Bordeaux

Question 1

Medoc Soil Types

Answer 1

Sandy Gravel
Alluvial gravel
Clay limestone

Question 2

Graves Soil types

Answer 2

Sandy Gravel
Marine deposits

Question 3

Factors affecting climate

Answer 3

Gulf Stream: a warm current coming from the Atlantic Ocean extends the growing season.
Atlantic brings high levels of rainfall and humidity
Climate is Maritime

Question 4

Sauternes Soil type

Answer 4

Chalky Gravel

Question 5

Saint-Emilion Soil type

Answer 5

Sandy gravel
Clay limestone over
iron pan, limestone and sand

Question 6

Pomerol Soil types

Answer 6

East: Sandy gravel and clay
West: Crasse de fer ->Sandy Gravel with a layer of clay and an underlayer of Iron ore

Question 7

Botrytis wine production

Answer 7

Fungoid growth which causes the grape to shrivel up,
reducing the water content,
and increase the percentage of sugar
Hand harvested grapes in tries

Question 8

1855 Classification Medoc & Sauternes

Answer 8

At Napoleons request Medoc & Sauternes were classified and developed the market for Bordeaux.
Medoc wines as into 5 growths Grand Cru Classe:
1er (5)
2eme (14)
3eme (14)
4eme (10)
5eme (18)
1973*:Château Mouton-Rothchild promoted from Deuxieme to Premier Cru in
Sauternes as into:
Premier Grand Cru Exceptionnel (1)
Premier Cru (11)
Deuxieme Cru (15)

Question 9

Saint-Emilion Classification 1955

Answer 9

Created in 1958, last review 2022
Three categories:
Premier Grand Cru Classe (14)
Pavie & Figeac 1er Grand Cru classe A
Grand Cru Classe, Grand Cru (71)
Review every 10 years
Independent org reviews 10 vintages for promotion devotion
Ausone, Angelus, Cheval Blanc, La Gaffeliere withdrew from the classification in 2021

Question 10

Top Pomerol Châteaux

Answer 10

1.Château Petrus
2.Château Le Pin
3.Château Lafleur Petrus
4.Château Lafleur
5.Vielle Château Certan
6.Château Certan de May
7.Château Certan
8.Conseillante
9.L’Eglise-Clinet
10.Latour à Pomerol
11.L’Evangile
12.Trotonoy

Question 11

Grape Varietals

Answer 11

Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Franc Semillon
Merlot Muscadelle
Petit Verdot
Carmenere
Malbec

Question 12

Styles of wines from principal districts

Answer 12

Medoc:High tannin level, strong flavor, acidity, black currants, casis, cedar, graphite, wet leaf
Graves:Slightly drier than medic
St-Emilion:Softer than Medoc earlier consumption
Pomerol:High quality, slight truffle smell
Sauternes:Luscious and sweet with concentrated flavours and colour

Question 13

Quality levels AOP, IGP

Answer 13

Appellation d’Origine Controlee:
refers to specific locations, rules and terroirs
Indication Geographiques Protégée:
Larger area, fewer regulations on grape growing and variety allowed

Question 14

Negociant, En primeur

Answer 14

Negociants a French term for merchants buying grapes from small producers mixing packaging and offering the wine under their own name.
En primeur:Means buying wine before it is bottled straight from the producer

Question 15

Location of top Bordeaux properties

Answer 15

Pauillac: Lafite-Rothschild,
Mouton-Rothchild,Latour
Margaux: Margaux
Graves: Haut-Brion
Sauternes: Yquem
Pomerol: Le Pin
Pomerol: Petrus
St Emilion: Ausone
St Emilion: Cheval Blanc

Question 16

Classic Vintages

Answer 16

1970,1982,1986,1990,2000,2005,2009,2010,2015

Question 17

Cru Burgeois Classification

Answer 17

Established in 1932-Updated in 2003 when 247 chateaux were classified to 3 categories:
Cru Burgeois Exceptionnel, Cru Burgeois Superieur, Cru Burgeois
This left out of the classification 200 chateaux.This caused controversy so in 2007 the region was reverted to the 1932 classification with 444 chateaux.
In 2018 the classification returned to the three categories with:
14 Cru Burgeois Exceptionnel
56 Cru Burgeois Superieur
179 Cru Burgeois