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Section 19 of 34
Bordeaux-style reds
Chapter 2 covered red wine production. Chapter 5 covers the three black grapes you're most likely to meet on a Level 2 exam: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah (known as Shiraz in Australia). The first two are the classic Bordeaux blend. The third is the Northern Rhône's signature grape, now grown across the warm half of the wine world.
By the end of this chapter you will be able to:
- Describe Merlot's ripeness-dependent flavour range and its role in Bordeaux's Right Bank.
- Describe Cabernet Sauvignon's tannin structure, gravel-soil requirement, and Left Bank homes.
- Distinguish Left Bank from Right Bank and know the major AOCs of each.
- Explain Syrah vs Shiraz as a naming convention signalling style.
- Recognise the key Syrah/Shiraz regions: Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley.
Three sub-sections ahead. Start with Merlot.