Bordeaux

Question 1

Explain the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux.

Answer 1

60 Chateaux in Medoc and one in Pessac Leognan (Graves) were ranked from Premier Crus/1st Growths down to Cinquiemes Crus/5th Growths.

Question 2

Name the 1st growths of Bordeaux.

Answer 2

1. Château Margaux
2. Château Lafite-Rothschild
3. Château Latour
4. Château Haut-Brion
5. Château Mouton-Rothschild **

**all but #5 est. in 1855 classification.
1973 - Mouton-Rothschild moved from 2nd to 1st growth.

Question 3

What are the 2nd Growths of Bordeaux located in Margaux?

Answer 3

1. Château Rauzan-Ségla
2. Château Rauzan-Gassies
3. Château Durfort-Vivens
4. Château Lascombes
5. Château Brane Cantenac

Question 4

What are the 2nd Growths of Bordeaux located in St.-Julien?

Answer 4

1. Château Gruard-Larose
2. Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
   The “Leos”
3. Château Léoville-Las Cases
4. Château Léoville-Poyferré
5. Château Léoville-Barton

Question 5

What are the 2nd Growths of Bordeaux located in St.-Estephe?

Answer 5

1. Château Cos d’Estournel

2. Château Montrose

Question 6

What are the 2nd Growths of Bordeaux located in Pauillac?

Answer 6

1. Château Pichon Longueville Baron

2. Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Question 7

Describe the location and geography of the Medoc.

Answer 7

Starts at city of Bordeaux and stretches N 50 mi along left bank of Gironde.

Two appellations:

1. Medóc - northern 1/3 of low-lying land by Atlantic
2. Haut-Medóc - closest to the city of Bordeaux, at river’s gravelly edge. Farthest from Atlantic.

Question 8

Name the 4 famous communes in Haut-Medóc.

Answer 8

1. Margaux
2. St.-Julien
3. Pauillac
4. St.-Estephe

Directly on the bank of Gironde. Cab Sauv dominates blends, does well in the stony soil.

Less important:
Listrac and Moulis. Heavier, less well-drained = less refined

Question 9

Describe the geography and climate of Bordeaux.

Answer 9

Along the path of the Gironde Estuary and Dordogne and Garonne Rivers. Atlantic Ocean is a 1 hr drive. (Waterways contributed to early commercial success of the region).

Les Landes -2.5 mil HA of man made pine forest which protects from weather damage.

Vineyards somewhat flat with rolling hills.

Question 10

Describe soil in Bordeaux.

Answer 10

Drainage = key. The region is very wet and Bordeaux varietals are water-sensitive.

Best vineyards are on well-draining soil of gravel, stone, and limestone.

However most soil in Bordeaux is clay.

Question 11

How does clay soil affect grape growth?

Answer 11

Clay doesn’t drain as well so it stays cooler. This delays bud break and ripening.

Vines need lots of warm weather to compensate.

Question 12

Which grape is planted in high clay areas of Bordeaux? Why?

Answer 12

Merlot is early ripening and less tannic. Grapes with higher tannin wouldn’t ripen fully in cooler clay soil.

Question 13

Name the 6 permitted red varietals in Bordeaux.

Answer 13

1 or more of ...
Merlot 
Cabernet Sauvignon 
Cabernet Franc
Malbec 
Carmenere
Petit Verdot 

Merlot is 60% followed by Cav Sauv. Others mostly used as blending grapes.

Question 14

Name the 7 permitted white varietals in Bordeaux.

Answer 14

Blends of 1 or more

Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle

Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Merlot blanc
Sauvignon gris

Question 15

Describe semillon.

Answer 15

Most widely planted Bordeaux white grape, originated there.

With age takes on a honey flavor and creamy, lanolin-like texture.

Question 16

Name the 10 most important appellations of Bordeaux.

Indicate white or red.

Answer 16

Barsac - white, dry and sweet
Graves - white and red
Margaux - red
Pauillac - red
Pessac-Leognan - white and red
Pomerol - red
St.-Emilion - red
St.-Estephe - red
St.-Julien - red
Sauternes - white, dry and sweet

Question 17

What are other appellations of note in Bordeaux?

Answer 17

Red:
Canon-Fronsac
Côtes de Bordeaux
Côtes de Bourg
Côtes de Castillon
Côtes de Francs
Premieres Côtes de Blaye
Fronsac
Listrac
Moulis

White: Entre-Deux-Mers

Question 18

Name some renowned Châteaux in Margaux.

Answer 18

1st Growth Château Margaux

3rd Growth Château Palmer

Question 19

Name some renowned Châteaux in St.-Julien.

Answer 19

The 3 Leo’s
Château Léoville-Barton
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Château Léoville-Poyferré

St. Julien has highest % of classified Growths - 95% are 2, 3, or 4 but no 1

Question 20

Name some renowned Châteaux in Pauillac.

Answer 20

3 of the 5 1st Growths
Château Lafite-Rothschild
Château Mouton-Rothschild
Château Latour

Complex wines with notes of rich black currant, cranberry, cedar & graphite

Question 21

Name some renowned Châteaux in St. Estephe.

Answer 21

Cos d’Estournel
Close to Pauillac border; notably elegant

Château Montrose
Château Calon-Ségur
A bit more rugged and hearty in style due to heavier soil closer to mouth of Gironde

Question 22

What is unique about wine making in Graves?

