Wset Level 2 - Cabernet Sauvignon And Merlot

Front 1

Describe Cabernet Sauvignon.

Back 1

black grape variety that gives deeply colored wines that have lots of tannin, acidity and strong aromas

Front 2

What are the typical flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon?

Back 2

black fruits (blackcurrant, black cherry), often accompanied by herbaceous notes (bell pepper, mint, cedar)

Front 3

Is oak often used in making Cabernet Sauvignon wines?

Back 3

Yes, oak is is frequently used in premium wines to soften tannins and add oaky flavors (smoke, vanilla, coffee).

Front 4

What is the preferred climate for Cabernet Sauvignon?

Back 4

a moderate or hot climate;
it cannot ripen in cool climates or cool years

Front 5

What are the characteristics of under-ripe Cabernet Sauvignon?

Back 5

can be very harsh and astringent with unpleasant herbaceous flavors

Front 6

What are typical flavors of a Cabernet Sauvignon from a hot climate?

Back 6

fuller-bodied, with softer tannins, more black cherry fruit, and a less herbaceous character

Front 7

Is Cabernet Sauvignon a variety that ages well?

Back 7

Yes, due to intense fruit flavors, and high levels of tannin and acidity

Front 8

How does Merlot compare to Cabernet Sauvignon?

Back 8

Merlot wines are less aromatic, with less intense flavors and lighter tannins and acidity.
They are generally fuller-bodied and higher in alcohol.

Front 9

Describe the common international style of Merlot (from hot climates, or over-ripe grapes from moderate climates).

Back 9

flavors of black fruit (blackberry, black plum, black cherry), full body, medium or low acidity, high alcohol and medium levels of gentle tannins;
Some super-ripe versions have fruitcake and chocolate flavors.

Front 10

Describe the less common, more elegant style of Merlot (from moderate of cooler climates).

Back 10

flavors of red fruit (strawberry, red berry, plum) some herbal notes (mint), and a little more tannin and acidity

Front 11

Is oak often used in making Merlot wines?

Back 11

like Cabernet, the best Merlot wines are often aged in oak, gaining spicy and oaky flavors (vanilla, coffee)

Front 12

What are the classic Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot regions?

Back 12

Bordeaux, in southwest France

Front 13

Name the main appellations of Bordeaux's Left Bank.

Back 13

Médoc, Haute-Médoc (including the communes Pauillac and Margaux) and Graves (including commune of Pessac-Léognan)

Front 14

What is the dominant variety of Bordeaux's Left Bank?

Back 14

Cabernet Sauvignon

Front 15

Describe wines from Bordeaux's Left Bank.

Back 15

medium or full-bodied with high levels of tannin and acidity, medium alcohol, and long length.
They're tough when young, but with age the tannins soften, and the black fruit and toasty fragrant oak flavors develop into vegetal, tobacco, and cedar complexity.

Front 16

Where do the best wines of Bordeaux's Left Bank come from?

Back 16

Cru Classé chateaux;
These are among the world’s most complex and long-lived red wines.

Front 17

Name the main appellations of Bordeaux's Right Bank.

Back 17

Saint Emilion and Pomerol

Front 18

What is the dominant variety of Bordeaux's Right Bank?

Back 18

Merlot

Front 19

Describe wines from Bordeaux's Right Bank.

Back 19

Softer in style than the Left Bank; medium tannin levels, medium acidity, and a red fruit character (plum, red berry) developing cedar and tobacco notes as they age

Front 20

Many premium quality Bordeaux wines are made outside the most prestigious appellations. These are labeled simply as _____ or _____. Describe them.

Back 20

Bordeaux AC or Bordeaux Supérieur AC;
medium-bodied dry reds, medium tannin levels and acidity, and mixture of red and black fruit flavors

Front 21

What are the premium regions in Australia for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Describe the typical wines from these regions.

Back 21

Coonawarra (South Australia), often has distinctive mint/eucalyptus flavors accompanying black fruit and oak notes;
Margaret River (Western Australia), high tannin levels, with black fruit and herb flavors (blackcurrant, blackcurrant leaf)

Front 22

What are the premium regions in New Zealand for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Describe the typical wines from these regions.

Back 22

Hawke's Bay (North Island);
typically medium or high acidity and tannins, and herb aromas (cedar, blackcurrant leaf)

Front 23

What are the premium regions in California for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Describe the typical wines from these regions.

Back 23

Napa Valley; CA Cabernet Sauvignon typically high levels of soft, ripe tannin, and are deeply colored with black cherry and oak flavors; CA Merlot: generally full-bodied, with soft black fruit and fruitcake and oak flavors

Front 24

What are the premium regions in Chile for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Describe the typical wines from these regions.

Back 24

Maipo Valley and Rapel Valley (Colchagua and Cachapoal); pronounced herbal characteristics (green bell pepper, blackcurrant leaf) accompanying intense black fruit flavors (black cherry, blackberry

Front 25

What are the premium regions in Argentina for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Describe the typical wines from these regions.

Back 25

Mendoza; In Argentina, Cab appears on its own and blended with Malbec. It's traditionally aged in oak for some time before release, giving meaty, leathery flavors. Modern styles are more fruity.

Front 26

What are the premium regions in South Africa for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Describe the typical wines from these regions.

Back 26

Stellenbosch; typically less intense fruit and more herb flavors; some are close to Bordeaux style with high levels of tannin and acidity

Front 27

What are some bulk-production regions for inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?

Back 27

Chile (Central Valley), Southern France (Pays d’Oc IGP), Northern Italy

Front 28

Cabernet Sauvignon is used in many regional blends to improve wines by adding a little aromatic fruit, color and tannin. T/F?

Back 28

True

Front 29

How are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot often blended with other varietals?

Back 29

In Australia, Shiraz is often used with Cabernet Sauvignon to give softness and richness.
In Argentina, Merlot is sometimes blended with Malbec. In Chile, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is used with Carmenére.