Bordeaux Flashcards
(188 cards)
1
Q
Who is Emile Peynaud (1912-2004)?
A
Professor at Bordeaux University
Considered Father of modern Oenology
Championed Temperature control, malolactic fermentation and 2nd labels
2
Q
Who is Robert Parker?
A
He championed the 1982 Bordeaux vintage against all others.
This launched his career and he triggered the 3rd Golden age which Bordeaux is still in
3
Q
What does Aquitaine mean?
A
Well-watered place, one of France’s 27 administrative regions
4
Q
What are the Dordogne & Garonne in Bordeaux?
A
Rivers
5
Q
What is the Gironde?
A
It is the estuary that is named after the Girondel Swallow
6
Q
What are the 3 levels of AOC in Bordeaux?
A
Regional
Sub-Regional
Commune
They get more precise as you get to the Commune level
7
Q
What is the difference between Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
A
Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines require lower yields and higher minimum ABV
There is no dry white Bordeaux Supérieur
8
Q
What are the 3 principal rivers in Bordeaux?
A
Garonne
Dordogne
Gironde Estuary
9
Q
What percentage of red plantings do Malbec, Petit Verdot & Carménère make up in Bordeaux?
A
2%
10
Q
What are the stats on Carménère in Bordeaux?
A
Rich velvety red
Susceptible to disease in Bordeaux
Not soil specific
Delivers flavors of Indian Spice
11
Q
What are the stats on Petit Verdot in Bordeaux?
A
Highly Tannic & Pigmented
Late ripening - sometimes fail to ripen
Prefers gravel & sand
12
Q
What are the stats on Malbec (Côt) in Bordeaux?
A
AKA Côt & Noir de Pressac Low Acidity Blackberry fruit aromas Devastated by the freeze of 1956 Prefers limestone
13
Q
What are the stats on Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux?
A
10% of the red plantings
Early ripening
Prefers limestone
Moderate tannins, acidity, pigment & alcohol
14
Q
What are the stats on Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux?
A
23% of the red plantings Late ripening Prefers gravel & sand High Acidity, pigment & tannin Moderate alcohol
15
Q
What are the stats on Merlot in Bordeaux?
A
65% of the red plantings Early ripening Prefers clay Moderate tannins Low Acidity High Alcohol
16
Q
What are the stats on Muscadelle in Bordeaux?
A
6% of the plantings
Plays a minor role in white blends
Not related to Muscat family of grapes
17
Q
What are the stats on Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?
A
43% of the white plantings
Dominates the dry white blends
Notes of pinepapple
18
Q
What are the stats on Sémillon in Bordeaux?
A
49% of the white plantings
Tends to dominate the sweet plantings
Flavors of apricot and fig
19
Q
What are the 3 primary white grapes of Bordeaux?
A
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
20
Q
What 3 Entre-Deux-Mers AOC’s can bottle dry red wines under their own AOC name?
A
Cadillac-Côte de Bordeaux (red only)
Saint-Foy-Bordeaux (dry and semi-sweet white also)
Graves de Vayres (dry and semi-sweet white also)
21
Q
What 4 Entre-Deux-Mers AOC’s produce sweet wines of at least 4.5% RS?
A
Cadillac AOC (sweet wine only) Loupiac AOC (sweet wine only) Saint-Croix-du-Mont (sweet wine only) Côte de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire (dry and semi-sweet wines also)
22
Q
What 5 Entre-Deux-Mers AOC’s produce Moelleux or semi-sweet wines (1.2 - 4.5% RS)?
A
Bordeaux Haut-Benauge AOC (dry white also)
Premières Côte de Bordeaux AOC (Red also)
Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOC (Reds & dry white also)
Graves de Vayres AOC (red & dry white also)
Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire AOC (Dry and sweet white also)
23
Q
What are the 2 dry white only AOC’s in Entre-Deux-Mers?
A
Entre-Deux-Mers AOC
Entre-Deux-Mers-Haut-Benauge AOC
24
Q
What are the general details of the Bordeaux region of Entre-Deux-Mers?
