Bordeaux Flashcards
(115 cards)
1
Q
Roughly how many hectares of land are under vine in Bordeaux?
A
111000ha
2
Q
Roughly how many Chateaux are in Bordeaux?
A
7000
3
Q
What is Bordelais wine known as in England?
A
Claret
4
Q
When is wine thought to have first been produced in Bordeaux?
A
The 4th century
5
Q
What happened to Bordeaux in the 17th century?
A
The Dutch drained the marshes of the Medoc and then planted vines across where the Grand Cru Classe Chateau now lie
6
Q
What did Napoleon do to showcase Bordelais wine in 1855?
A
He sanctioned the Medoc and Sauternes to be classified based off the prices of the wines in order to show off the best at the Paris Universal Expedition
7
Q
Which Chateau was promoted from second growth to first growth and in what year?
A
Chateau Mouton Rothschild
1973
8
Q
How many Chateau are classed in the 1855 Medoc Classification?
A
60
9
Q
How many Chateaux were classified for the Cru Bourgeois system in 1932?
A
444
10
Q
Which classification sits below Cru Bourgeois? How many Chateaux are featured?
A
Cru Artisan
44
11
Q
What year was the Graves classification setup?
A
1953
12
Q
How many Chateaux are classified in the Graves Classification and for what colour wines?
A
6 Chateaux for red and white wines
7 Chateaux for red wine only
2 Chateaux for white wine only
13
Q
How many Chateaux are classified in the Sauternes classification?
A
25
14
Q
Which Chateaux is the only one classed as a 1st Great Growth in the Sauternes Classification?
A
Chateau Yquem
15
Q
When was the Saint Emilion classification first setup?
A
1955
16
Q
What are the 3 categories of the Saint Emilion Classification?
A
Premier Grand Cru Classe (Class A and Class B)
Grand Cru Classe
Grand Cru
17
Q
Which Saint Emilion classification was declared void?
A
2006
18
Q
What are the names of the 2 rivers and 1 estuary flowing through Bordeaux?
A
Dordogne River
Garonne River
Gironde Estuary
19
Q
What is the name of the pine forest to the south of Bordeaux, and what is its impact on Bordeaux’s climate?
A
La Foret des Landes
It protects Bordeaux from strong, salty winds coming off the Atlantic
20
Q
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
A
Moderate Maritime
21
Q
Who are the 4 people which sell wine in Bordeaux?
A
Producers
Co-operatives
Negocients
Brokers
22
Q
Roughly much of Bordeaux’s annual output comes from producers?
A
75%
23
Q
What do co-operatives offer in Bordeaux?
A
A place for producers to vinify, blend, and package their wines and sell them often with the co-op name somewhere on the label
24
Q
What are Bordeaux brokers?
A
People who work as an intermediary between producers and negociants matching supply and demand and advising
25
What do Bordeaux Brokers do?
They work as guarantors to supply contracts and monitor the wines quality during its maturation to ensure the finished product matches the price
26
What are negocients?
Merchants houses which sell wines made at estates or by commercial brands
27
How many negociants in Bordeaux occupy 90% of the market?
25 negociants
28
What are the best Bordeaux vintages since 1990?
1990, 1995, 1996, 1998
2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009
2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
2020, 2022
29
What are the 6 red Bordeaux grapes?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenere
30
Which 3 grapes make up 98% of Bordeaux plantings?
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
31
Which grape in Bordeaux was previously abandoned, but recently has seen a resurgence in plantings and in blends?
Petit Verdot
32
What is the other name for Malbec in Bordeaux?
Cot
33
What are the 7 permitted white grapes of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc
34
Which 3 white grapes make up 99% of plantings in Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Muscadelle
35
What are the 6 grapes permitted for trial in Bordeaux in 2021?
Marselan
Touriga Nacional
Castets
Arinarnoa
Albarino
Liliorila
36
What size oak barrels are Bordeaux wines usually aged in?
225l barriques
37
What is a Chai?
A single story building used for storing barriques found in Bordeaux
38
How frequently are Bordeaux wines racked?
Every 3 months
39
How long is Bordelais wine usually aged for?
2 years
40
What style of wines are produced under the Bordeaux Clairet appellation?
Still rose wines
41
Typically, which grape dominated Bordeaux Clairet?
