Bordeaux Flashcards
What is the name of the estuary and 2 rivers that run through Bordeaux?
Gironde splits into Dordogne (N), Garonne (S)
At was northern parallel does Bordeaux sit?
45th
Is frost common in Bordeaux? Why?
No - maritime influences regulate temperature
What is the weather like in Bordeaux?
Maritime influence, long, warm summers and heavy rainfall in spring and autumn
What is the general soil structure of the right and left banks of Bordeaux?
Left bank - gravel mixed with limestone and clay
Right bank - limestone, some clay
What is the general soil structure of Entre-Deux-Mers?
Sandy soil with limestone
Why is Cabernet Sauvignon favoured on the left bank of Bordeaux?
Better drainage from gravel soils, heat retention from pebbles helps ripen grapes
What are the main white grapes of Bordeaux?
Semillon (47%)
SB (45%)
——-
Sauv G, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc (2%)
What are the main red grapes of Bordeaux?
Merlot (66%)
CS (22.5%)
CF (9.5%)
———-
Petit verdot, Malbec, Carmenere (2%)
What are some additional grapes proposed by the Union of Bordeaux winemakers to deal with the effects of climate change?
Touriga nacional, Marselan, Albariño, Liliorila
What are the 3 regional AOPs of Bordeaux?
AOP Bordeaux (1936)
AOP Bordeaux Superieur (1943)
AOP Crémant de Bordeaux (1990)
Describe the wines of AOP Bordeaux
- Red, rosé, clairet, dry and sweet whites
- Mainly from entre-deux-mers
- Main white grapes min. 70%
- Main red grapes min. 80%
- Min maturation 31st dec.
- 450m bottles produced annualy
Describe the wines of AOP Bordeaux Superieur
- Dry reds and sweet white wines
- Less yield than AOP Bordeaux
- Min maturation June 15th following year
- Higher RS requirements for sweet whites (17-60g/l)
- 60 million bottles
Describe the wines of AOP Crémant de Bordeaux
- White and rosé sparkling wines made in trade method
- Min 9 months lees contact
- Max alc. 13%
- 6 million bottles annually
- Min 70% main white grapes
- Blending of whites and reds permitted for rosé
Provide an overview of the wines and terroir of Médoc
- Was a swamp until 17th century
- Soil is “Graves” a mix of clay, limestone and gravel
- Major grape is CS, merlot too
- Very flat
- Most oceanic influence
- The only area to which the 1855 classification applies
- 2 sub regional AOPs, 6 village AOPs
- 100% still, dry reds
- All red Bordeaux varieties are permitted, focus on CS, Merlot
What are the 2 regional AOPs of Medoc?
AOP Medoc (1936)
AOP Haut Medoc (1936)
Describe the region of AOP Médoc
- 5500ha
- Min maturation 31st may year after harvest
- Most affordable wines of the Medoc
- Less gravel, meaning heaver soils that don’t drain as well. Hence more merlot here than Medoc village appellations
Describe the region of AOP Haut-Médoc
- 4600ha
- Min maturation 31st May year following harvest
- The large southern region of the greater Medoc district
- Considered far superior quality to AOP Medoc, greater amounts of gravel soil
What are the 6 commune AOPs of Médoc?
