13) Bordeaux Flashcards
Climate of Bordeaux
Moderate maritime
What benefits the Bordeaux climate
Gulf Stream
What causes Bordeaux’s vintage variation
Amount of rainfall throughout the year
Why are most wines from Bordeaux a blend?
Variable weather means too risky to rely on one grape variety
How does a blend help reduce effects of bad weather
Flowering and ripening happen at different times. One spring frost will not ruin all the grapes.
What are the main red grapes in Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc,
Merlot and
Petit Verdot
Important areas in Bordeaux for Cabernet Sauvignon
Haut-Médoc,
Bas-Médoc,
Graves
Important areas in Bordeaux for Cabernet Franc
Saint-Émilion and to a lesser extent the Médoc and Graves
Important areas in Bordeaux for Merlot
Saint-Émilion and Pomerol
Climate required for Petit Verdot
Very hot
Ideal soil for Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux
Higher amount of clay to retain warmth
Ideal soil type for Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux
Higher amount of clay to retain warmth
Ideal soil type for Merlot in Bordeaux
Impartial as climate suits grape
Top quality Bordeaux is aged by
Leaving in small oak barriques of 225 litres
What are the main white grapes in Bordeaux?
Sémillon,
Sauvignon blanc,
Muscadelle
What makes semillon the most important variety for sweet wines?
Think skin and affinity to noble rot
Semillon can be blended with… and in which appellation?
Sauvignon Blanc and in Pessac-Léognan and Graves
Aromas of Sauvignon blanc
Citrus and green fruit
What does Sauvignon Blanc add to blends
High acidity
Why is it useful to add Sauvignon Blanc to blends?
To add acidity which can be very useful in sweet wines
Difference between high and low end whites from Bordeaux
High end can sometimes be fermented and matured in new oak barrels adding a nutty flavour.
What splits Bordeaux?
Dordogne and Garonne rivers combining to form the Gironde estuary
Left bank Bordeaux (M, M, P)
Médoc, Margaux and Pauillac
Left bank Bordeaux (SE, HM, SJ)
Saint-Estèphe, Haut-Médoc, Saint Julien
Right bank Bordeaux (SE, P )
Saint-Émilion, Pomerol
Right bank Bordeaux (F, C B)
Blaye, Francs, Castillon (CÔTES DE BORDEAUX)
General red labels BDX
Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur
General white labels BDX
Bordeaux
General Rosé labels BDX
Bordeaux rosé or Bordeaux Clairet
Northernmost point of Médoc
Bas-Médoc
Bas-Médoc soil
Predominantly Clay with some gravel
Bas-Médoc grape
Mostly Merlot
South of Médoc is called
Haut-Médoc
Highest quality Haut-Médoc areas
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, saint-Julian and Margaux
Haut-Médoc grape and style
Cabernet Sauvignon, blackcurrant fruit, potential to age
South or bordeaux city
Pessac-léognan. Most highly rated area in Graves
Pessac-Léognan soil
High in clay with gravel
Pessac-Léognan style
Lighter bodied and more fragrant than Haut-Médoc
Saint-Emilion grapes
Merlot and some Cabernet Franc
Saint-Emilion Style
Medium to high tannin, soft and rich with red berry
Pomerol grape
Merlot with some Cabernet Franc
Pomerol style
Richer and spicy blackberry fruit character
Entre-Deux-Mers produces
Only white wines
White wine appellations in Bordeaux
Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves and Pessac-Léognan
Where do sweet wines occur in BDX and why
Near the Garonne river, water provides mist for Noble rot
Appellations for sweet whites in BDX
Sauternes and smaller village Barsac
BDX sweet wine grape
Sémillon due to thin skin and susceptibility to botrytis
