Bordeaux's Sweet Wine Secrets

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Which type of press is believed to give the best results in wine extraction?

Modern vertical presses

Hydraulic presses (correct)

Traditional presses

Pneumatic presses

What determines the proportion of press wine in the final blend?

The need for more structure and tannin (correct)

The winemaker's preference

The type of press used

The quality of the grapes

Where does malolactic conversion take place?

In concrete vats

In tanks (correct)

In the barrels

In stainless steel vats

What is the purpose of inoculating during malolactic conversion?

To speed up the process (B) Signup and view all the answers

Where are simpler wines typically aged?

In stainless steel (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of oak is used to mature high-quality wines?

French oak (A) Signup and view all the answers

How long are wines typically matured for?

18-24 months (A) Signup and view all the answers

How often are wines racked?

Every three months (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of micro-oxygenation?

To prevent reduction (A) Signup and view all the answers

When do most estates blend their wines?

In the spring (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common practice in winemaking for high quality wines?

Sorting grapes by hand on a moving or vibrating belt (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of sorting grapes in winemaking?

To remove any damaged or unripe grapes (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor determines the extent of post-fermentation maceration on the skins in winemaking?

The style of the wine to be made (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical maceration time for wines intended for early drinking?

5-7 days (D) Signup and view all the answers

In which type of vintages are maceration times reduced in winemaking?

Poor vintages (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using temperature control in fermentation vessels?

To regulate the fermentation process (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fermentation vessels is commonly used in winemaking?

Wood, stainless steel, and concrete (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using cultured yeast in winemaking?

To ensure reliable fermentation (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for sorting grapes in winemaking?

To ensure the quality of the wine (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is plot by plot winemaking?

Picking individual plots for optimum ripeness and making separate small lots of wine (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key factor in the production of sweet wines in Bordeaux?

Low yields to ensure high sugar levels in the grapes (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the common yield for sweet wine production in the top appellations of Sauternes and Barsac?

Less than 10 hL/ha (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a challenge in the production of sweet wines in Bordeaux?

The spread of noble rot (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical aging period for top-quality sweet wines in Bordeaux?

18-36 months (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of new oak used in the production of sweet wines in Bordeaux?

30-50% (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of top-quality sweet wines in Bordeaux?

Released a year after harvest (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of barrel-aging in the production of sweet wines in Bordeaux?

To add complexity (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical harvest period for sweet wines in Bordeaux?

September to November (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor influencing the level of botrytis in sweet wines in Bordeaux?

The position of estates (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key decision made in the vineyard for the production of sweet wines in Bordeaux?

The selection of botrytis-affected fruit (A) Signup and view all the answers