Saint-Estèphe
Pauillac
Saint-Julien
Listrac-Médoc
Moulis-en-Médoc
Margaux
Provide an overview of AOP Saint-Estephe
- 1230ha
- AOP 1936
- Northernmost commune of Medoc
- More clay soils, favours a higher proportion of merlot
- Higher acid, harsher tannins due to less gravel
List some top Chateaus of AOP Saint Estephe
Cos d’Etournel
Chateau Montrose
Chateau Calon-Ségur
Provide an overview of AOP Pauillac
- 1215ha
- AOP 1936
- Min mat. 1st June year after harvest
- All gravel soils in the AOP qualify for AOP status
- Full body, robust tannins
- 3 of the 5 1er grand cru classés located here
- Most expensive land in Bordeaux at €1.65m/ha
List some of the top Chateaus of AOP Pauillac
Mouton Rothschild
Lafite Rothschild
Chateau Latour
Lynch-Bages
Pontet-Canet
Provide an overview of AOP Sain-Julien
- 910ha
- AOP 1936
- Min mat. 1st June year after harvest
- No 1st grand cru classe vineyards, although many 2nd
- Silky tannins, less body
List some top Chateaus of AOP Saint-Julien
Chateau Léoville-les-Casses
Léoville Poyferré
Léoville Barton
Ducru-Beaucaillou
Provide an overview of AOP Listrac-Medoc
- 635ha
- AOP 1957
- Min mat. 31st August year after harvest
- Limestone, clay soils
- Further from the river - less heat and rainfall
- Least appreciated commune AOP of Medoc
List some top Chateaus of AOP Listrac Medoc
Chateau Fourcas Dupré
Chateau Clarke
Provide an overview of AOP Moulis-en-Médoc
- 630ha
- Min maturation 1st June year after harvest
- Less gravel, more clay, limestone
- There are no classified growths in this AOP
List some top Chateaus of AOP Moulis-en-Médoc
Chateau Chasse-Spleen
Chateau Maucaillou
Chateau Poujeaux
Provide an overview of AOP Margaux
- 1490ha (largest of Médoc commune AOPs)
- AOP 1954
- 20 Cru Classés, most of any commune AOP in Médoc
- Produces smooth, silky wines
- Soils have high gravel content, more CS as it ripens well
List some main Chateaus of AOP Margaux
Chateau Margaux
Chateau Brane-Cantenac
Chateau Marquis de Terme
Chateau Palmer
Provide a general description of the Graves & Pessac-Leognan region
- Warmer climate
- Gravel soils
- CS dominates, but more merlot than the Medoc
- A classification was carried out in 1953 for the reds, whites added 1959
- Vineyards are under threat from Urbanisation of surrounding Bordeaux city
What are the 3 appellations of Graves/Pessac-Leognan?
AOP Graves
AOP Graves Superieures
AOP Pessac-Léognan
Describe the regulations of AOP Graves
- AOP 1937
- Dry red, dry white
- All Bordeaux Red grapes permitted
- Min mat. 15th april
- Merlot doominates
- The creation of AOP Pessac-leognan in 1987 had a detrimental effect on the prestige of the AOP
Describe the regulations of AOP Graves Superieur
- AOP 1937
- Sweet white wines only
- Late harvest or botrytis
- Muscadelle, Sem, SB, SG
- Min rs 34 g/l
Describe the regulations of AOP Pessac-Léognan
- AOP 1987
- Dry red, white
- CS dominates
- Soils are gravel (best for reds) or sandstone (whites)
- Min mat. 15th september
List some top chateaus of AOP Pessac-Léognan
- Chateau Haut-Bailly
- Smith Haut Lafite
- Haut Brion
- La Mission Haut Brion
Describe the general wines of Le Sauternais
- Borders the Garonne, crossed by the Ciron river
- Semillon is 80% of plantings
- Annual production < 6 million bottles
- Sweet white wines, mostly with Botrytis (Cérons is exception)
By what percentage does Botrytis decrease a grape’s water content?
60%
Describe the regulations of AOP Cérons
- Sweet white only
- 120ha
- Min mat 15th april
- With or without botrytis
- Min sugar at harvest 221g/l
- Movement towards making dry whites for $$
- Flatter area, struggles more with botrytis and ripening than Barsac/Sauternes
Describe the regulations of AOP Barsac
- AOP 1936
- 390ha
- Max yield 28hl
- Sem, SB, Muscadelle
- Min sugar 221g/l at harvest
- Min RS 45g/l
- Flat sand and limestone soils
- Elegant sweet wines, not the same concentration as Sauternes
- May mention Sauternes as AOP on label
- Must be botrytis
Describe the wines of AOP Sauternes
- 2200ha
- Only sweet white
- Max yield 25hl
- Min mat. 15th June
- Sem, SB, SG, Muscadelle
- Min sugar at harvest 221g/l
- Min RS 45g/L
- Normally 18-36 months oak mat.
