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French Wine Scholar COPY Donahue > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

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1
Q

Who is Emile Peynaud (1912-2004)?

A

Professor at Bordeaux University
Considered Father of modern Oenology
Championed Temperature control, malolactic fermentation and 2nd labels

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2
Q

Who is Robert Parker?

A

He championed the 1982 Bordeaux vintage against all others.

This launched his career and he triggered the 3rd Golden age which Bordeaux is still in

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3
Q

What does Aquitaine mean?

A

Well-watered place, one of France’s 27 administrative regions

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4
Q

What are the Dordogne & Garonne in Bordeaux?

A

Rivers

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5
Q

What is the Gironde?

A

It is the estuary that is named after the Girondel Swallow

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6
Q

What are the 3 levels of AOC in Bordeaux?

A

Regional
Sub-Regional
Commune
They get more precise as you get to the Commune level

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7
Q

What is the difference between Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?

A

Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines require lower yields and higher minimum ABV
There is no dry white Bordeaux Supérieur

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8
Q

What are the 3 principal rivers in Bordeaux?

A

Garonne
Dordogne
Gironde Estuary

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9
Q

What percentage of red plantings do Malbec, Petit Verdot & Carménère make up in Bordeaux?

A

2%

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10
Q

What are the stats on Carménère in Bordeaux?

A

Rich velvety red
Susceptible to disease in Bordeaux
Not soil specific
Delivers flavors of Indian Spice

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11
Q

What are the stats on Petit Verdot in Bordeaux?

A

Highly Tannic & Pigmented
Late ripening - sometimes fail to ripen
Prefers gravel & sand

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12
Q

What are the stats on Malbec (Côt) in Bordeaux?

A 
AKA Côt & Noir de Pressac
Low Acidity
Blackberry fruit aromas
Devastated by the freeze of 1956
Prefers limestone
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13
Q

What are the stats on Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux?

A

10% of the red plantings
Early ripening
Prefers limestone
Moderate tannins, acidity, pigment & alcohol

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14
Q

What are the stats on Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux?

A 
23% of the red plantings
Late ripening
Prefers gravel & sand
High Acidity, pigment & tannin
Moderate alcohol
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15
Q

What are the stats on Merlot in Bordeaux?

A 
65% of the red plantings
Early ripening
Prefers clay
Moderate tannins
Low Acidity
High Alcohol
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16
Q

What are the stats on Muscadelle in Bordeaux?

A

6% of the plantings
Plays a minor role in white blends
Not related to Muscat family of grapes

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17
Q

What are the stats on Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?

A

43% of the white plantings
Dominates the dry white blends
Notes of pinepapple

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18
Q

What are the stats on Sémillon in Bordeaux?

A

49% of the white plantings
Tends to dominate the sweet plantings
Flavors of apricot and fig

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19
Q

What are the 3 primary white grapes of Bordeaux?

A

Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle

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20
Q

What 3 Entre-Deux-Mers AOC’s can bottle dry red wines under their own AOC name?

A

Cadillac-Côte de Bordeaux (red only)
Saint-Foy-Bordeaux (dry and semi-sweet white also)
Graves de Vayres (dry and semi-sweet white also)

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21
Q

What 4 Entre-Deux-Mers AOC’s produce sweet wines of at least 4.5% RS?

A 
Cadillac AOC (sweet wine only)
Loupiac AOC (sweet wine only)
Saint-Croix-du-Mont (sweet wine only)
Côte de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire (dry and semi-sweet wines also)
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22
Q

What 5 Entre-Deux-Mers AOC’s produce Moelleux or semi-sweet wines (1.2 - 4.5% RS)?

A

Bordeaux Haut-Benauge AOC (dry white also)
Premières Côte de Bordeaux AOC (Red also)
Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOC (Reds & dry white also)
Graves de Vayres AOC (red & dry white also)
Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire AOC (Dry and sweet white also)

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23
Q

What are the 2 dry white only AOC’s in Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

Entre-Deux-Mers AOC

Entre-Deux-Mers-Haut-Benauge AOC

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24
Q

What are the general details of the Bordeaux region of Entre-Deux-Mers?

