FRANCE / BORDEAUX - General Laws Flashcards
(27 cards)
What significant river influences Bordeaux’s viticulture?
R.Garonne
Serves as the basis for the expansion of viticulture
What are négociants?
Powerful suppliers who buy fruits or wine in barrel to age in their own cellar
Their influence faded after WWII
What is ‘En Primeur’?
‘Wine futures’, a method of purchasing wines early while still in the barrel
Offers investment opportunities at a lower cost
What characterizes the climate of Bordeaux?
Moderate maritime climate
Influenced by the Atlantic and R.Gironne estuary
What protects the Medoc vineyards from harsh winds?
Coastal pine forests
What are the climatic challenges in Bordeaux?
High humidity and wet spring, spring frost
Can cause mold, rot, coulure, and millerandage
What is ‘coulure’?
Failure of flowers to fertilize
Affects grape formation
What is ‘millerandage’?
Formation of seedless grapes, leading to smaller size and less quality
Affects overall grape yield
What soil types are found in the Left Bank of Bordeaux?
- Bas-Medoc: clay-heavy soils
- Haut-Medoc: mostly gravel and limestones
What is the soil of Right Bank Bordeaux?
Limestone, gravel & clay
What are the main red grape varietals in Bordeaux?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Petit Verdot
- Malbec
- Carmènere
Others include Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa
What are the main white grape varietals in Bordeaux?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Sémillon
- Muscadelle
Others include Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, Colombard, and Alvarinho
What does the Bordeaux AOP allow?
Still red, white, and rosé wines
Reds are Merlot-base blends with other approved varieties
What is the purpose of the Bordeaux Supérieur AOP?
For reds and off-dry whites
What is ‘Crémant de Bordeaux’?
AOP for traditional method sparkling wines
Requires a minimum of 9 months on lees
What is the Cru Bourgeois classification?
- For classification of Chateaux that werent included in the 1855 Classification
chaotic & convoluted: intro. in 1932; officialised in ‘03; completely nullified in ‘08, and then reinstated in ‘18
What is Cru Artisan?
Classification for small producers introduced in 2002
What is the significance of the 1855 Classification?
Ranked top Bordeaux châteaux based on price & popularity
Commissioned by Napoleon III and carried out by Bd.x courtiers
Name the 5 Premier Cru (1st Growth) Chateau
- Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac)
- Château Latour (Pauillac)
- Château Margaux (Margaux)
- Château Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac)
- Château Haut-Brion (Graves)
Mouton Rothschild was elevated in 1973
What are the notable legendary vintages for Bordeaux?
In 1980s:
* 1982
* 1989
In 1990s:
* 1990
* 1996
in 2000s:
* 2000
* 2005
* 2009
* 2010
* 2016
* 2018
* 2019
What is ‘assemblage’ in Bordeaux viticulture?
Blending grapes to achieve consistency
Important due to varying soil types and vintage disparities
What is ‘encépagement’?
Overall relative portion of grapes planted at an estate
Provides insurance and establishes harvest timings
Which year is classified as a bad vintage for Bdx. reds?
In 1990s:
* 1991
* 1992
* 1997
In 2000s:
* 2002
* 2007
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
