30 Questions
Which method of sorting grapes is typically used for high quality wines?
Sorting in the vineyard
What is the benefit of plot by plot winemaking?
Preserves primary fruit and limits tannin extraction
What is the typical maceration time for wines intended for early drinking?
5-7 days
What is the typical maceration time for wines intended to be aged for many years in bottle?
14-30 days
What is the most common type of fermentation vessel used in winemaking?
Stainless steel
What is the purpose of using temperature control in fermentation vessels?
To control fermentation temperatures
In which type of vintage would maceration times be reduced if the fruit is not fully ripe?
Low quality vintage
What is the typical range of fermentation temperatures for wines intended for early drinking?
Mid-range
What is the typical range of fermentation temperatures for wines intended to be aged for many years in bottle?
High range
What is the most common type of yeast used in winemaking?
Cultured yeast
Which type of press is believed to give the best results in extracting wine from the remaining skins?
Hydraulic presses
What determines the proportion of press wine in the final blend?
The need for more structure and tannin
Where does malolactic conversion take place?
In barrels
What are oak chips added for?
To add oak flavor
What are high quality wines matured in?
French oak barriques
What is the most common mix of French oak barriques for maturing wines?
New, one-year old and two-year old barriques
How long are wines typically matured for?
18-24 months
How often are wines traditionally racked?
Every three months
When do most estates blend their wines?
In the winter
What is the main role of a winemaking consultant?
Assist with blending process
Which of the following is a key factor in the production of sweet wines in Bordeaux?
Low yields to ensure high sugar levels
What is the main reason for pruning to a low number of buds in the vineyard for sweet wine production?
To increase sugar levels in the grapes
Which of the following is a characteristic of top-quality sweet wines in Bordeaux?
Barrel-fermented with a high proportion of new oak
What is the range of new oak used in the production of sweet wines in Bordeaux?
30-50%
What is a key factor in determining the level of botrytis in the final sweet wines?
The spread of noble rot
What is the typical barrel-aging period for top-quality sweet wines in Bordeaux?
18-36 months
What is the maximum allowed yield in the top appellations of Sauternes and Barsac?
25 hL/ha
What is a common yield at the very top estates in Bordeaux for sweet wine production?
Below 10 hL/ha
What is the main reason for multiple passes through the vineyard during harvesting for sweet wine production?
To select botrytis-affected and ripe bunches or berries
What is a key decision made in the vineyard that affects the quality of sweet wines in Bordeaux?
The level of botrytis in the final wines
Test your knowledge on the levels of sorting in winemaking. Learn about the different methods used to sort grapes based on the value of the wine and quality of the vintage. Challenge yourself with questions on manual sorting, belt sorting, and optical sorting. Discover how top estates handle sorting in the best vintages.
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