A 
Between the Garonne & Dordogne rivers
Complex Soils
- Alluvial deposits on the river flanks
- Some slopes are pure gravel
- Plateaus: composites of clay &  sand or clay & limestone
Whites mainly Sauvignon Blanc
Reds blends of Merlot & both Cabernets
Red wine far outpaces white wine production, with most bottled as Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur
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25
Q

T or F? The Médoc region only produces red wine?

A

True

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26
Q

What is the St Emilion Classification?

A

It is the only Right Bank Classification system
Established in 1955 revised every 10 years
Classification of 2012, 82 properties ranked
- 4 Premières Grands Cru’s classés A level
- 14 Premières Grands Cru’s classés B level
- 64 Grand Cru’s classé
NOTE:
St Emilion Grand Cru = AOC
St Emilion Grand Cru classé = A classified growth

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27
Q

What is the Graves Classification System?

A 
Classifications in 1953 + 1959
Ranked the wines of 16 estates:
- 6 for red + white
- 3 for white only
- 7 for red only
All wines fall within the Pessac-Leognan AOC and are entitled to the Status:
"Grand Cru Classé de Graves"
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28
Q

What are Cru Artisans?

A

Established in 2006 in the Médoc
50 Properties were ranked
Small 2.5 to 12.5 acre properties
Entirely responsible for their own production

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29
Q

What is a Petit Chateau?

A

Any unranked or unclassified property.

All Cru Bourgeois are Petit Chateau

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30
Q

What was the Classification of 1855 in Médoc

A

Napoleon III had the Chateaus ranked in 1855
87 Chateaus were ranked
- 1 Estate from Pessac-Leognan
- 60 Estates from Medoc
- 26 Estates from Sauternes + Barsac
Reds were ranked from 1st growth to 5th growth
Whites were ranked from Supérieur growth to 2nd growth

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31
Q

What is Bordeaux’s fame in the 21st century?

A

Greatest percentage of large wine estates
Produces most of France’s luxury bottlings
Produces 1/4 of all AOC wine in France

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32
Q

What are the 2 world heritage sites in Bordeaux?

A

The City of Bordeaux (2007)

The town of St Emilion (1999)

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33
Q

How large is the Bordeaux wine region?

A

63 miles N - S
78 miles E - W
280K acres of vineyards
Nearly 5 x the size of Bourgogne

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34
Q

What is the climate like in Bordeaux?

A

Maritime climate due to Atlantic influences
Receives 37” of rain per year
Irrigation is not necessary or legal
Gulf Stream warms and regulates temperatures

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35
Q

What grape suffered the most during the freeze of 1956?

A

Malbec, losing 1/3 of its plantings which were replaced by Merlot

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36
Q

What are the origins of Bordeaux soils?

A

Last Ice Age left extensive river deposits and maritime sediments
Bordeaux soils are sedimentary
Gravel terraces interspersed with sand, silt, and clay
Also fresh water and salt water limestone

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37
Q

What are the two types of Bordeaux soils?

A

Warm Soils (Left Bank)
- Gravel: Firmly structured wines
- Sand: Fruit forward wine
Cold Soils (Right Bank)
- Clay: Wines with notes of prune + english walnut
- Limestone: Wines with pronounced acidity and polished tannins

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38
Q

T or F? The Bordeaux Blend is mandated by law?

A

False

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39
Q

How many miles inland is the Gironde tidal?

A

75 Miles

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40
Q

What did the 1855 classification system rank?

A

Market worth of the wine

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41
Q

T or F? Bordeaux produces more AOC wines than anywhere else in France..

A

True

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42
Q

What are the Pomerol Satellites?

A

LaLande Pomerol AOC

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43
Q

What are the 4 Saint Emilion satellites?

