Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

WSET Level 3 > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

What is the largest appellation in France?

A

Bordeaux. Both in volume and value.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Moderate maritime. The warming ocean current of the Gulf Stream extends the growing season. Spring frost is rarely a problem. Grape ripening can continue well into October. The downside is high levels of rainfall and humidity. It is protected from The Atlantic by the Landes Forrest and costal sand dunes. Rain falls throoughout the year and can disrupt flowering and fruit set and promote and dilute the flavors at harvest. Therefore vintage variation is an important consideration.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are some of the ways Bordeaux can cope with vintage variation?

A

Rejecting unhealthy and unripe grapes. Changes in canopy management have resulted in healthier grapes (plus a decline in sprays) and a rise in sugar and flavor development at harvest.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How does Bordeaux cope with the variability in weather?

A

By making wines from a blend of grape varieties. 13 grape varieties are permitted, but three black and two white predominate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Name the 4 main black varieties in Bordeaux.

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why does cabernet Sauvignon dominate in the Haut Medoc, Bas-Medoc and Graves?

A

The stone/gravel content of the soils raises vineyard temperature so cab can reliable ripen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where is Cab Franc widely used in Bordeaux?

A

Saint-Emilion and to a lesser extent, Medoc and Graves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the flavor characteristics of Cab Franc?

A

Less body and tannin than cab. Can have herbaceous or stalky flavors when unripe. When ripe it contributes ripe fruit and floral notes to a blend. It prefers well drained, warm soils (similar to cab’s).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the most widely planted variety in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What appellations is Merlot most important in?

A

Saint-Emilion and Pomerol as it can successfully grow on the cooler clay soils of these areas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Why is Merlot generally predominate in high volume, inexpensive wines?

A

Due to its softness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the characteristics of Petit Verdot and why is it used?

A

A very deep colored, tannic wine that only ripens fully in very hot years. Ages slowly. Mainly adds tannin, color and some spice.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What fermentation vessels are used in Bordeaux?

A

Traditional oak vats, steel or concrete. Top quality is aged in small oak barriques of 225 liters. The finest chateaux use new oak. Generic Bordeaux are unlikely to see oak at all.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the most important white variety for sweet wines

A

Semillon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What variety is semillon blended with in Pessac-Leognan and Graves and why?

A

Sauv Blanc to add body.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the aromas of Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?

A

Citrus and green fruit. It can be an exception to Bordeaux blended wines. But when blended, provides the high acidity.necessary for sweet wines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What minor white variety plays a supporting role in sweet and dry white wine production?

A

Muscadelle, with a pronounced grapey, floral flavor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Discuss the range of styles for white Bordeaux?

A

They range from fresh and fruity at the lower end but still showing toasty hints of oak, to concentrated nutty flavor overlays in the dry whites from Pessac-Leognan.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How are the sweet wines from Bordeaux made?

A

From fruit that has been infected by noble rot and matured in new oak barrels for up to 3 years.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is Bordeaux’s classification system?

A

Outside of Saint-Emilion, it lies outside the appellation system. It does not rank vineyards, but estates, known as chateaux.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the 1855 classification?

A

The Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce made a list of their best wines from the Medoc and white wines from Sauternes. They are referred to as crus classes. In the Medoc, they were divided into five ranks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

List the top rank of chateaux in the Medoc in accordance with the 1855 Classification.

A

Chateaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, and Mouton Rothschild, together with Chateau Haut-Brion from the Graves. In Sauternes, there are 3 ranks with Chateau d’Yquem at the top.

23
Q

What is Cru Bourgeois?

A

For estates other than the 1855 classification. They are only awarded in a specific vintage as opposed to the estate itself. Therefore wines from each vintage must be submitted to gain classification.

24
Q

How are wines of Graves (Pessac-Leognan) classified?

A

All are crus classes, with separate lists for reds and whites, and they all lie within Pessac-Leognan as opposed to Graves in general.

25
Q

How is Saint Emilion classified?

A

Saint Emilion Grand Cru. The lowest within this classification is Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe. Above that is Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe, which is further divided into Classe A (the best) and Classe B. It is reclassified every 10 years.

26
Q

The Gironde Estuary is formed by what two rivers?

A

Dordogne and Garonne.

27
Q

What makes up the Left Bank?

A

The districts of Medoc, Graves and Sauternes that are west and south of the Garonne.

