France - Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

Which wines are produced in Cotes de Bordeaux AOP?

A

Reds in the north
Med Dry to Dry whites in the center
Sweet whites in the south

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2
Q

Which Chateau got the Premiere Grand Cru Exceptionel classification in 1855 for Sauternes?

A

Chateau d’Yquem

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3
Q

What does ‘Mise en Bouteille au Chateau’ means?

A

When Chateau bottle their own wines at the chateau winery

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4
Q

Describe Cabernet Sauvignon grape and identify what it gives to the Bordeaux Blend.

A

Loves gravel soil, so roots can dig deep and give more concentration.
Difficult to ripen in cooler limestone and clay soils.

High pigmented and tannic, gives structure, power and longevity

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5
Q

Which type of soil can we find in Pauillac AOP?

A

Deep gravel top soil. Makes Cabernet Sauvignon very structured and concentrated

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6
Q

What do we expect from Pauillac wines?

A

Full bodied, concentrated and long lived.

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7
Q

Which are the differences between Latour and Lafite wines?

A

Latour has broading depth and concentration
Lafite has more aromatics and elegance

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8
Q

Name 3 Cru Classe Rouge of Graves Classification

A

Chateau Latour-Martillac (Martillac)
Chateau Haut-Brion (Pessac)
Chateau Haut-Bailly (Leognan)
Chateau Olivier (Leognan)
Chateu Pape-Clement (Pessac)
Chateau Smith-Haut Lafite (Martillac)

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9
Q

Which soil can we find in Pomerol AOP?

A

Sandy gravel and clay to the East
‘Cresse de Fer’ ironstone and sand to the West.
Buttons of clay (Petrus)

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10
Q

How can we describe Pomerol wines?

A

Softer than St. Emilion
High quality
Slight truffle smell

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11
Q

Which soil can we find in St. Julien AOP?

A

Gravel soil

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12
Q

What do we expect from St. Julien wines?

A

Small production but very high quality (80% are qualified)
Wines typically demonstrate an elegant style.

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13
Q

What is ‘En Primeur’?

A

Process of pre-buying wine before it is bottled and released into the market

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14
Q

Describe St. Emilion Classification

A

Started in 1955 and finished in 1958.
Ranks top properties in:
-Premiere Grand Cru Classe A
-Premiere Grand Cru Classe B
-Grand Cru Classe
-Grand Cru

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15
Q

What can we expect from Sauternes and Barsac wines?

A

Botrytis affected grapes
Honey, saffron and ginger aromas
Sweet, concentrated flavor and color

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16
Q

What is Bourg AOP most well known for?

A

Merlot driven red wines

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17
Q

Which type of soil can we find in Saint-Estephe AOP?

A

Gravel with some clay amongst

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18
Q

What should we expect from Saint-Estephe wines?

A

Sturdy, full bodied.
Higher percentage of Merlot due to the clay spots.

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19
Q

Name the main districts between the Dordogne and the Garonne

A

Saint Macaire
Haut Benauge
Entre-Deux-Mers
Premiere Cote de Bordeaux
Saint-Croix-Du-Mont
Loupiac
Cadillac
Saint-Foy-Bordeaux
Graves de Vayres

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20
Q

What does Muscadelle imparts in the blend for Bordeaux sweet wines?

A

Floral intense character.
Used in small doses as it could overpower the balance

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21
Q

Which is the AOP close to Bergerac in the northern east?

A

Saint-Foy-Bordeaux

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22
Q

What are the ‘Tries’?

A

Different passes through the vineyard to pick the best grapes at the perfect moment. Used especially for botrytized grapes.

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23
Q

Name St. Emilion Premiere Grand Cru Classe A

A

Chateau Pavie
Chateau Figeac (2022)

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24
Q

Which wines are produced in Fronsac AOP and Canon Fronsac AOP?

