Bordeaux Flashcards
What are the red varieties allowed for Bordeaux AOP wines??
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
- Malbec (cot)*
- Petit Verdot*
- Carmenere*
*used in smaller quantities
What are the white grapes allowed for Bordeaux AOP wines?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Sémillon
- Muscadelle*
*used in smaller quantities
What is the climate like in Bordeaux?
Maritime to continental moving from the coast inland
- short winters
- damp springs
- warm summers
- humid
What is the soil like in Bordeaux
Left bank:
- gravel in the Medoc
- boulbenes (sand, gravel, clay mixture) in graves
Right bank:
- clay and iron
Where is Bordeaux located?
- southwest coast of France
- 124 miles north of the Spanish border
What are some influencing bodies of Bordeaux?
Atlantic Ocean & Gironde Estuary
- protect the vines from winter freezes and spring frosts
Landes of Gascony
- man-made coastal pine forest that protects the Medoc vineyards from harsh winds
What is a reason why there are such distinct styles between the left and the right bank in Bordeaux?
The right bank appellations like St. Emilion and Pomerol are so much further away from the moderating climate influence like the Atlantic ocean. So, the grapes between the two banks ripen differently. Cabernet Sauvignon has a difficult time reaching ripeness on the right bank.
What is a result of the wet Spring and humidity in Bordeaux?
mold and rot
- “Noble Rot” is great for sweet wine appellations like Sauternes
- grey/black rot is a threat and can take over and destroy the fruit
What mixture is applied throughout the vineyards of bordeaux to avoid fungal probelms?
“Bordeaux Mixture”
- a mix of lime, sulfate, copper and water
Define coulure
- excessive shedding of young berries during or after flowering
Define millerandage
a condition where there is a variation of size and maturity of grapes in a bunch
T/F:
The Bordeaux climate is varied enough to produce a wide range of vintage variation in finished wines
True
What is a winemaking style of Bordeaux reds?
If there is a red wine labeled as a Bordeaux AOP, it will always be a blend
What is a winemaking style of Bordeaux whites?
A Bordeaux white can be either a blend or single varietal
What styles can Bordeaux AOP wines be?
- red
- claret
- rose
- white
What wine styles can Bordeaux Superior AOP wines be?
- red
- off dry/sweet whites
What styles of wine can Cremant de Bordeaux AOP wines be?
sparkling wines made using the Champagne method
- must go through secondary fermentation and spend at least 9 months on the lees
What styles of wine can Cotes de Bordeaux AOP wines be?
- dry red
- dry white
- sweet white
What styles of wine can Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux AOP wines be?
sweet white only
What are the varieties allowed in the Haut Medoc AOP wines?
- Cabernet Sauvignon (main)
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
- Petit Verdot
- Cot (Malbec)
- Carmenere
Where is the Haut Medoc AOP located?
on a narrow corridor of land on the left bank of the Gironde (southern Medoc)
What is the climate like in the Haut Medoc region?
maritime climate
What is the soil like in the Haut Medoc region?
well-draining gravelly soils
What are the wine laws of the Haut Medoc region?
cabernet sauvignon based red blends only
What are the major villages of the Haut Medoc region?
- St. Estèphe
- Pauillac
- St. Julien
- Margaux
- Listrac Médoc
- Moulis
Why do St. Estephe wines contain a slightly higher % of merlot in their wines?
due to the higher amounts of clay in the soil because of its northerly location
What is the wine style of St. Estephe
sturdy, full bodied reds with higher acidity and less perfumed notes
Does St. Estephe have any first growths?
No, the higher amounts of clay soils and its proximity to the Bas Medoc is cause of this
What are the second growths in St. Estephe?
- Château cos D’estournel (super second)
- Châteaux Montrose
Chateau Montrose Label
What is considered the best commune in Bordeaux?
Pauillac!
Contains 3 first growths
What is the soil like in Pauillac?
The gravel mounds (croups) are very high here
Which of the first growths in Pauillac sit on the tallest croupes?
Mounton Rothschild
What does the variation of terroir cause in Pauillac
greater variation of wines styles from this commune
What are the first growths that reside in Pauillac?
- Chateau Mouton Rothschild (elevated from 2nd to 1st in 1973)
- Chateau Latour
- Chateau Lafite- Rothschild
What are mouton rothschild wines like?
strong, dark, spicy wines
What are Lafite Rothschild wines like?
elegant, aromatic wines that echo the style of St. Julien
What are the wines of Latour like?
sturdy, firm wines that echo the style of St. Estephe
What are the wines of cos D’estournel like?
strong wines, dark color, long lived, polished and modern
What are the two second growths of Pauillac?
- Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron
- Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de la Lande
Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron Label
What is the wine like in St. Julien?
The style is in between Pauillac (most striking/brilliant wine) and Margaux (most refined, elegant wine).
The wines of St. Julien are round and gentle when mature
What style of wine does St. Julien produce?
red blends only
Does St. Julien have any first growths?
No, but it does contain 5 second growths
What are the second growths of St. Julien?
- Chateau Leoville Las Cases (super second)
- Chateau Leoville Poyferre
- Chateau Leoville Barton
- Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou (super second)
- Chateau Gruaud - Larose
Which is the largest communal appellation spread across the Haut Medoc?
Margaux
Which villages does the Margaux AOP spread across?
- Margaux
- Soussans
- Cantenac
- Labarde
- Arsac
What is the soil like in Margaux?
Margaux has the thinnest and most gravelly soil of the Medoc
What style of wine is produced in Margaux?
Red blends that are feminine, perfumed, and elegant
What is the first growth of Margaux?
Chateau Margaux
What are the second growths in Margaux?
- Chateau Rauzan Segla
- Chateau Rauzan Gassies
- Chateau Lascombes
- Chateau Durfort Vivens
- Chateau Brane - Cantenac
What is a super third of Margaux?
Chateau Palmer
What styles of wine are made in Graves?
dry red, dry white, and sweet white
What are the varieties of grapes allowed in Graves?
- cabernet sauvignon
- cabernet franc
- merlot
- petit verdot
- cot (malbec)
- carmenère
- semillon
- sauvignon blanc
- sauvignon gris
- muscadelle
What % of wine is red in Graves?
2/3
What are the winemaker preferences in Graves
- wine is usually aged in new french
- reds are always blends
- whites are usually blends
What is the soil like in Graves
similar to the medoc, but much sandier. This soil is a mix of gravel, sand, and clay (boulbenes)
What is the most prestigious appellation in Graves?
Pessac-Leognan
Where are all of the cru classe (classified growths) located in Graves?
Pessac Leognan
Which first growth is located in Graves?
Chateau Haut Brion (pessac)
What kind of wine is produced in the Graves Superior AOP?
sweet white wines from
- Sauternes
- Barsac
- Cerons
What grape varieties are allowed to be used in the Graves Superior AOP?
- semillon
- muscadelle
- sauvignon blanc
- sauvignon gris
What two influencing bodies makes sauternes suitable for Botrytis?
Sauternes is located at the conflux of the cirone and garonne rivers
