Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

ADVANCED SOMM > LEFT BANK BDX > Flashcards

LEFT BANK BDX Flashcards

Graves + Medoc

1
Q

What six red grape varieties are allowed in the Bordeaux AOP? Which 3 dominate and to what extent?

A

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere.
Merlot, Cab Sauv, and Cab Franc dominate - constituting 99% of red vineyard

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What white grapes are allowed under the basic Bordeaux AOP?

A

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, Colombard

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

__________ and ___________ are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon.

A

Sauvignon Blanc x Cabernet Franc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Merlot and Carmenere share what parent grape?

A

Cabernet Franc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Merlot and Malbec are half-siblings, linked by what parent grape?

A

Magdalene Noire de Charentes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which two grapes are considered outliers in that they are the only 2 grapes not related to the rest of the Bordeaux Family?

A

Muscadelle

Petit Verdot

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris?

A

Sauvignon Gris is a grey-skinned, earlier ripening mutation. It is listed as a separate variety on the cahiers des charges but is genetically identical. It is especially popular in Graves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What 3 regional appellations cover the entire area of Bordeaux?

A

Bordeaux AOP
Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
Cremant de Bordeaux AOP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What styles of wine can be produced under the basic Bordeaux AOP?

A

White - dry, off-dry, and medium-sweet
Rose and Clairet
Red

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What styles of wine can be produced under the Bordeaux Superieur AOP? How does this AOP differ from the basic Bordeaux AOP?

A

The Supérieur AOP only allows red and medium-sweet white wine styles - requiring longer elevage before release, minimum vine density is slightly higher, yields are lower, potential alcohol required is slightly higher. Basically, a BDX AOP wine in France sells for 6euro of less; BDX Superieur sells for 6 to 15euro.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What IGP covers Bordeaux? What other departments does this IGP cover?

A

Atlantique IGP

Spans 5 departments: Gironde, Dordogne, Charente and Charente-Maritime, and the western part of the Lot-et-Garonne

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What was the name of the first establishment to occupy modern day Bordeaux? When was it founded and by what tribe?

A

Burdigala

Est. in the 3rd century BC by a Celtic tribe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What was the first Bordeaux wine to be sold as a brand? When was the first mention of this recorded?

A

Around 1660, Haut Brion appears in King Charles II’s cellar notes. In 1663, Samuel Pepys praises a Ho Bryen that hath a most good and particular taste.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What group of people are at the root of modern day Bordeaux wine styles and how?

A

The Dutch became Bordeaux’s most important direct consumers in the early 1600s - they demanded full bodied, deeply colored reds and sweet white wines. They re-introduced the German technique of burning sulfur candles in barrels prior to aging wine.
They also drained the swamps via jalles, but we know about this already.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What was the Pontac’s Head?

A

A fashionable eating house in London; opened by Arnaud de Pontac III for the exclusive purpose of selling his wine, Haut Brion, at a premium.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

In the 18th century, what 4 properties fell under the ownership of Alexander de Gasq?

A

The 3 Leovilles - Leoville Las Cases, Leoville Poyferre, Leoville Barton and Chateau Palmer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Nicolas Alexander de Segur presided over what 3 now very important estates in the early 1700s?

A

Chateau Latour
Chateau Lafite
Chateau Calon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

When and how did Malbec arrive in Bordeaux?

A

Malbec arrived in 1730, when a Cahors native bought Chateau de Pressac

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What were the 3 big diseases to arrive in Bordeaux in the late 19th century?

A

Phylloxera
Oidium
Peronospera

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

When did Oidium arrive in Bordeaux and what effect did it have on the vineyards?

A

Oidium, aka powdery mildew, arrived first in the sweet wine vineyards along the Garonne and then spread to the Medoc. It crippled yields - 1854 BDX saw its lowest harvest since the late 1700s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

When did phylloxera arrive in Bordeaux and what effect did it have on the vineyard area?

A
  1. The biggest, already successful Chateau could afford the extensive replanting. A number of less wealthy planted hybrids - in 2011 the 4th most planted grape was still Villard Noir!!! Others simply ceased to exist and a lack of stock was made up with negociant purchases from elsewhere.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What disease arrived in 1880s Bordeaux, after the spread of phylloxera and oidium? What was the cure?

A

Peronospora, aka downy mildew

The defense was a copper-sulfate mixture (1888)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What 3 years post-WW2 are considered all time greats for Bordeaux?

A

1945, 1947, and 1949

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What does the term “sur souches” refer to in the world of Bordeaux wines?

A

The negociant process of buying wines based on the previous vintage price, agreed upon prior to harvest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What was the first Bordeaux estate to begin estate bottling and when? When did estate bottling become compulsory for classed estates in the Medoc?