A

Fruity reds, similar in style to Pomerol & St. Emilion.
Merlot predominant

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25
Q

Name the main 5 district for red wines in the right bank

A

Saint Emilion
Pomerol
Lalande de Pomerol
Fronsac
Canon Fronsac

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26
Q

Name the 1st Growth

A

Chateau Lafite Roschild (Pauillac)
Chateau Latour (Pauillac)
Chateau Margaux (Margaux)
Chateau Haut-Brion (Graves)
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)

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27
Q

Name all 2nd Growth

A

Chateau Rauzan-Segla (Margaux)
Chateau Rauzan-Gassies (Margaux)
Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases (St. Julien)
Chateau Leoville-Poyferre (St. Julien)
Chateau Leoville-Barton (St. Julien)
Chateau Dufort-Vivens (Margaux)
Chateau Gruaud-Larose (St. Julien)
Chateau Lascombes (Margaux)
Chateau Brane-Cantenac (Margaux)
Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac)
Chateau Pichon-Longueville Barton (Pauillac)
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou (St. Julien)
Chateau Cos d’Estournel (St. Estephe)
Chateau Montrose (St. Estephe)

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28
Q

Name all 3rd Growth

A

Chateau Kirwan (Margaux)
Chateau d’Issan (Margaux)
Chateau Lagrange (St. Julien)
Chateau Langoa-Barton (St. Julien)
Chateau Giscours (Margaux)
Chateau Malescot-St-Exupery (Margaux)
Chateau Boyd-Cantenac (Margaux)
Chateau Cantenac-Brown (Margaux)
Chateau Palmer (Margaux)
Chateau Lagune (Haut-Medoc)
Chateau Desmirail (Margaux)
Chateau Calon-Segur (St. Estephe)
Chateau Ferriere (Margaux)
Chateau Marquis d’Alesme Becker (Margaux)

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29
Q

Name all 4th Growth

A

Chateau St Pierre (St. Julien)
Chateau Talbot (St. Julien)
Chateau Branaire-Ducru (St. Julien)
Chateau Duhart-Milon Rothschild (Pauillac)
Chateau Pouget (Margaux)
Chateau La Tour Carnet (Haut-Medoc)
Chateau Lafon Rochet (St. Estephe)
Chateau Beycheville (St. Julien)
Chateau Prieure-Lichine (Margaux)
Chateau Marquis de Terme (Margaux)

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30
Q

Name all 5th Growth

A

Chateau Pontet-Canet (Pauillac)
Chateau Batailley (Pauillac)
Chateau Haut-Batailley (Pauillac)
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac)
Chateau Grand-Puy-Ducasse (Pauillac)
Chateau Lynch-Bages (Pauillac)
Chateau Lynch-Moussas (Pauillac)
Chateau Dauzac (Margaux)
Chateau d’Armaihaq (Pauillac)
Chateau du Tertre (Margaux)
Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal (Pauillac)
Chateau Pedesclaux (Pauillac)
Chateau Belgrave (Haut-Medoc)
Chateau Camensac (Haut-Medoc)
Chateau Cos-Labory (St. Estephe)
Chateau Clerc-Milon (Pauillac)
Chateau Croizet-Bages (Pauillac)
Chateau Cantemerle (Haut-Medoc)

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31
Q

Describe Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc

A

Pungent
High acidity
Citrus
Usually rounded with Oak

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32
Q

Which grape is the most planted and attacked from Botrytis for Bordeaux sweet wines?

A

Semillon

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33
Q

Name 5 top Pomerol Chateaux

A

Petrus
Le Pin
Lafleur Petrus
Lafleur
Certon
L’Eglise-Clinet
Latour A’ Pomerol
L’Evangile
Trotonoy

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34
Q

What is Claret/Clairet?

A

Dark, more aromatic style of rose.
Name from the historic Clairet:
Bordeaux wine sold to England in the Middle Age

35
Q

What is Blaye-Cotes de B ordeaux AOP most famous for?

A

Dry whites made from:
-Colombard
-Ugni Blanc
-Sauvignon Blanc

36
Q

What does Semillon grape impart in the sweet wine blend?

A

Softens Sauvignon Blanc.
It’s the most planted and it’s the grape that get attacked by Botrytis

37
Q

When ‘Bordeaux AOP’ appellation can be used?