A
Between the Garonne & Dordogne rivers Complex Soils - Alluvial deposits on the river flanks - Some slopes are pure gravel - Plateaus: composites of clay & sand or clay & limestone Whites mainly Sauvignon Blanc Reds blends of Merlot & both Cabernets Red wine far outpaces white wine production, with most bottled as Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur
25
T or F? The Médoc region only produces red wine?
True
26
What is the St Emilion Classification?
It is the only Right Bank Classification system
Established in 1955 revised every 10 years
Classification of 2012, 82 properties ranked
- 4 Premières Grands Cru's classés A level
- 14 Premières Grands Cru's classés B level
- 64 Grand Cru's classé
NOTE:
St Emilion Grand Cru = AOC
St Emilion Grand Cru classé = A classified growth
27
What is the Graves Classification System?
```
Classifications in 1953 + 1959
Ranked the wines of 16 estates:
- 6 for red + white
- 3 for white only
- 7 for red only
All wines fall within the Pessac-Leognan AOC and are entitled to the Status:
"Grand Cru Classé de Graves"
```
28
What are Cru Artisans?
Established in 2006 in the Médoc
50 Properties were ranked
Small 2.5 to 12.5 acre properties
Entirely responsible for their own production
29
What is a Petit Chateau?
Any unranked or unclassified property.
| All Cru Bourgeois are Petit Chateau
30
What was the Classification of 1855 in Médoc
Napoleon III had the Chateaus ranked in 1855
87 Chateaus were ranked
- 1 Estate from Pessac-Leognan
- 60 Estates from Medoc
- 26 Estates from Sauternes + Barsac
Reds were ranked from 1st growth to 5th growth
Whites were ranked from Supérieur growth to 2nd growth
31
What is Bordeaux's fame in the 21st century?
Greatest percentage of large wine estates
Produces most of France's luxury bottlings
Produces 1/4 of all AOC wine in France
32
What are the 2 world heritage sites in Bordeaux?
The City of Bordeaux (2007)
| The town of St Emilion (1999)
33
How large is the Bordeaux wine region?
63 miles N - S
78 miles E - W
280K acres of vineyards
Nearly 5 x the size of Bourgogne
34
What is the climate like in Bordeaux?
Maritime climate due to Atlantic influences
Receives 37" of rain per year
Irrigation is not necessary or legal
Gulf Stream warms and regulates temperatures
35
What grape suffered the most during the freeze of 1956?
Malbec, losing 1/3 of its plantings which were replaced by Merlot
36
What are the origins of Bordeaux soils?
Last Ice Age left extensive river deposits and maritime sediments
Bordeaux soils are sedimentary
Gravel terraces interspersed with sand, silt, and clay
Also fresh water and salt water limestone
37
What are the two types of Bordeaux soils?
Warm Soils (Left Bank)
- Gravel: Firmly structured wines
- Sand: Fruit forward wine
Cold Soils (Right Bank)
- Clay: Wines with notes of prune + english walnut
- Limestone: Wines with pronounced acidity and polished tannins
38
T or F? The Bordeaux Blend is mandated by law?
False
39
How many miles inland is the Gironde tidal?
75 Miles
40
What did the 1855 classification system rank?
Market worth of the wine
41
T or F? Bordeaux produces more AOC wines than anywhere else in France..
True
42
What are the Pomerol Satellites?
LaLande Pomerol AOC
43
What are the 4 Saint Emilion satellites?
St Georges-Saint Emilion AOC
Lussac-Saint Emilion AOC
Montagne-St Emilion AOC
Puisseguin-St Emilion AOC
44
What are the season like in Bordeaux?
Climatically Bordeaux experiences all 4 seasons
Springs - wet + often accompanied by frost
Summers - warm + sunny. Moderate cloud cover causing grapes to sometimes struggle to ripen
Fall - variable, sometimes rain risking the harvest
Winter - Moderate, there can be freezes like 1956
45
Does "St Emilion Grand Cru" represent a classified estate?
No, "St Emilion Grand Cru Classé " does
46
What did the 1855 classification in Bordeaux rank?
It ranked the pricing to rank the Chateaus, primarily in Médoc
60 estates in the Médoc and 1 in Pessac-Leognan as well as the sweet wines of Sauternes + Barsac
This classification is outside the AOC's
47
What is different about the Pomerol Soil?