A

St Georges-Saint Emilion AOC
Lussac-Saint Emilion AOC
Montagne-St Emilion AOC
Puisseguin-St Emilion AOC

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44
Q

What are the season like in Bordeaux?

A

Climatically Bordeaux experiences all 4 seasons
Springs - wet + often accompanied by frost
Summers - warm + sunny. Moderate cloud cover causing grapes to sometimes struggle to ripen
Fall - variable, sometimes rain risking the harvest
Winter - Moderate, there can be freezes like 1956

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45
Q

Does “St Emilion Grand Cru” represent a classified estate?

A

No, “St Emilion Grand Cru Classé “ does

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46
Q

What did the 1855 classification in Bordeaux rank?

A

It ranked the pricing to rank the Chateaus, primarily in Médoc
60 estates in the Médoc and 1 in Pessac-Leognan as well as the sweet wines of Sauternes + Barsac
This classification is outside the AOC’s

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47
Q

What is different about the Pomerol Soil?

A

It is very iron rich on marl bedrock

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48
Q

What are the 5 areas in Bordeaux that can contribute grapes to the Côtes de Bordeaux, dry red?

A 
Old Premières Côtes de Blaye
Francs - Côtes de Bordeaux 
Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux 
Premières Côtes  de Bordeaux
Sainte Foy Côtes  de Bordeaux
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49
Q

What are the characteristics of the Côtes de Bordeaux?

A 
The slope to the river
Mainly located on the right bank
Most face west
Have clay/limestone soils
Mostly planted to Merlot & Cabernet Franc
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50
Q

What is the Ciron?

A

A river that flows under the Le lande Forest so it is cold

It meets the warm Garonne River it creates a mist that enables Botrytis

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51
Q

What is the difference between Claret and Clairet?

A

Claret: English nickname for Bordeaux reds
Clairet: a semi-red, darker than rosé, but lighter than red wine

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52
Q

What are the red grapes on the left bank and right bank in Bordeaux?

A

Left Bank:

  • Gravel - Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
  • Sand - Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot

Right Bank:

  • Limestone - Cabernet Franc & Malbec
  • Clay - Merlot
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53
Q

Describe the Right Bank Côtes AOC’s of Bourg and Côtes de Bourg…

A

Reds and dry white
Merlot Dominant
Whites are Sauvignon Dominant

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54
Q

Describe the Entre-Deux-Mers Côtes AOC of Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint Macaire..

A

Dry, semi-sweet and sweet wine AOC
Sweet wines are Sémillon dominant
Dry whites are Sauvignon Blanc dominant
Limestone soils, or clay-limestone soils and clay-sand composites

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55
Q

What is Carménère a cross of?

A

Cabernet Franc x Gros Cabernet

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56
Q

What is Malbec a cross of?

A

Prunelard x Magdeleine Noir de Charentes

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57
Q

Describe the right bank Côtes AOC Blaye AOC..

A

Red wine only for Blaye AOC
Minimum 50% Merlot and both Cabernets

Dry whites only based on Colombard fall into the Côtes de Blaye AOC

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58
Q

What are the secondary red grapes in Bordeaux?

A

Malbec
Petit Verdot
Carmenère

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59
Q

Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Premières Côtes de Bordeaux..

A

Moelleux / semi-sweet wines
Sémillon dominant
Minimum 11.5% ABV 3.4 RS

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60
Q

What soils are better for Cabernet Franc?

A

Cold Soils: limestone

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61
Q

Describe the right bank Côtes AOC Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux..

A

Reds based on Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Dry and Liquoreux whites based on Sémillon
Red wine dominates production

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62
Q

What soils are best for Merlot?

A

Cold soils - clay

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63
Q

Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux..

A 
Red only AOC
Merlot Dominant (70-80%) with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
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64
Q

What is Merlot a cross between?

A

Magdeleine Noire de Charentes x Cabernet Franc

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65
Q

Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Cadillac-Côtes de Bordeaux..