A

Red/White/Rose
Dry are usually labled ‘SEC’
Has to come from Bordeaux Region
Only 6 grapes allowed for reds
Only 3 grapes allowed for whites

38
Q

Name some 2nd wines from Top Chateaux in Medoc

A

Les Forts de Latour
Carruades de Lafite
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux
Segla
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton-Rothschild

39
Q

What ‘Negotiants’ used to do?

A

Buy fruit or wines in barrel to age in their own cellars, before selling the bottled wine.

40
Q

Name the 5 Villages in Margaux Aop

A

Saussans
Margaux
Cantenac
Labarde
Arsac

41
Q

Describe the production of Botrytized sweet wines and its usual maturation

A

Noble Rot reduces water content, increasing the sugar percentage.
Morning mist (thanks to the river Ciron and the pine forest) and warm afternoon with dry winds are important to avoid Grey Rots.
Top Chateaux harvest in ‘tries’, then usually matured in cask for 3 years.
They can after mature in bottle for 30/40 years

42
Q

What can we expect, usually, in a Top dry Bordeaux white wine?

A

They usually undergo oak maturation

43
Q

Name all the important district in the right bank

A

Saint Emilion
Pomerol
Lalande de Pomerol
Fronsac
Canon Fronsac
Bourg
Cote de Bordeaux
Blaye-Cotes de Bordeaux
Castillon - Cotes de Bordeaux

44
Q

Which style of wine is produced in Lalande de Pomerol AOP?

A

Good quality wines, similar to Pomerol but lesser quality

45
Q

Which style of wines can we find in
Sain-Croix-Du-Mont,
Loupiac,
Cadillac?

A

Similar wines to Sauternes/Barsac, less sweet.
Must contain Botrytized grapes

46
Q

Which soil can we find in Margaux AOP?

A

Thin sandy gravel over limestone.
More clay in outer appellation

47
Q

What can we expect from Margaux wines?

A

Wines are usually feminine, with floral bouquet, exotic character and finesse

48
Q

What should we expect from Cerons AOP wines?

A

Between Graves and Sauternes
Reasonably priced sweet wines.
Similar to Sauternes.
includes some botrytized grapes

49
Q

Name 3 St. Emilion Premiere Grand Cru Classe B

A

Chateau Canon
Clos Fourtet
Chateau Troplong-Mondot

50
Q

Name the main district of the left bank, from North to South

A

Medoc
Haut Medoc
Saint Estephe
Pauillac
Saint Julien
Listrac-Medoc
Moulis-en-Medoc
Margaux
Graves
Passac-Leognan
Cerons
Barsac
Sauternes

51
Q

Which soil can we find in Graves AOP?

A

Gravel with sand and marine deposits, rich in carbonates

52
Q

What do we expect from Graves wines?

A

Very fine wines, Cabernet Sauvignon driven with Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Some sweet wines sold as Graves Superior AOC

53
Q

Name 3 Cru Classe Blanche of Graves Classification

A

Chateau Olivier (Leognan)
Chateau Latour-Martillac (Martillac)
Chateau Laville Haut-Brion (Talence)
Domaine de Chevalier (Leognan)
Chateau Carbonnieux

54
Q

What are all ‘generic’ wines from Bordeaux Region?

A

Vin de Pays
or
IGP de l’Atlantique

55
Q

Describe Cabernet Franc variety and identify what it imparts to the Bordeaux Blend

A

Loves Limestone soils.
More tannic than Merlot.
Less muscular than Cab. Sauv.

Gives herbal spices and red fruit aromas

56
Q

What is a ‘Chai’?

A

Single story building for the storage of Barriques

57
Q

What is the Classification of Graves?

A

First classified in 1953 and changed in 1959.
-Cru Classe Rouge (13)
-Cru Classe Blanc (9)

58
Q

When was Pessac-Leognan AOP introduced?

A

1987

59
Q

Describe Malbec grape and identify what it contributes to the Bordeaux blend

A

Known as ‘Pressac’ in the right bank.
Very rare in Bordeaux blend.
Works like Merlot, giving texture, color and softens Cabernet Sauvignon.

60
Q

How many liters does a Bordeaux Barrique contains?

