2. Bordeaux

Question 1

Name the two rivers that merge to form the Gironde estuary.

Answer 1

River Garonne and Dordogne.

Question 2

The majority of the vineyards between BDX’s two rivers form what is known as….

Answer 2

Entre-Deux-Mers (“between two seas”).

Question 3

What percent of the black grapes are grown in BDX?

Answer 3

About 90%. Almost 60% of those black grapes are Merlot. Cab Sauv accounts for 20% of black grapes.

Question 4

Name the key development by the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries in relation to BDX.

Answer 4

Originally unsuitable for agriculture (marshes), the city of BDX was drained and planted. By the mid-18th century, was already widely appreciated throughout Europe and America.

Question 5

The system of distribution that remains in effect today in BDX originates from merchants and brokers rather than the proprietors. What are these brokers called?

Answer 5

Negociants.

Question 6

What was the major commercial exhibition to take place in 1855? What did BDX’s chamber of commerce ask the region’s brokers to do?

Answer 6

Exposition Universelle de Paris. They compiled a classification of the wines based on price.

Question 7

Describe the Classication system in BDX.

Answer 7

Based on price. The estates of Medoc (plus Haut Brion in Graves) were classed into 5 bands and Sauternes into 3. This classification system has official status and still influences prices to this day.

Question 8

How much of BDX is under vine?

Answer 8

111,000 ha planted.

Question 9

The great majority of wine is modest BDX or BDX Superior. Inexpensive to mid-price. True or false?

Answer 9

True. 70% of all wine bottled is this category.

Question 10

Describe the climate of BDX.

Answer 10

Moderate maritime. Cool Atlantic influence to the west acts as a moderating influence. In the best years, the climate can result in an excellent balance of tannins, sugar, acid – this explains the longevity of great vintages here.

Question 11

The Left Bank is partially protected by….

Answer 11

The Landes, an extensive pine forest. Protects from Atlantic storms. Estates near these forests (Domaine de Chevalier in Leognan and many in Listrac) are cooler.

Question 12

Describe the rainfall in BDX.

Answer 12

Variable - avg 950mm per year but varies drastically from year to year. Excessive rain at key moments is an important factor in vintage variation.

Question 13

Describe some of the effects rain can have on the vine’s growth cycle.

Answer 13

Rain…

• during flowering results in poor fruit set
• during growing season results in increased disease pressure
• during or following véraison leads to unripe fruit and fungal diseases.
• during harvest can dilute flavors

Question 14

How has climate change effected BDX?

Answer 14

It has led to hot, dry summers with insufficient rainfall.

Question 15

Some potential weather hazards in BDX are…

Answer 15

• climate change
• frost (1956, 1991, 2017 crops decimated)
• hail (has been more widespread over the past decade)

Question 16

In the Médoc, the most prestigious wines tend to be close to the Gironde estuary. Why?

Answer 16

It acts as a moderating influence on the climate and often protects the vines from frost.

Question 17

Discuss the impact of vintage variation in BDX.

Answer 17

This impacts the volume and yield of the region which can have significant financial implications.

Question 18

Describe the soil of the Left Bank

Answer 18

Deposits of gravel and stony soils (carried to the region by floods from the Pyrenees and Massif Central thousands of years ago).
The gravel is mixed with clay and sand in some regions.

Question 19

Define “croupes.”

Answer 19

These are gravel mounds. All top estates of the Left Bank are planted on them.

Question 20

Why is gravel soil so important in the Left Bank?

Answer 20

• Gravel, unlike clay, drains well. So, after rain the roots of the vines can dry out properly and the grapes can continue to ripen.
• Heat retention. After a warm, sunny day the pebbles and stones retain their warmth and continue to release it upwards onto the vines. This facilitates a slow ripening.

Question 21

Excessive drainage on vines can lead to drought stress. True or false?

Answer 21

True. This is especially true in hot vintages, such as 2003 or 2005 and where soils are shallow.

Question 22

On the Left Bank, what appellation has pockets of clay?

Answer 22

Saint-Estèphe – although robust and full of character, these wines have not received the same acclaim as those grown on gravel.

Question 23

Describe the soil on the Right Bank and what grape is grown there.

Answer 23

Far more clay in the soil than the Left Bank, although there are significant patches of gravel in the Libournais. Merlot is suited to clay because it ripens fully in almost all vintages. The best wines come from grapes grown on the limestone plateau or the gravel sections that border Pomerol.

Question 24

The tradition in BDX for top quality vineyards is closely spaced vines at 10k vines per hectare, with vines being planted one meter apart with one meter between the rows. What is the advantage of planting so close together?

