Bordeaux Flashcards
Order that Bordeaux grapes ripen in (Major Red Grapes)
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Order that Bordeaux grapes ripen in (Major White Grapes)
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Which area receives more of a frost threat, Right bank or Left bank?
Right bank - cooler shallow soils
How do the Bordelais avoid mildew and rot?
Bordeaux mixture
Sulfur treatment in the vineyard
De leafing
When do the Bodelais deleaf the vines?
After verasion
What benefit does deleafing have in Bordeaux?
Increases airflow around the fruit to stymie mildew or grey rot
What two sorting machines are commonly found in Bordeaux?
Optical sorter
Density sorter
What methods of cap management are used in Bordeaux?
Remontage (pumpover)
Pigeage (punchdown)
What are a few ways in which a second wine can be made?
From rejected fruit
From young vines
From a specific vineyard area destined for a second bottling
A separate property to make a second wine entirely
What is the name of the forest that makes up the western part of the left bank of Bordeaux?
Landes Forest
What effect does the Landes Forest have on the Medoc?
Shields the regions vineyards from harsh Atlantic conditions
What is a croupe?
A hill made of gravel found in the Medoc
Where are Listrac-Medoc and Moulis in relation to Margaux?
North and further west (away from the Gironde)
What are the communal appellations of the Medoc? North to South.
Saint-Estephe
Pauillac
Saint-Julien
Listrac-Medoc
Moulis
Margaux
What forms the natural border between Saint-Estephe and Pauillac?
Jalle de Breuil
What defines the soil of Pauillac?
Deep gravel Croupes
“12 metres deep and 30 metres high” - Anson
Is Pauillac flat land or undulating?
Undulating
What are the communes of production in Pauillac AOP?
Pauillac
Saint-Sauveur
Saint-Estephe
Saint-Julien-Beychevelle
Where is the highest percentage of Merlot planted on the left bank communal appellations?
Saint-Estephe (roughly 40% Merlot)
What are the communes of production for Margaux AOP?
Margaux
Cantenac
Soussans
Arsac
Labarde
What two towns form the northern and southern border of Graves?
Bordeaux
Langon
What area of Graves is more historically rewnown?
Northern
With the exception for Sauternes and Barsac in South
What soils are found in the northern part of Graves? Southern?
Northern: Gravel croupes
Southern: Sand & limestone
What wines are made in Graves Superieur?
Sweet whites only with min 34g/L RS
Where is Pessac-Leognan located within Graves?
Northern sector nearer to Bordeaux
When was Pessac-Leognan AOP created?
1987
What wines may legally be released first, Pauillac or Pessac-Leognan?
Pauillac - June 15 of year following harvest vs Pessacs October 1
Legally which Commune appellation of the Medoc is released last?
Listrac-Medoc (September 15)
Margaux is next at September 1
What is the dominant grape in Pessac Leognan AOP?
About equal Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon but edged slightly to merlot
Is Sauvignon Gris allowed in Sauternes and Barsac production?
Yes - uncommon though
What is the french name for Noble Rot?
Pourriture Noble
When were the first sweet wines made in Bordeaux?
Roughly the 18th Century
What are the communes of production for Sauternes?
Sauternes
Barsac
Fargues
Preignac
Bommes
What are the rivers that influence Sauternes?
Garonne
Ciron
Can a wine from the commune of Barsac be called Sauternes?
Yes
Can a wine from the commune of Sauternes be called Barsac?
No
Which of the two rivers is cooler? Ciron or Garonne?
Ciron
What are used more for Sauternes top estates, tanks or barrique?
Barrique
Name all the sweet wine appellations of Graves.
Graves Superieur
Sauternes
Barsac
Cerons
What sweet wine appellations exist just across the Garonne River from Sauternes and Barsac?
Loupiac
Cadillac
Ste-Croix-du-Monts
What is the legal name for the sweet wines of Graves? Demi-Sec, Moelleux, Liquoreux.
Liquoreux
Where is Moelleux wine produced in Bordeaux? What are the corresponding RS ranges?
Cotes de Bordeaux AOP ‘St. Foy’ (17-34g/L RS)
Cotes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOP (34-45g/L RS)
May Sauternes wines be Chaptalized?
Yes
Is Cryo-extraction allowed in Sauternes?
Yes
What is the minimum RS for sweet wines of Graves?
45g/L for Sauternes, Barsac, Cerrons
34g/L for Graves Superieures