Merlot, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
42
What is the flavour profile of Bordeaux Clairet?
Intense and bright raspberry tones with ripe, fleshy fruit
43
What wines may be produced under the Bordeaux Superieur Appellation?
Still, dry red wines, and sweet white wines
44
What potential alcohol must the grapes reach to be able to be classified as Bordeaux Superieur?
10%
45
When was the Cotes de Bordeaux appellation created?
2009
46
What are the 7 appellations which now make up the Cotes de Bordeaux appellation?
Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux
Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux
Côte de Bordeaux Saint Macaire
Francs Côte de Bordeaux
Premieres Côte de Bordeaux
Sainte Foy Côte de Bordeaux
47
What wine style does Cremant de Bordeaux produce?
White and rose sparkling wines made by the methode traditionelle
48
When was the Cremant de Bordeaux appellation created?
1990
49
What are the minimum aging requirements for Cremant de Bordeaux?
Minimum 9 months on the lees before disgorgement
Cannot be released until 12 months after disgorgement
50
How many Chateaux from the 1855 Classification are in the Medoc?
59
51
What are the dominant soils of the Medoc?
Rich silt and gravel over clay
52
What are the 3 subregions of the Medoc?
Haut Medoc
Bas Medoc
Landes Medoc
53
In which Medoc subregion are the 6 important sub-appellations of the Medoc situated in?
Haut Medoc
54
What are the 6 important sub-appellations of the Haut-Medoc?
Saint-Estephe
Pauillac
Saint-Julien
Margaux
Listrac-Medoc
Moulis-en-Medoc
55
What are the typical tasting notes of Medoc red wines?
Blackcurrant and Cassis
Cedar wood
Pencil shavings (graphite)
Wet leaf or wet soil
56
Which grapes dominate production in the Haut-Medoc?
Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
57
How many classed growths fall under the Haut-Medoc appellation?
5 classed growths:
1x Third growth
1x Fourth growth
3x Fifth growths
58
How do the soils of the Listrac-Medoc and Moulis-en-Medoc differ from the more prestigious appellations, and why does this negatively impact the wines?
The soils of these 2 appellations are predominantly limestone and clay, whereas the other appellations are gravel dominated over clay. This means the roots don’t run as deep into the ground, and the vines produce less concentrated berries with less aromatic complexity
59
What are the soils of Saint Estephe?
Less stony with more clay and limestone, due to being further from the Garonne River and nearer the mouth of the Gironde Estuary
60
Why does Saint Estephe often use a higher percentage of Merlot in their blends?
Because Merlot performs better on the clay-rich soils
61
How many classed growths are in Saint Estephe?
5
62
What are the 2nd growths of Saint Estephe?
Chateau Cos d’Estournel
Chateau Montrose
63
What is the style of Pauillac?
Full bodied, rich, powerful tannins, and plenty of cassis and cedar wood aromas
64
What are the dominant soils of Pauillac?
Gravel over limestone
65
How many classed growths does Pauillac have?
18
66
What are the 1st growths of Pauillac and what are their second wines?
Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Carrudes de Lafite
Chateau Latour - Les Forts de Latour
Chateau Mouton Rothschild - Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
67
What are the second growths of Pauillac?
Chateau Pichon-Longueville (Baron)
Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
68
How many classed growths does Saint Julien have?
11
69
How much of Saint Julien’s output comes from its classed growths?
75%
70
What are the second growths of Saint Julien?
Chateau Leoville Las Cases
Chateau Leoville Poyferre
Chateau Leoville Barton
Chateau Gruard-Larose
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou
71
What is the style of Margaux wines?
More supple and perfumed than the more northern communes, with good structure and longevity
72
What are the soils of Margaux?
High gravel content with low amounts of clay
73
How many classed growths does Margaux have?
21
74
What is the first growth of Margaux and what is its second wines?
Chateau Margaux - Pavillon Rouge de Chateau Margaux
75
What are the second growths of Margaux?
Chateau Rauzan Segla
Chateau Rauzan Gassies
Chateau Dufort Vivens
Chateau Lascombes
Chateau Brane Cantenac
76
Where is the Graves appellation located?
South of the city of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Garonne River
77
What are the soils of the Graves?
Mineral rich silts and gravel over limestone or sand with lower proportions of clay
78
What is the appellations for still red and white wines within Graves?
