Bordeaux: Growing Environment Flashcards
Boudeaux
- The largest AC region in France, in terms of both volume and value.
- It is struggled to find a common identity for its less valuable wines in the competitive international wine market and sales have suffered.
Climate in Bordeaux
- Bordeaux has a moderate maritime climate, that benefits from the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.
- This bring warm water from the Caribbean to northern Europe extending the growing season.
- Atlantic sea brings high level of rainfall and humidity.
- Vineyards are protected from Landes forest and coastal sand dunes.
Maritime Climate in Bordeaux
- Rainfall is high, 950 millimeters per year.
- Can disrupt the flowering and fruit set
- Promote rot
- Dilute the flavours on the grapes.
- Vintage variation is a important consideration in Bordeaux.
- Top producers can reduce the differences in style and quality by rejecting unhealthy and unripe grapes.
Location of Bordeaux
- Situated on French Atlantic Coast
- Vineyards stretch east from the Gironde Estuary alongside the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers
- Best vineyards on well-drained gravel banks (Haut Medoc and PL), Saint Emilion and Pomerol (on limestone or clay).
Soil of Bordeaux
Three types:
- Alluvial soil found on the riverbanks, used to make only the lowest appellation wines
- Limestone subsoil with broken stone and sand. Found on hillsides and is predominant in Saint Emilion
- Free draining soils consisting of gravel over a base of marl and flint. Can be found in the Haut Medoc and Pessac Leognan.
The biggest vineyards concerns in Bordeaux
- Fungal disease.
- Variable levels of ripeness.
Both are result of high rainfall and cloud cover.
Vertical Shoot Positioned, and green harvesting and leaf stripping have resulted in healthier grapes.
Bordeaux - Climate & Weather
• Moderate maritime climate similar to the south west of the UK. Viticulture possible thanks to:
- The warming effect of the Gulf Stream (powerful warm ocean current from Florida)
- The coastal pine forests on the Atlantic coast acting as wind breaks and rain barrier
- The Gironde estuary acting as a large body of water redistributing heat at the end of the growing season
- Strongest maritime influence in Médoc; decreases inland.
- Spring mild & damp; summers hot w occasional storms; mild autumns & winters.
- 2,000h of sunshine/yr; 900mm avg rainfall (distributed evenly throughout the year); 20.5C avg temp in July
- High vintage variations due different temperature and rainfall year on year.
Topography & Soils
• Located on the French Atlantic coast with vineyards stretching from the Gironde Estuary and alongside the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
• Varied soils but mainly:
1. Left bank: gravels, sand and clay. Gravelly soils of Médoc help regulate water supply to the vine.
2. Right bank: limestone, clay and sand. St-Émilion famous for limestone plateau.
3. Entre-deux-mers: clay and limestone
• Best vineyards in Haut Médoc, Pessac Léognan (well drained gravelly soils), St Émilion and Pomerol (limestone or clay)
• Low altitude area (max 100m)
How would you describe Bordeaux climate?
What parallel is it located on?
Moderate Maritime
45th Parallel
Which river does St-Emilion border?
The Dordogne
What type of soil would you expect in Haut-Medoc and Pessac-Leognan?
Gravelly, slightly more sandy towards the south.
What 3 components dominate the soil of Pomerol?
What is the subsoil made from?
What is the French term for this specific subsoil?
Clay, Sand and Gravel.
Subsoil: Iron pan and Rich Clay (Crasse de Fer / literally “Iron Dirt/Grime”)
Describe the soil and topological factors that contribute to Petrus’ power and opulence:
- Iron-rich clay soils (crasse de fer) give the wines power and structure.
- Clay helps retain water, creates a cooler mesoclimate ideal for early-ripening Merlot.
- Average age of vines = 45 years.
- Located on a gentle slope which aids in draining.
