Bordeaux Flashcards
What styles of wine are produced in Bordeaux
- Dry red
- Dry white
- Off-dry white
- Sweet white
- Moelleux
- Liquoreux
- Rose
- Clairet
- Sparkling white
- Sparkling rose (Crémant de Bordeaux)
Which is France’s largest AOP/AOC region?
Bordeaux
Which group of people made Bordeaux a suitable growing region by creating drainage channels?
Dutch
What years was Bordeaux ruled by the English?
1152-1453
(This is when Clairet became so popular)
What is the success of Bordeaux linked to
The fact that it was a center for trade since it sits on the Atlantic Ocean
What were negociants?
People who bought fruit and wine which they stored and aged in their own cellars and then sold the bottled product
What are Courtiers
People who financially support the wine making chateaux and as a result have control over the actual trade of wine
What is en primeur
It is a wine trade term used for wines sold as futures before being bottled
What is Clairet
A dark pink wine style famous in Bordeaux. There is skin contact fermentation for about 24 hours before the skin is removed and the wine continues to dryness.
This style should be drunk as early as possible
What is the climate like in Bordeaux
- Maritime climate with influence from the atlantic and gironde estuary
What do the Atlantic and Gironde estuary do for Bordeaux
They protect the grape vines from winter freeze and spring frost
Which region in Bordeaux is protected by coastal pine forests?
Medoc vineyards - the pine forests protect them from harsh wind
Which regions in Bordeaux begin to move towards a continental climate?
St. Emilion and Pomerol
T/F : Rain is a worry in Bordeaux
Yes - especially during harvest time
What does the humidity bring to Bordeaux that is a cause for worry?
Mold and rotting of the grapes
Spring-time frost can lead to what two things that can drastically lower yield?
Coulure and millerandage
What is Coulure
Excessive shedding of young berries that lead to clusters with few berries
What is millerandage?
When grape clusters vary in size and maturity
What is the Bordeaux Mixture that helps manage fungal problems
lime, copper sulfate, and water
What are the six grapes allowed for Bordeaux AOP red wines
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
- Petit Verdot
- Malbec
- Carmenère
Which is the most widely planted and earliest to ripen in Bordeaux?
Merlot ( prefers clay based soils since it delays it’s natural vigor)
Why does Bordeaux usually make blends? (assemblage)
It’s varying soils and different ripening times for the grapes.
What type of soil does Cabernet Sauvignon thrive in (Bordeaux)
Well drained gravel (allows the vines roots to dig deep while providing water stress which grows a more concentrated grape)
What soils in Bordeaux does Cabernet Franc love?
Limestone based soils - promotes acidity and freshness in a wine
What styles are the standard Bordeaux AOP wines?
Red, White, Rose, Clairet
What is encepagement?
The mix of vine varieties planted on a particular property
What does Cabernet Sauvignon add to a blend?
structure, power, and longevity
What does Merlot contribute to a blend?
Fleshy, juicy texture that can soften the austerity of cabernet sauvignon
What does Cabernet Franc contribute to a blend?
herbal spice and red fruit aromas - (this grape is more tannic than merlot but not as muscular and weighty as cabernet sauvignon)
What can determine the weight of the blends in Bordeaux?
soil, climate, and location
What grapes dominate the blends on the left bank (Graves & Medoc)
- Cab Sauv ~ 1/3 of the blend
- Merlot, cab franc, and other varieties make up the remainder
What grapes dominate the blends on the right bank?
- Merlot 3/4
- Cabernet Franc 1/4
(these proportions may vary greatly depending on the chateau)
What does petit verdot contribute to a blend?
- color, depth, and exotic perfume
(usually added to the left bank blends in very small quantities)
Where in Bordeaux is Malbec usually used?
On the right bank, has similar contributions as Merlot but is used very little in Bordeaux
What grapes dominate the Bordeaux AOP white blends?
Sauvignon blanc, semillon, muscadelle
Which white grape is considered a principle grape in Bordeaux but is not as widely planted?
Sauvignon Gris
Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, and Colombard are restricted to a maximum of what percentage in a Bordeaux AOP wine?
30%
What does Sauvignon Blanc contribute to a white blend in Bordeaux?
pungency, high acidity, and citrus flavors
What does Muscadelle contribute to a white bordeaux blend?
intense floral character (this grape is added sparingly)
The sharpness of Sauvignon Blanc is lessened by which white grape in bordeaux
Semillon
What are the best white wines like in bordeaux?
creamy, waxy texture with aromas of honey and beeswax
T/F : The Bordeaux grapes have a natural affinity for oak
True!
- a top chateau in a commune will age red wines for 2 years in barriques
- the best white wines usually age their wines for 12-16 months
What kinds of wines may qualify for Bordeaux Superior AOP?
red and off dry white with a higher minimum alcohol content
What are the traditional method sparkling wines called in Bordeaux?
Crémant de Bordeaux