Bordeaux Flashcards
Largest AOC in France
Bordeaux
What percentage of Bordeaux wine is red?
85%
Number of appellations in Bordeaux
65
Three rivers of Bordeaux
Garonne
Dordogne
Gironde Estuary
Wind influence of Bordeaux
Gulf Stream (warm)
Protective forests to the south and west of Bordeaux
Les Landes
The words mouton, lafite, & cos all derive from the French word for what?
Hill
In Bordeaux, “the best vineyards can see” what?
The river
Since clay retains water, it stays cool in the spring, delaying what?
Bud break
Because clay delays ripening, what do vines need in order to reach physiological maturity?
Warm weather throughout growing season
This Bordeaux variety has a slightly less tannic structure and tends to ripen early.
Merlot
As a result of climate-change, Bordeaux now tends to ripen grapes __ days earlier than 30 years ago
20
Petrus is planted to __% Merlot
100%
The two most expensive wines in Bordeaux
Petrus
Le Pin
What is smectite?
Dense blue clay of Pomerol
Soil of Pomerol
Smectite
Dense blue clay
Why is the left bank of Bordeaux better known than the right bank?
Bridges over the Gironde, Garonne, & Dordogne weren’t built until the mid-1800’s.
“First Growth” as in Bordeaux
Premier Cru
What vintage of St-Emilion was completely annulled?
2006
How many chateaux were classified in the 1855 Bordeaux classification?
61
What is the only change to the 1855 classification?
Mouton Rothschild - 1973
Three levels of classification to the Sauternes & Barsac classification of 1855
Premier Cru Superieur Classe (Yquem)
Premier Cru Classe
Deuxieme Cru Classe
What is the top level of the Sauternes & Barsac classification of 1855 and who is the sole holder of that title?
Premier Cru Superieur Classe (Chateau d’Yquem)
Years of the Graves (Pessac-Leognan) classifications
1953
1959
Levels of the Graves classification of 1953
Grand Cru Classe only (for both whites & reds)
Year of the St-Emilion classification
1953 (ratified in 1955)
What did the ratification to the classification system in St-Emilion declare?
That the classification be revisited every ten years or so
Levels of the St-Emilion classification
Premier Grand Cru Classe “A”
Premier Grand Cru Classe “B”
Grand Cru Classe
How many Premiers Grands Crus Classes “A” were declared in St-Emilion and who were they?
4;
Cheval Blanc
Ausone
Angelus
Pavie
In 2021 and 2022 three of the Premier Grand Cru Classe “A” chateaux in St-Emilion withdrew from the classification leaving which chateaux as the sole remaining Classe “A”?
Pavie
T/F: Pomerol, Fronsac, and Canon-Fronsac have never classified
True
Cru Bourgeois chateaux are ranked every _ years based on tasting _ past vintages.
5
Levels of Cru Bourgeois
Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
Cru Bourgeois Superieur
Cru Bourgeois
Cru Bourgeois chateaux are limited to what area?
Medoc
The two sub-zones of the Medoc
Medoc
Haut-Medoc
The top communes of the Medoc are found in which sub-zone?
Haut-Medoc
Dutch engineers drained the marshlands of Bordeaux in what century?
17th
By 1718, Lafite Rothschild Latour, and Mouton were all owned by
The de Segur family
Which area has the most chateaux from the 1855 classification?
Margaux
How many classified properties are in Margaux?
21
These wines are often described as being like an ‘iron fist in a velvet glove.’
Margaux
Top two properties of Margaux
Chateau Margaux
Chateau Palmer (3rd growth)
This region has the highest percentage chateaux classified (95%) but no first growths.
St-Julien
Symbol of the Leoville-‘s
Lion (leo)
Who sent the 1855 classification to the Chamber of Commerce and on what date?
Charles-Henri-Georges Merman
April 18th, 1855
Who has revised the 1855 classification using the same parameters as the original and in what year did they start?
Liv-ex (2009)
This chateau famously stopped selling futures in what year.
Chateau Latour (2012)
What is meant by tranches?
The different batches a wine is released in
Three of the five first-growths are located in this commune
Pauillac
Name the 3 first growths of Pauillac
Lafite
Mouton
Latour
Pauillac has __ of the 61 classified chateaux.
18
Soil of Lafite Rothschild
Bits of limestone scattered in gravel
In addition to the famous gravel, Ice Age glaciers deposited what in Graves, found in all the best vineyards?
Tiny white quartz pebbles
Most chateaux make both white and red in this Bordeaux commune.
Graves
This chateau has by far the most Merlot of any of the first growths.
Haut Brion
(often as much as 45%)
All white Graves are blends of:
Semillon
Sauv blanc
Classic pairing for white Pessac-Leognan wines
Oysters
Bordeaux’s five sweet wine communes
Sauternes
Barsac
Bommes
Fargues
Preignac
What percentage of Bordeaux wine is sweet?
1%
Two other terms for noble rot
Pourriture noble
Botrytis cinerea
Semillon is particularly susceptible to noble rot because of
It’s large, loose bunches of thin-skinned grapes
Temp. range for noble rot
59-77F
For noble rot to occur, humidity must hover above __% for more than __ hours, then the weather must turn ____________________.