It is very iron rich on marl bedrock
48
What are the 5 areas in Bordeaux that can contribute grapes to the Côtes de Bordeaux, dry red?
```
Old Premières Côtes de Blaye
Francs - Côtes de Bordeaux
Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux
Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
Sainte Foy Côtes de Bordeaux
```
49
What are the characteristics of the Côtes de Bordeaux?
```
The slope to the river
Mainly located on the right bank
Most face west
Have clay/limestone soils
Mostly planted to Merlot & Cabernet Franc
```
50
What is the Ciron?
A river that flows under the Le lande Forest so it is cold
| It meets the warm Garonne River it creates a mist that enables Botrytis
51
What is the difference between Claret and Clairet?
Claret: English nickname for Bordeaux reds
Clairet: a semi-red, darker than rosé, but lighter than red wine
52
What are the red grapes on the left bank and right bank in Bordeaux?
Left Bank:
- Gravel - Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
- Sand - Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
Right Bank:
- Limestone - Cabernet Franc & Malbec
- Clay - Merlot
53
Describe the Right Bank Côtes AOC's of Bourg and Côtes de Bourg...
Reds and dry white
Merlot Dominant
Whites are Sauvignon Dominant
54
Describe the Entre-Deux-Mers Côtes AOC of Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint Macaire..
Dry, semi-sweet and sweet wine AOC
Sweet wines are Sémillon dominant
Dry whites are Sauvignon Blanc dominant
Limestone soils, or clay-limestone soils and clay-sand composites
55
What is Carménère a cross of?
Cabernet Franc x Gros Cabernet
56
What is Malbec a cross of?
Prunelard x Magdeleine Noir de Charentes
57
Describe the right bank Côtes AOC Blaye AOC..
Red wine only for Blaye AOC
Minimum 50% Merlot and both Cabernets
Dry whites only based on Colombard fall into the Côtes de Blaye AOC
58
What are the secondary red grapes in Bordeaux?
Malbec
Petit Verdot
Carmenère
59
Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Premières Côtes de Bordeaux..
Moelleux / semi-sweet wines
Sémillon dominant
Minimum 11.5% ABV 3.4 RS
60
What soils are better for Cabernet Franc?
Cold Soils: limestone
61
Describe the right bank Côtes AOC Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux..
Reds based on Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Dry and Liquoreux whites based on Sémillon
Red wine dominates production
62
What soils are best for Merlot?
Cold soils - clay
63
Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux..
```
Red only AOC
Merlot Dominant (70-80%) with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
```
64
What is Merlot a cross between?
Magdeleine Noire de Charentes x Cabernet Franc
65
Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Cadillac-Côtes de Bordeaux..
Red AOC only
Merlot Dominant
Lots of gravel mixed in resulting in more than usual Cabernet Sauvignon
66
What soil types are best for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Warm soils: gravel + sand
67
What are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Sauvignon Blanc + Cabernet Franc
68
Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux..
Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc based with Semillon + Muscadelle
Rouge: Merlot based with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec
69
Where did Cabernet Sauvignon originate?
Bordeaux
70
Where did Merlot originate?
Bordeaux
71
Where did Cabernet Franc originate?
The Basque country in Spain
72
Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Côte de Bordeaux..
```
Began with the 2008 vintage
Is red only
It is 4 stand alone AOCs joined under 1 umbrella appellation they are:
Premières Côtes de Blaye
Bordeaux Côtes de Francs
Côtes de Castillon
Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
```
73
Which classification system ranks the wines of Bordeaux not the Estates?
Graves - 16
6 for reds & whites
7 for reds only
3 for white only
74
Describe the Bordeaux right bank region of the Côtes ..
All Côtes are on the right banks of the rivers or estuary
All are west facing
Soils are predominantly clay & limestone
Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends prevail
75
Describe the 4 Libournais right bank Saint Emilion satellites..
Saint Georges - Saint Emilion AOC
Lussac - Saint Emilion AOC
Montagne - Saint Emilion AOC
Puisseguin - Saint Emilion AOC
Same flavors and aromas as Saint Emilion but more delicate structure
76
When was wine first mentioned in Bordeaux?
Ausonius mentioned it around 310-393 AD
| Château Ausone is named after him
77
Who invaded Bordeaux after the fall of Rome?
