Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

How many AOP’s in Bordeaux?

A

39

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2
Q

Negociants

A

Intermediary / buys fruit or wine in barrels to age in their cellar before bottling and selling

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3
Q

Courtiers

A

Brokers of wine / provides the châteaux with financial backing

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4
Q

En Primeur

A

Yearly offering of Bordeaux wine as futures

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5
Q

Climate of Bordeaux

A

Maritime climate
Atlantic + Gironde estuary as moderating influence (protection from frost and winter freezes)
Short winters / damp springtime (fungal diseases) / summers can be hot
More continental towards the Right bank
Springtime cold/wet weather can lead to Millerandage and Coulure

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6
Q

Assemblage

A

Blend of different grape varieties to reach a particular balanced style

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7
Q

Red grape varieties allowed in Bordeaux

A

Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenere

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8
Q

Alias of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux

A

Bouschet

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9
Q

Alias of Malbec in Bordeaux

A

Pressac

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10
Q

Most planted grape variety overall in Bordeaux

A

Merlot

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11
Q

Earliest grape variety to ripen

A

Merlot

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12
Q

Merlot

A

Prefer clay-based soils
Contributes a fleshy, juicy texture that can soften the austerity of Cab Sauvignon
Buds late / spring frost is an issue
Earliest to ripen

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13
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon

A

Performs well in well-drained gravelly soils (allows vine’s roots to dig deeply while a slight water stress adds concentration to the fruit)
Highly tannic / deep colour / adds power, structure and longevity to the blend
Ripens late ( rain at harvest is an issue)

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14
Q

Cabernet Franc

A

Excels I’m Limestone-based soils which promote acidity and freshness
More tannic than Merlot / less muscular than Cab Sauvignon
Adds herbal spice and fruit aromas

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15
Q

Petit Verdot

A

Last grape to ripen
Adds colour , depth, exotic perfume

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16
Q

Bordeaux white grape varieties

A

Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle

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17
Q

Other minor white grape varieties in Bordeaux

A

Ugni Blanc , Merlot blanc, Colombard, Sauvignon Gris

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18
Q

Bordeaux barrel

A

Barrique / 225L oak barrel

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19
Q

Aging in Bordeaux

A

Red wines = usually up to 2 years
White wines = 1 year to 16 months

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20
Q

Bordeaux Superior AOP

A

Red and off-dry wines with higher minimum alcohol content

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21
Q

Cremant de Bordeaux

A

Traditional method sparkling

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22
Q

Jalles

A

Drainage channels dug by the Dutch in the 1600’s to drain the swamps

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23
Q

True or false: AOP wines must be red in Medoc

A

True

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24
Q

Medoc AOP

A

50 miles stretch north of the city of Bordeaux

Bas-Medoc = north of St. Estephe / châteaux that don’t qualify for a more precise appellation

Haut-Medoc = narrow corridor in the southern Medoc / best vineyards on gravelly soils / perfect for Cab Sauvignon

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25
Q

Croupes

A

Gravel mounds unearthed by the Dutch during the drainage work in the 1600’s (best chateaux are located on top of these deeper banks of gravel)

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26
Q

Communes of Haut-Medoc

A

St Estephe
Pauillac
St Julien
Margaux
Listrac-Medoc
Moulis-en-Medoc

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27
Q

1855 classification of Bordeaux

A

Commissioned by Napoleon III / ranked the top properties of Bordeaux by price into 1st to 5th growth / 57 chateaux / 21 Sauternes

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28
Q

Difference between Bordeaux Chateaux and Burgundy Domaines:

A

In Bordeaux the properties/name of the estate hold status rather than the land like in Burgundy

29
Q

Cru Artisan

A

Designation been in use for 150 years
Formally recognised in 2002
Beginning in 2005 / 44 properties
“ exceptional stewards of the land and craft of winemaking”
2018 = number decreased to 36
Reviewed every 5 years