90%
4 hours
Hot & dry
Too much rain or humidity and _____ rot will form.
Gray rot
River of Sauternes & Barsac
Ciron
Botrytis cinerea releases the enzyme __________, which helps degrade and rupture cell walls of the grapes’ skins.
Pectinase
Botrytis also alters the amount and type of acids in grapes, leading to the grapes gaining in _____, ______, & ______ acid.
Malic
Citric
Acetic
T/F: Chateau d’Yquem only makes sweet wine about 50% of the time (vintages).
True
Sauternes & Barsac wines usually have btw ____-____ g/l sugar.
100-150 g/l
Sauternes & Barsac must age for _ yrs in cask.
2
How many sweet wine chateaux were classified in 1855?
27:
Y’Quem
11 Premier Cru
15 Deuxieme Cru
Name of Chateau d’Yquem’s dry Sauternes
“Y”
Where is the Eglise Monolith?
St-Emilion
Brotherhood of ambassadors of the wines of St-Emilion
Jurade
Soils of St-Emilion
Limestone
Gravel
Clay
Sand
Quartz
Chalk
T/F: St-Emilion wines are red only.
True
This chateau has the highest % Cab Franc of any estate in Bordeaux.
Cheval Blanc
Cheval Blanc soil
Gravel
Soil of Pomerol
Clay & gravel
Top two estates of Pomerol
Petrus
Le Pin
Talented businessman who invested in Pomerol’s best chateaux in 1940’s and 1950’s.
Jean-Pierre Moueix
Napa Valley property owned by same owner as Petrus
Dominus (Moueix family)
Other than the four top chateaux, name some other top producers of St-Emilion
Cheval Blanc
Angelus
Ausone
Pavie
Figeac
Canon
La Gaffeliere
Canon-La-Gaffeliere
Valandraud
Troplong-Mondot
Name some top producers in Pomerol other than Petrus and Le Pin
Vieux Chateau Certan
Lafleur
La Conseillante
Clinet
L’Evangile
Entre-Deux-Mers applies to ______ only
Dry white wines
Reds from Entre-Deux-Mers must be labeled
Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur
Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac soils
Clay/sand
Limestone
T/F: Fronsac & Canon-Fronsac wines may be red or white.
False: red only
The two appellations just west of Pomerol
Fronsac
Canon-Fronsac
Four top -Cotes de Bordeaux
Blaye
Bourg
Castillon
Francs
Leading grape variety of the -Cotes de Bordeaux
Merlot
T/F: Mouton Cadet is the second wine of Ch Mouton Rothschild
FALSE
Second wine of Ch Angelus
Le Carillon de l’Angelus
Second wine of Lafite Rothschild
Carruades de Lafite
Second wine of Haut Brion
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
Second wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou
La Croix de Beaucaillou
Second wine of Lynch-Bages
Echo de Lynch-Bages
Second wine of Ch Latour
Les Forts de Latour
Second wine of Cos d’Estournel
Les Pagodes de Cos
Second wine of Ch Margaux
Pavillon Rouge du Ch Margaux
Second wine of Cheval Blanc
Le Petit Cheval
Second wine of Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Reserve de la Comtesse
Second wine of Ch Leoville-Las Cases
Le Petit Lion de Las Cases
Name three top Bordeaux blancs
Dme de Chevalier
Ch Pape Clemant
Malartic-Lagraviere
T/F: In Bordeaux’ maritime climate, rainfall is somewhat evenly dispersed throughout the year.
True
__________ experiences more rainfall than any other major wine region of France.
The Medoc
The ___th parallel runs just north of Bordeaux.
45th
This Atlantic current is a (warming/cooling) influence on Bordeaux
Gulf Stream (warming)
T/F: Bordeaux does not experience much of a diurnal shift.
True
Six main Bordeaux rouge varieties
Merlot
Cab
Cab Franc
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenere
Four main Bordeaux blanc varieties
Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Gris
Muscadelle
Bordeaux blanc accessory varieties
Ugni Blanc
Merlot Blanc
Colombard
Most planted grape variety in Bordeaux (and in France)
Merlot
Most planted white grape variety in Bordeaux
Semillon
Merlot & Malbec’s common genetic parent
Magdeleine Noire des Charentes
Pyrazine long form
2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine
This Bordeaux variety does not commonly express pyrazine character
Malbec
White and red Bordeaux grapes with no direct genetic relationship to the others.
Muscadelle
Petit Verdot
T/F: Merlot is often more dominant in second wines of Bordeaux
True
Eutypa dieback and Esca are two types of ________ diseases
Wood-rotting
T/F: Merlot has thinner skins than Cab Sauv
True
Merlot vines can reach ___ yrs of age which both Cabs only make it around __.
100; 60
A grower named Malbec originally brought the grape from the right bank to the left in the 18th century, then known as
Pressac Noir
T/F: Muscadelle is a mutation of Muscat
False: no relation
Three regional appellations of Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux Superieur
Cremant de Bordeaux
T/F: There are no single vineyard or single estate appellations in Bordeaux
True
Which Bordeaux producer is petitioning to grant it AOP status?