Vandals, Visigoths then the Franks
City was revived under Merovingian Kings
Then invaded by the Moors
Reestablished as a fiefdom of the Carolingian dynasty under the Dukes of Gascony
78
What event happened in 1152?
Eleanor d' Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou
Henry became King Henry II of England and Duke of Normandy
This union gave England control over Aquitaine, Gascony and a good portion of western France
79
What gave birth to Bordeauxs 1st Golden Age?
England's demand for Sacramental wine created a wealthy merchant class for Bordeauxs red wine
80
What was the Hundred Years War?
England's King Edward III refused to pay homage to the King of France starting the war
The French won the war in 1453 at the Battle of Castillon
81
What did the Dutch do in the 1600's to Bordeaux?
The Dutch mercantile empire gained significant influence after the 100 years war
Bordeaux shifted production to dry white wine to meet Dutch needs
The Dutch drained the Médoc peninsula reclaiming vineyard lands
82
What heralded Bordeauxs 2nd Golden Age?
Trade with new Dutch and British colonies
The wealthy began building luxurious Chateaus with surrounding vineyards.
This was started by Haut Brion
83
What was the impact of the railway on Bordeaux?
The railway linked Bordeaux to inland France reviving trade
84
Who was Napoleon III?
He took over France in a Coup d'état in 1852
He was pro-mercantile and re-established trade with England
He initiate the 1855 classification system
85
What is Powdery Mildew?
It is a fungal disease coming from the USA that hit Bordeaux in 1852
Thick white filaments blanket the vine which can reduce yields, retard pigment and stunt cluster growth
It also creates off flavors
86
What is Phylloxera?
A small insect indigenous to the USA that arrived in Bordeaux in 1865
It kills grapevines by attacking roots, saliva creates galls in the vine
European Vitis Vinifera vines are unable to heal over the bite wounds
Bacteria and fungi enter the plant and rot the root
American vines are immune to this vineyard pest
87
What is Downy Mildew?
It is a fungal disease
Germinates in warm, humid weather
Attacks leave and stems, first with "oil spots" the with white cotton filaments
Vines lose leaves which can delay or prevent ripening
88
Describe the Libournais right bank AOC's Saint Emilion & Saint Emilion Grand Cru..
They cover the exact same area of production
Grand cru has tougher standards - lower yields and higher alcohol.
Grand Cru must also be bottled at the Chateaux with 2 tastings 1 before and 1 after the 1 year of bottle time
Limestone & Clay soil with high acid and polished tannins
Sandy soil is fruit forward
Pomerol soils - walnut, truffle & prune
89
Describe the Libournais right bank AOC's of Pomerol and LaLande-de-Pomerol..
Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends with heady aromas and velvety textures
Unique Iron rich clay soils
Lalande-de-Pomerol wines are less aromatic and less structured
90
Describe the Libournais right bank AOC's of Fronsac & Canon Fronsac..
Separated from the rest of the Libournais by the Isle River
Clay & limestone soils
Merlot & Cabernet Franc dominant
91
Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Pessac-Léognan...
Received AOC status in 1987
Northwest portion of Graves with deep gravel soils
Note-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon based reds
Also Sauvignon-based whites that see oak
92
What are the general details on the right bank region of the Libournais?
Principle City is Libourne
Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends
Silken in texture less powerfully structured than the left bank
93
Who is Jean Capus?
He is the "Father of the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée" AOC system
He separated Bordeaux into 57 AOC's in 1935
94
Who is Emile Peynaud?
Professor at the University of Bordeaux
He encouraged vignerons to use a second label for young or lower quality fruit
This resulted in superior first quality lables
95
What happened in 1956 in Bordeaux?
A deep freeze that killed 1/4 of Bordeauxs vines
| Those that replanted did so with red grapes primarily Merlot
96
What are the 3 principle red grapes of Bordeaux?
Merlot 65%
Cabernet Sauvignon 23%
Cabernet Franc 10%
97
What percentage of Bordeaux's total area under vine is planted to white grapes?
12%
98
What is the synonym for Folle Blanch?
Gros Plant
99
What is Ugni Blanc also known as?
Trebbiano
100
Where is the white grape Muscadelle from?
