Spotlight on Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the two main white grape varieties in Bordeaux and are blended to create different styles of wine. We find out where they are planted and their characteristics.

The red wine making process and principal black grape varieties used in Bordeaux blends which are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc plus Petit Verdot.

Abbie and Chris look at the key sub-regions of Bordeaux and the wine styles they are best known for.

Abbie talks us through the classification system used in the Bordeaux region, from the PDOs at the bottom of the ladder (producing generic AC wines), Bordeaux Superieur and Cru Bourgeois up to the Grand Cru Classe wines.

An overview on the Bordeaux wine region with Abbie Bennington DipWSET looking at the climate, geography and key red grape varieties.

We delve into water management as part of regenerative viticulture and certification.

In Part 2 we drill down into some key aspects of regenerative viticulture practices: Use of fungicides, herbicides, ploughing, tree planting and PIWI wines.

Regenerative viticulture focuses on soil health and is a relatively new concept in the vineyard. Listen to Becky Sykes to find out what it means and how it can help the wider environment.

How can glass bottles be made more carbon friendly and what are the alternatives to gas to power glass furnaces?

In Part 3 of our interviews with Master of Wine Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan we delve deep into how to assess the quality of a wine at MW level.