A

Mouton-Rothschild, 1924

1972

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What warm, dry years were considered the best of the 1980s for Bordeaux?

A

1982, 1988, 1989, 1990

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What were the 2000s era “vintages of the century”?

A

2000
2005
2009
2010

28
Q

What major Bordeaux property famously opted out of the en primeur in 2012?

A

Chateau Latour

29
Q

For the Medoc, what are the typical vine training systems and regulated densities?

A

Guyot trained - double. Canopy height is typically lowest here.. only 1m off the ground to take advantage of stones’ warmth.
Densities are the highest BDX - min. 7000 vines/hectare. Top properties do 1x1m spacing

30
Q

What is the only fully biodynamic classified Sauternes property? Fully biodynamic classed Medoc property?

A

Chateau Climens in Sauternes

Chateau Pontet-Canet in the Medoc

31
Q

From harvest to bottling, what are the “routine” choices for red Bordeaux, from harvest to elevage?

A
  • De-stemming is the norm
  • Chaptalization might occur but isn’t common
  • Fermentation takes place in any type of vessel, from concrete to barrique
  • Remontage is traditional and common.. although pigeage does have its defenders
  • Malo occurs in tank or barrel by end of harvest year
  • elevage lasts 18-24 months typically for a grand vin; traditionally, racking occurring once every 3 months
32
Q

What are the traditional, routine choices for white Bordeaux, from harvest to elevage?

A
  • Dry and sweet whites typically undergo fermentation in barrique (looking at the higher end properties/wines).
  • oak usage today usually tops out around 50%
  • Usually do not undergo malo, except in the most acidic vintages
  • barrel maturation, even for the best whites, rarely goes past 12 to 15 months
33
Q

What is cliquage and why is it practiced?

A

Cliquage is a method of micro-oxygenation employed during elevage, while the wines are in barrel.
Proponents say it battles reduction invited through battonage; critics say it is a short term gain that risks long term stability

34
Q

What are the Medoc’s 8 AOPs?

A 
Medoc AOP  - generally used for the colder, rainier vineyards north of St Estephe
Haut-Medoc AOP - the better area in which all of the communes are located
St. Estephe AOP
Pauillac AOP
St. Julian AOP
Margaux AOP 
Listrac-Medoc AOP
Moulis-en-Medoc AOP
35
Q

What leading unclassified chateau labels as Haut-Medoc AOP, from a strip of land just north of St. Estephe?

A

Chateau Sociando-Mallet

36
Q

What “thing” divides the boundary between St. Estephe and Pauillac to the south? More specifically, what two properties does it divide?

A

The Jalle de Breuil

Chateau Cos d’Estournel from Chateau Lafite-Rothschild

37
Q

What are St. Estephe’s 5 classed estates? What are their respective rankings?

A

2nd: Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Chateau Montrose
3rd: Chateau Calon Segur
4th: Chateau Lafon-Rochet
5th: Chateau Cos Labory

38
Q

Classically (and generally) speaking, how might one describe the wines of St Estephe? How is this style changing and why?

A

The wines of St Estephe have long been typically described as hard, rustic, aggressive and sturdy.. requiring years to soften.
Until recently, a great percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was planted in a commune with a higher amount of dense clay - that percentage is shifting towards merlot. 40% of this communes 1250ha are now merlot, making richer softer wines.

39
Q

What is “classic” for Pauillac style?

A

Predominately Cabernet Sauvignon - 80 - 95% of the blend in warm vintages for the grand vins. Pauillac is all about power.. dark, firm requiring years in the cellar.

40
Q

What are Pauillac’s 1st growths?

A

Chateau Latour
Chateau Lafite
Chateau Moutin-Rothschild

41
Q

What are Pauillac’s 2nd growths?

A

Chateau Pichon Longueville

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

42
Q

What are Pauillac’s 3rd growths?

A

There are none

43
Q

What are Pauillac’s 4th growths?

A

Chateau Duhart-Milon-Rothschild

44
Q

Pauillac has (12) 5th growths. Name… any.

A

Chateau Pontet-Canet
Chateau Batailley, Chateau Haut-Batailley
Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal
Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste, Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse
Chateau Lynch Bages, Chateau Lynch Moussas
Chateau d’Armhillauc
Chateau Pedesclaux
Chateau Clerc-Milon
Chateau Croizet-Bages

45
Q

What villages are fall into the Saint Julien commune?

A 
Saint-Julien-Beychevelle
Saint-Laurent-Medoc*
Cussac-Fort-Medoc*
Pauillac*
*allowed to retain Saint Julien status, even as neighboring vines were not, as they were part of 1855 classed properties
46
Q

What is unique about Saint Julien’s classed growths?