Chateau le Puy (right bank)
What six styles of wine are permitted under Bordeaux AOP?
Red
White (sec)
White (off-dry)
White (sweet)
Rose
Clairet
Bordeaux Superieur is limited to what styles of wine within the same area as Bordeaux AOP?
Red
Medium-sweet
Barrique volume
225-liter
T/F: For rose in Bordeaux, white and red wine may be blended.
False; though white grapes may be blended in before fermentation.
T/F: Making rose in saignee style may improve the quality of the red made from same fruit
True
IGP of Bordeaux
Atlantique IGP
Name for Bordeaux under Roman rule
Burdigala
Eleanor of Aquitaine first married
King Louis VII
Eleanor of Aquitaine second marriage to
Henri II
Code of regulations that governed the export of wine from Bordeaux in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Police des Vins
This man ordered the planting of new forests in Troncais & Limousin
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
First wine in Bordeaux sold by a brand name rather than a generic category
Haut Brion (Ho Bryen)
What are croupes?
Gravel mounds of Bordeaux
In the early 18th century all three Leoville domaines and Chateau Palmer belonged to whom?
Alexander de Gasq
Sole owner of Lafite, Latour, and Calon in the early 1700’s
Nicolas-Alexandre de Segur
This medieval measure prohibited wines other than Bordeaux to pass through the port until Nov 11 of each year.
Privilege de la descente
This measure prohibited wines other than Bordeaux to be stored and shipped in oak barrels.
Privilege de barrique
Count Louis Amedee de Lur-Saluces property in Sauturnes
Chateau d’Yquem
Who commissioned the 1855 classification?
Napoleon III
What was the 1855 classification set up for?
Universal Exposition in Paris
The 1855 classification applies to 61 reds from Medoc and __ whites from _________.
27; Sauternes
Liv-Ex stands for
London International Vintners Exchange
What three American diseases attacked Bordeaux in late 19th century?
Oidium
Phylloxera
Peronospora
Oidium is managed with the application of
Sulphur
Peronospora: _______ mildew
Downey
Oidium: ________ mildew
Powdery
Peronospora is managed with the application of
Copper sulphate-lime
Three vintages of the 1940’s in Bordeaux that are some of the all-time best:
1945*
1947
1949
What does it mean that a negociant might agree on sales sur souches
Based on price of a previous vintage prior to harvest
First Bordeaux property to begin estate bottling (and elevage) for its entire production
Mouton-Rothschild - 1924
“Vintages of the Century”
In Bordeaux:
2000
2005
2009
2010
The 1. production, 2. sales, and 3. broker tiers of the Place de Bordeaux
- chateau
- negociant
- courtier
What do courtiers do?
Source wines and negotiate prices btw buyer and seller - for a commission
Chateau _______ opted out of en primeur in the _____ vintage onward.
Chateau Latour; 2012
Vine training system of Bordeaux
Guyot
Why does Sauternes utilize Cordon training?
Produces smaller berries that attract botrytis (larger berries tend to develop grey rot instead)
Planting density in Medoc
7,000 v/ha
St-Emilion & Pomerol vine planting density
5,500 v/ha
Why are canopies higher on the right bank?
More frost-prone
What is a density sorter?
Grapes are passed through a water & sugar solution; those that sink are accepted and those that float, rejected.
T/F: Destemming is routine in Bordeaux
True
T/F: Chaptalization is permitted in Bordeaux
True, but often not necessary
T/F: Both dry and sweet whites in Bordeaux often undergo fermentation in barrique
True
T/F: White wines of Bordeaux usually undergo MLF
False
Bordeaux reds usually age in barrel for ___-___ mos
18-24
Bordeaux whites usually age in barrel for ___-___ mos
12-15
Barrique liters
225
Micro-oxygenation was originally utilized in
Madiran
What is cliquage?
A form of micro-oxygenation where oxygen is introduced to the finished wine in barrel.
T/F: Cork enclosure is mandated by Bordeaux AOC laws
False
T/F: Second-wines of the Medoc tend to have a greater percentage of Merlot.
True
Manmade forest of Medoc
Landes
This leading-unclassified estate of Bordeaux lies on the strip of the Haut-Medoc just north of St-Estephe.
Ch Sociando Mallet
This stream separates St-Estephe from Pauillac
Jalle de Breuil
Southernmost chateau in St-Estephe
Cos d’Estournel
Top two estates of St-Estephe and their 1855 classification
Cos d’Estournel (2eme cru)
Ch Montrose (2eme cru)
Three first growths of Pauillac
Lafite
Latour
Mouton
Pauillac’s northern boundary is marked by Ch ________ while Ch __________ is at its southern end.
Lafite
Latour
Which commune of Bordeaux has the highest % of classed growths
St-Julien
How many classified estates are in St-Julien
11
How many first growths are in St-Julien
0
How many classified chateaux of Margaux?
21
Ch Palmer classification and commune
Margaux (3eme cru)
The boundaries of Moulis and St-Julien share the western edge of what croupe?