30
Q

Cru Borgeois

A

Introduced in 1932
444 properties divided in :
- cru bourgeois exeptionel
- cru bourgeois superior
- cru borgeois
Not official until 2003
Only 247 chateaux retained the status
Legal action = nullification of entire classification
Reinstated in 2008 (except superior and exceptionnel)
2018 = new legislation reinstated previous eliminated terms
2020 = 249 chateaux (14 exeptionnel / 56 superior / 179 borgeois)
Reviewed every 5 years m

31
Q

St Estephe

A

Sturdy , full body reds
Higher % of clay amongst gravel = higher % of Merlot

32
Q

Pauillac

A

Gravel topsoil at its deepest point
Structured and long-lived Cab Sav

33
Q

St Julien

A

Elegant style
Less production but 80% is cru’ classe’

34
Q

Margaux

A

Greater soil diversity

Feminine wines, emphasis on floral bouquet, exotic character and finesse

Largest communal appellation
5 communes :
Soussan
Margaux
Cantenac
Labarde
Arsac

35
Q

Graves

A

Classified in 1953 (+6 wines in 1959)
Similar soil to Medoc (more sand in the south)
Red + white wines (2/3 is red)

36
Q

Pessac-Leognan was created in:

A

1987

37
Q

Graves Superior AOP

A

AOP for sweet white wine
3 smaller sweet wine appellations:
Barsac
Cerons
Sauternes

38
Q

Botrytis Cinirea

A

Noble Rot / Porriture Noble

39
Q

Sauternes

A

Lies at the conflux of the Garonne River and the Ciron River. Cool morning mist blow off the Ciron river and encounter the warmer waters of the Garonne producing autumn afternoon humidity, perfect for incubating spores

40
Q

Sauternes great first growth / grand premier cru

A

Chateau d’Yquem

Not produced in poor years (92’ , 74’)

45g/L minimum residual sugar

41
Q

Chateau Gillette’s iconic wine

A

Creme de Tete

Released after 10 years aging in concrete vats

42
Q

Right bank

A

Dominated by Merlot and Cab Franc
Cab Sav rarely a major component (exception: Chateau Figeac in St Emilion)

43
Q

St Emilion soils

A

2 types:
- Cotes = steep limestone slopes
- Graves = gravelly limestone plateau

44
Q

St Emilion soils

A

2 types:
- Cotes = steep limestone slopes
- Graves = gravelly limestone plateau

45
Q

St Emilion Classification

A

Excluded from 1855 classification
Classified in 1954, published in 1955
Revision every 10 years
2006 = a group of demoted chateau challenged the revision
2009 = compromised reached that allowed demoted chateau to retain new status
2012 = new revision from INAO
2022 = some estates withdrawed (Angelus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc)

46
Q

St Emilion Grand Cru

A

Appellation north-east of St Emilion

+0.5% abv min alcohol
Longer elevage

47
Q

Pomerol soils

A

Sand + clay + gravel + subsoil of iron pan + rich clay (crasse de fer)

48
Q

Famous Pomerol Chateaux

A

Petrus
View-chateau-certan
Lefleur
Le-Pin
Trotanoy
La conseillant

49
Q

Garagiste

A

Small chateaux making powerfully ripe and polished modern wines from just a handful of acres

50
Q

St Emilion satellite appellations:

A

Lussac
St. George
Montagne
Puisseguin

51
Q

Bourg / Cotes de Bourg

A

Oldest cultivated vineyards in Bordeaux

Vast majority is red wine

Chateau Roc de Cambes = leading appellation

52
Q

Blaye / Cotes de Blaye

A

North of Bourg / red wines / white wines (ugni blanc, colombard)

53
Q

Cotes de Bordeaux

A

Group of pre existing appellation
Alternative to luxury-priced grand vin de Bordeaux:
Blaye
Francs
Castillon
Cadillac (sweet wine)
Sante Foy

54
Q

Entre-deux-mers

A

“Land between two seas”
Between Garonne and Dordoigne rivers
Only dry white wines
May use the GI : Haut-Benauge