A

Red AOC only
Merlot Dominant
Lots of gravel mixed in resulting in more than usual Cabernet Sauvignon

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66
Q

What soil types are best for Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Warm soils: gravel + sand

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67
Q

What are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Sauvignon Blanc + Cabernet Franc

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68
Q

Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux..

A

Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc based with Semillon + Muscadelle
Rouge: Merlot based with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec

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69
Q

Where did Cabernet Sauvignon originate?

A

Bordeaux

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70
Q

Where did Merlot originate?

A

Bordeaux

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71
Q

Where did Cabernet Franc originate?

A

The Basque country in Spain

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72
Q

Describe the right bank Côtes AOC of Côte de Bordeaux..

A 
Began with the 2008 vintage
Is red only
It is 4 stand alone AOCs joined under 1 umbrella appellation they are:
Premières  Côtes de Blaye
Bordeaux Côtes de Francs
Côtes de Castillon
Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
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73
Q

Which classification system ranks the wines of Bordeaux not the Estates?

A

Graves - 16
6 for reds & whites
7 for reds only
3 for white only

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74
Q

Describe the Bordeaux right bank region of the Côtes ..

A

All Côtes are on the right banks of the rivers or estuary
All are west facing
Soils are predominantly clay & limestone
Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends prevail

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75
Q

Describe the 4 Libournais right bank Saint Emilion satellites..

A

Saint Georges - Saint Emilion AOC
Lussac - Saint Emilion AOC
Montagne - Saint Emilion AOC
Puisseguin - Saint Emilion AOC

Same flavors and aromas as Saint Emilion but more delicate structure

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76
Q

When was wine first mentioned in Bordeaux?

A

Ausonius mentioned it around 310-393 AD

Château Ausone is named after him

77
Q

Who invaded Bordeaux after the fall of Rome?

A

Vandals, Visigoths then the Franks
City was revived under Merovingian Kings
Then invaded by the Moors

Reestablished as a fiefdom of the Carolingian dynasty under the Dukes of Gascony

78
Q

What event happened in 1152?

A

Eleanor d’ Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou

Henry became King Henry II of England and Duke of Normandy

This union gave England control over Aquitaine, Gascony and a good portion of western France

79
Q

What gave birth to Bordeauxs 1st Golden Age?

A

England’s demand for Sacramental wine created a wealthy merchant class for Bordeauxs red wine

80
Q

What was the Hundred Years War?

A

England’s King Edward III refused to pay homage to the King of France starting the war
The French won the war in 1453 at the Battle of Castillon

81
Q

What did the Dutch do in the 1600’s to Bordeaux?

A

The Dutch mercantile empire gained significant influence after the 100 years war
Bordeaux shifted production to dry white wine to meet Dutch needs
The Dutch drained the Médoc peninsula reclaiming vineyard lands

82
Q

What heralded Bordeauxs 2nd Golden Age?

A

Trade with new Dutch and British colonies
The wealthy began building luxurious Chateaus with surrounding vineyards.
This was started by Haut Brion

83
Q

What was the impact of the railway on Bordeaux?

A

The railway linked Bordeaux to inland France reviving trade

84
Q

Who was Napoleon III?

A

He took over France in a Coup d’état in 1852
He was pro-mercantile and re-established trade with England
He initiate the 1855 classification system

85
Q

What is Powdery Mildew?

A

It is a fungal disease coming from the USA that hit Bordeaux in 1852
Thick white filaments blanket the vine which can reduce yields, retard pigment and stunt cluster growth

It also creates off flavors

86
Q

What is Phylloxera?

A

A small insect indigenous to the USA that arrived in Bordeaux in 1865
It kills grapevines by attacking roots, saliva creates galls in the vine
European Vitis Vinifera vines are unable to heal over the bite wounds
Bacteria and fungi enter the plant and rot the root
American vines are immune to this vineyard pest

87
Q

What is Downy Mildew?

A

It is a fungal disease
Germinates in warm, humid weather
Attacks leave and stems, first with “oil spots” the with white cotton filaments
Vines lose leaves which can delay or prevent ripening

88
Q

Describe the Libournais right bank AOC’s Saint Emilion & Saint Emilion Grand Cru..

