Right Bank

Question 1

What is calcaire à astéries?

Answer 1

Starfish limestone, the bedrock of the Left Bank; younger than Jurassic limestone, containing starfish fossils

Question 2

What is the soil composition of Pomerol?

Answer 2

Gravel over Frondais Molasse (sandy clay) and Crasse de Fer (iron rich wind sediments)

Question 3

What is pressac?

Answer 3

Malbec (Right Bank)

Question 4

What is bouchet?

Answer 4

Cabernet Franc (Right Bank)

Question 5

Which St-Émilion château uses a high % of Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 5

Château Figeac
35% Cab Sauv
35% Cab Franc
30% Merlot

Question 6

What are the two major soil structures of St-Émilion?

Answer 6

Côtes: Steep limestone slopes

Graves: gravelly limestone plateau

Question 7

What are Sables Anciens?

Answer 7

Very Old Sand - often seen in St-Émilion

Question 8

When was St-Émilion first classified, and when was it revised?

Answer 8

1955

1969, 1985, 1996, 2006, 2012

Question 9

What is St-Émilion Grand Cru?

Answer 9

An AOP covering the same ground as St-Émilion;
wines are required to have higher minimum alcohol (11.5% v. 11%)
and longer elevage (Released May 15 v. April 15 of the year following the harvest).

Question 10

What are the communes of Pomerol?

Answer 10

Libourne

Pomerol

Question 11

What are the communes of Lalande-de-Pomerol?

Answer 11

Lalande-de-Pomerol

Néac

Question 12

Four satellites of St-Émilion

Answer 12

St-George-St-Émilion
Montagne-St-Émilion
Lussac-St-Émilion
Puisseguin-St-Émilion

Question 13

Pomerol Satellites

Answer 13

Lalande-de-Pomerol
Fronsac
Canon-Fronsac

Question 14

In 1973, what two former satellites of St-Émilion merged with Montagne and St-Émilion respectively?

Answer 14

Parsac-St-Émilion (Montagne)

Sables-St-Émilion (St Emilion)

Question 15

In addition to the côtes and graves, what other two main soil types will you find in St-Emilion?

Answer 15

Sand over clay in the northwest, near Pomerol.

More alluvial soils in the south, close to the Dordogne.

Question 16

What are the two most famous garagiste producers?

Answer 16

Valandraud

Mondotte

Question 17

What is the highest-elevation subzone of St-Émilion?

Answer 17

Puisseguin-St-Émilion (89m)

Question 18

What stream separates St-Émilion from Montagne-St-Émilion?

Answer 18

The Barbanne

Question 19

What other satellite has the option of labeling as Montagne-St-Émilion?

Answer 19

St-George-St-Émilion

Question 20

What are the requirements for Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe?

Answer 20

Submitted to a tasting panel, judged on a 20 point scale
14/20 for Grand Cru Classe
50% Tasting of 10 vintages
20% Topography and soil
10% viticulture and winemaking
20% reputation of the estate

Question 21

What are the requirements for Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe?

Answer 21

Submitted to a tasting panel, judged on a 20 point scale
16/20 for Grand Cru Classe
30% Tasting of additional 5 vintages (15 vintages total)
30% Topography and soil
5% Viticulture and winemaking
35% Reputation of the estate

Question 22

Where is the Isle River?

Answer 22

A tributary of the Dordogne, separating Fronsac and Lalande-de-Pomerol.