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Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Maritime

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2
Q

What was ranked in the 1953 Graves Classification?

A

The wines of the 16 estates
(not the estates themselves)

Includes both red and white wine

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3
Q

What does petit chateau mean?

A

Unofficial term for an unclassified property in the Bordeaux region

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4
Q

Which estate is the only Premier Cru Superieur of the 1855 classification?

A

Chateau d’Yquem

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5
Q

What is the Cru Artisan classification?

A

Small estates that are entirely responsible for their own red wine production, from vineyard to bottle

“Boutique” wineries of quality

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6
Q

What is the difference between Saint-Emilion Grand Cru and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe?

A

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru is an AOC

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe is a ranking in the Saint-Emilion classification system

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7
Q

The Garonne and Dordogne flow into which estuary?

A

The Gironde

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8
Q

What kind of wine can Medoc AOC produce?

A

Only dry red wine

Some white wine is produced in the region but it cannot be labelled as Medoc AOC

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9
Q

How was the 1855 Classification in Bordeaux decided?

A

Price point (by tiers) at which the top wines were selling in 1855

Not by size and prestige of the estates

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10
Q

Which Bordeaux soils are considered “warm”?

A

Gravel
Sand

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11
Q

Which Bordeaux soils are considered “cold”?

A

Clay
Limestone

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12
Q

What is France’s largest AOC vineyard area?

A

Bordeaux AOC

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13
Q

The 1855 Classification is divided into how many tiers/rankings?

A

5

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14
Q

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

A

Gravel

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15
Q

Who championed the “second label” concept as a way to improve the quality of grand vin?

A

Emile Peynaud

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16
Q

Can wine from Barsac be labeled as Sauternes?

A

Yes

Barsac is included in Sauternes AOC

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17
Q

What is a wine sold “en primeur”?

A

A wine sold before it is physically released

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18
Q

What are the three primary white grapes in Bordeaux?

A

Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle

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19
Q

Which Bordeaux sub-region sits between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers?

A

Entre-deux-Mers

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20
Q

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

A

Clay
Limestone

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21
Q

What is the most widely planted grape variety in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

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22
Q

What grape variety suffered the most damage after the winter freeze of 1956?

A

Malbec (aka Cot)

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23
Q

What is Les Landes?

A

A man-made pine forest to the west of Bordeaux

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24
Q

Which Bordeaux estate was promoted to First Growth status in 1973?

A

Chateau Mouton Rothschild

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25
Q

What is the Cru Bourgeois classification?

A

Classification of Medoc chateaux that are reviewed every 5 years

Crus Bourgeois
Crus Bourgeois Superieurs
Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels

(lowest to highest)

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26
Q

Which right bank sub-region has a classification system?

A

Saint-Emilion

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27
Q

Bordeaux’s first vineyards were planted in which sub-region?

A

Graves

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28
Q

What style of wine can Cremant de Bordeaux be?

A

White or rose

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29
Q

Before becoming it’s own AOC, which sub-region was Pessac-Leognan part of?

A

Graves

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30
Q

What kind of wine can Cotes de Bordeaux AOC make?

A

Only dry red wine

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31
Q

What is a clairet?

A

A “light-red” wine

Production is the same as for red wine, except the maceration period is short (24-36 hours)
The wine is then bled off the skins (saignee method)

32
Q

What are the 4 satellite AOCs of Saint-Emilion?

A

Lussac
Montagne
Puisseguin
Saint-Georges

33
Q

What kind of wine can Graves Superieures make?

A

Only semi-sweet white wine

34
Q

What is a “grand vin” wine?

A

The primary and most important label that a chateau produces

Fruit from younger vines is used to make “second label” wines

35
Q

What does moelleux mean?

A

A semi-sweet style of wine (in Bordeaux)

Grapes might be handpicked, but they are not sorted.
This leaves a mix of sound and botrytis grapes

(“Mway-lieu”)

36
Q

What does liquoreux mean?

A

A sweet style of wine (in Bordeaux)

Grapes must be handpicked to only collect ones affected by botrytis

37
Q

Describe the 3 regional AOCs that cover all of Bordeaux.

A

Bordeaux AOC: white (dry, semi-sweet), red, rose, clairet

Bodeaux Superieur AOC: white (semi-sweet), red

Cremant de Bordeaux AOC: white, rose

38
Q

What is Bordeaux Haut-Benauge?

A

A DCG wine from the Bordeaux AOC AND Entre-deux-Mers AOC

Wine is dry or semi-sweet
Usually from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc

39
Q

Describe the Medoc sub-region.

