14. Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

Name four Medoc AOCs on eastern edge of Left Bank.

A

St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux (from North to South). [Mnemonic: Eastern players juggle marbles.]

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2
Q

Name the 8 AOCs in the region of Medoc.

A

Medoc, Haut-Medoc, St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux, Moulis en Medoc, Listrac-Medoc

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3
Q

Name the Medoc AOC known to be perfumed.

A

Margaux

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4
Q

Name the Medoc AOC known for tasting profile of dusty cocoa-like tannins

A

Pauillac

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5
Q

Name the Medoc AOC known for tasting profile of chocolate-covered-cherry fruit.

A

St. Julien [mnemonic: CCC - California like]

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6
Q

What is the signature feature of Paulliac AOC?

A

dusty cocoa-like tannins [mnemonic: Jesus asked Paul to shake the dust from his feet.]

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7
Q

What is the signature feature of St. Estephe AOC?

A

extreme structure and astringent (tough) tannins [mnemonic: St. Est]

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8
Q

What is the signature feature of St. Julien AOC?

A

chocolate-covered-cherry fruit (“California-like”)

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9
Q

What is the signature feature of Margaux AOC?

A

perfumed

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10
Q

Name the Bordeaux AOC known for tasting profile of extreme structure and tough tannins.

A

St. Estephe, due to slow ripening soil with increased clay compared to other Left Bank areas.

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11
Q

Describe the soil structure of Medoc and Haut-Medoc AOCs.

A

small gravel

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12
Q

Describe the soil structure of eastern Left Bank AOCs.

A

large gravel

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13
Q

What is oidium?

A

Powdery mildew, a fungal disease from USA, attacked Bordeaux in 1852 [mnemonic d>p]

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14
Q

What is phylloxera?

A

insect from eastern US that attacked Bordeaux in 1865. It attacks the roots creating galls or knots of uncontrolled cell growth which allows bacteria and fungi to enter the plant.

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15
Q

What is peronospera?

A

fungal disease, Downy Mildew, that attacks leaves and stems; it attacked Bordeaux in 1880 [mnemonic p>d]

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16
Q

Who is Jean Capus?

A

father of AOC, separated Bordeaux into 57 AOC’s in 1935

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17
Q

Who is Emile Peynaud?

A

Professor in Bordeaux urged separation of wine from old and new vines to boost quality of best wine.

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18
Q

What was significant event in 1956 in Bordeaux?

A

Deep freeze killed 1/4 of the vine stock which was replanted with red grapes (with a decrease in Malbec plantings)

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19
Q

What percent of French AOC wine is produced in Bordeaux?

A

25%

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20
Q

Is irrigation legal in Bordeaux?

A

no (not necessary with 33 inches of rain per year)

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21
Q

How do autumn rains afftect the grapes?

A

a) excess rain is absorbed by the roots and translocated to the grapes, diluting flavor; b) rain can bring rot

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22
Q

Which types of Bordeaux grapes are soil specific, red or white?

A

just the red grapes

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23
Q

Describe Bordeaux soils.

A

Sedimentary, gravel terraces with sand, silt and clay.

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24
Q

What is the nature of the warm soils of Bordeaux?

A

gravel, sand

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25
Q

What is the nature of the cold soils of Bordeaux?

A

clay and limestone

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26
Q

What grapes are suited to gravel soil?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot

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27
Q

What grapes are suited to limestone soil?

A

Merlot and Cabernet Franc

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28
Q

Which Bordeaux grapes are used less now than 40 years ago?

A

Malbec and Cabernet Franc ???

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29
Q

When was the most recent transition from the predominance of white to red wine in Bordeaux?

A

1970’s.

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30
Q

What is the most frequent white grape planted in Bordeaux?

A

Semillon (55%)

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31
Q

What is the origin of Muscadelle?

A

Dordogne/Gironde area

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32
Q

What is the origin of Muscadet?

A

Burgundy (Melon de Bourgogne!)

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33
Q

What is the origin of Muscat?

A

Greek or Italian

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34
Q

Which grape was most affected by copper sulfate sprays in Bordeaux?

A

aromatics of Sauvignon Blanc were diminished, now more pineapple and less herbal

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35
Q

What are the three components of the Bordeaux AOC quality pyramid?

A

Communal AOC, Sub-regional AOC, Regional AOC

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36
Q

What does the Bordeaux Superieur designation mean?

A

small maximum yield, higher minimum alcohol, reds must be aged 9 months, whites must be semi-sweet.

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37
Q

Which wine style is not included in Bordeaux Superieur?