The Gironde/Dordogne region of Bordeaux
101
Where is the white grape Sauvignon Blanc from?
Loire Valley
102
Where is the white grape Sémillon from?
Sauternes area in Bordeaux
103
What are the 3 principal white grapes in Bordeaux?
Sémillon 49%
Sauvignon Blanc 43%
Muscadelle 6%
104
What are the 2 main soil types in Bordeaux?
Warm Soils: Gravel & sand
| Cold Soils: Clay & Limestone
105
What is Les Land?
A massive man made forest, 2.5 million acres
| Planted to protect the Médoc peninsula
106
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Maritime due to Atlantic influences
107
When did the Romans arrive in Bordeaux?
1st Century
108
As the Roman empire declined who filled the void?
The Vandals, Visigoths, Moors & Franks
109
Who was the power couple of Bordeaux?
In 1152 Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet
| This resulted in the 1st golden age with England buying the wine
110
What happened in the 100 years war?
1337 - 1453 war with the English to lay claim to the French Crown
The French won
111
What was the Dutch influence in the 1600's?
The Dutch drained the marshes on the left bank
| They also switched the wine making from red to white
112
When was the 2nd Golen Age?
In the 1700's when the wealthy began building Chateaus surrounded by vineyards in Bordeaux
113
What did the 1789 French Revolution do to Bordeaux?
Because the merchant class not the Church owned the vineyards the impact was not as bad as in Bourgogne
114
Why did Bordeaux escape the extreme fractionalization of Vineyard holdings that we saw in Bourgogne?
Incorporation
The Bordelais incorporated their estates
Ownership was "fragmented" on paper as shares, but the Chateaux and vineyards remained intact
115
Just as trade began to flourish in Bordeaux in the 1800's, what 3 pests hit the vineyards?
1852 Powdery Mildew (Oidium)
1865 Phylloxera
1880 Downy Mildew
116
What were the major events in the early 20th century that shaped the Bordeaux wine trade?
The 2 World Wars closed off the markets
1935 Bordeaux region split into 57 AOC's
1956 Severe frost kills 1/4 of all vines
117
What is the main grape on Bordeauxs left banks?
Cabernet Sauvignon
118
What contribution did the Dutch make to Bordeaux winemaking in the 1600's?
They drained the Médoc Peninsula in order to grow grapes for sweet white table wine and for wine to distill into Eau de Vie
119
How are reds form Entre-Deux-Mers labeled?
Bordeaux AOC
| Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
120
What Médoc AOC is considered the most "Feminine" and perfumed?
Margaux AOC
121
Why is Graves suited for sweet wine production?
Damp, foggy mornings followed by warm dry afternoons that promote Noble Rot
122
What style of wine is produced in the Cérons, Barsac and Sauternes AOC's?
Sweet wines affected by Noble Rot
123
What defines Cru Bourgeois?
A list created in 1932 of 444 Chateaus from the Médoc not included in the 1855 classification
It remains a member based syndicate
124
Where is the Bordeaux wine-producing area of Libournais?
On Bordeaux's right bank around the city of Libourne
125
What Bordeaux soils are considered cold?
Clay & Limestone because they retain moisture
126
Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Sauternes..
Special Macro climate promoting Botrytis
Southernmost portion of Graves
The Sauternais consists of the 3 AOC's: Sauternes, Barsac, Cérons
The Ciron River creates the fog that engenders Botrytis
127
What are the general details on the Bordeaux wine region of Graves?
Warm Gravel soils
2/3 of the production is red 1/3 is white
Whites are predominantly Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends
Reds are Cabernet Sauvignon based blends
128
What are the main grapes of Bordeaux's right bank?
Merlot
| Cabernet Franc
129
What are "Cru Artisans"
Boutique wineries of quality in Bordeaux
| 2 - 12.5 acres in size
130
What French wine region produces more AOC wines than any other?
Bordeaux
131
What are the 3 secondary red grape varieties in Bordeaux?
Malbec
Petit Verdot
Carménère
132
What are the 4 Saint Emilion satellites?
Saint Georges
Lussac
Montagne
Puisseguin
133
Why is Malbec seldom planted in Bordeaux?
The winter freeze of 1956 destroyed most Malbec plantings
134
Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Cérons..
