READ · COMPARE · EXPLAIN
Robert Mondavi: The meaning and substance of Fumé Blanc’s name
A winery established in 1966 in Oakville, Napa Valley. In addition to red wines from the To Kalon vineyard, they produce whites, led by Fumé Blanc, primarily from Sauvignon Blanc. This is an example of how to read brand names, varieties, and sub-parcels within a vineyard.
Use technical sources to confirm the blend, parcels, and key components for Fumé Blanc 2020.
Questions for this course
Does the name Fumé Blanc guarantee a single variety?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Robert Mondavi Winery / Learn from the Producer
United States / California / Napa Valley, Oakville
Alternate names & notations: Robert Mondavi Winery / Robert Mondavi / Mondavi
Updated: 2026-10-06
Two varieties in 2020
To Kalon Reserve Fumé Blanc 2020 is 94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Sémillon. Fumé Blanc is not a different grape variety; understand the difference between brand labeling and the grape varieties used.
Parcels within the same vineyard
For Sauvignon Blanc, the main source is the Monastery Block, and for Sémillon, the P South plot. Even within a vineyard with the shared name To Kalon, they differentiate between grape variety and plot. Even when there is only one vineyard name, the conditions for the grapes used are not necessarily all the same.
Retain units for components
For the 2020 vintage, the label states alcohol 14.3% and residual sugar 0.80g/L. You cannot calculate residual sugar from the alcohol content. When presenting a wine, record each measurement and its unit, as each value reflects a different aspect.
What to align and what to compare.
Raw material
- Conditions to standardize
- Fumé Blanc 2020
- Conditions for comparison.
- SB and Sémillon
- Additional points to confirm
- Differences between wine label names and grape variety names
Plot
- Conditions to standardize
- To Kalon
- Conditions for comparison.
- Monastery and P South
- Additional points to confirm
- Main source location
Components
- Conditions to standardize
- The same bottle
- Conditions for comparison.
- Alcohol and residual sugar
- Additional points to confirm
- % and g/L units
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
0 / 3 articles completed
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- 1↗
United States
Napa Valley: From valley floor to mountain vineyards
Check the location of Oakville.
- 2↗
United States
Label exercise: What do the 75%, 85%, and 95% figures represent?
Organize grape labeling and blend information.
- 3↗
United States
Key varieties: from Cabernet to Riesling
Organize Sauvignon Blanc labelling.
READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Reading Robert Mondavi materials: The meaning and substance of Fumé Blanc’s name
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Comparative tables are based on the source’s target year and the explanation at the time of verification. Descriptions without year specifications are not treated as specifications common to all harvest years or shipped portions.
| Comparison items | 2020 source | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| 94%／6% | Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon | Blend ratios |
| Monastery / P South | Main Sauvignon Blanc plots / Sémillon plots | Position within the vineyard. |
| 14.3%／0.80g/L | Alcohol / Residual sugar | Different components and units. |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What about the 2020 Semillon?
To Kalon Reserve Fumé Blanc 2020 is 94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Sémillon. Fumé Blanc is not a different grape variety; understand the difference between brand labeling and the grape varieties used.
What about the interior of To Kalon?
For Sauvignon Blanc, the main source is the Monastery Block, and for Sémillon, the P South plot. Even within a vineyard with the shared name To Kalon, they differentiate between grape variety and plot. Even when there is only one vineyard name, the conditions for the grapes used are not necessarily all the same.
What is 0.80g/L?
For the 2020 vintage, the label states alcohol 14.3% and residual sugar 0.80g/L. You cannot calculate residual sugar from the alcohol content. When presenting a wine, record each measurement and its unit, as each value reflects a different aspect.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | 2020 source | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| 94%／6% | Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon | Blend ratios |
| Monastery / P South | Main Sauvignon Blanc plots / Sémillon plots | Position within the vineyard. |
| 14.3%／0.80g/L | Alcohol / Residual sugar | Different components and units. |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Present the details of Fumé Blanc 2020, separating variety, percentages, and plot.
Check after writing
- Do not mix up the proportions of the two varieties.
- Distinguish vineyard names from internal blocks/parcels.
- Retain units for components.
Save response to explanation task
Compare your initial thoughts with how they have changed after reading the article.
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