Bordeaux Flashcards
How many estates were classified in the ‘Bordeaux classification of 1855’ for dry red wines?
61 estates
- 4 first growths
- 15 second growths
- 14 third growths
- 10 fourth growths
- 18 fifth growths
How many estates were classified in the ‘classification of 1855’ for Sweet white wines?
25 estates
- 1 great first growth
- 11 first growths
- 13 second growths
The 1855 classification was based on what factor?
How high of a price the wine can fetch, rather than the quality.
Define claret.
The British name of Bordeaux. Back in the days these wines were light bodied, approximately 10% abv, and light colored, so the British would often call these claret.
Bordeaux river and it’s estuaries.
The Dordogne in the North, and the Garonne in the South. They flow into the Gironde estuary, which empties into the Atlantic ocean.
Name the two great appellations of left bank.
Medoc & Graves
Name the four premium appellations of the Medoc from north to south.
St Estephe
Pauillac
St Juliene
Margaux
When did the medoc come into existence and how?
The Medoc came into existence in the 1600’s, when Dutch engineers emptied the marshlands to reveal the gravel soils within.
Why is gravel and clay so important in Bordeaux?
Gravel drains water very quickly. Too much water retention in the soil can result in too much yield, and lower quality wines.
Clay retains a lot of water, like a sponge, which balances out the effect of the gravel.
Define ‘hydric stress.’
When the vine roots have to reach deep into the clay for access the water. This is an important factor in bordeaux vineyards.
What factor is crucial for the development of tannins?
The access to water.
When water supply is constrained, tannins ripen quickly.
When water is accessible, tannins ripen slowly.
Wines in the North medoc tend to be more tannic, and become more elegant as you move south…why?
Clay deposits are thicker in the North, thinning gradually as you go south. Higher clay deposits in the soil equals higher tannins.
The three main appellations in Graves.
Pessac-Leognan, Sauternes and Barsac (within sauternes.)
When was Pessac Leognan granted AOC?
in 1987
What are the dominant soils of Graves?
Gravel & Sand.
This makes wines from Graves lighter than those of the Medoc.
Name the natural occurrence that allows the white grapes of Sauternes and Barsac to be suitable for production of sweet wines.
Botrytis Cenerea, aka Noble Rot.
This fungi drains the water from the grapes, concentrating their sugars to almost a raisin like state.
The right bank is east of which river?
The Dordogne river
What are the soils of Pomerol?
Gravel and Sand, and MONTMORILLONITE clay.
Montmorillonite clay is found in which of the following estate’s land?
a) Ch. Margaux
b) Ch. Cheval Blanc
c) Ch. Petrus
d) Ch. D’Yquem
c) Ch. Petrus
Name some of the top Chateaus of Pomerol.
Ch. Petrus
Ch. L’Evangile
Vieux Ch. Certan
La Conseillante
Ch. Gazin
Ch. Lafleur
What is ‘molasse du Fronsadais’? Where would it be found?
The soil of St Emilion, a blend of clay, sand and limestone,
Three distinct types of terroir in St Emilion
The plateau: limestone and thin, clay loam topsoils.
The slopes: clay, sand, limestone (aka molasse du fronsadais)
The river basin: sandy soils.
Define Bordeaux’s climate?
Maritime climate; warm summers and cool winters. It is influenced mainly by its proximity to the Atlantic ocean.
The Gironne estuary funnels in air from the ocean inland.
Name the six allowable red grapes of Bordeaux.
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenere
Name the eight allowable white grapes for Bordeaux dry white wines.
Semillon Colombard
Sauvignon Blanc Ugni Blanc
Sauvignon Gris Merlot Blanc
Muscadelle Mauzac.
As of 2021, name the four new approved red grapes and two approved white grapes that may be used in Bordeaux blends.
Touriga Nacional
Marselan (CS & Grenaches)
Castets
Arinarnoa (CS & Tannat)
Alvarinho
Liliorila (Baroque & Chardonnay)
By decree of to CIVB, what percentage of the final blend can the new approved Bordeaux grapes of 2021 make up?
up to 10% of the final blend
What was the reason behind the six new approved grapes for Bordeaux blends in 2021?
to help Bordeaux wine producers adapt to climate change.
These six grapes have naturally high acidity, structure or strong aromatics, as well as good resistance against specific vine diseases, such as mildew to grey rot.
What is “Magdeleine Noire des Charentes”?
The parent grape to Malbec. Now extinct
Bordeaux’s most planted red grape?
Bordeaux’s most planted white grape?
red: Merlot
white: Semillon
Common characteristic found in most Bordeaux grapes.
Pyrazines (2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine)
This is what gives these grapes their GREEN notes—bell pepper, grass, sage
Why is blending very important is Bordeaux wines rather than single varietals?
Bordeaux’s climate is the main factor.
Each grape buds, flowers, and ripens according to a different schedule, so weather events like fall rains or spring frosts may heavily impact one variety but leave another relatively unscathed. In Bordeaux’s maritime climate some varieties are more susceptible than others to rot and coulure, disastrously affecting final yields.
What makes merlot and semillon prone to rot?
Their thin skins.
Thin skins do not provide enough protection from rot. That’s why grapes like cabernet sauvignon can be resistant to winter rots.
What are the three regional appellations of bordeaux?
Bordeaux AOP
Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
Crémant de Bordeaux AOP.
Rose wines from Bordeaux falls under which appellation?
only Bordeaux AOC
Crémant de Bordeaux AOP…
-Only white and rose sparkling wines.
-Must be made in the traditional -method.
-Must age for at least 9 months on the lees.
In the second half of the 19th century, three vineyard diseases of American origin arrived in succession in Bordeaux.
Define them…
Oidium: Hit Bordeaux in 1852. aka powdery mildew
Phylloxera: Hit Bordeaux in 1869.
Peronospora: Hit in the early 1880’s. aka downy mildew. The Bordeaux formula was created.
What is the Bordeaux formula?
A mixture of copper sulfate and calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime).
Sprayed on vine to prevent downy mildew.
What is the minimum vineyard density for Medoc regions and Right bank regions?
Minimum 7,000 vines per hectares in Medoc. Shorter canopy height, for grapes to take advantage of the stony soil’s radiant heat.
Minimum 5,500 vines per hectares in the right bank. Higher canopy height, less prone to frost.
Describe the vine training in Bordeaux.
Most vines are trained on vertical trellises in the Guyot system.
Double is common on the left bank
Single is common on the right bank
Cordon is common for vines intended to produce sweet wines.
What kind of vine training is commonly used in Sauternes?
Cordon training: produces smaller berries that attract botrytis.
What is green-harvesting and why is it a common practice in Bordeaux?
The removal of bunches during the summer months.
In theory the practice reduces vigor, producing smaller berries that will yield more concentrated wine.