Soil: Gravel & Gravel/Sands, significantly more than other Graves AOC's
Reds bottled as Graves, Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur AOC's
Dry whites bottled as Graves or Bordeaux AOC
Semi-sweet white bottled as Graves Supérieur AOC
Sweet wines bottled as Cérons AOC
135
Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Barsac..
Lies at the confluence of the Ciron & Garonne rivers
Soils: clay &l imestone
Dry reds & whites bottled as Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
Sweet whites labeled as Barsac or Sauternes
136
Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Sauternes..
This AOC has 5 communes: Sauternes, Fargues, Bommes, Preignac & Barsac
Framed by the Ciron river to the north and west
Soils: sands, gravels, marl & limestone
2/3 of the AOC is planted to Sémillon , 1/3 is planted to Sauvignon Blanc
137
What are the AOC's of Graves?
There are 6 AOC's within Graves
2 Sub-regional AOCs
- Graves AOC (red + white)
- Graves Supérieur (semi-sweet whites > 1.8 RS)
4 Communal AOC's
- Pessac-Leognan AOC (red + white)
- Cérons AOC (sweet white)
- Barsac AOC (sweet white)
- Sauternes AOC - (sweet white)
138
What style of wine is made under the Entre-Deux-Mers AOC?
Dry White wines only
139
What is "Clairet"
A semi-red wine made by the Saignée method
140
Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between?
Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc
141
What 3 Bordeaux winegrowing areas were included in the 1855 Classification?
Médoc (60 Chateaus)
Pessac-Leognan (1 Chateau)
Sauternes (26 Chateaus)
142
What style of wine is made in the Médoc ?
Dry reds only
143
What moderates Bordeaux's climate?
The Gulf Stream
Les Landes
and a network of rivers
144
What is the main soil type of Bordeaux's left bank?
Gravel
145
What are the 3 primary white grapes in Bordeaux?
Sémillon 49%
Sauvignon Blanc 43%
Muscadelle 6%
146
How many categories of "Growths" were given to red wines in Bordeaux's 1855 Classification?
Five
147
What style of wine is produced in the Libournais?
Merlot-based blends, with juicy red fruit, smooth body and subtle tannins
Wines from the Libournais can be powerful, but tend to be softer and smoother than wines from the Left Bank
148
A semi-sweet wine from Graves must be labeled as?
Graves Supérieurs AOC
149
What did the 1953 Graves Classification rank?
The wines of 16 estates, rather than the estates themselves
150
What estate is the only Premier Cru Supérieur of the 1855 Classification?
Château d'Yquem
151
What are the main soil types of Bordeaux's right bank?
Clay & limestone
152
How does Bordeaux Supérieur AOC differ from Bordeaux AOC?
Stricter production standards
Lower yields and higher alcohol
Reds must be aged 9 months
Whites are always semi-sweet
153
What is the difference between Saint Emilion Grand Cru and St Emilion Grand Cru Classé ?
The first one is an AOC
| The Classé is a ranking within a classification system
154
What Bordeaux AOC produces dry whites mainly from Colombard?
Côtes de Blaye AOC
155
What are the 4 sub-regional designations of the Côtes de Bordeaux AOCs?
Blaye
Cadillac
Castillon
Francs
156
What style of wines is produced in the Cadillac, Loupiac and Ste-Croix-du-Mont AOC's?
Sweet wines affected by Noble Rot
157
What right bank sub-region has a classification system?
Saint Emilion
158
What Médoc AOC is considered the most Californian?
Saint Julian
159
What is the primary grape of Entre-Deux-Mers?
Sauvignon Blanc
160
What defines the term "Petit Château"?
"Petit Château" is an unofficial term for an unclassified property in the Bordeaux region
161
What Bordeaux soils are considered warm?
Gravel and sand because they radiate heat back to the vine
162
What are the production stats on Bordeaux wine?
58% consumed in France
42% exported
36 co-ops, 4 co-op unions: about 50% of the growers belong to these
Co-ops bottle 25% of Bordeauxs harvest each year
163
Describe Rosé production in Bordeaux..
2 types produced
- Rosé: pink
- Clairet: Semi-red
Clairet receives a short maceration of 24-36 hours made Saignee
Rosé receives even less time macerating resulting in lighter color
164
Describe red wine production in Bordeaux..
