Bordeaux

Question 1

T or F:

There are currently no single vineyard or single estate appellations in Bordeaux

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Is the blending white and red base wines authorized for rose production in Bordeaux?

Answer 2

No. Rose can only be made from red grapes.

Question 3

What is the Vin de Pays (IGP) of Bordeaux?

Answer 3

The Atlantique IGP

Question 4

What was the city of Bordeaux first known as in the 3rd century BCE?

Answer 4

Burdigala, established by a Celtic Tribe

Question 5

What producer was the first known house to release wines as a single estate?

Answer 5

Haut-Brion in the 1660s.

Question 6

What is the Liv-Ex Classification?

Answer 6

The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-Ex) has published a biennial list of the top wines of Bordeaux since 2009. This list is based on current trading prices on the exchange and only Left Bank red wines are considered. La Mission Haut-Brion joins the first growth category in the 2015 edition, and Palmer, Lynch-Bages, and Pontet-Canet have ascended to the second tier.

Question 7

In the second half of the 19th century, three vineyard diseases of American origin arrived in succession in Bordeaux. What were they?

Answer 7

oidium (powdery mildew), phylloxera, and peronospera (downy mildew)

Question 8

Who was the first château to begin estate-bottling its entire production?

Answer 8

Mouton-Rothschild, in 1924

Question 9

List 10 of the most incredible Bordeaux vintages.

Answer 9

1945, 1982 (Parker Vintage), 1988-1990 (TRIFECTA- LJ’s birth year!), 2000 (“vintage of the century”), 2005, 2009, 2010.

Question 10

What is The Place de Bordeaux?

Answer 10

A three-tier, de facto system of wine production, brokerage, and sales that controls the trade of wine in Bordeaux. The production tier (château) was historically operated by the aristocracy or the church, while the sales tier (the négociant) was the merchant class.

Question 11

Most vines in Bordeaux are trained on the _________.

Answer 11

Guyot system; double is common on the left bank and simple on the right.

Question 12

Where can you find Cordon-training in Bordeaux?

Answer 12

In Sauternes, for sweet wine production. Cordon-training produces smaller berries that attract botrytis

Question 13

Who is the the only classified and certified biodynamic producer in the entire Médoc?

Answer 13

Château Pontet-Canet

Question 14

What is green-harvesting?

Answer 14

Green bunches are removed during the summer months. The practice reduces vigor, producing smaller berries that will yield more concentrated wine.

Question 15

What is Remontage?

Answer 15

The traditional means of cap management for red wine fermentations in Bordeaux.

Question 16

What is cliquage?

Answer 16

A more controversial form of micro-oxygenation, where small doses of oxygen are applied to the finished wine in barrel.

Question 17

What AOP is home to three first growths and the deepest croupes of gravel in the Médoc?

Answer 17

Pauillac AOP

Question 18

For Sauternes, what is the minimum must weight? Minimum RS in finished wine?

Answer 18

must weight: 221 g/L

finished wine: 45 g/L

Question 19

How many grapes are allowed in Bordeaux AOP white wines? Which three can make up no more than 30% of the blend?

Answer 19

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, Merlot Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Colombard (the latter three may make up no more than 30%).

Question 20

What is the AOP for Chateau Petrus?

Answer 20

Pomerol

Question 21

What is the cepage of Petrus?

Answer 21

Usually 100% Merlot, with a bit of Cab Franc sometimes.

Question 22

What is the cepage of Cheval Blanc?

Answer 22

57% Cab Franc, 39% Merlot, 3% Cab, 1% Malbec

Question 23

Where in Graves are all the cru classes properties located?

Answer 23

Pessac-Leognan

Question 24

Which commune has the most classified growths?

Answer 24

Margaux with 21

Question 25

What is Malbec known as on the right bank?

Answer 25

Pressac

Question 26

What is the only estate on the right bank to use a significant proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 26

Figeac, in St Emilion

Question 27

In what year was Mouton Rothschild upgraded to a 1st growth?

Answer 27

1973

Question 28

Where in Bordeaux can the boulbenes soil be found? What is it?

Answer 28

Graves; a mixture of clay, sand, and gravel

Question 29

Which AOP in Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Answer 29

St.Émilion

Question 30

What marks the southern boundary of Saint-Estèphe and divides Château Cos d’Estournel from Pauillac’s Château Lafite-Rothschild?

Answer 30

The Jalle de Breuil (The Breuil Brook/Stream)

Question 31

What are croupes?

Answer 31

Gravel Mounds that you find in Bordeaux. Resemble hills, and are highly desirable. You can find them in Pauillac (Mouton Rothschild and Pontet-Canet)