28
Q

What makes up the Right Bank?

A

Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, the districts north and east of the Gironde and Dordogne.

29
Q

What is the area between the two districts?

A

Entre-Deux Mers.

30
Q

How many different appellations are in Bordeaux?

A

over 50.

31
Q

What are the generic appellations of Bordeaux and their differences?

A

Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superior. Bordeaux Superior has slightly superior appellation rules and requires a higher level of alcohol. The rest is white labeled as Bordeaux and rose labeled as Bordeaux Rose or Bordeaux Clairet.

32
Q

What is Clairet?

A

It undergoes a longer maceration than rose, deeper in color and fuller in body. Mainly popular in the French Market.

33
Q

White Bordeaux is dominate by what varietal and character?

A

Sauvignon Blanc. Grassy in character.

34
Q

What is the northern most part of the Medoc called?

A

Bas-Medoc. Their wines are listed as simply Medoc.

35
Q

What is the soil type of Medoc?

A

Clay with outcroppings of gravel.

36
Q

Generally what is the style of wines from Medoc?

A

Early drinking with a higher proportion of Merlot.

37
Q

From north to south, what are the four communes on the left bank with the highest reputation?

A

Saint-Estephe, Paullac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux.

38
Q

What characteristics do those four communes share?

A

High percentage of cab, core of blackcurrant fruit, with cedar notes from oak. Grippy tannins when young and a long aging potential.

39
Q

How do the wines from Pessac-Leognan differ from those of the Haut-Medoc?

A

Lighter in body and more fragrant.

40
Q

How do the red wines from Graves differ from Haut-Medoc?

A

Less concentrated and less complex, with more Merlot.

41
Q

What varieties dominate the right bank?

A

Merlot and to a lesser extent, cab franc.

42
Q

Which is larger, Saint-Emilion or Pomerol?

A

Saint-Emilion

43
Q

Describe the three distinct vineyards of Saint-Emilion and their soils.

A

Vineyards on the plateau to the north and west of the town are warm, well drained limestone and gravel soils that include cab franc and occasionally some cab. Next are the vineyards on the escarpment to the south and east with clay limestone soils. These two subregions have the best vineyards. They have medium to high tannins but compared to the structured wines from the left bank they have a soft and rich mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas, developing toaacco and cedar notes as they age. Finally, the vineyards on the sandy soils at the foot of the escarpment are lighter-bodied, less prestigious wines.

44
Q

How do Pomerol wines differ from Saint-Emilion?

A

Richer, with a spicier blackberry fruit character.

45
Q

What is a vins de garage?

A

Full bodied, incredibly ripe wines made in tiny qualities from small plots of land with no expense spared.

46
Q

Name the appellations that may put their name in front of Cotes de Bordeaux.

A

Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs. Merlot based and meant for early drinking.

47
Q

How does Premier Cotes de Bordeau differ from Cotes de Bordeaux?

A

It’s a sweet wine appellation unconnected to Cotes de Bordeaux.

48
Q

Can Entre-Deux-Mers produce red and white wine?

A

No. Only white. Graves and Pessac-Leognan can produce both white and red wine.

49
Q

What is the predominate variety in wines from Graves and Entre-du-Meres?

A

Sauv Blanc in an unoaked style.

50
Q

What dry whites may be produced from Pessac-Leognan?

A

Dry whites eligible for Cru Classe status. Generally blends of Savu Blanc and Semillion, fermented or matured in new oak giving a medium to full body and toasty oak flavors.

51
Q

The vineyards on which rivers produce the top sweet wines?

A

The Garonne and its tributary the Ciron. Ideal conditions for noble rot. Passerillage helps when conditions don[t allow noble rot.

52
Q

The best sweet wines come from which appellation?

A

Sauternes. Within Sauternes lies the village of Barsac who can use either a Sauternes or Barsac designation.

53
Q

What white varieties are used in making sweet wines and what does each contribute?

A

Semillon because of its thin skin and susceptibility to botrytis. Sauvignon Blanc supplies acidity and fruity aromas. Muscadelle supplies exotic perfume.

54
Q

What characteristics do the best sweet wines display?

A

High in alcohol, sweet yet balance by high acidity, apricot and citrus peel aromas of noble rot along with notes of toast and vanilla from oak.

WSET Level 3 (28 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions