Bordeaux Grapes

Question 1

Cabernet Sauvignon (Red)

Answer 1

Budding: Late (protects from spring frost)

Ripening: Late ripening (needs warm, well-drained soils like gravel)

Disease: Susceptible to powdery mildew, Eutypa, Esca

Uniqueness: Small berries, thick skins → high tannins

Flavor Profile: Violet, blackcurrant, black cherry, menthol, herbaceous (if underripe)

Structure: Medium alcohol, high acidity, high tannins​

Question 2

Merlot (Red)

Answer 2

Budding: Early (risk from spring frost)

Ripening: Early to mid (ripens reliably in cool, clay soils)

Disease: Susceptible to coulure, grey rot

Uniqueness: Easier to ripen than Cabernet Sauvignon

Flavor Profile: Red and black plum, berry fruits, round texture

Structure: Medium to full body, medium (+) acidity, medium tannins​

Question 3

Cabernet Franc (Red)

Answer 3

Budding: Early (vulnerable to frost and coulure)

Ripening: Mid-ripening (before autumn rains)

Disease: Prone to coulure (fruit set problems)

Uniqueness: Winter hardy, good for cooler areas

Flavor Profile: Redcurrant, raspberry, violet, leafy/herbaceous if underripe

Structure: Light to medium body, medium tannins, high acidity​

Question 4

Petit Verdot (Red)

Answer 4

Budding: Early

Ripening: Very late (even later than Cabernet Sauvignon)

Disease: Prone to spring frost and harvest rain risks

Uniqueness: Adds color and spice, increasingly favored with climate warming

Flavor Profile: Powerful wines, spicy notes, deep color

Structure: High tannins​

Question 5

Malbec (Red)

Answer 5

Budding: Early

Ripening: Mid-late ripening

Disease: Prone to frost damage (historically replaced after 1956 frosts)

Uniqueness: Historically important, now minor in Bordeaux blends

Flavor Profile: Black plum, blackberry, earthy notes

Structure: Full body, soft tannins (when used)​

Question 6

Sémillon (White)

Answer 6

Budding: Mid-budding

Ripening: Mid-ripening

Disease: Susceptible to botrytis (good for sweet wines), prone to noble rot

Uniqueness: Backbone of Sauternes sweet wines; softens Sauvignon Blanc

Flavor Profile: Apple, lemon, grassy (if underripe), honeyed (if botrytized)

Structure: Medium alcohol, medium body, medium to medium (+) acidity​

Question 7

Sauvignon Blanc (White)

Answer 7

Budding: Early

Ripening: Early

Disease: Vigorous growth → needs canopy control; sensitive to powdery mildew

Uniqueness: Key to Bordeaux dry whites; fresh and aromatic

Flavor Profile: Gooseberry, lemon, grassy, green pepper

Structure: High acidity, light to medium body​

Question 8

Muscadelle (White)

Answer 8

Budding: Early

Ripening: Early

Disease: Very susceptible to disease (fungal pressure)

Uniqueness: Minor component; adds floral notes to white blends

Flavor Profile: Grapey, floral (honeysuckle, elderflower)

Structure: Light body, high aromatics​