Bordeaux Flashcards
In what year was the INAO created?
1935
In what year did the INAO grant the first AOC?
1936
What is the name of the group of people who backed financially the chateaux of the Medoc and controlled the wine trade?
Courtiers
What are the six red allowed grapes of Bordeaux AOP?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere
What is Bordeaux’s most widely planted grape?
Merlot
In what type of soils are respectively Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot usually planted in Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon in gravel based soils (left bank)
Merlot in clay based soils (right bank)
In what kind of soil does Cabernet Franc thrive in Bordeaux?
Limestone-based soils
What is the difference of encepagement and assemblage?
Encepagement refers to the proportions of different grapes planted in a vineyard. Assemblage refers to the proportions of grapes on a blend.
What does Cabernet Sauvignon impart to a Bordeaux blend?
Structure, power, longevity
What does Merlot impart to a Bordeaux blend?
Rounder texture, juicy character
What does Cabernet Franc impart to a Bordeaux blend?
Herbal, vegetal, and red fruit aromatics
What blend of grapes dominate the right bank of Bordeaux?
Merlot and Cabernet Franc (commonly 3/4 and 1/4 ratios)
Even though used very little, Petit Verdot is more commonly used in the Right Bank than the Left Bank.
True or False
False (Petit Verdot is almost non-existent in the Right Bank)
What is Malbec known as in Bordeaux’s Right Bank?
Pressac
What grapes dominate the white blends of Bordeaux?
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle
What does Sauvignon Blanc offer to a white Bordeaux blend?
Sharpness, acidity, citrus aromas
What does Semillon offer to a white Bordeaux blend?
Creamy and waxy texture, honey aromas, rounder feeling
In what vessel would a top Bordeaux chateau usually age its red wines?
In barriques (225 liter-capacity oak barrels) for up to two years