Bordeaux Pt 7 - Regional AOCs

Question 1

How are the AOCs of Bordeaux generally characterised?

Answer 1

Commune based eg Margaux;
Singular part of the region eg Medoc, Graves;
Regional eg Cremant de Bordeaux

Question 2

What are the most important regional AOCs in Bordeaux?

Answer 2

Bordeaux AOC;
Bordeaux Superiore AOC;
Cremant de Bordeaux AOC.

Question 3

What % of wines do the regional still wine AOCs produace?

Answer 3

50% of the region’s production.

Question 4

When was Bordeaux AOC awarded? for which styles?

Answer 4

Awarded 1936 for dry white, rose, clairet, red and Semi-sweet white.

Question 5

Which primary grapes are permitted in Bordeaux AOC wines?

Answer 5

White: (P) Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle;
Rose/Gris: (P) Sauvignon Gris;
Red: (P) Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere

Question 6

Which white grape can not be used in semi-sweet wines in Bordeaux AOC?

Answer 6

Alvarinho

Question 7

Which grapes are used for Rose and Clairet?

Answer 7

Rose - reds with some Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc;
Clairet - reds only

Question 8

What is red Bordeaux AOC wine normally based on?

Answer 8

Merlot. They have a light tannic structure for early drinking.

Question 9

Which is a DGC in both Bordeaux AOC and Entre-Deux-Mers AOC?

Answer 9

Haut-Benauge.

Question 10

What does Haut-Benauge produce under the Bordeaux AOC label?

Answer 10

Dry and semi-sweet whites from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 11

When was Bordeaux Superieur AOC awarded? for which styles?

Answer 11

Awarde 1943 for Red and semi-sweet whites.

Question 12

Which primary grapes are permitted in Bordeaux AOC wines?

Answer 12

White: (P) Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle;
Rose/Gris: (P) Sauvignon Gris;
Red: (P) Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere

Question 13

Why is Alvarinho not permitted in Bordeaux Superieur AOC?

Answer 13

There is no dry white produced here.

Question 14

When was Cremant de Bourgogne awarded? for which styles?

Answer 14

Awarded 1990 for sparkling white and rose.

Question 15

Which grapes are permitted for Cremant de Bourgogne AOC?

Answer 15

White: (P) Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle;
Rose/Gris: (P) Sauvignon Gris;
Red: (P) Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere

Question 16

Which grapes must be used for sparkling white? Rose? Blanc de Noirs?

Answer 16

White - Must be at least 70% of the primary varieties.
Rose - red only;
Blanc de Noirs - at least 70% of all primary varieties.