- Can be affected by frost
- Ciron river is cold and provides misty mornings
Describe the wines of Entre-Deux-Mers
- Dry red, white, sweet white
- Strong merlot production
- Sandstone, clay, limestone
- 10-100m in elevation
- Located in between the Dordogne and Garrone rivers
Describe the regulations of AOP Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
- 450 ha
- Only sweet white
- Max yield 44hl
- Sem, Muscadelle, SB, SG
- Late harvest/bot
Describe the regulations of AOP Loupiac
- 244ha
- Only sweet white
- Max 44hl
- Min mat. 15th jan
- Min sugar at harvest is 238g/L for sem
Describe the regulations of AOP Cadillac
- 128ha
- Sweet white only
- Min mat. 15th March
- More botrytis influence than nearby appellations (small streams run through)
Describe the regulations of AOP Cadillac - Cotes De Bordeaux
- Same area as AOP Cadillac
- Dedicated to dry red production
- Min mat 15th march
- Merlot, CF, CS
Describe the regulations of AOP Entre-deux-mers
- AOP 1937
- 7500ha
- Only dry whites
- All Bordeaux white permitted
- Mainly SB, some Sem, Muscadelle
- San and clay soils
- Normally unoaked
Describe the regulations of AOP Graves de Vayres
- AOP 1937
- 600ha
- Dry red, white
- All Bordeaux grapes allowed
- Some gravel deposits, more CS
- Min mat 1st may
Describe the regulations of AOP Sainte-Foy-Cotes-de-Bordeaux
- AOP 2009
- 500ha
- Dry red, sweet white
- All Bordeaux grapes permitted
- Mostly red, merlot dominant
- Furthest east of Entre-deux-mers
- Chateau Hostens-Picant is the most well known winery here
What is the name of the left bank of Bordeaux?
Le Libournais
Describe the wines and production of Le Libournais
- Merlot, CF, CS are dominant varieties
- Tend to be much smaller producers in size than the left bank - domaines average 5ha
- Heavy focus on satellite appellations
Describe the geology of St Emilion
LIMESTONE PLATEAU
- Located at the top of the mountain
- Produces quality merlot
- Best chateaus are located here
SOUTH
- Alluvial sandy soils
- Not as good quality
NORTHWEST
- Alluvial, gravel soils
- Cabernet family grapes perform well here
- E.g. Figeac, Cheval Blanc
- Neighbours Pomerol
List the AOPs of Saint Emilion in heirarchy
AOP Saint Emilion
AOP Saint Emilion Grand Cru
AOP Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé
AOP Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé
AOP Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A
Describe the regulations of AOP Saint Emilion
- AOP 1936
- 5500ha
- All dry reds
- Max yield 53hl
- All Bordeaux reds allowed PV max 10%
- Min mat. 15th march
- Clay and chalk rich soils
- Merlot dominates
- 30mil bottles produced annually
- Lowest of the St Em AOPs
Describe the regulations of AOP Saint Emilion Grand Cru
- AOP 1954
- 5500ha
- Max yield 46hl
- Min mat may 15th, can’t be sold until 1st Feb, 2nd year after harvest
- 20mil bottles produced
Describe the regulations of AOP Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé
- AOP 1955
- Same requirements as AOP St Em Grand Cru
- Elevated status is approved by the commission
- Candidates must submit a detailed application
What is required to submit an application to become AOP Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé?
