Bourdeaux - Red Wines

Question 1

What type of climate is Bordeaux?

Answer 1

Moderate maritime.

Question 2

What contributes to the warming of Bordeaux?

Answer 2

the Gulf Stream - warming ocean current

Question 3

What negative impacts does Bordeaux’s proximity to the Atlantic bring?

Answer 3

High levels of rainfall and humidity

Question 4

What protects Bordeaux from the worst of Atlantic storms?

Answer 4

Landes Forest and sand dunes.

Question 5

Potential negative impacts of rainfall Bordeaux?

Answer 5

Disrupts flowering and fruit set

Diluted fruit at harvest

Question 6

What has brought consistency and healthier grapes to the region?

Answer 6

Canopy management. Specifically, trellising and Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)

Question 7

What does VSP aid with in Bordeaux?

Answer 7

Sunlight and ripening
(No need to worry about sunburn)
Air circulation and limiting fungal disease = less need to spray chemicals and if needed, more effective spraying
Mechanical harvesting

Question 8

What does Botrytis Cinerea (grey rot) lead to in black grapes? (Negative)

Answer 8

Colour loss,

Question 9

What are the two main types of mildew and what are they treated with?

Answer 9

Powdery Mildew - sulphur-based spray

Downy Mildew - Bordeaux mixture (copper-based)

Question 10

Where is Cabernet Sauvignon focused?

Answer 10

Haut-Medoc
Graves (pessac-Leognan)
and to a lesser extent, Bas-Medoc

Question 11

What type of soil does Cab Sauv need to reliably ripen?

Answer 11

Gravel

Question 12

Where is Cabernet Franc most important? Where else is it relevant?

Answer 12

Saint Emilion and Pomerol

Relevant in Medoc and Graves

Question 13

What character does Cabernet Franc have when unripe?

Answer 13

Herbaceous and stalky

Question 14

How does Cab Franc compare to Cab Sauv in terms of body and tannin?

Answer 14

Lower body and tannin

Question 15

What type of soils does Cabernet Franc thrive in?

Answer 15

Well-drained, warm soil

Question 16

What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?

Answer 16

Merlot

Question 17

Where is Merlot particularly important?

Answer 17

Saint-Emilion and Pomerol (Right Bank)

Question 18

What are the characteristics of “international style” Merlot? (colour, flavour, tannin, maturation)

Answer 18

Intense purple colour, concentrated blackberry and plum, soft velvet tannin. Often aged in new, toasty oak

Question 19

What is the second style in which Merlot is made?

Answer 19

grapes are harvested earlier. medium body and alcohol, higher acid, fresh red fruit character with some vegetal, leafy aromas.

Question 20

What does Merlot add to Bordeaux blends?

Answer 20

Smooth texture and juicy plum

Question 21

What is avoided during fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 21

Extractive cap management and high temperature (particularly towards the end of fermentation)

Question 22

Would you employ post-fermentation maceration with Cab Sauv? Why?

Answer 22

Yes

To encourage gentle extraction of tannin and to soften existing tannins

Question 23

Would you use post-fermentation maceration with Merlot? Why?

Answer 23

Yes

Extract colour and flavour

Question 24

Which grape buds and ripens earlier, Cab Sauv or Merlot?

Answer 24

Merlot

Question 25

Generally Haut-Medoc Cabernet exhibits what aromas and tannins when young?

Answer 25

Cedar and blackcurrant leaf | Grippy tannins

Question 26

Name the fourth, more minor black grape of Bordeaux

Answer 26

Petite Verdot

Question 27

Petite Verdot only ripens in some vintages, which ones?

Answer 27

Hot ones

Question 28

What does Petite Verdot add to a blend?

Answer 28

Tannin, colour and spicy notes

Question 29

How does the appellation 'Bordeaux Superieur' compare to generic Bordeaux?

Answer 29

Stricter rules and higher ABV

Question 30

Early drinking, medium bodied red with hints of cedar describes which appellation?

Answer 30

Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur

Question 31

What is Clairet?

Answer 31

Longer maceration rose

Question 32

What soils are most common in Bas-Medoc? What grape is most common?

Answer 32

Clay with gravel outcrops | Merlot

Question 33

Main smaller appellations/communes within the Haut Medoc?

Answer 33

St. Estephe Paulliac St. Julien Margaux

Question 34

Blackcurrant fruit complemented by cedar notes from oak with long-ageing potential describes wine from...

Answer 34

Haut-Medoc and communes

Question 35

What is the most highly rated area in Graves?

Answer 35

Pessac-Leognan

Question 36

What is the main black grape in Pessac-Leognan?

Answer 36

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 37

How do wines from Pessac-Leognan compare with those of Haut-Medoc?

Answer 37

Lighter, more fragrant

Question 38

Wines from Graves (outside Pessac-Leognan) are heavier in what?

Answer 38

Merlot (and are less concentrated and complex than wines from Pessac-Leognan)

Question 39

What is the main soil type in Pessac-Legonan?

Answer 39

Gravel

Question 40

What are the four appellations that have agreed to share the name, 'Cotes de Bordeaux'?

Answer 40

Francs Cadillac Blaye Castillon

Question 41

What style of wine is made in Cote de Bordeaux appellations?

Answer 41

Early-drinking Excellent value Merlot-based

Question 42

How often does reclassification happen in Saint Emilion?

Answer 42

At least every 10 years

Question 43

What are the four chateaux classifications in Saint Emilion?

Answer 43

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Saint-Emilion Grand Cru classe Saint-Emilion Premier Gand Cru classe B Saint-Emilion Premier Gand Cru classe A

Question 44

3 grapes of the Right Bank in order of prevalence?

Answer 44

Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 45

Break Saint-Emilion into it's three parts.

Answer 45

Plateau S S-E facing escarpment Base of Escarpment

Question 46

What grapes are grown on the Saint-Emilion plateau? How?

Answer 46

Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Gravel and limestone soils

Question 47

Describe best wines from Saint-Emilion (tannin, flavour). How do these compare to Left Bank reds?

Answer 47

Medium-High tannins Complex red berry and Plum Evolving to Tobacco and Cedar Wines are Soft with a rich mouthfeel in comparison to Left Bank

Question 48

How do wines from Pomerol compare to those of Saint-Emilion

Answer 48

Similar in quality and price | Richer and with spicier blackberry notes

Question 49

What year was the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce approached to create a list of best Medoc reds and Sauternes whites?

Answer 49

1855

Question 50

What are cru classe wines?

Answer 50

Wines from a Chateaux that was selected in 1855 as one of the best. Geographical boundaries can shift and quality is not tested

Question 51

What is the classification 'cru bourgeois' awarded to?

Answer 51

Individual wines from a specific vintage (wines must be submitted each year)

Question 52

Where are all the cru classe chateaux in Graves?

Answer 52

Pessac-Leognan