Bordeaux Flashcards
Name the two rivers that traverse Bordeaux and also name the estuary they form.
Garonne and Dordogne form the Gironde estuary.
Vineyards west of Garonne and Gironde are collectively called what?
Left bank.
Vineyards east of Dordogne and Gironde are collectively called what?
Right bank.
The area between Garonne and Dordogne is called what?
Entre-Deux-Mers
How many per cents of plantings are black grapes in Bordeaux?
Nearly 90%
For AOC wines, name the production percentage of red, dry white, sweet white and rosé in Bordeaux.
Red-85%, Dry white-9%, Sweet white-less than 1%, Rosé-5%
In order, name the 6 most planted varieties in Bordeaux.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle.
When was the Médoc peninsula drained and by whom?
By Dutch merchants in 17th and 18th century.
By mid 18th century some Bordeaux properties where already famous in Europe and even America. Name two.
Lafite and Margaux.
Bordeaux was also a hub for wine exports from other regions (Bergerac for example). Entrepreneurial class of merchants with origins from where distributed Bordeaux wines and raised the reputation?
Ireland, Germany, Holland, Britain.
The famous commercial exhibition, when was it and what was it called?
1855, Exposition Universelle de Paris
What was the famous classification based on and what body asked for it?
Based on price, Bordeaux chamber of commerce.
How many bands were Médoc classed into, and what property outside of Médoc were classed too?
Five bands, 1st growth, 2nd growth etcetera. Haut-Brion in Graves was also included in the Médoc classes.
In the 1855 classification, how many bands were Sauternes classed into?
Three.
How many hectares are under vine in Bordeaux?
108.000 hectares. Enormous!
In Bordeaux, 72% of AOC wine are entitled to what AOCs? (4)
Bordeaux AOC, Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, Médoc AOC, Côtes AOC.
What climate does Bordeaux have?
Moderate, maritime.
What is the major warming influence of Bordeaux and beyond?
The Gulf Stream, originating from the Gulf of Mexico.
Excellent balance of tannins, sugar and acidity partly explains the remarkable longevity of great vintages in Bordeaux. What are the climatic reasons behind this?
Warmth throughout growing season, plentiful of rain, a relatively dry first month of autumn = steady and complete ripening.
What are the extensive pine forests that partly protect the left bank called?
Landes
Northern Médoc is cooler than southern and Graves, why?
Less protected by the Landes (pine forest) from Atlantic maritime influence.
Level of average rainfall in Bordeaux?
950mm, but very variable.
Rain at flowering can result in what?
Poor fruit set.
Rain throughout growing season can lead to what?
Increased disease pressure.
Rain at véraison can lead to what?
Unripe fruit and fungal diseases.
Rain at harvest can lead to what?
Diluted flavours.
Name a hot, dry year in Bordeaux that led to low acidity and poor balance in both red and white wines.
2003
In a hot year, growers wait for phenolic ripeness before harvesting, what happens to the level of alcohol because of that?
Higher accumulation of sugar gives a higher level of alcohol.
Name years that was heavily influenced by frost in Bordeaux.
1956, 1991, 2017
Prestigious wines tend to be close to the Gironde estuary, in frost years like 1956, 1991 and 2017 the closeness to the water is even more important. Why?
The Gironde estuary has a moderating effect on the climate.
Vintage volume variation is marked in Bordeaux. How much less wine was made in the frost year 2017 compared to a 10 year average?
33%
The left bank is two regions, which?
Médoc in the north and Graves in the south.
The gravel soil in the left bank has origins from where?
Carried by floodwaters from the Pyrenees and the Massif Central many thousand years ago.
All top estates on the left bank are planted on gravel mounds (högar) , what are the mounds called and how high is the highest and where is it?
Croupes. Highest is 32 meter, found in Margaux.
What are the benefit of gravel soils?
Unlike clay, it drains well. After heavy rains the soil dries out and ripening can continue.
Heat retention. At night the pebbles and stones gradually release warmth upwards and facilitates the vines slow ripening.
Name a hot year in Bordeaux. Why are gravel soils not so good in a hot year?
2003 and 2005. The excellent drainage of gravel soils can cause drought stress.
Right bank has more clay, what grape favours clay?
Merlot
Where are the best grapes grown on the right bank, on what soil?
On the limestone plateau or the gravel section bordering Pomerol.
Where in Bordeaux is Merlot the dominant variety?
Whole of the right bank and cooler northern Médoc.
In northern Médoc and on the right bank the soils are more fertile and has a high clay content. What grape variety thrives there?