Grand Poujeaux
Top producers of Moulis
Chasse-Spleen
Ch Poujeaux
Cru Artisan was formally recognized in what year?
2002
Rankings for Cru Artisan are updated every ___ years
5
Three tiers of Cru Bourgeois
CB Exceptionnel
CB Superieur
Cru Bourgeois
Cru Bourgeois classification is revisited every __ years
5
Commune at the southern end of Graves
Langon
Sauternes and Barsac are enclaves within
Graves
The only major region to produce all three top styles of wine in Bordeaux (dry white & red and sweet white)
Graves
Two regional AOPs of Graves
Graves
Graves Superieur
Wine style of Graves Superieur
Sweet white
Graves classification was complete in what year?
1959
Tiers of Graves classification
Cru classe (only)
Person with significant impact in revitalizing northern Graves and vital in the creation of Pessac-Leognan AOC
Andre Lurton (1960’s)
President of the Syndicat de Hautes Graves in the 1970’s
Andre Lurton
About ___% of Pessac-Leognan production is red.
80%
Top two estates for whites in Pessac-Leognan
Haut Brion
Dme de Chevalier
Three grapes of Barsac & Sauternes
Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
The wines of Sauternes were classified in ______.
1855
Five communes of Sauternes
Sauternes
Bommes
Fargues
Preignac
Barsac
Two rivers of Sauternes
Ciron
Garonne
Harvesting method for botrytized grapes
Tries successives
T/F: Harvesting in tries is mandated by AOC law in Sauternes
True
This is used to reduce volatile acidity in Sauternes
Sulfur dioxide
T/F: Sauternes may see as much new oak as the reds of Medoc.
True
Largest commune of production in Sauternes
Barsac
If Sauternes producers make dry whites they must be labeled what?
Bordeaux blanc
Why must dry whites from Sauternes be labeled Bordeaux blanc and not Graves?
Sauternes is not included in Graves boundaries
Dry white made by Chateau d’Yquem
Ygrec
Three communes under Cerons
Cerons
Podensac
Illats
Dry whites and reds of Cerons are labeled
Graves
Why is Sauternes so expensive to make?
Tries successives
New oak
RIght bank appellations produce ___% of Bordeaux wines
10%
T/F: Right bank wines are RED only.
True
Two Cotes de Bordeaux zones of the right bank:
Castillon
Francs
Which bank of Bordeaux is drier with greater temperature fluctuations?
Right bank
On which bank of Bordeaux are spring and fall frosts more common?
Right bank
Worst vintage of Bordeaux, mid-20th century?
1956
White wine grown on the right bank must be labeled
Bordeaux AOP
Bordeaux variety least likely to be found on the right bank
Petit Verdot
This appellation has the highest percentage of Chinese-owned estates in Bordeaux
Fronsac
What is a vin de garage?
Identifies both size & intent.
Small production, low-yielding, severe selections, new oak.
Antithesis of terroir.
Most historic growing areas of St-Emilion
Slopes of the limestone plateau
St-Emilion premier grand cru classe chateau with the most substantial amount of Cabernet Sauvignon planted
Chateau Figeac
Name some St-Emilion premier grand cru classe “B” chateaux
Figeac
Canon
La Gaffeliere*
Canon-La-Gaffeliere
Valandraud
Troplong-Mondot
*withdrew 2022
Two conventional growing areas of St-Emilion
Cotes (limestone slope)
Graves (nearest Pomerol)
Additional stipulations to St-Emilion Grand Cru AOP over basic St-Emilion AOP
Estate-bottled
Lower yields
Longer elevage
What is the difference btw St-Emilion Grand Cru and St-Emilion Grand Cru Classe?
GC is a appellation; GCC is a classified producer/estate.
T/F: St-Emilion Grand Cru AOP shares the exact same border as St-Emilion AOP
True
Year of the most recent revision to the St-Emilion classification
2022
T/F: St-Emilion producers may increase and decrease classified vineyard land at-will.
False - only 27 of Chateau Angelus’ 29 ha of vines are ranked as premier grand cru classe “A”
Two rivers associated with Pomerol
Isle
Barbanne
Town associated with Pomerol
Libourne
Smallest “village” appellation in Bordeaux
Pomerol
Soils of Pomerol
Sand
Gravel
Clay
What is crasse de fer?
Iron-rich sand deposits of Pomerol
What is the buttoniere?
‘Button-hole’
Area of deep blue clay at Pomerol’s highest and easternmost point, spanning just 20 ha.
Famous estate on the buttoniere
Petrus
T/F: In most years, Petrus is 100% Merlot
True
Pomerol’s largest producer and where much of the appellation’s Cab Sauv resides:
Chateau de Sales
Top Pomerol producers
Petrus
Vieux Chateau Certan
Lafleur
l’Evangile
Trotanoy
Clinet
la Conseillante
Le Pin
Where is the town of Saillans?
Fronsac
What river separates Fronsac from Lalande-de-Pomerol?
