Level 2 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
Chenin Blanc, Sémillon and Furmint
Three distinctive white varieties with unique regional expressions.
Topics covered
- Loire Chenin Blanc
- Hunter Valley Sémillon
- Tokaji Furmint
- Sweet wine styles
Quick Revision
- Chenin Blanc: high acid, dry to sweet, Loire + S.Africa
- Vouvray: Chenin Blanc from Loire (dry–sweet)
- Savennières: dry Chenin Blanc, Loire
- Sémillon: waxy, botrytis prone (Sauternes)
- Furmint: Tokaji Aszú, Hungary
- Tokaji: Puttonyos scale (higher = sweeter)
Key Facts for the Exam
- Chenin Blanc: high acidity, versatile — dry (Savennières), off-dry, sweet (Vouvray), sparkling (Crémant), South Africa
- Sémillon: waxy texture, high susceptibility to botrytis; dry (Hunter Valley, Bordeaux Blanc), sweet (Sauternes)
- Furmint: Hungary's flagship grape; used in Tokaji Aszú (botrytis sweet wine); high acidity
- Chenin Blanc produces honeyed, quince, lanolin, and apple/pear aromas
- Sémillon from Hunter Valley ages to complex toast, honey, and lanolin characters without oak
- Tokaji Aszú is rated in Puttonyos (3–6) — higher = sweeter and richer
Level 2 Exam Tips
- 1.Chenin Blanc is both South Africa's most planted white and a Loire Valley classic — know both contexts.
- 2.Sémillon + Sauvignon Blanc = Bordeaux Blanc and Sauternes blend. Sémillon provides body and age-worthiness.
- 3.Furmint = Tokaji — Hungary. Puttonyos scale is a classic exam fact.
- 4.All three grapes share high natural acidity as a key characteristic.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Saying Vouvray is always sweet — Vouvray ranges from bone dry to rich sweet depending on the vintage
- ✗Confusing Sémillon's role in dry Bordeaux Blanc versus sweet Sauternes
- ✗Forgetting Furmint is the key grape for Tokaji — not Muscat or other varieties
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Sauternes and how is it made?
- Sauternes is a sweet white wine from Bordeaux, France, made primarily from Sémillon (with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle). The grapes are affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which concentrates their sugars and creates complex flavours of apricot, marmalade, honey, and ginger. It is one of the world's most celebrated sweet wines.
- What is Tokaji Aszú?
- Tokaji Aszú is Hungary's famous sweet wine, made primarily from Furmint grapes affected by noble rot. Botrytised berries (Aszú) are collected and added to a base wine. The sweetness level is measured in Puttonyos (3–6), where 6 Puttonyos represents the most concentrated style. Tokaji is famous for its incredible longevity and complex flavours of orange peel, apricot, and honey.