A

They cover the exact same area of production
Grand cru has tougher standards - lower yields and higher alcohol.
Grand Cru must also be bottled at the Chateaux with 2 tastings 1 before and 1 after the 1 year of bottle time
Limestone & Clay soil with high acid and polished tannins
Sandy soil is fruit forward
Pomerol soils - walnut, truffle & prune

89
Q

Describe the Libournais right bank AOC’s of Pomerol and LaLande-de-Pomerol..

A

Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends with heady aromas and velvety textures
Unique Iron rich clay soils
Lalande-de-Pomerol wines are less aromatic and less structured

90
Q

Describe the Libournais right bank AOC’s of Fronsac & Canon Fronsac..

A

Separated from the rest of the Libournais by the Isle River
Clay & limestone soils
Merlot & Cabernet Franc dominant

91
Q

Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Pessac-Léognan…

A

Received AOC status in 1987
Northwest portion of Graves with deep gravel soils
Note-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon based reds
Also Sauvignon-based whites that see oak

92
Q

What are the general details on the right bank region of the Libournais?

A

Principle City is Libourne
Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends
Silken in texture less powerfully structured than the left bank

93
Q

Who is Jean Capus?

A

He is the “Father of the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée” AOC system
He separated Bordeaux into 57 AOC’s in 1935

94
Q

Who is Emile Peynaud?

A

Professor at the University of Bordeaux
He encouraged vignerons to use a second label for young or lower quality fruit
This resulted in superior first quality lables

95
Q

What happened in 1956 in Bordeaux?

A

A deep freeze that killed 1/4 of Bordeauxs vines

Those that replanted did so with red grapes primarily Merlot

96
Q

What are the 3 principle red grapes of Bordeaux?

A

Merlot 65%
Cabernet Sauvignon 23%
Cabernet Franc 10%

97
Q

What percentage of Bordeaux’s total area under vine is planted to white grapes?

A

12%

98
Q

What is the synonym for Folle Blanch?

A

Gros Plant

99
Q

What is Ugni Blanc also known as?

A

Trebbiano

100
Q

Where is the white grape Muscadelle from?

A

The Gironde/Dordogne region of Bordeaux

101
Q

Where is the white grape Sauvignon Blanc from?

A

Loire Valley

102
Q

Where is the white grape Sémillon from?

A

Sauternes area in Bordeaux

103
Q

What are the 3 principal white grapes in Bordeaux?

A

Sémillon 49%
Sauvignon Blanc 43%
Muscadelle 6%

104
Q

What are the 2 main soil types in Bordeaux?

A

Warm Soils: Gravel & sand

Cold Soils: Clay & Limestone

105
Q

What is Les Land?

A

A massive man made forest, 2.5 million acres

Planted to protect the Médoc peninsula

106
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Maritime due to Atlantic influences

107
Q

When did the Romans arrive in Bordeaux?

A

1st Century

108
Q

As the Roman empire declined who filled the void?

A

The Vandals, Visigoths, Moors & Franks

109
Q

Who was the power couple of Bordeaux?

A

In 1152 Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet

This resulted in the 1st golden age with England buying the wine

110
Q

What happened in the 100 years war?

A

1337 - 1453 war with the English to lay claim to the French Crown
The French won

111
Q

What was the Dutch influence in the 1600’s?

A

The Dutch drained the marshes on the left bank

They also switched the wine making from red to white

112
Q

When was the 2nd Golen Age?

A

In the 1700’s when the wealthy began building Chateaus surrounded by vineyards in Bordeaux

113
Q

What did the 1789 French Revolution do to Bordeaux?

A

Because the merchant class not the Church owned the vineyards the impact was not as bad as in Bourgogne

114
Q

Why did Bordeaux escape the extreme fractionalization of Vineyard holdings that we saw in Bourgogne?

