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Bordeaux Flashcards

(48 cards)

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1
Q

CLIMATE

Bordeaux has a ?

A

Moderate maritime climate that benefits from the warming effect of the Gulf stream.

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2
Q

CLIMATE

What does the warming effect from the Gulf Stream do ?

A

This brings warm water from the Caribbean to northern Europe, extending the growing season.

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3
Q

CLIMATE

Does Bordeaux suffer from Spring Frosts and when does ripening go until ?

A

No Bordeaux rarely suffers from Spring Frosts and ripening continues well into October.

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4
Q

CLIMATE

How does the Atlantic effect Bordeaux?

A

It brings high levels of rainfall and humidity.

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5
Q

CLIMATE

What protects the vineyards from the worst of the Atlantic storms ?

A

The Landes Forest and the coastal sand dunes, but rainfall is high, averaging 950mm a year.

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6
Q

CLIMATE

Consequently of all the factors effecting Climate, what about vintage variation?

A

Vintage variation is an important consideration in Bordeaux.

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7
Q

VITICULTURE

What are the two biggest concerns in Bordeaux vineyards?

A

Fungal diseases and variable levels of ripeness, both of which are a result of the high rainfall and cloud cover.

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8
Q

VITICULTURE

What three things have resulted in healthier grapes?

A

VSP, Green Harvesting and Leaf Stripping.

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9
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

How many grape varieties are permitted under the AC regulations?

A

Thirteen grape varieties

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10
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

In practice how many Black and White grape varieties predominate ?

A

Three black grape varieties and two white.

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11
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc is mainly grown where?

A

Saint-Emilion

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12
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc is grown to a lesser extent where ?

A

The Medoc and The Graves, although it does not dominate any of these sub-regions.

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13
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc produces what kind of wines ?

A

Less body than CabSav, tannin and finesse. It can have herbaceous or stalky flavours when unripe but can have a marked fragrance when ripe which is its key contribution to a blend.

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14
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc prefers soils ?

A

Well drained warm soils.

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15
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates what sub-regions ?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon only dominates in the Haut-Medoc, although it is very important in Bas Medoc and the Graves.

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16
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon does well here because ?

A

The high stone/gravel content in the soils here helps reflect heat back into the vineyard, and consequently these are the only areas it can reliably ripen.

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17
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon, in its dominating sub-regions it accounts to how much of the blend in the finest wines ?

A

Three quarters

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18
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon in these sub-regions produces what kinds of wines ?

A

Tannic wines, with an affinity to oak and a core of blackcurrant fruit. but when unripe the tannins can be too high and the flavours overly herbaceous.

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19
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon is always blended here with which grape variety ?

A

Merlot

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20
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon, the best Cabernet dominated wines can age for ?

21
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot , is it the most widely planted variety in Bordeaux ?

22
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot produces what kinds of wines ?

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A

It produces, full bodied, moderately tannic wines which also mature earlier than CabSav.

23
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot, what does it add to the austere Cab Sav ?

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A

It adds softness, richness and body.

24
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot, What does it rely on the two Cabernets for ?

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A

Aromatic fruit, colour and tannin.

25
GRAPE VARIETIES | Merlot is particularly important in the premium wines of ?
Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, where unlike CabSav it can ripen successfully.
26
GRAPE VARIETIES | Merlot, on its own lacks character unless ?
The yields are very low.
27
GRAPE VARIETIES | Merlot, because of its softness it is better suited to produce ?
A more appealing inexpensive wine.
28
GRAPE VARIETIES | Petit Verdot, of the other black grape varieties it is the only of importance, why and what and how
It ripens full only in very hot years, giving a very deep-coloured tannic wine which ages slowly. It never plays more than a minor role in a blend, Used mainly to add tannin, colour and some exotic spicy notes.
29
GRAPE VARIETIES | Semillon, is the most widely planted white variety planted in Bordeaux, why what how
Given its thin skin and affinity for noble rot, it is used widely for sweet wines. It gives wines with a golden colour and plenty of body. It has affinity for oak and can age well.
30
GRAPE VARIETIES | Sauvignon Blanc, In Bordeaux, why what how
In Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc produces wines with a distinctive herbaceous,grassy and elderflower aroma. When blended its acidity acts as a counterbalance to the some times flabbiness of Semillon.
31
GRAPE VARIETIES | Muscadelle , In Bordeaux, why what how
Has a pronounced grapey, floral flavour and plays an important supporting role in sweet and dry white wine production. it only makes up a small percentage of any blend.
32
GENERIC APPELLATIONS | The output of the generic appellations reaches how many hectolitres ?
Three Million Hectolitres
33
GENERIC APPELLATIONS | Two thirds of this is red labelled what ?
Bordeaux AC or Bordeaux Superieur AC
34
GENERIC APPELLATIONS | The white and rose is labelled ?
``` Bordeaux AC (White) Bordeaux Rose, Bordeaux Clairet (Rose) ```
35
GENERIC APPELLATIONS | At their best what do the dry reds display ?
Medium-body, black berry and cedar notes.
36
GENERIC APPELLATIONS | The best bordeaux Rose is fresh and fruity, whereas Clairet .. ?
Clairet undergoes a longer maceration and is deeper in colour and fuller bodied.
37
GENERIC APPELLATIONS | White Bordeaux is increasingly what and shows what ?
White Bordeaux is increasingly dominated by Sauvignon blanc and shows a vibrant grassy elderflower character, some can have a toasty note from oak-ageing.
38
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | To the North of Bordeaux's left bank lies ..
The Medoc
39
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | To the south of Bordeaux's right bank lies
The Graves
40
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | Within these sub-regions, the best quality red wines are made where ? and what is the dominating grape ?
Haut-Medoc (Medoc) Pessac-Leognan (Graves) Cabernet Sauvignon
41
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | In the Best quality sub-regions what are the characteristics of the wines produced ?
The Best wines are very structured with high tannins and acid and have a concentrated core of blackcurrant fruit overlaid by flavours of toasted oak.
42
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | Can the Wines from Haut-Medoc/Pessac-Leognan age and what do they develop ?
Yes, They can age for decades and develop cigar box and cedar aromas.
43
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | What is the Northern most part of the Medoc sub-region and what are the wines labelled ? Also what is the soil like ?
The northern most part is Bas-Medoc and the wines are labelled simply as Medoc AC. The soil here is predominantly clay but there significant outcrops of gravel.
44
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | From Saint-Estephe southwards what highly rated vineyards are there
Haut-Medoc AC, With one exception, all red wines in thr 1855 classification come from here.
45
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | From North to South what are the four with the highest reputation ?
Saint-Estephe AC, Pauillac AC, Julien AC and Margaux AC. | Each of these commune ACs have even lower maximum yields and a widely recognised distinctive style,
46
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | What lies to the south of Bordeaux's Left Bank ?
Pessac-Leognan AC. where all the finest vineyards and all the Cru Classe Chateaux in this area are located.
47
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | Pessac-Leognan, soils, wine styles ?
Soils are gravelly and well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon but in general the wines are a little lighter bodied and more fragrant.
48
THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES | Where does Graves AC extend to and tell us about it
Graves AC extends to the south of Pessac-Leognan making red wines that are similiar in style but less concentrated and complex. usually with a higher proportion of Merlot.

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