Grape Varieties are harvested and fermented separately as are young and old vines
Fermentation 8 - 10 days
Maceration 15 - 21 days or longer
Blended after malolactic fermentation
Barrels & Barriques add wood tannins to wine needing time to soften or mellow
165
Describe sweet wine production in Bordeaux?
MOELLEUX ( semi-sweet)
Grapes can be hand harvested, selective sorting not required
Sound grapes and botrytized grapes are combined
Finished RS 1.2 - 4.5% RS
LIQUOREUX (sweet)
Only Botrytized infected, hand picked grapes are used
Multiple passes in the vineyard are used
Finished RS > 4.5% RS
166
Describe the left bank AOC of Moulis-en-Médoc..
1/2 way between Margaux and Saint-Julien
| 3 types of soil: small Pyrenees gravel, larger garonnais gravel and a clay/limestone mix
167
Describe the dry white wine production in Bordeaux..
Most is stainless steel fermented
Generally no oak or malolactic
Proportion of Sémillon to Sauvignon Blanc determines the flavors of the wine
168
What are the Crémant de Bordeaux wines like?
Made in the Methode Traditionelle method
Minimum 9 months aging sur lie
White or Rosé
Extra Brut to Doux
169
What are the Rosés like in Bordeaux?
Always dry
| Truly pink in color, no orange
170
Describe the left bank AOC of Listrac-Médoc..
Highest elevation point of the Médoc peninsula at 129'
| Soils: Pyrenees gravel, garonnais gravel and limestone
171
In Bordeaux which grape varieties have renewed interest due to global warming?
Carmenere
| Petit Verdot
172
Describe the left bank AOC of Margaux..
The most feminine and perfumed of the Médoc AOC's
173
What are the details on the Médoc and Haut Médoc AOC's
Representing a large portion of the western peninsula on the left bank
Soils of small Pyrenees gravels
Médoc AOC is a small growing area in the north
Haut Médoc is south and upstream
174
Côt is a synonym for which grape variety?
Malbec
175
What are the prefered soils for?
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot - clay
Cabernet Franc - Limestone
Cabernet Sauvignon - Gravel & sand
176
Describe the left bank AOC of Saint-Julian..
Considered the most California like
| Delivers chocolate-covered cherry fruit
177
Describe the left bank ACO of Pauillac..
Signature core of dusty cocoa-like tannins
| wines of structure and power
178
Describe the left bank AOC of Saint-Estèphe..
Traditionally very structured wines with tough tannins
A wine to be cellared
Recently more Merlot has made the blend more approachable on release
179
What are the AOC's on the Médoc peninsula?
8 AOCs, ALL RED WINES
2 sub-regional AOC's
Médoc & Haut Médoc, facing primarily to the west
6 Communal AOC's
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint Julien and Margaux in the east
Moulis en Médoc and Listral Médoc in the center
180
What is the difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC's?
Supérieur has a smaller max yield and higher alcohol levels
Red Supérieur must be aged at least 9 months
White Supérieur must be vinified semi-sweet
1/2 of production in Bordeaux is in one of these 2 regional AOC's
181
What are the Bordeaux sub-regional AOC's?
They refer to a singular part of the region like Graves, Médoc or Haut Médoc
182
T or F? All AOC wines in Bordeaux undergo a blind tasting and chemical analysis..
True
183
Describe the Entre-Deux-Mers area in Bordeaux..
Undulating terrain with the highest elevations in Bordeaux (only 130')
Possesses all Bordeaux soils
Red Blends are both Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon based
Sauvignon Blanc dominates white blends
184
Describe the right bank in Bordeaux..
String of small hills interrupted by a low lying plateaus and deep valleys
Cay & limestone soils
Blends are based on Merlot & Cabernet Franc
Supple wines with soft plummy fruit
185
Describe the left bank of Bordeaux..
Relatively flat
Gravel soils
Cabernet Sauvignon based blends
More firmly structured, lots of tannins
186
What are the 3 main areas of Bordeaux?
Left Bank
Right Bank
Entre-Deux-Mers
187
What is Bordeaux's most planted white grape variety?
Sémillon
188
What is Bordeaux's most planted grape variety?
Merlot
