Spotlight on Bordeaux Part 1 Overview

Thinking of embarking on a WSET wine course? Chris poses 10 questions to help students decide how and where to study for a WSET qualification.

Chris gives advice on how to prepare for a WSET L3 wine course before the start and how to use tools so that you are actively learning.

Chris Scott DipWSET takes a deep dive into the Tempranillo grape looking at the characteristics, winemaking and where it is grown around the world.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Everybody knows about Port, but still wines from Portugal have a growing reputation for quality. We talk with Sonia Fernandes from ViniPortugal about the quiet revolution.

Federico Boxaca of Familia Schroeder talks to us about the relatively new wine region of Patagonia in Southern Argentina.