Answer 22

It is the only part of Bordeaux where most Châteaux make both red and white wine.

Question 23

Where are many of the best red and white wines in Graves produced?

Answer 23

Pessac-Leognan. 10 tiny communes grouped together in 1987.

Question 24

What is the historical significance of the region of Graves?

Answer 24

It is the 1st Bordeaux to be known internationally. It was shipped to England as early as the 12th century. Famed Château Haut-Brion was fave of T. Jefferson.

Question 25

Name some renowned Châteaux in Graves.

Answer 25

Red and White 1st Growth Château Haut-Brion La Mission- Haut Brion Domaine de Chevalier Red Pâpe-Clemént Haut-Bailly White Ch. Carbonnieux

Question 26

Name Bordeaux’s 5 sweet wine producing communes.

Answer 26

``` Sauternes Barsac Bommes Fargues Preignac ```

Question 27

Name some renowned Châteaux in Sauternais.

Answer 27

``` Sauternes Château d’Yquem (1er Cru Supérieur Classé) Château Suduiraut Château Rieussec Ch. Lafaurie-Peyraguey Ch. Guiraud Ch. de Fargues ``` Barsac Château Climens

Question 28

How is sweet wine in Bordeaux made?

Answer 28

Vines -mostly semillon, some Sauv blanc- are infected with Botrytis. Region needs correct balance of humidity & warmth for fungus to take hold. Botrytis punctures grape skins and uses moisture to germinate spores. The grapes lose water and concentrate sugar.

Question 29

Explain the geography and name the soil types in the following appellations: Medoc Graves St.-Emilion Pomerol

Answer 29

Medoc and Graves Left bank. Gravel. Medoc is closer to the mouth of Gironde and Grave is south of it. St.-Emilion Right bank. Gravel, limestone and sand Pomerol Right bank. Iron pan under sand and clay

Question 30

Vinification: example of the typical style of wine blends in Left bank/Medoc

Answer 30

70% cab sauv 30% Merlot Plus cab franc and petit Verdot Usually aged in new French oak

Question 31

Vinification: example of the typical style of wine blends in Right bank/St.-Emilion and Pomerol

Answer 31

70% Merlot 30% cab franc Spends time in French oak typically

Question 32

Vinification: example of the typical style of white wine blends in Graves (Pessac-Leognan) and Entre-deux-mers.

Answer 32

Dry white wines only. Inexpensive wines usually Entre-deux-mers; no new oak. Prestigious wines use new French barriques. 80% Sauvignon blanc 20% semillon

Question 33

Vinification: example of the typical style of sweet white wine blends in Bordeaux.

Answer 33

``` Graves - Sauternes, Barsac, surrounding communes 80% semillon 20% Sauv blanc Muscadelle small % Many are new oak aged ```

Question 34

Describe vineyards and chateaux in the right bank.

Answer 34

Tend to be smaller and more modest. Many small family operations.

Question 35

What is the Jurade?

Answer 35

A coterie of men granted monastic rule in St.-Emilion through a charter in 1199 by King John of England. Part of mandate was ensuring quality & prominence of wine in the region. Banned after French Rev in 1789 but revived in 1948 as a wine brotherhood

Question 36

Describe the geography of St.-Emilion.

Answer 36

Hillsides (côtes) - limestone outcroppings, plateaus, gravelly terraces. Soil is clay, sand, quartz, chalk intermixed A patchwork of varying terroir = a range in style and quality

Question 37

Name the 4 Premier Grand Cru Classés in St. Emilion named in 2012.

Answer 37

Château Ausone Château Angelus Château Pavie Château Cheval Blanc - arguably the v. best

Question 38

Describe Cheval Blanc.

Answer 38

Highest % of cab franc in well known Bordeaux estates: 40-50% in recent vintages Super elegant, deep, luxuriant When young decadent blackberry laced with vanilla/creme anglaise On a mostly gravelly terrace several mi north of St. Emilion almost in Pomerol

Question 39

Name some other notable St. Emilion producers (besides the 1er Cru Grand Classés)

Answer 39

Château Canon Château Magdelaine Château Figeac

Question 40

Describe winemaking in Pomerol.

Answer 40

Exclusively red - Merlot and cab franc Merlot is 80% of all plantings - does well in gravel and clay beds Cab Sauv is rarely part of blends The best have a velvety texture, plum/cocoa/violet richness. Softness makes easy to drink young

Question 41

Explain Pomerol’s rise to prominence, given that they were relatively irrelevant in the 19th century and were not classified in 1855.

Answer 41

Emerged from obscurity in 1940s and 50s. Jean-Pierre Moueix began buying exclusive sales and marketing rights to the best Chateau In 1964 he bought a 50% share in Pétrus. Under his care it became a cult obsession by the 1960s.

Question 42

Name other producers of note in Pomerol.

Answer 42

``` Château Le Pin Château La Conseillante Château La Fleur Château Trotanoy Château L’Evangile Château Certan de May ```

Question 43

Explain the appellations in Bordeaux.

Answer 43

Commune AOPs: smallest in region with highest quality ex. Pauillac, Margaux, etc. Sub-regional AOPs: May be highest attainable in region or encompass several communes ex. Haut-Medoc AOP, Entre-deux-mers AOP Bordeaux AOP: largest in size and production. Grapes can come from anywhere in entire region. Lowest quality