Merlot. The water-holding capacity of clay enables Merlot to produce large berries, typical of the variety.
What does Cabernet Franc contribute to the Bordeaux bland?
Red fruit, high acidity and medium tannins.
After the frost in 1956 many growers replaced one variety with another. Which ones?
Many growers replaced Malbec with Merlot which is easier to grow.
Where does Petit Verdot do best in Bordeaux?
Warmer parts of Médoc.
In the Bordeaux blend, if Pertit Verdot is used, how large is the percentage?
Often less than 5%
Petit Verdot was unpopular with Bordeaux growers in the past, why?
Buds early making it prone to spring frost and ripens even later than Cabernet Sauvignon: tough to get ripe in cool years and prone to autumn rains.
What does Petit Verdot bring to the Bordeaux blend?
Power, deep colour, spice notes and high tannins.
In high quality dry white Bordeaux blends, what role does Sémillon have?
It softens Sauvignon Blanc’s more intense flavours and high acidity.
Sémillon also has a strong affinity with vanilla and sweet spice flavours from new French oak.
In botrytis-affected Bordeaux wines, what does Sémillon contribute with?
Pronounced honey and dried fruit (lemon, peach) and waxy texture.
Why is usually the percentage of Sémillon higher than Sauvignon Blanc in sweet botrytis-affected Bordeaux wines?
Sémillon is more susceptible to botrytis than Sauvignon Blanc.
Name 2 top Sauternes producers of sweet botrytis-affected wines.
Chateau Climens and Chateau d’Yquem.
Does this producer have a high or low percentage of Sémillon in their wine. Why?
Chateau Climens have a high percentage of Sémillon because it is more susceptible to botrytis.
Domaine de Chevalier is in Léognan fringing a pine forest, what is the pine forest called and what does it do to the climate for estates fringing it.
Landes. It protects from Atlantic storms. This area is more marginal, cooler, than the neighbours to the east.
What does Sauvignon Blanc contribute with in dry white Bordeaux blends?
Grassy and gooseberry fruit. High acidity.
Traditionally, what vine density is used for top quality Bordeaux?
10.000 vines per hectare
Why is planting density so high in top quality Bordeaux?
Vigour becomes moderate in the relatively infertile soils. It also makes use of very costly land as much as possible.
Basic Bordeaux AOC is planted at what density?
3000 - 4000 vines per hectare.
Left bank and right bank have two different training systems, which?
Left bank favours Double Guyot and Right bank Single Guyot.
Why is canopy management important in Bordeaux?
The damp climate requires a good aeration to fight downy mildew botrytis bunch rot and powdery mildew.
What is “soft pruning”?
A way to fight Eutypa dieback and Esca making only small cuts and leaving wood to dry out, maximising the opportunity for sap to flow around the plant.
How many percent was organic or in conversion in Bordeaux 2021?
18%
Yields have decreased in Bordeaux last twenty years. What is average yield today?
50 Hl/ha
In the past, harvest was a random procedure and teams were hired for a defined period based on an informed guess of ripeness. What was often the outcome because of this?
Picked under ripe, and over ripe and just right in every vintage.
How large can the picking teams be today at the large estates?
100 persons.
Why is machine harvesting more common in northern Médoc?
It is fairly far away and it is hard to attract workers, it is a two hour drive from Bordeaux.
Sorting quality grapes happens twice, where and how?
In the vineyard when hand picking, and at the winery using vibrating sorting belts or optical sorting if very well funded.
What is the benefit of plot by plot winemaking?
Each plot can be picked at perfect ripeness, and vinified separately to suit the plot.
What is the draw back for plot by plot winemaking?
Smaller and a larger number of vessels are needed in the winery, adding to cost.
What is most common in Bordeaux, cultured yeast or wild? Why?
Cultured, for reliability.
In red Bordeaux winemaking, what types of fermentation vessels are used?
Wood, stainless steel, concrete.
For early drinking wine in Bordeaux, what fermentation temperature is used and how long is the post-maceration? Why?
Mid-range temperature, 5-7 days on the skins (short) - to preserve primary fruit and limit tannin extraction.
Free run wine and press wine is transferred to what?
225 L barrels, barriques.
Why are many top producers in Bordeaux keen on having malolactic conversion complete quickly?
To get the wine ready for En-primeur that takes place in the spring.
Simpler Bordeaux wines are often aged in what, and for how long?
Stainless steel or concrete for 4-6 months.
What is the most common mix of barrique-are when maturing high quality red Bordeaux wine?