Isle
Name the two main communes of Fronsac
Saillans
La Riviere
Fronsac/Canon Fronsac is usually held in higher regard
Canon
Prized soil of Fronsac & Canon Fronsac
Fronsadais molasse
(soft limestone & clay)
Top estates of Canon Fronsac
Chateau Grand-Renouil
Chateau Gaby
Top estates of Fronsac
Ch Dalem
Ch de la Dauphine
Ch Fontenil
Michel Rolland’s Fronsac property
Chateau Fontenil
Four satellites of St-Emilion
Lussac
Puisseguin
Montagne
St-Georges
What river divides St-Emilion from the satellite appellations?
Barbanne
This river divides langue d’oc of the south from the langue d’oil in the north on the right bank of Bordeaux
Barbanne
This region produces the most wine of the satellites
Montagne-St-Emilion
These producers may choose to label their wines Montagne-St-Emilion instead
St-Georges
Puisseguin-based co-op
Producteurs Reunis
T/F: American oak is a common sight in the satellites of the right bank Bordeaux
True
Commune within Lalande-de-Pomerol other than Lalande
Neac
T/F: Like Pomerol, Lalande also contains some crasse de fer
True
Most grown grape in Entre-Deux-Mers
Merlot (Bdx & Bdx Superieur)
How much of Bordeaux AOP wines are produced in Entre-Deux-Mers?
75%
Soil of Entre-Deux-Mers
Weathered limestone plateau
Overlaid with cool clay and sandy clay
Why are vines trained high in Entre-Deux-Mers
To avoid frost
T/F: Haut Benauge wine may be off-dry white
True
Cotes de Bordeaux AOP wine styles
Dry reds
Sweet whites
T/F: Grapes destined for sweet Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux must be hand-harvested.
False; but smaller appellations within are required to.
(Cadillac, Loupiac, St-Croix du Mont)
Name the three superior sweet wine appellations within the Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux
Cadillac
Loupiac
St-Croix du Mont
Most producers of Graves de Vayres release their wines under
Bordeaux AOP
Saint-Foy AOP was absorbed by _________ in 2016
Cotes de Bordeaux AOP
Blaye/Bourg now falls within Cotes de Bordeaux AOP
Blaye
Cotes de Bordeaux has separate regulations for which five geographic designations?
Castillon
Francs
Cadillac
Blaye
Sainte-Foy
Cotes de Bordeaux vignerons in which three appellations may produce WHITE wines as well?
Blaye
Francs
Sainte-Foy
Bordeaux straddles the ____ parallel
45th
In what departement is Bordeaux?
Gironde
Warming influence of Bordeaux
Gulf Stream current
Former name of Bordeaux
Burdigala
What marriage brought Bordeaux under English rule?
Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet
Vin de pays for Bordeaux
Vin de Pays de l’Atlantique
The negociant system in Bordeaux is known as
La Place de Bordeaux
The first property to bottle its own wines at the chateau
Mouton Rothschild (1924)
How many negociants in Bordeaux? Cooperatives?
300
33
The Gironde departement lies between the brandy regions of _____________ to the north and _________ to the south.
Cognac
Armagnac
The Gironde departement consists of the former province of __________ and a part of Gascony called ___________.
Guyenne
Bazedais
In Bordeaux, reds make up what % of production?
85%
Trade brokers of Bordeaux are known as
Courtiers
Actual date of the 1855 Classification
April 18
Which chateau was added in September of 1855 to the classification?
Cantermerle (5th)
How many reds and sweet whites are now classified in Bdx?
61
27
Name 5 premiers crus of Sauternes
La Tour Blanche
Suduiraut
Bayle (Guiraud)
Climens
Rieusec
Name 4 deuxiemes crus of Sauternes
Mirat
Doisy
Suau
Lamothe
Chateau Guiraud was known as __________ at the time of classification and is what growth?
Bayle
1er Cru
Graves classification was introduced in _____ and reconfirmed in _______.
1954
1959
The Graves classification recognizes ___ chateaux, ___ red wines and ___ whites.
16
13
9
Name the two chateaux that were changes to the 1855 Classification
Cantermerle
Mouton-Rothschild
Which of the right bank satellites is the last to harvest each year, why?
Puisseguin; highest elevation
Site of the battle that ended the Hundred Years’ War
Castillon
Highest concentration of Malbec vines in Bordeaux
Bourg
Top producer of Bourg wines
Roc de Cambes
Blaye min elevage
Reds may not be sold until March 31 of the second year following harvest (one of the lengthiest in Bdx).
Cotes de Blaye AOP grapes
Ugni Blanc
Colombard
(nod to Charente/Cognac)
In what year did the cru bourgeois system eliminate the ‘exceptionnel’ and ‘superieur’ tiers?
1979
Name for the new cru bourgeois system as it was re-released in 2009
Reconnaissance system
Which of the Medoc regions is not represented by the Cru Bourgeois properties?
St-Julien
The Cru Bourgeois hierarchy of three tiers was reestablished in what year?
2020
Which of the Medoc regions is not represented by the Cru Artisans properties?
Pauillac
Most widely planted white grape in Bordeaux
Semillon
T/F: The Bordeaux appellation legislation only mentions Sauvignon as a primary grape and does not distinguish btw Blanc and Gris.