Answer 24

Close planting makes the best use of expensive vineyard land. Vineyards in less prestigious appellations are often planted at a lower density.
Also keep in mind that large amounts of planting adds to costs = more plants, more trellising, specialist tractors, and more time for vine training all cost money $$.

Question 25

What is the most common system of managing the vine in BDX?

Answer 25

Head trained, replacement cane-pruned in which canes are trained along the wires.
The Left Bank prefers the Double Guyot (two canes training) and the Right Bank prefers the Single Guyot.

Question 26

Why is canopy management so important in BDX, an area with a moderate, damp climate?

Answer 26

To help mitigate the incidence of downy and powdery mildew, and botrytis bunch rot.
By removing the leaves in the summer, this improves aeration and deters rot. It also exposes the grapes to UV light to aid ripening.

Question 27

Eutypa dieback and Esca are major problems in BDX, rotting the vine from the inside. What relatively new treatment seems to be fairly successful at treating it?

Answer 27

Soft pruning - making small cuts in the wood, leaving some extra wood at the cut site to allow it to dry out and maxing the opportunity for sap to flow around the plant.

Question 28

What is “Flavescense dorée” and how can it be contained?

Answer 28

It is a phytoplasma—a type of intracellular parasite transmitted to plants by insect vectors. It can be contained by using insecticides, but such treatments are not organic or biodynamic.

Question 29

Why is it beneficial for a winemaker to remove a vine’s leaves late in the season rather than earlier?

Answer 29

To protect the leaves from sunburn or extreme heat.

Question 30

BDX yields have deceased in the past two decades, now averaging ____ hectrolitre per hectare.

Answer 30

50. Low yields were more popular on the Right Bank to concentrate flavor, but this practice is on the decline.

Question 31

What are barriques?

Answer 31

225-litre barrels.

Question 32

Describe the red winemaking process in BDX.

Answer 32

• Fermentation: closed vats w/ pumpovers. Cultured yeast. Various vessels but all with temp control.
• Temps and post-ferm maceration depends on the quality and style of wine. Mid-range temps and a short period on skins (5-7 days) is typically used for early drinking to preserve primary fruit. Mid-range to warm temps and a long time on skins (14-30 days) promotes tannins and long bottle ageing.
• Post-ferm: the wine is drained off, remaining skins are pressed (pneumatic or hydraulic) for gentle extraction. Transferred to barriques and the winemaker decides later that proportion of press wine the final blend will have.
• Malo takes place in either tanks or barrels. Cellars may be heated to encourage efficient conversion and better integration of wine and wood.
• Ageing - only very prestigious estates will use up to 100% new oak. Wines will be matured 18-24 months depending on the quality of the wine. Wines are racked every 3 months to oxygenate and add complexity.
• Blending: two main approaches. most estates opt for en primeur tastings and then blend in the winter. some estates blend a few months before bottling and then a team assesses the final wine. Most wineries will work with a consultant.

Question 33

Describe the white winemaking process in BDX.

Answer 33

Grapes pressed directly on arrival or left on the skins for up to 24 hours before then. Early drinking wines are cool fermented in stainless steel. Mid-priced wines are left on fine lees for 6-12 months (more weight and complexity).
Higher quality wines fermented and aged in barriques. Many producers block malo to retain freshness and acidity. Battonage is common to enrich the wines further.

Question 34

Define bâttonage.

Answer 34

This is the French technique of stirring the lees. Many BDX producers are wary of this technique lately, as in hot years it can give excessive body in relation to the wine’s acidity.

Question 35

Describe the sweet winemaking process in BDX.

Answer 35

Usually from botrytis-affectied fruit.

• Vineyard: Low yields to ensure high sugar. Pruned a low number of buds and removal of any damaged fruit (for fear of grey rot). Many estates do not achieve the low 25 hL/ha (max allowed). Low yields increase costs greatly. Skilled workers to go over the grapes over and over also adds to costs.
• Harvest: Sept to November.
• Fermentation: various vessels. Top quality does barrel-fermented with a high prop of new oak and aged up to 18-36 months to encourage a gentle oxidation that will add complexity.

Question 36

Name the top two appellations for sweet wine in BDX?

Answer 36

Sauternes and Barsac.

Question 37

These two appellations together account for 50% of all wine made in BDX.

Answer 37

Bordeauc AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC.

Question 38

Name the appellations of the Left Bank in BDX.

Answer 38

• Medoc AOC (Haut Medoc AOC subregion)
• Saint-Estephe AOC
• Pauillac AOC
• Saint-Julien AOC
• Margaux AOC
• Listrac AOC
• Moullis AOC