A

225Lt

61
Q

List the 5 Communes in Sauternes district

A

Sauternes
Fargues
Bommes
Preignac
Barsac

62
Q

Which type of wines are produced in Cadillac-Cotes de Bordeaux AOP?

A

Only red wines

63
Q

Which type of wines are produced in Saint-Foy-Bordeaux AOP?

A

Dry white wines and red Bordeaux blend

64
Q

Describe the Cru Bourgeois Classification

A

Introduced in 1932 and reinstated in 2018.
Ranks estates in:
-Cru Bourgeois Exceptionels (14)
-Cru Bourgeois Superiors (56)
-Cru Bourgeois (179)

65
Q

Describe Petit Verdot grape and identify what it gives to the Bordeaux blend

A

Last to ripen.
Occasionally added in the left bank.
Gives color, depth and exotic perfumes

66
Q

Which are the main factors affecting Bordeaux climate?

A

It’s a maritime climate, moderated by the Atlantic and the Gironde estuary. Coastal pine forests protect the Medoc from Atlantic winds.
Becomes continental in St. Emilion & Pomerol.
Autumn umidity is a celebration for the sweet wine districts of Graves.
Rain is still a big worry, especially at harvest.
Big Vintage differences due to climate

67
Q

Which grape is permitted in the Bordeaux blend but almost totally extinct?

A

Carmenere

68
Q
A
69
Q

Which styles of wines are produced in Cotes de Bordeaux AOP?

A

Both reds and whites

70
Q

Which soil can we find in Saint-Emilion AOP?

A

Clay-limestone and sandy gravel over iron pan, limestone and sand.
Some gravel deposit (Cheval Blanc, Figeac)

71
Q

What can we expect from Saint-Emilion wines?

A

Merlot predominant, followed by Cabernet Franc

72
Q

Which wines are produced in Graves de Vayres AOP?

A

Good quality red and white.
Whites can contain up to 30% Merlot Blanc

73
Q

Which wines are produced in Haut-Benauge AOP?

A

Sweet wines and Moelleux called
Bordeaux Haut-Benauge

Dry white wines called
Entre-Deux-Mers Haut-Benauge

74
Q

Which style of wines can we find in Saint-Macaire AOP?

A

Small amount of sweet wines

75
Q

State all TOP Bordeaux Vintages

A

1970
1982
1985
1986
1989
1990
2000
2005
2009
2010
2015
2018

76
Q

Describe Merlot grape and identify what it gives to the Bordeaux blend

A

Most widely planted grape.
Earlier to ripen.
Loves clay based soils.
Gives fleshy juicy texture and softens Cabernet Sauvignon

77
Q

Which style of wines are produced in Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux AOP?

A

Merlot predominant blend red wines

78
Q

Who are the ‘Courtiers’?

A

Brokers of wine.
Supply Chateaux with financial support gaining control over the trade.
Responsible for ‘En Primeur’ sale method

79
Q

Which style of wines are produced in Entre-Des-Mers AOP?

A

Dry whites from mainly Sauvignon Blanc

Red Bordeaux blend

Some sweet botrytized wines

80
Q

Name 3 Sauternes Premiere Crus

A

Chateau Climens (Barsac)
Chateau Rieussec (Sauternes)
Chateau La Tour Blanche (Sauternes)

81
Q

What can we expect from Listrac-Medoc AOP and Moulis-en-Medoc AOP wines?

A

No Classified Growth
Good value wines
Most famous estate is Chateau Chasse-Spleen in Moulis

82
Q

Which are the rivers separating the Bordeaux region?

A

Garonne
Dordogne

83
Q

Describe the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux

A

Commissioned by Napoleon III
Carried out by region’s Courtiers.
Ranks all top properties.
They are all in Medoc, except ‘Haut Brion’, situated in Graves.
Last change was in 1973 when Mouton-Rothschild was elevated to 1st Growth

84
Q

Describe the production & ageing techniques for red Bordeaux wines

A

Fermentation in steel or directly Barriques.
Every grape kept separated and undergo Malo.
Racked in clean barrels every 3 months.
Blended with the ‘Assemblage’ and after 1st year is moved in a second year ‘Chai’ where they complete maturation.
Usually bottled after 2 years and let mature until ready.