My studying continues to keep me very busy as I frantically try to learn everything about every wine region in the world. Well, not quite, but with less than six weeks to go before the big exam, I am getting into high gear.
As part of the WSET Diploma program, we are provided with sample questions, some of which are to be completed under test-like conditions (closed book) and others for which the questions may be reviewed in advance and then answered. These answers are then submitted to anonymous markers in London who read through them and provide feedback and advice. While several of the open book questions have already been submitted, this is the first for which I received feedback.
Clearly, I am in need of additional studying and, more importantly, taking the time to better understand the question and what it is truly asking.
Open Book Questions – WSET Unit 3
Question 1
France
is renowned for the variety of its terroir. Select THREE regions from the list below. Explain how terroir is believed to determine the style of TWO different wines from each of your chosen regions.
a)
Alsace
b)
Bordeaux
c)
Burgundy
d)
Loire
The concept of terroir embodies a broad range of factors that ultimately come together to produce a particular wine. These elements include climate, particularly as it relates to temperature, rainfall, topography and altitude, as well as soil type(s), grape varieties used, viticultural practices and annual weather conditions. When these individual factors come together, along with vinification methods proscribed for a given region, they influence the style of the wine produced. This is especially true for the French regions of
Bordeaux
,
Burgundy
and
Alsace
, where there are several different styles of wine produced within each region. GOOD DEFINITION OF TERROIR
In
Bordeaux
, the climate is maritime with three bodies of water influencing the temperature and humidity of the area. The humidity plays a very special role in producing the vaunted sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac. These communes within the
Bordeaux
region can depend upon the development of noble rot more reliably than other areas within the region. Here, the unique conditions of moisture from the river (ALSO COOL WATER OF CIRON MEETING THE WARMER GARONNE AND THE CIRON VALLEY THAT ALLOWS MIST TO ROLL INLAND) , produce a morning mist, which is off-set by the warm sunshine during the afternoon. This promotes the development of botrytis rather than grey rot, which can be a problem in other parts of
Bordeaux
. This noble rot shrivels and concentrates the grapes as well as chemically changing the chemical structure of the constituents, permitting the winemaker to create long-lived, sweet wines of great intensity and complexity. (GOOD EXPLANATION OF AFFECT OF NOBLE ROT) Elsewhere in Bordeaux, the variation in annual weather conditions, coupled with uncertainly as to how the grapes will fare in any given year, have given rise to the creation of blended wines, as opposed to single varietal wines. While Cabernet Sauvignon is prized for its high tannins and rich flavors, it may not always ripen sufficiently. (WHAT TERROIR SUITS CABERNET SAUVIGNON BEST AND WHAT TERROIR SUITS MERLOT BEST?) Accordingly, the Bordelaise also plant Merlot, which ripens earlier and rounds out the mid-palate of the wine, providing a level of insurance against bad weather, especially that of rain during the harvest. The wines are also blended with varying amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, further adding to the complexity of the finished wine. Additionally, the left bank areas are more temperate than the areas on the right bank, which is why the right bank is more heavily planted with Merlot, (ALSO THE CLAY/LIMESTONE SOILS OF THE RIGHT BANK ARE DAMPER, AND THEREFORE COOLER, THAN THE GRAVELS OF THE LEFT BANK. ON THOSE COOL SOILS CABERNET SAUVIGNON WOULD NOT RIPEN IN MOST YEARS) while Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily planted on the left bank. Accordingly, the left bank wines, particularly those from the classified estates, are high in Cabernet Sauvignon (~60-70%) and have tight tannic structures requiring years of ageing before they will be at their peak drinking.