A

Incorporation
The Bordelais incorporated their estates
Ownership was “fragmented” on paper as shares, but the Chateaux and vineyards remained intact

115
Q

Just as trade began to flourish in Bordeaux in the 1800’s, what 3 pests hit the vineyards?

A

1852 Powdery Mildew (Oidium)
1865 Phylloxera
1880 Downy Mildew

116
Q

What were the major events in the early 20th century that shaped the Bordeaux wine trade?

A

The 2 World Wars closed off the markets
1935 Bordeaux region split into 57 AOC’s
1956 Severe frost kills 1/4 of all vines

117
Q

What is the main grape on Bordeauxs left banks?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

118
Q

What contribution did the Dutch make to Bordeaux winemaking in the 1600’s?

A

They drained the Médoc Peninsula in order to grow grapes for sweet white table wine and for wine to distill into Eau de Vie

119
Q

How are reds form Entre-Deux-Mers labeled?

A

Bordeaux AOC

Bordeaux Supérieur AOC

120
Q

What Médoc AOC is considered the most “Feminine” and perfumed?

A

Margaux AOC

121
Q

Why is Graves suited for sweet wine production?

A

Damp, foggy mornings followed by warm dry afternoons that promote Noble Rot

122
Q

What style of wine is produced in the Cérons, Barsac and Sauternes AOC’s?

A

Sweet wines affected by Noble Rot

123
Q

What defines Cru Bourgeois?

A

A list created in 1932 of 444 Chateaus from the Médoc not included in the 1855 classification
It remains a member based syndicate

124
Q

Where is the Bordeaux wine-producing area of Libournais?

A

On Bordeaux’s right bank around the city of Libourne

125
Q

What Bordeaux soils are considered cold?

A

Clay & Limestone because they retain moisture

126
Q

Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Sauternes..

A

Special Macro climate promoting Botrytis
Southernmost portion of Graves
The Sauternais consists of the 3 AOC’s: Sauternes, Barsac, Cérons
The Ciron River creates the fog that engenders Botrytis

127
Q

What are the general details on the Bordeaux wine region of Graves?

A

Warm Gravel soils
2/3 of the production is red 1/3 is white
Whites are predominantly Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends
Reds are Cabernet Sauvignon based blends

128
Q

What are the main grapes of Bordeaux’s right bank?

A

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

129
Q

What are “Cru Artisans”

A

Boutique wineries of quality in Bordeaux

2 - 12.5 acres in size

130
Q

What French wine region produces more AOC wines than any other?

A

Bordeaux

131
Q

What are the 3 secondary red grape varieties in Bordeaux?

A

Malbec
Petit Verdot
Carménère

132
Q

What are the 4 Saint Emilion satellites?

A

Saint Georges
Lussac
Montagne
Puisseguin

133
Q

Why is Malbec seldom planted in Bordeaux?

A

The winter freeze of 1956 destroyed most Malbec plantings

134
Q

Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Cérons..

A

Soil: Gravel & Gravel/Sands, significantly more than other Graves AOC’s
Reds bottled as Graves, Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur AOC’s
Dry whites bottled as Graves or Bordeaux AOC
Semi-sweet white bottled as Graves Supérieur AOC
Sweet wines bottled as Cérons AOC

135
Q

Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Barsac..

A

Lies at the confluence of the Ciron & Garonne rivers
Soils: clay &l imestone
Dry reds & whites bottled as Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
Sweet whites labeled as Barsac or Sauternes

136
Q

Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Sauternes..

A

This AOC has 5 communes: Sauternes, Fargues, Bommes, Preignac & Barsac
Framed by the Ciron river to the north and west
Soils: sands, gravels, marl & limestone
2/3 of the AOC is planted to Sémillon , 1/3 is planted to Sauvignon Blanc

137
Q

What are the AOC’s of Graves?