New, one-year-old and two-year-old.
What is the typical level of toasting in barriques for red Bordeaux wines?
Medium to medium plus toasting.
Depending on the quality of wine, how many months are red good quality Bordeaux generally matured for?
18-24 months
By tradition, how often is red good quality Bordeaux racked? Why is racking done?
Every three months, to aerate the wine to prevent reduction and soften the tannins.
If you do not rack the red good quality wines in Bordeaux, what can you do while the wine sits on its lees to prevent reduction?
Micro-oxygenation (also soften tannins)
There are two styles of rosé made in Bordeaux, which ones?
The deeper coloured, traditional Clairet and a lighter coloured rosé.
Name two main varieties used for rosé in Bordeaux.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Briefly explain the method for producing Clairet.
Either made from younger vines not yet ready for red wine production, or as a by-product using saignée (bleeding-off) when making red wine.
After picking, there are two option for white winemaking, which ones?
Direct press for maximum freshness, or left on the skins for up to 24 hours before being pressed. The second option delivers more aromatic and phenolic complexity.
The grapes need to be fully healthy if left on the skins (white winemaking), why?
Off-flavours can be extracted.
In what vessel and at what temperature is early drinking white wine made in Bordeaux?
Stainless steel at cool temperature.
Mid-priced white wine in Bordeaux are often left on the fine lees. For how long and why?
6-12 months, to give weight and complexity.
In what vessel is higher quality white wines fermented and aged in?
Barriques.
Many producers block malolactic conversion for white Bordeaux wine. Why?
To retain freshness and acidity.
The contemporary style of white Bordeaux owes a great deal to two person, whom?
Professor Denis Dubourdieu and André Lurton.
Professor Denis Dubourdieu and André Lurton are to a large extent designers of contemporary white Bordeaux. What have they been advocating?
Increased focus on Sauvignon Blanc, skin contact, reduction in the use of new oak during fermentation and maturation.
In Bordeaux sweet winemaking, how is yields held low?
Pruning to a very low number of buds and removal of any damaged or disease-affected grapes (as they would be very prone to grey mould at the end of the season).
What is maximum yield in Sauternes and Barsac?
25 Hl/ha
Top estates are often way under stipulated maximum yield in Bordeaux sweet wines. How low?
Often under 10 hl/ha
For wines with high botrytis-affected grapes concentration, how many times does pickers sometimes have to go through the vineyard?
10-12 times.
Pickers for sweet wines (botrytis-affected) have to be able to see and know the difference between what when picking?
Noble rot (botrytis) and black rot and grey rot - they are both entirely bad for the wine.
The level of botrytis in the final wine depends on (4 things)?
Correct conditions for spread of noble rot (vintage variation)
The position of the estate.
Willingness to wait for best harvest time (risk of weather)
Willingness to pay for multiple passes in the vineyard.
Top quality sweet botrytis-affected wines are most often fermented in what type of vessel? For how long and in what type of vessel are they matured?
Barrel fermented for best integration of wood and fruit. Matured 18-36 months in barriques for gentle oxidation to add complexity.
This producer, how much new French oak do they use for maturation? What is a common percentage range among other producers?
100% Other producers use 30-50% new French oak.
How many appellation are there in Bordeaux?
65.
List the varieties permitted in Pauillac AOC and Pomerol AOC even though they are Cabernet Sauvignon respectively Merlot dominated.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere
Max yield for red, rosé and white in Bordeaux AOC?
Red 60 hl/ha Rosé 62 hl/ha White 67 hl/ha
Bordeaux Supérieur AOC max yield for red wine?
59 hl/ha
How many percent of all wine in Bordeaux is made under the appellations Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
44%
Tasting profile for red Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
Mainly made from Merlot.
Medium intensity red fruit, high acidity, medium body and medium alcohol.
Tasting profile for white Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
Increasingly Sauvignon Blanc. Medium intensity gooseberry and lemon, medium body, high acidity and medium alcohol.
Médoc and Haut-Médoc AOC are one colour of wine only. Which colour and what is max yield?
Red wines only. 55 hL/ha
Name the four famous single commune appellations in Haut-Médoc.
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux
Médoc AOC is mainly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and are predominantly made out of?
Merlot.
The four famous communes AOCs in Haut-Médoc are for one colour of wine only, which and what is max yield?
Red wine only, 57 hL/ha
The typical tasting note for the four famous communes in Haut-Médoc is:
Pronounced intensity of blackcurrant, green bell pepper, red plum, vanilla and cedar oak. Medium(+) body, medium to high alcohol and high tannins
Saint-Estèphe, how many percent Merlot respectively Cabernet Sauvignon are planted. And which grape is planted where in the AOC?
40% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. CS close to the estuary on warm gravel soils and Merlot away from the estuary on cool clay soils.
Saint-Estèphe is cooler than the other three prestigious communes on the left bank, because of this the reputation of Saint-Estèphe wines is what?
More rustic. But wines with higher percentage Merlot and wines from the gravel soils can be very silky and accessible though.
How many First-Growths does Saint-Estèphe have?
None.
How many percent in Pauillac AOC is Cabernet Sauvignon?
62% very high.
Many top-estates in Paulliac has how many percent Cabernet Sauvignon in their blend?
70-80%
What is the style of wine in Paulliac?
The most structured of the left bank - high tannins, high acidity (long ageing).
How many First-Growths does Pauillac have? Name them.
- Châteaux Lafite, Châteaux Latour, Châteaux Mouton-Rothschild
Saint-Julien AOC, describe the style.
Somewhere between the structured style of Pauillac and the finesse of Margaux.
Does Margaux have more or less of Merlot planted compared to Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julian and Pauillac?
More.
How much earlier is ripening in Margaux compared to the more northerly Médoc appellations?
7-10 days.
Margaux wines has a reputation of wines that are what?
Perfumed and with silky tannins.
Listrac-Médoc AOC and Moulis AOC is further away from the Gironde estuary, what does that mean for the climate? And what colour of wine is the AOCs for?
Red wine. Both appellations gets less influence from the river and are less moderated.
Quality and Price for Listrac-Médoc and Moulis wines?
Good to very good, mid-priced to premium.
Graves AOC, what colours of wine are allowed?
Red and white.
Max yield in Graves AOC for red respectively white? How large percentage is red wine in Graves AOC?
55 hL/ha for red and 58 hL/ha for white. 85% is red wine.
What type of wine is Graves Supérieur AOC for?
Sweet, botrytis-affected or late harvest.
How does Graves Supérieur AOC differ from Sauternes AOC?
Yields are much higher. 40 hL/ha in Graves Supérieur and just 25 hL/ha.
What wine styles is Pessac-Léognan AOC known for?
High quality, often barrel-fermented and aged white wines, plus high quality reds.
Even though Pessac-Léognan is known for best white wines of Bordeaux the split is what between the two colours red/white?
80/20
What AOC includes one first-growth and all the cru classé of the Graves classification? Name the first growth.
Pessac-Léognan AOC. Châteaux Haut-Brion.
Max yield for both red and white in Pessac-Léognan?
54 hL/ha
Typical tasting note for white wine from Pessac-Léognan is?
Pronounced aromas of gooseberry, lemon, grapefruit with vanilla and clove oak notes. Medium (+) body, medium (+) to high acidity and medium to high alcohol.
What colour of wine is Entre-Deux-Mers AOC?
White only.
Red wine is produced in the area of Entre-Deux-Mers AOC but can’t be labelled as such. What does it say on the bottle?
Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
What is maximum yield in Entre-Deux-Mers?
65 hL/ha
Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC covers the same area, what differs between the AOCs?
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru has lower yields, 46 hL/ha as opposed to 53 hL/ha, and longer minimum maturation time, 20 months as opposed to 6.
Typical tasting note for top quality Saint-Émillion Grand Cru Classé?
Pronounced aromas of red and black plum, vanilla and clove from oak, full body, high alcohol, medium (+) to high acidity and medium (+) to high tannins.
Name the two largest Saint-Émilion satellites.
Montagne Saint-Émilion AOC, Lussac-Saint-Émilion AOC
What variety is dominant in Pomerol (how many percent planted with this variety), and what is the second most grown?
Merlot, 80%. Second most grown is Cabernet Franc.
What is max yield in Pomerol?
49 hL/ha
Pomerol estates are generally small with small production. Compare Petrus with a Left Bank First Growth in hectare size.
Petrus have fewer than 12 ha while Left Bank First Growths have between 80-100 ha.
When was Côtes de Bordeaux AOC created? What is it?
2009, it is a group of appellations on the right bank.
Max yield for Côtes de Bordeaux is 55 hL/ha but lower if the name of a commune is in the name. Name four communes and max yield if the commune is named.
52 hL/ha. Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs
Name the only Bordeaux appellation that has a focus on Malbec. How many percent is planted with Malbec?
Côtes de Bourg AOC. 10% Malbec. Merlot is the dominant variety though
What is the name of the cold river that meets Garonne river in Sauternes?
