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WSET 3 by Sarp Sarac > 13. Bordeaux > Flashcards

13. Bordeaux Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Moderate maritime

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2
Q

What are the effects of Gulf Stream on Bordeaux?

A
  • Spring frosts are rare

- It extends the growing season (up to October)

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3
Q

How are the vineyards in Bordeaux protected from the Atlantic storms?

A
  • Landes forest (pine)

- Coastal sand dunes

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4
Q

What is the main reason for vintage variation in Bordeaux?

A

Rain falls throughout he year which can disrupt flowering and fruit set

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5
Q

How many grape varieties are allowed in Bordeaux? How many black and white varieties predominate in practice?

A

13 varieties but 3 black and 2 white varieties dominate

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6
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates in which regions of Bordeaux? What is the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the finest blends in these regions?

A
  • Haut-Medoc, Bas-Medoc, Graves

- 75 %

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7
Q

Which factor in the left bank increase the vineyard temperature making it ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

High stone/gravel content of the soil

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8
Q

Cabernet Franc dominates in which regions of Bordeaux?

A
  • Mainly in Saint Emillion

- To e lesser extent in Medoc and Graves

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9
Q

Tasting notes for underripe and ripe Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux

A
  • Underripe: Herbaceous or stalky flavours

- Ripe: Vibrant fruit and floral notes

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10
Q

Does Cabernet Franc prefer well-drained warm soils like Cabernet Sauvignon or cooler clay soils like Merlot?

A

Well-drained warm soils like Cabernet Sauvignon

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11
Q

What is the most widely planted grape variety in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

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12
Q

Merlot dominates in which regions of Bordeaux?

A
  • Saint Emillion

- Pomerol

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13
Q

Why is Petit Verdot a part of Bordeaux blends in certain years?

A

Because it can ripen only in very hot years

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14
Q

What does Petit Verdot add to a Bordeaux blend?

A

Tannin, color and some spicy notes

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15
Q

What kind of barrels are used for top quality Bordeaux?

A

Small oak barriques of 225 lt

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16
Q

What does “Grand Vin” mean?

A

The best wine of the winemaker

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17
Q

Name the important white grape varieties in Bordeaux? What do they provide to the blends?

A
  • Semillion: Body
  • Sauvignon Blanc: High acidity, citrus and green fruit aromas
  • Muscadelle: Pronounced grapey and floral flavours
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18
Q

What is the new trend for Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?

A

It is being used for the varietal, dry wines contrary to the generalisation that all Bordeaux wines are blends

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19
Q

Compare the winery techniques used for production of inexpensive and premium Bordeaux whites

A
  • Inexpensive: Fresh and fruited, fermented in temperature controlled inert vessels with minimal further aging, sometimes show toasty hints of oak
  • Premium: Fermented and matured in new oak barrels and have a richness and concentrated nutty flavour overlaying the fruit
20
Q

Name the top 5 Chateau in Medoc

A
  • Latife Rotschild
  • Latour
  • Margaux
  • Mouton Rotschild
  • Haut Brion (Graves)
21
Q

What is the top rank Chateau in Sauternes?

A

d’Yquem

22
Q

What is the difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur (E)?

A
  1. Planting density is higher in Bordeaux Superieur (at least 4500 per hectar). For Bordeaux it is 4000
  2. Maximum yield per hectare is 10 % lower for Bordeaux Superieur
  3. Regular Bordeaux AOP grapes must have sugar levels to reach at least 9.5 percent alcohol. Supérieur grapes have to reach a potential alcohol level of 10 percent.
23
Q

Tasting notes for Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur

A
  • Early drinking medium bodied wines
  • Ripe red and black fruit
  • Sometimes cedar notes from oak
24
Q

What is the difference between Clairet and a typical rose?

A

Clairet wines undergo longer maceration and have deeper color and fuller body than typical roses

25
Q

Which is the dominant grape in White Bordeaux?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

26
Q

What are the the main areas and and their appellations of left bank Bordeaux?