A

Includes 8 AOCs
Red wine only

Grapes: Cab Sauv, Merlot
plus Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Cot, Carmenere

Soils are mainly gravel mounds on limestone

40
Q

Describe the Graves sub-region.

A

Red and white wine

Soils are gravel mounds

41
Q

Describe the Sauternais sub-region.

A

Includes 3 AOCs
Sweet white wine only

Mornings are damp due to localized mist
Promotes growth of noble rot

Any red or dry white wines made here are labelled Bordeaux/Bordeaux Superior AOC

42
Q

Describe the Entre-deux-Mers sub-region.

A

Most of the AOCs make dry and sweet white wine

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc is the dominant grape

Name means “between two seas”, as it sits between two tidal rivers

43
Q

Describe the Libournais sub-region.

A

Includes 10 AOCs
Red wine only

Grapes: Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Cot
plus Petit Verdot, Carmenere

44
Q

Describe the Cotes sub-region.

A

Grouping of vineyards that slope towards the rivers in Bordeaux
Vineyards are geographically in multiple sub-regions, but the style produced is similar and all their vineyards slope to the rivers or Gironde estuary

Grapes: Merlot, Cab Franc

Soils are mainly clay and limestone

45
Q

Describe the Medoc AOC.

A

Covers the northern 1/3rd of the vineyards in the Medoc Peninsula

Soil is more clay than gravel
Merlot dominates plantings

Part of the Medoc sub-region

46
Q

Describe the Haut-Medoc AOC.

A

Covers the southern 2/3rds of the vineyards in the Medoc Peninsula
(Other than the 6 specific commune AOCs)

Soil is gravel with various sub-soils that make microclimates

Many of the wines are classified Cru Bourgeois

Part of the Medoc sub-region

47
Q

Describe the Saint-Estephe AOC.

A

Most northerly of Medoc’s commune AOCs

Blend is Cab Sauv dominant
Includes higher percent of Merlot than other communes in Medoc

More Merlot in blend softens the otherwise high tannins

Part of the Medoc sub-region

48
Q

Describe the Pauillac AOC.

A

Arguable the most famous of Medoc’s commune AOCs
Has more classified growths (17) than any other Medoc commune
Home to 3 of the 5 Premier Cru Classes

Soil is gravel with excellent drainage

Blend is Cab Sauv dominant

Wine is powerfully structured and ages well
Note of dusty cocoa

Part of the Medoc sub-region

49
Q

Describe the Saint-Julien AOC.

A

Soil is gravel with good drainage

Blend is Cab Sauv dominant
Notes of chocolate and cherry

Part of the Medoc sub-region

50
Q

Describe the Margaux AOC.

A

Most southerly of Medoc communes

Wines are considered most delicate, perfumed, and elegant of Medoc communes
Home to 1 of the 5 Premier Cru Classes

Soil has more sand in sub-soil beneath gravel
Quick to warm but not very water-retentive

Part of the Medoc sub-region

51
Q

Describe the Listrac-Medoc AOC.

A

Soil is more clay, sand, and limestone

Blend is Merlot dominant

Wine is heavier, denser, and less fragrant than others in Medoc communes
Benefit from a few years in cellar

Part of the Medoc sub-region

52
Q

Describe the Moulis-en-Medoc AOC.

A

Varied soils

Blend is Merlot dominant

Wine is full bodied
Benefit from a few years in cellar

Part of the Medoc sub-region

53
Q

Describe the Graves AOC.

A

Red blends based on Cab Sauv
Dry white wine based on Sauv Blanc and Semillon

Majority of production is red

Part of the Graves sub-region

54
Q

Describe the Graves Superieures AOC.

A

Semi-sweet white wine

Grapes: Semillon, Sauv Blanc, Muscadelle

Part of the Graves sub-region

(“Su-pee-ree-ah”)

55
Q

Describe the Pessac-Leognan AOC.

A

Quality red blends based on Cab Sauv
White based on Sauv Blanc and Semillon

Whites are often oaked and can age for a decade or two

Part of the Graves sub-region

56
Q

Describe the Sauternes AOC.

A

Most famous sweet wine in the world

2/3rds of AOC is Semillon
1/3rd of AOC is Sauv Blanc

Part of the Sauternais sub-region

57
Q

Describe the Barsac AOC.

A

Lies on the left bank of the Ciron river across from Sauternes

Barsac producers can label their wine as Sauternes, as Barsac is included in the Sauternes zone of production

Part of the Sauternais sub-region

58
Q

Describe the Cerons AOC.

A

Tiny area of vineyards
Similar style to Sauternes and Barsac

Part of the Sauternais sub-region

59
Q

Describe the Entre-deux-Mers AOC.