Ciron.
Name the two appellations in southern Graves famous for producing botrytis-affected sweet wine.
Sauternes and Barsac.
How many percent of Bordeaux’s sweet wine is produced in Sauternes?
50%
Wines from the commune Barsac can be labelled in two ways, which?
Barsac or Sauternes.
What is max yield in Barsac and Sauternes?
25 hL/ha
A typical tasting note for a sweet Sauternes wine?
Pronounced aromas of citrus peel, honey, tropical fruit (mango), vanilla oak notes. Full body, high alcohol, medium to medium (+) acidity and sweet finish.
How was Sauternes classified in the 1855 Bordeaux classification?
Sauternes was classified into 2 tiers (first and second growths) with Chateaux d’Yquem rewarded its own class: Premier Cru Supérieur
When was the Graves classification?
1959
How many estates were classified in Graves 1959, and on what 3 criteria?
16, based on price, fame, quality by judging.
Where are all the classified estates is Graves located?
Pessac-Léognan
Are wines labelled as Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru classified?
No!
When was the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classification done, and how often is it supposed to be revised?
1955, every ten years.
What are the Chateaux’s judged at in the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé classification?
Terroir, methods of production, reputation, commercial considerations and blind tasting of last 10 vintages.
Name the 3 tiers in the Saint-Émilion classification.
Premier Grand Cru A, Premier Grand Cru B, Grand Cru Classé
When was the last Saint-Émilion classification revision?
2022
When was the Cru Bourgeois de Médoc classification created?
1932
In 2010 the Cru Bourgeois classification was revised to do what?
Award individual wines rather than chateaux.
From vintage 2018 Cru Bourgeois classifies chateaux yet again. Name the three tiers. How long does the classification last?
Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. 5 years.
How many estates are there in Bordeaux?
Around 7.000
Why are number of estates shrinking in Bordeaux?
Smaller estates are being bought by larger to create volumes of wine that are more commercially viable.
Average estate size in Bordeaux is rising, what was average (in hectares) in 2022?
20 hectares
The general number of bottles produced in Bordeaux every vintage (fluctuating off course)?
800 million
Production cost for Bordeaux AOC, a Médoc estate and a classed growth in 2017 per bottle?
Bordeaux AOC €0,57
Médoc estate €2,35
Classed growth €16
What makes a classed growth in Bordeaux so expensive to produce?
Increased vine density, harvest costs, viticultural costs, lower yield, rigorous grape selection, barrel ageing
What was the total value of Bordeaux sales in 2021?
€4 billion
How many percent of Bordeaux wines were sold in France?
55%
Name top three export markets for Bordeaux wines?
China, USA and Belgium
What is the commercial system in Bordeaux called?
La place de Bordeaux
Who handles the relationship between négociants and the estates (producers) in la place de Bordeaux?
Courtier - a broker.
Chateaux’s sell to négociants in Bordeaux through the use of a broker (courtier), who does the négociants sell to?
Distributors (importers, wholesalers and retailers) throughout the world.
How many percent does the négociant in Bordeaux take in average, and how many percent does the courtier take?
Courtier take 2% and the négociant 15%
Bordeaux wines are sold all over the world, to how many countries is it exported? For up to how many négociants can the estates sell to in order to have best possible coverage?
170 countries. Up to 40 négociants.
Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur are struggling to raise its prices above how much per litre in bulk?
€1
In the En Primeur system the wine is sold how long before it is bottled?
12-18 months before being bottled.
What is the idea behind the En Primeur system?
Consumers can secure hard to find wines at a lower price.
A great vintage, and the year that En Primeur in Bordeaux really found traction?
1982
How many professionals try barrel samples at the En Primeur, and what month does the campaign start?
5-6000 professionals (journalists, and wine buyers), in April.
After the En Primeur tasting the Châteaux release a small amount of wine. That first amount is called what? And what is the idea of this first, small amount of released wine?
The first tranche. The idea is intended to show the Châteaux what the market is willing to pay for the wine.
If normal, does the price go up or down as trenches are released in the En Primeur campaign?
Normally, prices go up.
Explain why négociants have to buy wine in less good vintages as well, and not just the great ones.
Wines in demand are on allocation and in order to maintain your allocation you need to buy in lesser vintages too.
What does it mean that the price is ex. cellar?
It excludes any taxes or import costs applied when the wine is taken into the buyer’s country.
What Châteaux decided to leave the En Primeur in 2012?
Châteaux Latour