A

Dry white wine.

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38
Q

What are the sub-regional Medoc AOC’s?

A

Medoc, Haut-Medoc

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39
Q

What are the Communal Medoc AOC’s

A

St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux, Moulis en Medoc, Listrac-Medoc

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40
Q

What are the Communal Medoc AOC’s located in center of peninsula?

A

Moulis en Medoc, Listrac-Medoc

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41
Q

What is a new characteristic of modern Saint-Estephe?

A

increased percentage of Merlot, more approachable

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42
Q

Chateau Latour is in which Communal AOC?

A

Pauillac

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43
Q

Where is the highest elevation of Medoc Peninsula?

A

Listrac-Medoc

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44
Q

What is difference in the soil between Listrac-Medoc and Moulis en Medoc?

A

Moulis en Medoc has more clay/limestone mix (both have gravel)

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45
Q

Where were the first Bordeaux vineyards located?

A

Graves

46
Q

How much of Graves production is white wine?

A

1/3

47
Q

How many AOC’s are in Graves?

A

6

48
Q

What are the sub-regional AOC’s in Graves?

A

two: Graves AOC (red and white), Graves Superieures (also referred to as Sauternais, semi-sweet white)

49
Q

What are the communal AOC’s in Graves?

A

Pessac-Leognan, Cerons, Barsac, Sauternes [mneumonic: P-CBS]

50
Q

What is the unique characteristic of Pessac-Leognan reds?

A

clove

51
Q

What is the unique aspect of Sauternais sub-region climate?

A

fog created by Ciron River emptying into Garonne

52
Q

What are the factors that promote Botrytis?

A

tight-clustered grapes, high sugar content, cool moist mornings and warm, dry afternoons

53
Q

What color wine is more common from Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

red

54
Q

What are the components of white wine from Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle

55
Q

What are the components of red wine from Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

56
Q

Describe the soils of Entre-Deux-Mers.

A

compact and complex: Alluvial (along rivers), gravel (slopes), mixture of clay and sand or clay and limestone (plateaus)

57
Q

What is the difference between Bordeaux Haut-Benauge and Entre-Deux-Mers-Haut-Benauge AOC.

A

Bordeaux Haut-Benauge produces dry and sweet white wines, while Entre-Deux-Mers-Haut-Benauge produces only dry white wines.

58
Q

Does Botyrtis affect moelleux (RS=1.2-4.5%) wines?

A

may or may not

59
Q

Does Botyrtis affect liquoreux (RS >= 4.5) wines?

A

always

60
Q

Most sweet Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux AOC is bottled as what?

A

Cadillac

61
Q

Name 3 sweet wine AOC in Entre-Deux-Mers.

A

Cadillac, Loupiac, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont

62
Q

Most red wines from Entre-Deux-Mers are bottled as Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieurs. What are the 3 exceptions?

A

Saint-Foy-Bordeaux, Graves de Vayres, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux.

63
Q

What is the principal city of the Right Bank of Bordeaux?

A

Libourne

64
Q

What is a Petit Chateau?

A

any unranked or unclassified property, all Crus Bourgeois are Petit Chateaux

65
Q

What is St. Emilion Grand Cru?

A

an AOC

66
Q

What is St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe?

A

a classified growth, a ranking

67
Q

What is the strongest taste characteristic of botrytized grape?

A

honey

68
Q

What is the strongest taste characteristic of Semillon grape?

A

apricot

69
Q

What is the strongest taste characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc grape?

A

pineapple

70
Q

What is Cotes de Bordeaux AOC?

A

As of 2008 vintage, Premieres Cotes de Blaye, Bordeaux-Cotes de Francs, Cotes de Castillon, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaus can label their wines as Cotes de Bordeaux AOC. The four may add sub-regional designations: Blaye (for Primieres Cotes de Blaye), Cadillac (for Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux), Castillon (Cotes de Castillon) and Francs for Bordeaux-Cotes de Francs), but stricter production rules apply.

71
Q

What is the predominant grape and style wine is found in Cotes De Blaye?

A

dry white wine, 60-90% Colombard

72
Q

In red Blaye AOC, what is the predominant grape?

A

Merlot

73
Q

In white Blaye AOC, what is the predominant grape?

A

Ugni Blanc [mnemonic: Blaye suggests BLA… or Ugni BLAnc]

74
Q

In Cotes de Castillon AOC, what is the predominant grape?

A

Merlot

75
Q

In Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOC, what is the predominant grape?

A

white wines from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscaelle

76
Q

Which is further north, Listrac-Medoc or Moulis-en-Medoc?