A

Only dry white wine
Must be a blend

AOC covers the whole of the Entre-deux-Mers sub-region
Produces nearly 25% of all dry white Bordeaux

Includes the Entre-deux-Mers Haut-Benauge DCG

Part of the Entre-deux-Mers sub-region

60
Q

Describe the Cadillac AOC.

A

Across the Garonne from Sauternes

Sweet white wine from Semillon, Sauv Blanc, Muscadelle

Wine must have min. sweetness of 51 g/l
Achieved through noble rot or passerillage

Part of the Entre-deux-Mers sub-region

61
Q

Describe the Loupiac AOC.

A

Across the Garonne from Sauternes

Sweet white wine from Semillon, Sauv Blanc, Muscadelle

Wine must have min. sweetness of 45 g/l
Achieved through noble rot or passerillage

Part of the Entre-deux-Mers sub-region

(“Loo-pyac”)

62
Q

Describe the Sainte-Croix-du-Mont AOC.

A

Across the Garonne from Sauternes

Sweet white wine from Semillon, Sauv Blanc, Muscadelle

Wine must have min. sweetness of 45 g/l
Achieved through noble rot or passerillage

Considered the most prestigious between this, Cadillac, and Loupiac

Part of the Entre-deux-Mers sub-region

(“sant-kwah-du-mon”)

63
Q

Describe the Graves de Vayres AOC.

A

Dry white, red, and semi-sweet white wine

Whites are largely Sauv Blanc/Semillon blends, but can also contain up to 35% Merlot Blanc
Most production is red

Part of the Entre-deux-Mers sub-region

(“Grav-duh-vare”)

64
Q

Describe the Saint-Emilion AOC.

A

Red wine only

Most famous AOC in the Libournais

Style of wine varies with soil

Part of the Libournais sub-region

65
Q

Describe the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC.

A

Same area of production as Saint-Emilion AOC

Wine must have lower yields and higher min. alcohol than Saint-Emilion AOC
Wine must be bottled at Chateau
Wine must undergo 2 tastings before and after mandatory 1-year ageing period

Part of the Libournais sub-region

66
Q

Describe the Pomerol AOC.

A

Red wine only

Can use all Bordeaux grapes except Carmenere

Wine is soft, velvety, round, and generous

Part of the Libournais sub-region

67
Q

Describe the Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC.

A

Red wine only

Satellite AOC of Pomerol

Less structured, less aromatic, more bright berry driven than Pomerol

Part of the Libournais sub-region

68
Q

Describe the Fronsac AOC.

A

Red wine only

Merlot and Cab Franc are common due to clay and limestone soil

Red fruit and black pepper characteristics

Part of the Libournais sub-region

69
Q

Describe the Canon Fronsac AOC.

A

Red wine only

Smaller than Fronsac

Merlot and Cab Franc common
Red fruit and black pepper

Part of the Libournais sub-region

70
Q

What are the 4 satellites of Saint-Emilion?

A

Lussac
Montagne
Puisseguin
Saint-Georges

Labels appear as “Lussac Saint Emilion AOC”, etc.

Wines have more Merlot
Similar to Saint-Emilion but with more delicate structure

71
Q

Describe the Cotes de Bordeaux AOC.

A

Red wine only

Includes a number of DCGS that can also make white and sweet styles

Part of the Cotes sub-region

72
Q

List and describe the 5 DGCs of the Cotes de Bordeaux AOC.

A

Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DCG
- Red

Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DCG
- Red

Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux DCG
- Red, dry white

Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DCG
- Red, small amount of dry & sweet white

Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DCG
- Red, small amount of dry, sweet, & semi-sweet white

73
Q

Describe the Blaye AOC.

A

Red wine only

Part of the Cotes sub-region

74
Q

Describe the Bourg AOC.

A

White and red wine

Also called “Cotes de Bourg” and “Bourgeais”

Part of the Cotes sub-region

75
Q

What is the Graves classification?

A

Classification for both red and white wines from Graves and Pessac-Leognan
This is the only classification system in Bordeaux that ranks the wines, not the estates

Wines receive “Grand Cru Classe de Graves” status

Remains unchanged since 1959 revision

76
Q

What is the Saint-Emilion classification?

A

Intended to be revised every 10 years

Estates that achieve Grand Cru Classe must first be part of the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC

Grand Cru Classes
Premiers Grands Crus Classes B
Premiers Grands Crus Classes A

(lowest to highest)

77
Q

Which areas of Bordeaux have classifications?

A

Medoc (1855 classification)
Sauternes & Barsac (1855 classification)
Graves & Pessac-Leognan
Saint-Emilion

Note: The 1855 classification also included 1 chateau in Pessac-Leognan – Chateau Haut Brion

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