Bordeaux Flashcards
Largest AOC in France
Bordeaux
What percentage of Bordeaux wine is red?
85%
Number of appellations in Bordeaux
65
Three rivers of Bordeaux
Garonne
Dordogne
Gironde Estuary
Wind influence of Bordeaux
Gulf Stream (warm)
Protective forests to the south and west of Bordeaux
Les Landes
The words mouton, lafite, & cos all derive from the French word for what?
Hill
In Bordeaux, “the best vineyards can see” what?
The river
Since clay retains water, it stays cool in the spring, delaying what?
Bud break
Because clay delays ripening, what do vines need in order to reach physiological maturity?
Warm weather throughout growing season
This Bordeaux variety has a slightly less tannic structure and tends to ripen early.
Merlot
As a result of climate-change, Bordeaux now tends to ripen grapes __ days earlier than 30 years ago
20
Petrus is planted to __% Merlot
100%
The two most expensive wines in Bordeaux
Petrus
Le Pin
What is smectite?
Dense blue clay of Pomerol
Soil of Pomerol
Smectite
Dense blue clay
Why is the left bank of Bordeaux better known than the right bank?
Bridges over the Gironde, Garonne, & Dordogne weren’t built until the mid-1800’s.
“First Growth” as in Bordeaux
Premier Cru
What vintage of St-Emilion was completely annulled?
2006
How many chateaux were classified in the 1855 Bordeaux classification?
61
What is the only change to the 1855 classification?
Mouton Rothschild - 1973
Three levels of classification to the Sauternes & Barsac classification of 1855
Premier Cru Superieur Classe (Yquem)
Premier Cru Classe
Deuxieme Cru Classe
What is the top level of the Sauternes & Barsac classification of 1855 and who is the sole holder of that title?
Premier Cru Superieur Classe (Chateau d’Yquem)
Years of the Graves (Pessac-Leognan) classifications
1953
1959