14. Bordeaux Flashcards
Name four Medoc AOCs on eastern edge of Left Bank.
St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux (from North to South). [Mnemonic: Eastern players juggle marbles.]
Name the 8 AOCs in the region of Medoc.
Medoc, Haut-Medoc, St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux, Moulis en Medoc, Listrac-Medoc
Name the Medoc AOC known to be perfumed.
Margaux
Name the Medoc AOC known for tasting profile of dusty cocoa-like tannins
Pauillac
Name the Medoc AOC known for tasting profile of chocolate-covered-cherry fruit.
St. Julien [mnemonic: CCC - California like]
What is the signature feature of Paulliac AOC?
dusty cocoa-like tannins [mnemonic: Jesus asked Paul to shake the dust from his feet.]
What is the signature feature of St. Estephe AOC?
extreme structure and astringent (tough) tannins [mnemonic: St. Est]
What is the signature feature of St. Julien AOC?
chocolate-covered-cherry fruit (“California-like”)
What is the signature feature of Margaux AOC?
perfumed
Name the Bordeaux AOC known for tasting profile of extreme structure and tough tannins.
St. Estephe, due to slow ripening soil with increased clay compared to other Left Bank areas.
Describe the soil structure of Medoc and Haut-Medoc AOCs.
small gravel
Describe the soil structure of eastern Left Bank AOCs.
large gravel
What is oidium?
Powdery mildew, a fungal disease from USA, attacked Bordeaux in 1852 [mnemonic d>p]
What is phylloxera?
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.
What is peronospera?
fungal disease, Downy Mildew, that attacks leaves and stems; it attacked Bordeaux in 1880 [mnemonic p>d]
Who is Jean Capus?
father of AOC, separated Bordeaux into 57 AOC’s in 1935
Who is Emile Peynaud?
Professor in Bordeaux urged separation of wine from old and new vines to boost quality of best wine.
What was significant event in 1956 in Bordeaux?
Deep freeze killed 1/4 of the vine stock which was replanted with red grapes (with a decrease in Malbec plantings)
What percent of French AOC wine is produced in Bordeaux?
25%
Is irrigation legal in Bordeaux?
no (not necessary with 33 inches of rain per year)
How do autumn rains afftect the grapes?
a) excess rain is absorbed by the roots and translocated to the grapes, diluting flavor; b) rain can bring rot
Which types of Bordeaux grapes are soil specific, red or white?
just the red grapes
Describe Bordeaux soils.
Sedimentary, gravel terraces with sand, silt and clay.
What is the nature of the warm soils of Bordeaux?
gravel, sand
What is the nature of the cold soils of Bordeaux?
clay and limestone
What grapes are suited to gravel soil?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot
What grapes are suited to limestone soil?
Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Which Bordeaux grapes are used less now than 40 years ago?
Malbec and Cabernet Franc ???
When was the most recent transition from the predominance of white to red wine in Bordeaux?
1970’s.
What is the most frequent white grape planted in Bordeaux?
Semillon (55%)
What is the origin of Muscadelle?
Dordogne/Gironde area
What is the origin of Muscadet?
Burgundy (Melon de Bourgogne!)
What is the origin of Muscat?
Greek or Italian
Which grape was most affected by copper sulfate sprays in Bordeaux?
aromatics of Sauvignon Blanc were diminished, now more pineapple and less herbal
What are the three components of the Bordeaux AOC quality pyramid?
Communal AOC, Sub-regional AOC, Regional AOC
What does the Bordeaux Superieur designation mean?
small maximum yield, higher minimum alcohol, reds must be aged 9 months, whites must be semi-sweet.
Which wine style is not included in Bordeaux Superieur?
Dry white wine.
What are the sub-regional Medoc AOC’s?
Medoc, Haut-Medoc
What are the Communal Medoc AOC’s
St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux, Moulis en Medoc, Listrac-Medoc
What are the Communal Medoc AOC’s located in center of peninsula?
Moulis en Medoc, Listrac-Medoc
What is a new characteristic of modern Saint-Estephe?
increased percentage of Merlot, more approachable
Chateau Latour is in which Communal AOC?
Pauillac
Where is the highest elevation of Medoc Peninsula?
Listrac-Medoc
What is difference in the soil between Listrac-Medoc and Moulis en Medoc?
Moulis en Medoc has more clay/limestone mix (both have gravel)