A

85% of production is controlled by just 11 classed growths.

47
Q

How might one describe Saint Julien’s general (and classic) style?

A

Best described by what it is not - elegant without being Margaux, firm without the power of Pauillac. Its the Chambolle-Musigny of Bordeaux.

48
Q

What are Saint Julien’s (5) 2nd growths?

A 
Chateau Leoville Barton
Chateau Leoville-Las Cases
Chateau Leoville-Poyferre
Chateau Gruad Larose
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
49
Q

What are Saint Julien’s (2) 3rd growths?

A

Chateau Lagrange

Chateau Langoa Barton

50
Q

What are Saint Julien’s (4) 4th growths?

A

Chateau Talbot
Chateau Beychevelle
Chateau Branare-Ducru
Chateau Saint-Pierre

51
Q

What are Saint Julien’s 5th growths?

A

There are none. There are 11 total and all fall into 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

52
Q

What 5 communes fall into the Margaux commune?

A 
Margaux
Labarde
Arsac
Soussans
Cantenac
53
Q

How might one describe Margaux’s classic style?

A

Often more aromatic and silkier than the neighbors to the north, although a touch lighter in body.

54
Q

Describe the lay of the land in Margaux - size? soils? Encepagement?

A
  • 1500ha; the 21 classified control about 70% of production
  • broader than its northern neighbors; lower in elevation
  • wider diversity of soils. Gravel is shallower. More sand, clay and limestone.. especially outside of Margaux and Cantenac
  • Cabernet makes up about 65% of plantings
55
Q

What are Margaux’s (5) 2nd growths?

A 
Chateau Rauzan-Gassies, Chateau Rauzan-Segla
Chateau Durfort-Vivens
Chateau Lascombes
Chateau Brane-Cantenac 
All in Margaux except for Brane Cantenac
56
Q

What are Margaux’s (10) 3rd growths?

Bonus: What villages are each in?

A

2 in Margaux:
Chateau Malescot-Saint-Exupery, Chateau Marquis d’Aselme Becker

6 in Cantenac:
Chateau Desmirail, Chateau Kirwan, Chateau Boyd Cantenac, Chateau Ferriere, Chateau Cantenac Brown, Chateau Palmer

1 in Labarde: Chateau Giscours

57
Q

Which estates are the only of Margaux’s classifieds to sit outside of the villages of Cantenac and Margaux?

A

Chateau Giscours in Labarde - a 3rd growth property
Chateau Dauzac in Labarde
Chateau du Tertre in Arsac

58
Q

What are Margaux’s (3) 4th growths?

A

Chateau Marquis de Terme (Margaux)
Chateau Pouget (Cantenac)
Chateau Prieure-LIchine (Cantenac)

59
Q

What are Margaux’s (2) 5th growths?

A 
Chateau Dauzac (Labarde)
Chateau du Tertre (Arsac)
60
Q

What geographic feature does the Moulis appellation have going for it?

A

It shares the western edge of the Grand Poujeaux gravel plateau with Saint Julien.

61
Q

What are the two leading chateaux in Moulis?

A

Chateau Chasse Spleen

Chateau Poujeaux

62
Q

What does the designation “Cru Artisan” indicate in Bordeaux?

A

Denotes small producers, averaging ~6ha each, who are stewards of the land and the craft of winemaking.. without the financing or apparatus of large scale operations. 44 producers have the right to this term.
Cru Artisan is a century and a half old.. but only formally recognized in 2002 and used from 2005 on. Revised in 2018.

63
Q

When was the designation “Cru Bourgeois” introduced and what was its purpose?

A

Introduced in 1932 - included a whole 444 properties with the goal of giving these non-aristocratic properties collective marketing power during the worldwide depression. There were 3 quality levels.
The designation was never formally recognized.

64
Q

What big event transformed the “Cru Bourgeois” designation and how? What does this term mean today?

A

2003: the designation is revised, trimming properties from 444 to 247 total.. with only 9 in the top tier and a mandate to revise every 12 years. This did not sit well. Properties sued and by 2007 it was out the door.
Reintroduced in 2008.. its a mark of quality awarded annually after submission of wines before a blind tasting panel. No more quality tiers.

65
Q

What classified properties lay outside of the major commune AOPs? What villages are they located in?

A

*All fall under the Haut-Medoc AOP
Chateau la Lagune - Ludon - 3rd growth
Chateau la Tour Carnet - Saint-Laurent - 4th growth
Chateau Cantemerle - Macau - 5th growth
Chateau de Carmensac - Saint-Laurent - 5th growth
Chateau Belgave - Saint-Laurent - 5th growth

ADVANCED SOMM (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions