Bordeaux Flashcards
(491 cards)
What can be said about the amount of acreage in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux has more acreage under vine than any other region in France, with 117,500 ha under vine in 2011.
What percent does Bordeaux hold to France’s total vineyard area and how much wine does the region produce?
Bordeaux constitutes 14% of France’s total vineyard area and typically produces 5-6 million hectoliters of wine each year.
From the northernmost vineyard in Bordeaux to its southernmost, how many km does it span across?
From its northernmost vineyards around the town of Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc to the southern edge of Graves, the region of Bordeaux spans over 130 km.
1 Mile = 1.609344 Kilometers
At Bordeaux’s widest point, how far does it stretch in km?
75km
1 Mile = 1.609344 Kilometers
What are the two major rivers that flow within Bordeaux?
It includes two major rivers, the Garonne and Dordogne, which converge into the Gironde Estuary before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.
What are the subregions of Bordeaux?
- Médoc
- Graves
- Entre-Deux-Mers
- The right bank
- Blaye and Bourg
On the western banks of the Gironde Estuary and Garonne River, you have what regions?
The Médoc and Graves make up the “left bank” of Bordeaux
Blaye and Bourg, sometimes considered part of the right bank, are actually on the eastern bank of the Gironde, opposite the Médoc vineyards. True or False?
True
Where is the Entre-Deux-Mers located in Bordeaux
Entre-Deux-Mers is the vast stretch of land between the Garonne and the Dordogne.
What is the climate like in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux’s maritime climate is characterized by warm summers and cool winters, without the spikes of temperature and extreme seasonality that befall regions further inland, like Burgundy.
What is the difference between Southern France’s mediterranean climate regions and Bordeaux’s?
Unlike the Mediterranean climate regions of Southern France, maritime Bordeaux lacks a true dry season, with rainfall somewhat evenly dispersed throughout the year.
*Note: The Médoc actually experiences more annual rainfall—950 mm—than any other major wine region in France.
What are some of the biggest challenges rainfall brings to Bordeaux?
Rainfall decreases slightly further inland in Bordeaux, but it remains a challenge at harvest and in the springtime, when rain can interrupt flowering, reducing yield and inviting rot.
What parallel is Bordeaux on and what influences its mild climate?
The 45th parallel runs just north of Bordeaux, but the balmy Atlantic Gulf Stream current, bringing warm waters up from the Caribbean, keeps its climate mild.
Where would Bordeaux lie on the Winkler Scale?
The region falls into Region II on the Winkler Scale, and average temperatures in August (the hottest month) reach 26° C. (78.8 F)
°C to °F Multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32
For basic Bordeaux AOP wines what are the six authorized red varieties allowed?
Bordeaux AOP wines six red varieties are authorized:
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère.
*Note: The first three listed make up 99% of the entire red grape vineyard in Bordeaux
For basic Bordeaux AOP wines white varietals include: ?
Authorized white grapes include:
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc (and Gris), Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, Colombard
In terms of white varieties vs red varieties planted, what does recent research show in Bordeaux?
Significant reduction in white grape production in favor of reds: by 2011 red grapes accounted for 89% of the total Bordeaux vineyard.
What is the most planted red variety planted in Bordeaux?
Merlot
What is the most planted white variety planted in Bordeaux?
Sémillon
Are wines from Bordeaux typically made from a single grape varietal?
No. Bordeaux, whether white, rosé, or red, is typically a blend of two or more varieties.
Genetic parents for the rare Magdeleine Noire des Charentes
Merlot and Malbec
Which 2 Bordeaux varieties have no genetic link (outliers) to the other varietals found in this region?
Petit Verdot and Muscadelle
Where and when did Malbec first appear in Bordeaux?
Malbec originally appeared in the right bank in the 1730, it navigated to the left bank and became a significant contributor to the wines of the Médoc by the end of that century.
What is Malbec known as in Bordeaux and how did its name come about?
A grower named Malbec brought the grape, then known as Pressac Noir, from the right bank to the left, and gave it its modern name. Today it is a bit player in Bordeaux.