- Precise delimitation of the land
- Evidence of the estate’s reputation
- Description of technical factors
- The winery must be visited at any time
- 10 consecutive vintages are tasted for consistency and quality
Describe the regulations of AOP Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé (A)
- AOP 1955
- Same rules apply as AOP St Em Grand Cru Classé
- Elevated wineries chosen by the commission
- May include the even more elevated status of “A”
- Reviewed every 10 years
Describe the regulations of AOP Lussac Sainte Emilion
- AOP 1936
- 1440ha
- 100% dry red
- Max yield 53hl
- Min mat. 31st march
- Northernmost of St Em satellite appellations
Describe the regulations of AOP Montage Saint-Emilion
- AOP 1936
- Dry red only
- Max yield 53hl
- Min mat 31st march
- Largest satellite AOP
- Terroir similar to AOP St Em
- Considered the best of the satellite appellations
Describe the regulations of AOP Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
- AOP 1936
- 753ha
- Dry red only
- Max yield 53hl
- PV, Carmenere max 10%
- Cabernet Franc max 15%
- Min mat 31st march
- Strict appellation laws - only certain areas within the appellation are approved to grow grapes
- Clay limestone soils, scattered gravel, does well in dry vintages
Describe the regulations of AOP Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon
- AOP 1936
- 3000ha
- Max yield 52hl
- Merlot dominant
- Carmenere max 10%
- PV max 15%
- Min mat 15th march
Describe the wines of AOP Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion
- AOP 1936
- 200ha
- Max yield 53hl
- Min mat 15th march
- Smallest satellite appellation
Describe the wines of AOP Francs Cotes de Bordeaux
- AOP 1936
- 3000ha
- Max yield 52hl
- Merlot is dominant
- Carmenere max 10%
- PV max 15%
- Min mat march 31st
Describe the regulations of AOP Pomerol
- AOP 1936
- 813ha
- Max yield 49hl
- Merlot dom. 80% of plantings
- Porous clay soils
- No classification system
- Min mat. 1st nov
Describe the geology of AOP Pomerol
- South and western parts have sandier soil, mixed with blue clay
- Eastern section is richer in iron (Catusseau)
Name the top producers of AOP Pomerol
- Le Pin, Petrus, Chateau Lafleur, Vieux chateau Certan
Describe the regulations of AOP Lalande de Pomerol
- AOP 1936
- 1130ha
- North of Pomerol
- Min mat 15th march
- Barbanne stream separates Pomerol from Lalande
Describe the regulations of AOP Fronsac
- AOP 1937
- 840ha
- Min mat. 15th august
- Sandstone, resistance to hot weather
- West of Pomerol
- Max yield 53hl
Describe the regulations of AOP Canon Fronsac
- AOP 1939
- 250ha
- Merlot is dominant, CF
- Min mat. 15th August
- Borders the Dordogne
- Max yield 53hl
- Upper part produces better quality wine - more sandstone, limestone
Describe the regulations of AOP Blaye-Cotes-de-Bordeaux
- AOP 2009
- 6490ha
- Dry red, white
- Grapes don’t ripen as well
- Min mat Aug 15th
- Merlot, CS, CF
Describe the wines of AOP Cotes-de-Bourg
- AOP 1936
- 2950ha
- Dry red, white
- Merlot dominant
- Clay, sand, gravel soils
What is the local name for Cabernet Franc in Saint Emilion?
Bouchet
What is the name of the parent Vitis to the cabernet family?
Vitis Biturica
Who established Bordeaux? When?
Celts, 3rd century BC
When did the Romans conquer Bordeaux?
60BC
When did wine exports begin in Bordeaux
100AD
What happened between 408-507AD
Vandals took over the region, destroying vineyards
What royal event saw an increase in the popularity of Bordeaux’s wines?
The Wedding of Henry II in 1152, Bordeaux wines were served
What was the name of the brotherhood established to supervise winemaking in St Emilion?
The Jurade of Saint-Emilion
What halted Bordeaux exports in the 14th century?
100 year war, followed by Black death
How did the Dutch change Bordeaux’s wine trade?
16-18th century: Dutch merchants establish themselves in Bordeaux through the Protestant movement. Increase demand and trade of wines. Use draining techniques to turn Medoc from swamplands to vineyards
Who was the first to suggest a classification of Bordeaux’s wines?
Thomas Jefferson, 1787
What were the 4 chateaus distinguished in the first Medoc classification of 1816
Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut Brion
How did the 1855 classification come to be?
Napoleon III asked for a classification of the left bank prior to the world expo
Has the 1855 classification ever been updated? If so when, why?
Updated in 1973 to include Mouton-Rothschild as a 1st growth after years of campaigning from Baron Phillipe de Rothschild
What grapes in Bordeaux were more widely planted prior to phylloxera
PV, Malbec were more widely planted than today, didn’t respond as well to grafting as current Bordeaux grapes
What vintage in the 20th century caused the Bordeaux wine market to crash?
- Overvalued, burst the bubble
What brought back the reputation of Bordeaux in the late 20th century?
Robert Parker’s love for Bordeaux, starting with the 1982 vintage
What is Cru Bourgeouis? When was it established?
Established 1932, classified 444 Medoc producers that didn’t make the cut of Grand cru classé. Revised in 2010
What is Cru Artisans?
A lesser classification of the Medoc
What is the only chateau to be part of the 1855 classification + the Graves classification?
Chateau Haut Brion