55
Q

Entre-deux-mers sweet wine appellations

A

Lupiac
Cadillac
St croix du mont

Premieres cote de Bordeaux

56
Q

Cotes de Bordeaux saint macaire

A

South of Lupiac / white wine in Sec, Moelleux, Liquoreuxn

57
Q

Graves de veyeres

A

Both red and white wines / simile style to Bordeaux

58
Q

1855 classification 1st growths

A

Château Lafite RothschildPauillac
Château LatourPauillac
Château MargauxMargaux
Château Mouton-Rothschild(elevated to first-growth in 1973) Pauillac
Château Haut-BrionPessac, Graves (since 1986, Pessac-Léognan)

59
Q

1855 classification 2nd growths

A

Château Cos-d’EstournelSt.-Estèphe
Château MontroseSt.-Estèphe
Château Pichon-Longueville BaronPauillac
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pichon Longueville Lalande)Pauillac
Château Léoville Las CasesSt.-Julien
Château Léoville PoyferréSt.-Julien
Château Léoville BartonSt.-Julien
Château Gruaud-LaroseSt.-Julien
Château Ducru-BeaucaillouSt.-Julien
Château Rausan-Ségla (Rauzan-Ségla)Margaux
Château Rauzan-GassiesMargaux
Château Durfort-VivensMargaux
Château LascombesMargaux
Château Brane-CantenacCantenac-Margaux (Margaux)

60
Q

1855 classification 3rd growths

A

Château Calon-SégurSt.-Estèphe
Château LagrangeSt.-Julien
Château Langoa BartonSt.-Julien
Château DesmirailMargaux
Château FerrièreMargaux
Château Marquis-d’Alesme-BeckerMargaux
Château KirwanCantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château d’IssanCantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château GiscoursLabarde-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Malescot-St.-ExupéryMargaux
Château Cantenac-BrownCantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Boyd-CantenacMargaux
Château PalmerCantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château La LaguneLudon (Haut-Médoc

61
Q

1855 classification 4th growths

A

Château Lafon-RochetSt.-Estèphe
Château Duhart-Milon RothschildPauillac
Château St.-PierreSt.-Julien
Château TalbotSt.-Julien
Château Branaire-DucruSt.-Julien
Château BeychevelleSt.-Julien
Château PougetCantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Prieuré-LichineCantenac-Margaux (Margaux) 
Château Marquis de TermeMargaux
Château La Tour CarnetSt.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc

62
Q

1855 classification 5th growths

A

Château Pontet-CanetPauillac
Château BatailleyPauillac
Château Haut-BatailleyPauillac
Château Grand-Puy-LacostePauillac
Château Grand-Puy-DucassePauillac
Château Lynch BagesPauillac
Château Lynch-MoussasPauillac
Château DauzacLabarde (Margaux)
Château Mouton-Baronne-Philippe (Château d’Armailhac after 1989)Pauillac
Château du TertreArsac (Margaux)
Château Haut-Bages LibéralPauillac
Château PédesclauxPauillac
Château BelgraveSt.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château Camensac (Château de Camensac)St.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château Cos LaborySt.-Estèphe
Château Clerc MilonPauillac
Château Croizet-BagesPauillac

Château CantemerleMacau (Haut-Médoc)

63
Q

1855 classification Sauternes and Barsac 1st growths

A

Château La Tour BlancheBommes (Sauternes)
Château Lafaurie-PeyragueyBommes (Sauternes)

Clos Haut-Peyraguey (Clos Haut-Peyraguey)Bommes (Sauternes)

Château de Rayne VigneauBommes (Sauternes)
Château SuduirautPreignac (Sauternes)

Château Coutet Barsac
Château Climens Barsac
Château GuiraudSauternes
Château RieussecFargues (Sauternes)
Château Rabaud-PromisBommes (Sauternes)
Château Sigalas RabaudBommes (Sauternes)

64
Q

Second labels 1st growths

A

Le Petit Mouton,
Les Forts de Latour,
Carruades de Lafite,
Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion

65
Q

Second labels St Emilion

A

Le Petit Cheval,
Chapelle d’Ausone,
Le Carillon d’Angélus
Arômes de Pavie

66
Q

Forest that protect Medoc from Atlantic Ocean weather patterns

A

Landes forest

67
Q

Classic vintages

A

1982
1990
1995
2000
2005
2009
2010
2015
2016

68
Q

Bad vintage in the 2000’s in Bordeaux

A

2013