Pessac-Leognan
79
How much of Graves production is devoted to red wine?
75%
80
When was the Pessac-Leognan appellation created?
1987
81
Which Chateaux are classed for their red and white wines in Graves?
Chateau Bouscat
Chateau Carbonnieux
Domaine de Chevalier
Chateau Latour-Martillac
Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere
Chateau Olivier
82
Which Chateau are classed for their white wines only in Graves?
Chateau Couhins
Chateau Couhins-Lurton
Chateau Laville-Haut-Brion
83
Which Chateaux are classed for their red wines only in the Graves?
Chateau de Fieuzel
Chateau Haut-Bailly
Chateau Haut Brion
Chateau La Mission Haut Brion
Chateau Pape-Clement
Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafite
Chateau La Tour Haut Brion
84
Which Chateaux in the Graves is a first growth of the 1855 classification, and the only classed growth to be outside of the Medoc?
Chateau Haut Brion
85
What are the dominant grapes of Saint Emilion?
Merlot and Cabernet Franc
86
What are the 3 geological subregions of Saint Emilion?
The limestone plateau where the town is built open and the surrounding slopes. Most of the best Chateaux are located here
The alluvial, sandy plain which slopes down to the banks of the Dordogne. Few wines of note here
The northwestern corner of Saint Emilion which has ancient alluvial terrace formed from glacial activity and very similar soil structure to the Medoc. Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Figeac are located here
87
What are the 4 satellite communes of Saint Emilion?
Lussac Saint Emilion
Saint Georges Saint Emilion
Puisseguin Saint Emilion
Montagne Saint Emilion
88
As of the 2012 classification for the Grand Cru Classes of Saint Emilion, which Chateau are Premier Grand Cru Classes A?
Chateau Angelus
Chateau Ausone
Chateau Cheval Blanc
Chateau Pavie
89
Does Pomerol have a classification?
No
90
Which grapes variety dominates Pomerol?
Merlot
91
What is the major risk for Pomerol?
Spring frosts hitting the early ripening Merlot
92
What are the soils of Pomerol?
Gravel, sand, and clay
93
What are the 3 most highly regarded Pomerol producers?
Petrus
Lafleur
Le Pin
94
What is the subregion to the north of Pomerol?
Lalande de Pomerol
95
What wines come from Blaye?
Still red wines
96
What grapes are used to make the white wines of Blaye?
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Colombard
Ugni Blanc
97
What wines come from Fronsac?
Still red wines
98
What are the soils of Fronsac?
Sandstone and limestone
99
Where is Canon Fronsac located?
The south of Fronsac
100
Why does Sauternes produce noble rot?
The river Ciron and nearby pine forests trap morning mists until they’re blown away in the afternoon
101
What are the 5 communes of Sauternes?
Sauternes
Fargues
Bommes
Preignac
Barsac
102
Describe a classic Sauternes
Deep golden colour
Aromas of blossom and stone fruit and honeysuckle
Balanced sweetness and acidity with elegance and power, as well as freshness and concentration
103
What grape dominates Sauternes?
Semillon
104
What is a trie in Sauternes?
One pass through the vineyard of picking grapes
105
What is the minimum must weight of Sauternes grapes at harvest?
221g/l
106
Who is the top Sauternes producer?
Chateau Yquem
107
What is the dry white wine produced by Chateau Yquem?
Chateau Ygrec (sold as Bordeaux Superieur AC)
108
Name 2 other top producers from Sauternes?
Chateau Guiraud
Chateau La Tour Blanche
109
Who are the top producers from Barsac?
Chateau Climens
Chateau Coutet
Chateau Doisy Daene
110
What is the minimum ABV for Sauternes and Barsac?
13%
111
Name the 5 other sweet wine communes in Bordeaux except Sauternes and Barsac?
Loupiac
Cadillac
Cerons
Sainte Croix du Mont
Graves Superieure
112
What does Entre-deux-Mers mean?
Between the rivers
113
What is the Entre-deux-Mers appellation for?
Still white wines
114
What are the soils of the Entre deux Mers?
Predominantly alluvial from the 2 rivers
115
What are the 2 sub appellations of the Entre deux Mers?
Graves de Vayres
Haut-Benauge
