France/Bordeaux/Red: Day 14

Question 1

Name the most widely-planted grape in Bordeaux

Answer 1

Merlot

Question 2

What the climate of the Right Bank

Answer 2

Continental

Question 3

What is the climate of the Medoc?

Answer 3

temperate maritime climate

Question 4

What is the soil of the Medoc and Northen Graves?

Answer 4

Gravel

Question 5

What is the soil of the Right Bank

Answer 5

Steep limestone on the hillside côtes

Question 6

Name the dominant grape for Left Bank red wine

Answer 6

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 7

Name the dominant grape for Right Bank red wine

Answer 7

Merlot

Question 8

Cite the two most important AOCs of the Right Bank

Answer 8

Pomerol AOC
St. Émilion AOC

Question 9

What bank is Pomerol AOC located?

Answer 9

Right Bank

Question 10

What bank is St. Émilion AOC located?

Answer 10

Right Bank

Question 11

Discuss the name of the barrel used in Bordeaux

Answer 11

Barrique

Question 12

Regime for aging Bordeaux red wine

Answer 12

Most serious wines are heavily oaked, and so live in barrel at the château for at least the first two years of their life.

Question 13

1st Growths of the Médoc and their communes

Answer 13

1. Chateau Latour (Pauillac)
2. Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
3. Chateau Mouton Rothschild
4. Chateau Margaux (Margaux)
5. Chateau Haut-Brion (Graves)

Question 14

2nd Growths of the Médoc and their communes

Answer 14

1. Pauillac AOC
2. St. Julien AOC
3. St. Estèphe AOC
4. Margaux

Question 15

Name the four commune appellations of the Médoc

Answer 15

1. Saint-Estephe
2. Pauillac
3. Saint Julien
4. Margaux

Question 16

What is Saint-Estephe (Medoc) known for regarding the four commune appellations?

Answer 16

Most-Tannic

Question 17

What is Pauillac (Medoc) known for regarding the four commune appellations?

Answer 17

Most Powerful

Question 18

What is Saint Julien (Medoc) known for regarding the four commune appellations?

Answer 18

Most Floral/Elegant

Question 19

What is Margaux (Medoc) known for regarding the four commune appellations?

Answer 19

Softest

Question 20

Classification of Pomerol?

Answer 20

Not Classified
(only major Bordeaux appellation that is not classified)

Question 21

Two top Châteaux of Pomeral?

Answer 21

1. Petrus
2. Château Le Pin

Question 22

Name two of the 1er Grands Crus Classés ‘A’ of St. Émilion

Answer 22

1. Château Ausone
2. Château Cheval Blanc.

Question 23

Name three sub-regions of Bordeaux

Answer 23

1. Graves AOC
2. Entre Deux Mers AOC
3. Médoc AOC

Question 24

Describe the important white grapes of Bordeaux

Answer 24

1. Sémillon
2. Sauvignon Blanc
3. Muscadelle

Question 25

Name the best sub-region of Graves

Answer 25

Pessac-Léognan

Question 26

Offer glasses of sweet wine from 2 AOCs in Bordeaux

Question 27

Discuss the 1855 Classification in terms of the sweet white wines

Answer 27

The sweet white wines were divided into two main categories: Premier Cru (First Growth) and Second Cru (Second Growth). In total, 26 Sauternes and Barsac properties were included in the 1855 classification. Château d'Yquem was given a unique "Premier Cru Supérieur" ranking, placing it above even the highest-ranked red wines.

Question 28

Name the only Premier Cru Supérieur Classé of Sauternes

Answer 28

Château d'Yquem

Question 29

Discuss the viticultural key to the best sweet wines of Bordeaux and what geographical factors contribute to this

Answer 29

Grapes affected by botrytis and must be hand-harvested in successive tries

Question 30

Inform your guest of the AOC used when dry wines are made in Sauternes

Answer 30

While Sauternes is primarily known for its sweet dessert wines, some producers also make dry white wines, particularly when conditions are not ideal for noble rot development. These dry wines are often produced under the generic Bordeaux AOC label. Château d'Yquem, for example, is famous for both its sweet Sauternes and its dry white wine

Question 31

Name 2 Cru Classé estates of Graves for white wines

Answer 31

1. Château Bouscaut 2. Château Carbonnieux