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 Superieur AOC;
Cremant de Bordeaux AOC.

Question 3

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

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 grapes are mainly used in Bordeaux AOC white wines?

Answer 6

Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 7

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

Answer 7

All white varieties can be used except for Alvarinho

Question 8

Which grapes are used for Bordeaux Rose and Clairet?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Is Bordeaux Rose dry or off dry?

Answer 9

Always dry.

Question 10

What is red Bordeaux AOC wine normally based on?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Haut-Benauge.

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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

Question 13

When was Bordeaux Superieur AOC awarded? for which styles?

Answer 13

Awarded 1943 for Red and semi-sweet whites.

Question 14

How does Bordeaux Superieur AOC differ from Bordeaux AOC?

Answer 14

Stricter production standards,e.g. lower yields and higher ABV minimum.
Fruit comes from special parcels or “older vines”;
Must be estate-bottled.

Question 15

What style of whites are made in Bordeaux Superieur?

Answer 15

Must be semi-sweet from at least 70% of primary white grapes.

Question 16

Which white grape is not permitted in Bordeaux Superieur AOC?

Answer 16

Alvarinho. There is no dry white produced here.

Question 17

How long must Bordeaux Superieur Rouge be aged for after harvest?

Answer 17

Until June 15th in year after harvest

Question 18

Is Bordeaux Superieur white and red oaked?

Answer 18

Sometimes.

Question 19

When was Cremant de Bourgogne awarded? for which styles?

Answer 19

Awarded 1990 for sparkling white and rose.

Question 20

Which grapes are permitted for Cremant de Bourgogne AOC?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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

Question 22

How is the use of Alvarinho restricted in the regional AOCs of Bordeaux?

Answer 22

Not permitted in Bordeaux AOC semi-sweet wines;
Not permitted in Bordeaux Superieur.