Bordeaux Flashcards
Explain general French wine laws
PDO :
- Appellation d’origine protégée (AOP) or
- Appellation d’orgine contrôlée (AOC)
PGI :
- Indication géographique protégée (IGP)
- Vin de pays (VdP)
Without GI:
- Vin de France
- It is common for a plot to be covered by both generic and prestigious appelation.
- They must register their intention to produce wine under a particular appellation.
Does Bordeaux classifications rank individual vineyards or individuals estates ?
Classifications rank individual estates, know as Châteaux
Explain Bordeaux Classifications
- There are different classications, the one being studied are 1855 classifications, Pessac-Léogan classification and Saint-Émilion grand cru Classification
- Stands outside of the appellation system
- Exception of Saint-Émilion
- Classifications rank individual estates (châteaux)
- A châteaux name is more of a brand than a desigantion of a specific vineyard, considering that the estate vary in size over the years.
Explain the story of Bordeaux Classifications
In 1855, During the Paris Universal Exhibition, an official list of the best red from the Médoc and white wines from Sauternes has been made (1855 Classification).
The classified châteaux has been through numerouns changes and ownership overt time, and the current quality is a source of debate. The list is still virtually intact.
Explain the Crus system of the Bordeaux Classification
Crus classés
Châteaux from the **Médoc **are divided into 5 ranks
Top rank consists of :
1. Châteaux Lafite Rothschild
2. Latour
3. Margaux
4. Mouton Rothschild
5. Châteaux Haut-Brion (Graves)
In Sauternes there are 3 ranks
Top being : Château d’ykem
Châteaux are classified as belonging to one of three tiers, ascending in presige
Cru Bourgeois , Crus Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
The Classification is reviewed every five years
Name the top rank of bordeaux crus classés
- Château Lafite Rothschild
- Château Latour
- Châteaux Margaux
- Château Mouton Rothschild
- Château Haut-Brion from the Graves
Explain the Graves (Pessac-Léognan) Classification
Classified with parallel but separate lists for red and white
- No ranking, all listed wines are Crus classés
- All the crus classés lie within Pessac-Léognan, an appellation created after the Graves classification
Explain the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classification
The classification of Saint-Émilion is in integrated in the appllation system.
The Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a separate appellation, and within it, there is a classification of the best châteaux.
From the lowest classification to the higher
- Saint-Émilion Grand cru Classé
- Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé
- subdivided in Premier Grand Cru Classé B
- And Premier Grand Cru Classé A (the best)
Possibility of reclassifications at least once every ten years.
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
- Moderate maritime climate
High level of rainfall and humidity from the Antlantic
Gulf Stream prevents spring frost and allowed growing season to continue in october
What is protecting vineyards from Altantic Storms in Bordeaux?
Landes forest
Coastal sand dune in the west of the region
What hazards and their effects, the Bordeaux regions may face ?
Too much water from rainfall,
- Disrupting flowering and fruit set
- Promote rot
- Diluting flavours in the grape
Lead to important vintage variations
How can Bordeaux manage the vintage variations due to variabilty of weather?
- By rejecting unhealthy or unripe grapes
- By blending variety, to not rely too heavily on one grape
- By using Bordeaux varieties that flowers and ripen at different times, to avoid the loss of entire crop
- The warming climate change and canopy management have resulted inhealthier grapes (and decline use of spray)
What are to three black grapes that predominate in Bordeaux ?
And the fourth, sometimes added to blends ?
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
2. Cabernet Franc
3. Merlot
4. Petit verdot : far smaller plantings
Cabernet Sauvignon dominates in which Bordeaux regions?
Haut-Médoc and very important in Graves
Cabernet Sauvignon prefers what type of soils in Bordeaux?
High stone / Gravel content
Soils are warm and well drained
can aid the ripening of late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Finest wines of Bordeaux?
3/4
Cabernet Franc is used in which Bordeaux Regions ?
Widely used in Saint-Émilion
To a lesser extent in Médoc and Graves
Cabernet franc prefers what type of soils in Bordeaux?
As Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc perfers
well drained warm soils
What are the wine characteristics of Cabernet Franc from Bordeaux ?
- Less body and tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon
- herbaceous or stalky flavours when unripe
- Contribute to vibrant fruit and floral notes to a blend when ripe
What is the most widely planted black grape variety in Bordeaux ?
Merlot
Merlot is particularly used in which Bordeaux Regions ?
used in the premium wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol
Why Merlot successfully grows in Saint-Émilion and Pomerol?
Successfully grow on the cooler clay soils of these areas
Describe characterstics and quality of merlot wine from Bordeaux
Merlot’s softness means it is usually predominant in high volume, inexpensive wines.
Describe characteristics and use of Petit Verdot in Bordeaux
- Smaller plantings
- Ripens fully on very hot years
- Deep-coloured, tannic, ages slowly
- Minor role in blend to add tannin, colour and some spicy notes
In what vessels a top quality red bordeaux is aged ?
Small oak barriques of 225 L.
In the finest Châteaux, wines may be put into new casks
Less properties may use Smaller proportion of new casks
Generic Bordeaux are unlikely to see oak
Explain the general red winemaking practices in Bordeaux
- Very varied
- Reflection of the style of wine being made and the resources available to the producer
- Little agreement over fermentation vessels. Oak vast, steel, concrete vats are used
- Most wines are blended in the spring following the vintage, but certain keep parcels of wine separate until the end of maturation.
- Leading Châteaux make second and third wines from blends not suitable for the Grand vin.
What is the most important variety for sweet wine in Bordeaux
Sémillon
Why is Sémillon the most important variety for sweet wines in Bordeaux?
Because of its thin skin and affinity for noble rot