True
In Bordeaux, this man is known as the ‘Pope of White Wines.’
Denis Dubourdieu
This man’s research showed how to preserve and exemplify aromatic characteristics of a grape in a finished wine.
Denis Dubourdieu
This is a grape’s balance of sugar and acidity
Physiological ripeness
Tannin ripeness usually comes (sooner/later) than physiological ripeness.
Later
The first property to vinify in stainless steel as opposed to wooden or concrete vats
Haut Brion
What does it mean for a Bdx wine sold en primeur to become “physical?”
Bottled and delivered
The first Bordeaux producer to systematically undertake chateau-bottling and in what year?
Mouton Rothschild (1924)
When did Mouton first establish an artist’s interpretation for the label?
1924
This chateau famously stepped out of the en primeur campaign, and in what year?
Latour; 2012 vintage
Barrique volume (liters & gallons)
225-liter
59 gallons
Bordeaux Superieur wine may have this phrase on the label, while Bordeaux AOC may not.
Grand Vin de Bordeaux
Bordeaux Superieur reds must be ____% higher in alcohol, while whites must be ___% higher.
0.5%
2%
Eight grapes permitted in Bordeaux Blanc
Semillon
Sauvignon
Muscadelle
Merlot Blanc
Colombard
Mauzac
Odenc
Ugni Blanc
T/F: Carmenere is a permitted variety of Bordeaux rouge
True
Name three generic Bordeaux brands (negociants)
Mouton Cadet
Dourth No. 1
Clarence Dillon wines
Who is Stephane Derenoncourt?
Famous French vigneron/wine consultant in Bordeaux
Where does the name Medoc come from?
Latin ‘medio aquae’ - between the waters
Name the 8 appellations of The Medoc
Medoc
Haut-Medoc
St-Estephe
Pauillac
St-Julien
Moulis-en-Medoc
Listrac-Medoc
Margaux
Describe the wines of Margaux
Soft
Velvety
Full of charm
Describe the wines of St-Julien
Elegant
Pure
Describe the wines of Pauillalc
Powerful
Archetypical expression of cab-dominated Bdx
Describe the wines of St-Estephe
Rustic charm
Spicy
Rich
Under what appellation does St-Seurin-de-Cadorne fall?
Haut Medoc
T/F: Only red wines can use the Medoc appellation
True
Co-op in Listrac
Le Cave Grand-Listrac
Which of the Medoc AOCs has the lowest max yield?
Margaux
57 hl/ha
Northernmost tip of The Medoc
Pointe de Grave
Chateau associated with Bruno Prats & Michel Reybier
Cos d’Estournel
The ‘most consistent’ of the first growths
Latour
This first growth includes a small plot in St-Estephe
Lafite-Rothschild
Second wine of Lafite
Carruades de Lafite
Second wine of Latour
Les Forts de Latour
Second wine of Haut Brion
Le Clarence Haut Brion
Second wine of Chateau Margaux
Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux
Second wine of Mouton
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
Name five Super Seconds
Cos d’Estournel
Ducru Beaucaillou
Leoville Las Cases
Palmer
Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse-de-Lalande
What is a Super Second?
A wine listed as a second (or third - Palmer) growth in the original 1855 classification of Bordeaux which continually outperforms its classification.
T/F: The term Super Second refers to several chateaux’ second wines which continually outperform their category.
False: not a second wine but Deuxiemes (& Troisiemes) Crus that outperform their original 1855 classifications.
The smallest of the four classic Medoc appellations
St-Julien
‘Vin de goutte’
Free-run juice
T/F: Vin de presse may be used in St-Julien
True
Five communes of Margaux
Labarde
Arsac
Cantenac
Margaux
Soussans
Top chateau from Cantenac
Palmer
The Medoc appellation with the most crus classes
Margaux
Where are the communes of Talence & Martillac?
Pessac-Leognan
Sole producer in the commune of Merignac (airport)
Picque-Caillou
T/F: White wines are permitted in Pessac-Leognan
True
Max yield in Sauternes
25 hl/ha
Chateau d’Yquem’s yield
One glass per vine
Botrytis lays dormant in the ____ and on ____ _____.
Soil
Vine bark
T/F: The age of botrytis is important: Wines made from the same percentage of botrytised grapes collected at the beginning and end of the harvest are noticeably mute compared to those in the middle when the rot is at its most rampant.
True
T/F: Reds and dry whites produced in Cirons, Sauternes, and Barsac may use the Graves appellation.
False: only in Cirons (Sauternes and Barsac must use Bordeaux AOC)
Wine styles of Graves Superieur AOC
Dry and sweet whites only
Former second wine of Ch Haut Brion
Bahans Haut-Brion
Secone-white-wine of Ch Haut Brion
Le Clarte de Haut-Brion
Name four Sauternes other than Yquem
Suduiraut
Rieussec
Climens
Guiraud
River associated with the Libournais
Barbanne
‘Tertre’ of Fronsac aka
Hill
Cardinal ___________ owned vines in Fronsac in the 1600’s
Richelieu
This event led to the replanting of vines to Merlot and Cab Franc in the Libournais
1956 frost
Vieux Chateau Certan appellation
Pomerol
Founder of Le Pin (& owner of Vieux Chateau Certan)
Jacques Thienpont
The first ‘garagiste’ wine
Le Pin (Jacques Theinpont)
Name three ‘vins de garage’
Le Pin
Chateau de Valandraud
Chateau Quinault L’Enclos
Writer who coined the term ‘vin de garage’
Michel Bettane
Largest of the St-Emilion satelites? Smallest?