A

Listrac-Medoc

77
Q

Which is further north, Listrac-Medoc or Margaux?

A

Listrac-Medoc

78
Q

Which is further north, Listrac-Medoc or St-Julien?

A

St-Julien

79
Q

Which wines are sweeter, liquoreux or moelleux?

A

liquoreux (>4.5%)

80
Q

What is clairet?

A

a semi-red, lightly-pigmented Bordeaux wine, short maceration made in saignee method

81
Q

Name the 3 Sauternais sub-regions from north to south.

A

Cerons, Barsac, Sauternes [mnemonic: CBS]

82
Q

What is the difference between Cerons and Ciron?

A

Ciron is the river between Barsac and Sauternes, Cerons is a Sauternais sub-region north of Barsac.

83
Q

Name 2 Cotes AOC in Entre-Deux-Mers.

A

Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux AOC, Cotes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOC

84
Q

Which Bordeaux classification system ranks the wines, not the estates?

A

Graves

85
Q

When did Pessac-Léognan become an AOC?

A

1987, previously part of Graves

86
Q

What is the difference between Graves AOC and Graves Superieures AOC?

A

Graves Superieures AOC is only semi-sweet whites and Graves AOC is any red or dry white produced within Graves.

87
Q

What is the common wine style for Entre-Deux-Mers AOC and Entre-Deux-Mers-Haut Benauge?

A

produce only dry whites, Bordeaux-Haut-Benauge produces dry and semi-sweet white wine

88
Q

What are the biggest viticulture hazards in Bordeaux?

A

fungal disease and lack of ripening

89
Q

What climatic factors create the viticulture hazards in Bordeaux?

A

cloud cover and high rainfall

90
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

moderate Maritime (same as Rias Baixas)

91
Q

What are the three dominant red grapes in Bordeaux?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc (and fourth is Petit Verdot; Carmenere and Malbec are also allowed but less significant)

92
Q

What are the two dominant white grapes in Bordeaux?

A

Semillon (most widely planted) and Sauvignon Blanc (and third is Muscadelle)

93
Q

What is the key contribution of Cabernet Franc to red blends?

A

marked fragrance

94
Q

What climatic aspect of Bordeaux contributes to the tradition of blending varieties?

A

vintage variation due to variable weather and ripening

95
Q

All Bordeaux wines are blends with one exception which is what?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

96
Q

Which viticulture techniques reduce the risk of fungus and poor ripening?

A

VSP, green harvesting, leaf stripping, grape sorting

97
Q

When does blending in Bordeaux typically occur?

A

spring following harvest

98
Q

Which white wines are most likely to see oak?

A

premium dry wines from Pessac Leognan and premium sweet wines?

99
Q

How does the alcohol level of sweet wines from Bordeaux compare to sweet wines of other regions?

A

higher

100
Q

What is the difference between Bordeaux Rose and Bordeaux Clairet?

A

both roses, Clairet undergoes a longer maceration resulting in deeper color and fuller body

101
Q

What are the 5 most highly rated red wine AOC’s of the Medoc and Graves?

A

St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux, Pessac-Leognan

102
Q

Which AOC of the left bank has the highest proportion of Merlot in the blend?

A

Graves AOC

103
Q

What does ‘vin de garage’ refer to?

A

premium wine from small production units apart from established chateaux on the Right Bank of Bordeaux: Merlot based with full body, high alcohol, moderate acidity and soft, velvet-textured tannins

104
Q

Where is Fronsac?

A

AOC to west of Libourne producing Merlot based wine

105
Q

What are “En Primeur”?

A

Futures sales, done in tranches, of early rated vintages from top producers in Bordeaux in order to raise capital

106
Q

What is “La Place de Bordeaux?”

A

the system where wine is sold through wine merchants via brokers, aka “sales machine”

107
Q

What is Cru Bourgeois?

A

a classification introduced in 1932 for chateaux outside the 1855 Classification, since 2008 awarded to vintages not producers

108
Q

Name the 5 First Growths (Premiers Crus) of Bordeaux 1855 Classification and their respective commune.

A

Château Lafite, now Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac; Château Latour, Pauillac; Château Margaux, Margaux;
Haut-Brion, (now Château Haut-Brion,) Pessac, Graves;
Mouton, (now Château Mouton Rothschild,) Pauillac

109
Q

What is the highest classification within Saint-Emilion?

A

Saint Emilion Primier Grand Cru Classe

110
Q

What chateaux are in Saint Emilion Primier Grand Cru Classe A?

A

Cheval Blanc and Chateau Ausone