A

There are 6 AOC’s within Graves
2 Sub-regional AOCs
- Graves AOC (red + white)
- Graves Supérieur (semi-sweet whites > 1.8 RS)

4 Communal AOC’s

  • Pessac-Leognan AOC (red + white)
  • Cérons AOC (sweet white)
  • Barsac AOC (sweet white)
  • Sauternes AOC - (sweet white)
138
Q

What style of wine is made under the Entre-Deux-Mers AOC?

A

Dry White wines only

139
Q

What is “Clairet”

A

A semi-red wine made by the Saignée method

140
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc

141
Q

What 3 Bordeaux winegrowing areas were included in the 1855 Classification?

A

Médoc (60 Chateaus)
Pessac-Leognan (1 Chateau)
Sauternes (26 Chateaus)

142
Q

What style of wine is made in the Médoc ?

A

Dry reds only

143
Q

What moderates Bordeaux’s climate?

A

The Gulf Stream
Les Landes
and a network of rivers

144
Q

What is the main soil type of Bordeaux’s left bank?

A

Gravel

145
Q

What are the 3 primary white grapes in Bordeaux?

A

Sémillon 49%
Sauvignon Blanc 43%
Muscadelle 6%

146
Q

How many categories of “Growths” were given to red wines in Bordeaux’s 1855 Classification?

A

Five

147
Q

What style of wine is produced in the Libournais?

A

Merlot-based blends, with juicy red fruit, smooth body and subtle tannins
Wines from the Libournais can be powerful, but tend to be softer and smoother than wines from the Left Bank

148
Q

A semi-sweet wine from Graves must be labeled as?

A

Graves Supérieurs AOC

149
Q

What did the 1953 Graves Classification rank?

A

The wines of 16 estates, rather than the estates themselves

150
Q

What estate is the only Premier Cru Supérieur of the 1855 Classification?

A

Château d’Yquem

151
Q

What are the main soil types of Bordeaux’s right bank?

A

Clay & limestone

152
Q

How does Bordeaux Supérieur AOC differ from Bordeaux AOC?

A

Stricter production standards
Lower yields and higher alcohol
Reds must be aged 9 months
Whites are always semi-sweet

153
Q

What is the difference between Saint Emilion Grand Cru and St Emilion Grand Cru Classé ?

A

The first one is an AOC

The Classé is a ranking within a classification system

154
Q

What Bordeaux AOC produces dry whites mainly from Colombard?

A

Côtes de Blaye AOC

155
Q

What are the 4 sub-regional designations of the Côtes de Bordeaux AOCs?

A

Blaye
Cadillac
Castillon
Francs

156
Q

What style of wines is produced in the Cadillac, Loupiac and Ste-Croix-du-Mont AOC’s?

A

Sweet wines affected by Noble Rot

157
Q

What right bank sub-region has a classification system?

A

Saint Emilion

158
Q

What Médoc AOC is considered the most Californian?

A

Saint Julian

159
Q

What is the primary grape of Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

160
Q

What defines the term “Petit Château”?

A

“Petit Château” is an unofficial term for an unclassified property in the Bordeaux region

161
Q

What Bordeaux soils are considered warm?

A

Gravel and sand because they radiate heat back to the vine

162
Q

What are the production stats on Bordeaux wine?

A

58% consumed in France
42% exported
36 co-ops, 4 co-op unions: about 50% of the growers belong to these
Co-ops bottle 25% of Bordeauxs harvest each year

163
Q

Describe Rosé production in Bordeaux..

A

2 types produced
- Rosé: pink
- Clairet: Semi-red
Clairet receives a short maceration of 24-36 hours made Saignee
Rosé receives even less time macerating resulting in lighter color

164
Q

Describe red wine production in Bordeaux..

A

Grape Varieties are harvested and fermented separately as are young and old vines
Fermentation 8 - 10 days
Maceration 15 - 21 days or longer
Blended after malolactic fermentation
Barrels & Barriques add wood tannins to wine needing time to soften or mellow

165
Q

Describe sweet wine production in Bordeaux?