Montagne
St-George
Montagne-St-Emilion is flanked by what two small tributaries of what river?
Barbanne
Lavie
Ilse River
What is astride?
Very hard limestone and fossilized starfish found in Puisseguin-St-Emilion
Which two satellites are included in Le Conseil des Vins de St-Emilion?
Lussac & Puisseguin
Blend of Ch Figeac
Merlot 30%
Cab Franc 35%
Cab 35%
Blend of Ch Cheval Blanc
50% Cab Franc
45% Merlot
5% Cab Sauv
Iron-pan subsoil of Pomerol aka
Crasse de fer
Synonym for ‘crasse de fer’
Machefer
Sandy-gravel soil of Pomerol is called
Pomerol-Figeac graves
Molasse aka
Sandstone
T/F: Vin de presse is commonly used in Pomerol, including at Petrus
True
Name five Pomerol chateaux other than Petrus
Lafleur
L’Evangile
La Fleur-Petrus
La Conseillante
Trotanoy
La Conseillante’s second wine
Duo de Conseillante
Second wine for Vieux Chateau Certan
La Gravette de Certan
What is ‘Trilogie’?
A blend of 3 different vintages made from declassified lots of Le Pin
Lafleur second wine
Les Pensees de Lafleur
What is ‘boulbenes’?
Extremely fine sandy soil of Entre-Deux-Mers which has a tendency to compress into an impermeable barrier.
This extremely fine sandy soil of Entre-Deux-Mers has a tendency to compress into an impermeable barrier.
Boulbenes
What is ‘aslar’?
Quarry stone found in Entre-Deux-Mers
What is ‘ribot’?
A sandstone containing gravel and iron deposits found in Entre-Deux-Mers
Name for the quarry stone found in Entre-Deux-Mers
Aslar
Name for the gravel and iron sandstone found in Entre-Deux-Mers
Ribot
This area is famous for it’s ‘high and wide’ method of vine training in Bordeaux
Entre-Deux-Mers
Name four secondary varieties of Entre-Deux-Mers
Colombard
Mauzac
Merlot Blanc
Ugni Blanc
Which has stricter laws, Bordeaux Haut-Benauge or Entre-Deux-Mers-Haut-Benauge?
Bordeaux Haut-Benauge
The best sweet wine appellation of Entre-Deux-Mers
Loupiac
T/F: Graves de Vayres wines may be red or white
True
Vignoble definition
Wine-growing area
Principal hazards in Bordeaux
Autumn rain
Fungal disease
Burgundy vs Bordeaux: Avg growing season temp? Avg rainfall?
60F vs 63F
30” vs 37”
What is ‘palus’?
Flat river-silt land (like islands in the GIronde)
Most wine in the Entre-Deux-Mers are ___, sold as ________ AOC.
Red; Bordeaux AOC
In Barsac the soils are mostly shallow __________; in Sauternes, mostly _________ and some heavy _______.
Limestone
Gravel; clay
Soils in the WEST of St-Emilion? EAST?
W: Gravel
E: Limestone
Appellation with the highest rainfall in Bordeaux
Pessac-Leognan
Which first growth has gravel soils?
Haut-Brion
The key to quality wine
Regulation of water supply (slightly less than the vine wants, resulting in a degree of stress)
What % of Bordeaux wines are machine-harvested?
90%
Average yield for a first growth Bordeaux
38 hl/ha
Average vines/ha for a first growth Bordeaux
10,000 v/ha
Former name for Haut-Medoc
Bas-Medoc
Chateau Potensac (Northern Medoc) has the same owners as
Ch Leoville Las Cases (St-Julien)
Years Cru Bourgeois had no hierarchy
2008-2017
Cru Bourgeois rules dictate the chateaux be reevaluated every __ years
5
Jalle
Stream (in Medoc)
Why does St-Estephe withstand hot vintages better than Pauillac?
More clay; less drainage.
Chateau Montrose appellation
St-Estephe
Name 5 top chateaux of St-Estephe
Cos d’Estournel
Ch Montrose
Cos Labory
Lafon-Rochet
Calon Segur
T/F: Vieux Chateau Certain is known for using a small amount of Cab Sauv in their grand vin
True
Which chateau of St-Estephe has monastic origins?
Chateau Meyney
Chateau ________ is almost in St-Estephe but it’s style has the smoothness & finesse of St-Julien, while Chateau _______ is almost in St-Julien but has the more emphatic firmness of St-Estephe.
Lafite-Rothschild
Latour
Lafite, with one of the largest vineyards in the Medoc, stretches a whopping ____ acres (_____ ha).