16/33 VERY GOOD ACCOUNT OF TERROIR EFFECTS IN SAUTERNES. FOR YOUR SECOND WINE YOU SHOULD CHOOSE A SPECIFIC AC PRODUCT (EG POMEROL)
In
Burgundy
, the cooler, continental climate provides a good environment for Pinot Noir, with sufficient sunshine to ripen the grapes without over-exposure to heat.(GOOD POINT) In addition, the soils influence the style of wine with limestone, clay and marl soils providing good drainage. The limestone is particularly suited to Chardonnay, leaving the areas of clay and marl to be planted with the Pinot Noir. (ANOTHER GOOD POINT) The soils are so specific that each vineyard has been classified by quality, which further influences the style of wine. Further north in the region, within the district of Chablis, the Kimmeridgean soils serve an important role. Their high limestone content provides good drainage and support for the root system, while reflecting heat onto the grapes to aid in ripening. As a basic medium, it also helps the grapes to retain very high acidity and imparts a mineral/gun flint note to the wines. In addition, the northerly location prevents excessive ripeness. Accordingly, the Chablis wines are austere with sharp acidity, green apple and citrus notes, along with minerality. (EXCELLENT – THIS IS WHAT THE QUESTION REQUIRES – AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE VARIOUS FEATURES OF TERROIR AFFECT THE STYLE/QUALITY OF THE WINE) Conversely, while the wines of the Maconnais district are also made from Chardonnay, their style is dramatically different than those of Chablis. The district is much further south than Chablis and thus, the weather is warmer, allowing the grapes to achieve higher levels of ripeness. The soils are also different. As a result, these wines are fuller-bodied with tropical fruit notes and a lack of the gunflint character that is so characteristic of Chablis.
26/33 VERY GOOD TRY TO BE MORE EXPLICIT ABOUT YOUR
CHOSEN
WINES – IN THIS CASE CHABLIS AND MACON BLANC
In
Alsace
, the
Vosges
Mountains
provide an important barrier from the rain and wind, making the area among the driest in
France
, second only to
Languedoc
. With south-east facing vineyards located on the steep slopes to catch the most sun, the grapes ripen easily and produce excellent expressions of varietal wines. The best wines are those where the mountains are highest, near
Colmar
, providing the most wind and rain protection as well as additional heat, which ripens the grapes even further. Accordingly, the wines from
Alsace
are primarily varietals as opposed to blends and are produced with inert vessels and without malo-lactic fermentation to preserve the fresh, fruit flavors. These wines are generally dry and relatively full-bodied. The sunny and dry nature of the climate also conspire to permit the Alsatians to produce Vendange Tardive (late harvest) and Selection de Grains Noble (noble rot) wines as they can leave the grapes on the vine well beyond the usual harvest without fear of rain or rot ruining the crop (YOU COULD COVER THOSE FEATURES OF TERROIR THAT ENABLE NOBLE ROT TO DEVELOP IN SOME YEARS). These grapes can then develop high levels of sugar, producing sweet wines with high alcohol levels.
16/33 AN EXCELLENT LEVEL OF GENERAL INFORMATION BUT YOU WERE ASKED TO SELECT TWO SPECIFIC WINES. IF YOU HAD USED YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO DESCRIBE HOW TERROIR AFFECTS (SAY)
ALSACE
RIESLING AND GEWURZTRAMINER VENDANGE TARDIVE YOUR MARK WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSER TO 22/33)
TOTAL – 58% VERY DETAILED KNOWLEDGE BUT YOU NEED TO PRACTICE THE TECHNIQUE OF APPLYING THAT KNOWLEDGE TO THE QUESTION. NOTE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR SECTION ON
BURGUNDY
WHERE YOU CHOSE SPECIFIC WINES AND EXPLAINED HOW TERROIR MADE THEM THE WAY THEY WERE WITH THE OTHER SECTIONS WHERE YOU DESCRIBED TERROIR IN GENERAL BUT DID NOT LINK THAT TO SPECIFIC WINES. IF YOU HAD USED THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION AS SET (AS YOU DID IN THE
BURGUNDY
SECTION) YOUR MARK WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSER TO 70%.