A

MOELLEUX ( semi-sweet)
Grapes can be hand harvested, selective sorting not required
Sound grapes and botrytized grapes are combined
Finished RS 1.2 - 4.5% RS

LIQUOREUX (sweet)
Only Botrytized infected, hand picked grapes are used
Multiple passes in the vineyard are used
Finished RS > 4.5% RS

166
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Moulis-en-Médoc..

A

1/2 way between Margaux and Saint-Julien

3 types of soil: small Pyrenees gravel, larger garonnais gravel and a clay/limestone mix

167
Q

Describe the dry white wine production in Bordeaux..

A

Most is stainless steel fermented
Generally no oak or malolactic
Proportion of Sémillon to Sauvignon Blanc determines the flavors of the wine

168
Q

What are the Crémant de Bordeaux wines like?

A

Made in the Methode Traditionelle method
Minimum 9 months aging sur lie
White or Rosé
Extra Brut to Doux

169
Q

What are the Rosés like in Bordeaux?

A

Always dry

Truly pink in color, no orange

170
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Listrac-Médoc..

A

Highest elevation point of the Médoc peninsula at 129’

Soils: Pyrenees gravel, garonnais gravel and limestone

171
Q

In Bordeaux which grape varieties have renewed interest due to global warming?

A

Carmenere

Petit Verdot

172
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Margaux..

A

The most feminine and perfumed of the Médoc AOC’s

173
Q

What are the details on the Médoc and Haut Médoc AOC’s

A

Representing a large portion of the western peninsula on the left bank
Soils of small Pyrenees gravels
Médoc AOC is a small growing area in the north
Haut Médoc is south and upstream

174
Q

Côt is a synonym for which grape variety?

A

Malbec

175
Q

What are the prefered soils for?
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon

A

Merlot - clay
Cabernet Franc - Limestone
Cabernet Sauvignon - Gravel & sand

176
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Saint-Julian..

A

Considered the most California like

Delivers chocolate-covered cherry fruit

177
Q

Describe the left bank ACO of Pauillac..

A

Signature core of dusty cocoa-like tannins

wines of structure and power

178
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Saint-Estèphe..

A

Traditionally very structured wines with tough tannins
A wine to be cellared
Recently more Merlot has made the blend more approachable on release

179
Q

What are the AOC’s on the Médoc peninsula?

A

8 AOCs, ALL RED WINES
2 sub-regional AOC’s
Médoc & Haut Médoc, facing primarily to the west
6 Communal AOC’s
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint Julien and Margaux in the east
Moulis en Médoc and Listral Médoc in the center

180
Q

What is the difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC’s?

A

Supérieur has a smaller max yield and higher alcohol levels
Red Supérieur must be aged at least 9 months
White Supérieur must be vinified semi-sweet
1/2 of production in Bordeaux is in one of these 2 regional AOC’s

181
Q

What are the Bordeaux sub-regional AOC’s?

A

They refer to a singular part of the region like Graves, Médoc or Haut Médoc

182
Q

T or F? All AOC wines in Bordeaux undergo a blind tasting and chemical analysis..

A

True

183
Q

Describe the Entre-Deux-Mers area in Bordeaux..

A

Undulating terrain with the highest elevations in Bordeaux (only 130’)
Possesses all Bordeaux soils
Red Blends are both Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon based
Sauvignon Blanc dominates white blends

184
Q

Describe the right bank in Bordeaux..

A

String of small hills interrupted by a low lying plateaus and deep valleys
Cay & limestone soils
Blends are based on Merlot & Cabernet Franc
Supple wines with soft plummy fruit

185
Q

Describe the left bank of Bordeaux..

A

Relatively flat
Gravel soils
Cabernet Sauvignon based blends
More firmly structured, lots of tannins

186
Q

What are the 3 main areas of Bordeaux?

A

Left Bank
Right Bank
Entre-Deux-Mers

187
Q

What is Bordeaux’s most planted white grape variety?

A

Sémillon

188
Q

What is Bordeaux’s most planted grape variety?

A

Merlot

French Wine Scholar COPY Donahue (15 decks)

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