A
  1. Medoc
    - Bas Medoc
    - Haut Medoc
    + Saint Estephe
    + Paulliac
    + Saint Julien
    + Margaux
  2. Graves
    • Pessac-Leognan
    • Barsac
    • Sauternes
27
Q

The wines from Bas-Medoc are labelled as:

A

Medoc

28
Q

How is the soil in Bas-Medoc different than the soil of Haut Medoc? How does this affect the style of wine produced?

A
  • The soil is predominantly clay but there are outcrops of gravel
  • Wines have higher proportion of Merlot and are more early drinking in style
29
Q

What are the characteristics of Haut-Medoc reds?

A
  • High percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Display a core of blackcurrant complemented by cedar notes from oak
  • Have grippy tannins when young
  • Long aging potential
30
Q

Compare the reds from Pessac-Leognan and Haut Medoc

A

Although the soil of Pessac Leognan is gravelly and well suited for Cabernet Sauvignon, like Haut Medoc, the red wines from this area are a little lighter in body and more fragrant.

31
Q

The wines of right bank of Bordeaux is dominated by which grapes?

A
  • Merlot (mainly)

- Cabernet Franc (lesser extent)

32
Q

Describe the 3 distinct group of vineyards on different soils in Saint-Emillion

A
  1. Vineyards on a plateau to the north and west of Saint-Emillion town. Warm, well drained gravel and limestone soil encourage the inclusion of Cabernet Franc and occasionally, some Cabernet Sauvignon
  2. Vineyards on the escarpment to the south and east with clay and limestone soils
  3. Vineyards at the foot of the escarpment with sandy soils (Lighter bodied and less prestigious wines)
33
Q

What are the characteristics of reds from the prestigious sub-regions of Saint-Emillion?

A
  • Medium to high tannins
  • Soft and rich mouthfeel with complex red berry and plum aromas
  • Developing tobacco and cedar aromas as they evolve
34
Q

Compare reds from Pomerol with reds from Saint Emillion

A

The reds from Pomerol tend to richer with a spicier, blackberry fruit character

35
Q

What are the appellations that share the name “Cotes de Bordeaux”?

A
  • Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux
  • Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux
  • Castillion Cotes de Bordeaux
  • Francs Cotes de Bordeaux
36
Q

What is the style of Cotes de Bordeaux wines?

A

Merlot based, made for early drinking

37
Q

What is the relationship of “Premiers Cotes de Bordeaux” with Cotes de Bordeaux group?

A
  • No relationship, Premiers Cotes de Bordeaux is a sweet wine appellation
38
Q

Which appellation of Bordeaux can only produce white wines?

A

Entre-Deux-Mers

39
Q

How are the reds from Entre-Deux-Mers are labelled?

A

Generic appellation name

40
Q

Which appelations in Bordeaux are permitted to produce dry white wines

A
  • Entre-Deux-Mers
  • Graves
  • Pessac Leognan
41
Q

Compare the whites from Entre-Deux-Mers and Graves with the whites from Pessac-Leognan

A
  • The whites from Entre-deux-Mers and Graves tend to be made from Sauvignon Blanc in an unoaked style,
  • The whites from Pessac Leognan tend to be blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion and usually fermented and/or matured at least partly in new oak giving a medium to full body and toasty oak flavours
42
Q

Which rivers in Bordeaux create ideal environment for noble rot formation

A
  • Garonne

- Its tributary Ciron

43
Q

How do the growers in Bordeaux concentrate sugars in grapes to make sweet wines, in years when there is little noble rot?

A

Passerillage

44
Q

Which appellation in Bordeaux, the producers have the right to use their appellation name instead of Sauternes?

A

Barsac

45
Q

Name the grapes and their contribution used in making Sauternes/Barsac

A
  • Semilion: Thin skin, susceptible to Botrytis
  • Sauvignon Blanc: Acidity and fruity aromas
  • Muscadelle: (where used) Exotic perfume
46
Q

Tasting notes for a good Sauternes?

A
  • High in alcohol
  • Sweet but yet balanced with acidity
  • Apricot and citrus peel aromas of noble rot
  • Notes of toast and vanilla from oak fermentation/maturation

WSET 3 by Sarp Sarac (36 decks)

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