wine from the decanter into the guest’s glass that made the order

Qn 6. A customer in your restaurant asks for a bottle of Sauternes. Unfortunately you don’t have that but you have every other bottle of light wine from France (go figure!). Recommend another French alternative and explain why it would be a suitable replacement.

I would first think of a suitable alternative depending on the application of the wine, for instance, if they ordered it as a starter with a cheese plate, or to finish a meal as a dessert or with a dessert choice.

In general, I might recommend a sweet wine from Barsac, where wines are similar in sweetness, acidity levels, and complex flavors and aromas. Their primary grapes are also Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the same primary grapes used in Sauternes, and their vineyards are located adjacent to area of the Sauternes AC, in South Bordeaux along the West Bank of the Garonne, so the vines benefit from morning dew, and ample sunshine that develops botrytis on the grapes. Vinification is also similar to that of Sauternes, where grapes are hand-picked and wines are aged partially in new oak.