277 acres
112 ha
These two chateaux are at the highest point in Pauillac (____ ft).
Mouton-Rothschild
Pontet-Canet
100 ft
Name the four vineyards that go into Latour’s second and third wines
L’Enclos
Pinada
Petit Batailley
St-Anne
Northernmost commune in St-Estephe
St-Seurin
This Pauillac producer famously embraces biodynamic viticulture
Pontet-Canet
Two rivers/streams associated with St-Julien
Ruisseau de Juillac
Jalle du Nord
The Leovilles
Las Cases
Barton
Poyferre
The largest of the Medoc classed growths
Lagrange (St-Julien)
The most extensive of the Leovilles
Las Cases
The heart of Leoville Las Cases
Grand Enclos
Famous white wine of Ch Talbot (St-Julien)
Caillou Blanc
This estate has the longest modern history of white wine production in the Medoc
Ch Margaux (1920s)
Name the white wine of Ch Margaux
Pavillon Blanc du Ch MargauxM
Mouton’s white wine
Aile d’Argent
Any white wine made in Medoc must be _____________ appellated
Bordeaux (or Vin de France if not made from permitted varieties)
What about the soil makes Central Medoc less appealing for fine wine vines than Medoc?
Gravel mounds are lower
Water table is higher
Top producer of Moulis
Chasse-Spleen
In Moulis, name shared with Gressier, Dutruch, La Closerie, Branas.
Grand Poujeaux
Weather event in 2017 in Bordeaux
Spring frost
Four chateaux in Listrac share the name
Fourcas
Top producer of Listrac
Fourcas-Borie
Medoc’s most admired professional oenologist
Eric Boissenot
Who is Eric Boissenot
The Medoc’s most admired oenologist.
Where is Cantenac?
Margaux
There are more second and third growths here than any other Bordeaux appellation
Margaux
Aside from Ch Margaux, what is the top chateaux in Margaux?
Palmer
This cru classe is associated with the fashion house Chanel
Rauzan-Segla (Margaux)
Name some high quality producers in Cantenac
Brane Cantenac
Boyd Cantenac
Cantenac Brown
Rauzan-Segla
Kirwan
Desmirail
Pouget
Name the main town in Graves
Portets
Name three top estates within Entre-Deux-Mers
Chateau de Sours
Chateau Bonnet
Chateau Tour de Mirambeau
PIerre Lurton of Cheval Blanc and Yquem owns what property in Entre-Deux-Mers?
Chateau Marjosse
Name a producer from Cerons
Ch d’Archambeau
The whole concept of fine red Bordeaux was launched in the 1660’s by whome?
Haut Brion
Where is Chateau Pape Clement?
Pessac-Leognan
The other main crop of Pessac-Leognan
Pine trees
What is a rocade?
Bypass
Pessac-Leognan
The once-rival of Haut Brion, now incorporated into La Mission
La Tour Haut Brion
Prior name of La Mission Haut Brion Blanc
Laville Haut-Brion
Top producer of the commune of Leognan
Dme de Chevalier
Name a producer of Pessac-Leognan who produces red wine ONLY
Chateau Haut-Bailly
Name two merlot-dominated chateaux of Pessac-Leognan
Ch Le Pape
Le Thil
Who is Andre Lurton
Creator of Pessac-Leognan wine region
Who is credited with creating Pessac-Leognan AOC?
Andre Lurton
T/F: Barsac wine may be labeled Barsac or Sauternes
True
Name three chateaux of Barsac
Climens
Coutet
Doisy-Daene
Who makes ‘L’Extravagant?’
Doisy-Daene (Sauternes made only in the best vintages)
Ch d’Yquem yields
8 hl/ha
Producer who makes Lune d’Or and Lune d’Argent from the Clos de Lune vineyard
Dme de Chevalier
Recent vintage Yquem made NO wine
2012
Main two villages of Pomerol
Lalande
Neac
Stephane Derenoncourt’s property in Castillon
Chateau de l’A
What AOC is just EAST of the satellites of St-Emilion?
Bergerac
In Pomerol, towards Libourne the soil tends to be ___________ while towards St-Emilion it is often enriched with ________.
Sandy; clay.
What region is associated with Jean-Pierre Moueix?
Pomerol
Name a Pomerol chateau particularly dependent upon Cabernet
Vieux Chateau Certan
‘The Cotes’ of St-Emilion are made up of what soil type?
Limestone slopes
St-Emilion/Medoc wines are usually higher in alcohol (often more than 14%)
St-Emilion
T/F: Cheval Blanc makes white wine.
True
(Le Petit Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Blanc)
What garagiste chateaux is Jean-Luc Thunevin associated with?
Valandraud
Name a St-Emilion chateau particularly dependent upon Cabernet
Figeac
What is the general blend for Chateau Figeac
Equal parts Merlot, Cab, Cab Franc
What region is Tertre Roteboeuf associated with?
St-Emilion
Name the two soils found on the Cotes of St-Emilion
Calcaire a Asteries (plateau and high slopes)
Molasses du Fronsadais (softer, lower)
