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WSET Level 2 Award in Wines & Spirits > Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot > Flashcards

Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Flashcards

1
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon Characteristics

A
  • deeply colored
  • high tannins
  • high acid
  • strong aroma
  • black fruits (black currant, black cherry)
  • herbaceous (bell pepper, mint)
  • oak: softens tannins, adds smoke, vanilla, coffee, cedar
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2
Q

Why does Cabernet Sauvignon age well?

A

It’s fruity, has high acid, and high tannins.

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3
Q

What happens to Cabernet Sauvignon in a too-cool climate?

A
  • underripe
  • harsh
  • astringent
  • unpleasant herbaceous flavors
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4
Q

What are characteristics of a hot climate Cabernet Sauvignon?

A
  • fuller bodied
  • softer tannins
  • more black cherry
  • less herbaceous
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5
Q

Merlot Characteristics

A

(compared to Cab)

  • less aromatic
  • less intense flavors
  • lighter tannins
  • lower acidity
  • higher body
  • higher alcohol
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6
Q

What is a hot climate Merlot like?

A
  • black fruit (blackberry, black plum, black cherry)
  • ripe: fruitcake, chocolate
  • full body
  • medium-low acid
  • high alcohol
  • medium, gentle tannins
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7
Q

What is a moderate/cool climate Merlot like?

A
  • more elegant
  • red fruit (strawberry)
  • herbal (mint)
  • more tannins
  • more acid
  • oak: spice, oak, vanilla, coffee
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8
Q

Describe the climate and soil of Bordeaux.

A
  • moderate, maritime climate
  • long, warm autumns
  • gravel mounds (retain heat, good drainage)
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9
Q

What are the prominent Left Bank regions?

A

(west/south of the Gironde estruary in Bordeaux)

Medoc
Haut-Medoc
-Pauillac
-Margaux
Graves
-Pessac-Leognan
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10
Q

Describe the wine from Left Bank regions.

A

Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
tough when young

  • medium-to-full body
  • high tannins
  • high acid
  • medium alcohol
  • long length
  • age: softer tannins, black fruit (black cherry, black currant), toasty, fragrant oak, vegetal, tobacco, cedar
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11
Q

What are the prominent Right Bank regions?

A

(north/east of the Gironde estruary in Bordeaux)

  • Saint-Emilion
  • Pomerol
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12
Q

Describe the wine from Right Bank regions.

A

Merlot is dominant

  • softer in style
  • medium tannins
  • medium acid
  • red fruit (plum, berry)
  • age: cedar, tobacco
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13
Q

Describe Bordeaux AC and Bordeaux Superior AC wine.

A

Superior: higher alcohol level

  • medium body
  • medium tannin
  • medium acid
  • red & black fruit
  • drink most young (some can age)
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14
Q

Australian Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra)

A
  • intense
  • structured
  • cassis, mint, eucalyptus
  • black fruit (black cherry)
  • oak (toast, vanilla)
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15
Q

Australian Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot (Margaret River)

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon blends
  • high tannins
  • black fruit (black currant, black currant leaf)
  • herb
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16
Q

New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon blends
  • medium-to-high acid
  • medium-to-high tannins
  • herb aromas (cedar, black currant leaf)
17
Q

California Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot (Napa Valley)

A
  • Rutherford
  • Oakville
  • high levels of soft, ripe tannins
  • deeply colored
  • black cherry
  • oak
18
Q

California Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot (Sonoma)

A

Alexander Valley (Cabernet Sauvignon):

  • soft-textured
  • full body

Merlot:

  • full body
  • soft black fruit
  • fruitcake
  • oak
19
Q

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

A

Columbia Valley

  • deeply colored
  • full body
  • often follow Bordeaux blend model
20
Q

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

A
  • Maipo Valley
  • Colchagua
  • Cachopoal
  • -Cabernet Sauvignon
  • -Merlot
  • -Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon blends
  • intense black fruit (black cherry, blackberry)
  • pronounced herbal (green bell pepper, black currant leaf)

Merlot mix up: some “Merlot” is actually Carmenere (intense color, spiced back fruit (blackberry, pepper, licorice)

21
Q

Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

A

-Mendoza

  • -Cabernet Sauvignon
  • -Malbec & Cabernet Sauvignon blends
  • age: meat, leather
  • fruit forward
22
Q

South African Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

A

-Stellenbosch

  • -Cabernet Sauvignon
  • -Merlot
  • -Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon blends
  • less intense fruit
  • more herbal
  • high tannins
  • high acid
23
Q

Bulk Production Regions for Inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

A

Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Blends:

  • Chile (Central Valley)
  • Southern France (Pays d’Oc IGP)

Cabernet Sauvignon:

  • South Africa (Western Cape)
  • South Eastern Australia
  • California
  • Argentina (Mendoza)

Merlot:

  • Northern Italy
  • Bordeaux (blends)
24
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot in Blends

A

Australia
-Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz

Argentina
-Merlot & Malbec

Chile
-Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Carmenere

Other:
-Cabernet Sauvignon is added to blends to add aromatics, fruit, color, tannins

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines & Spirits (11 decks)

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