Bordeaux Flashcards
Red Varietals Allowed in Bordeaux (6)
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenere
White Varietals Allowed in Bordeaux (7)
Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Merlot Blanc
Sauvignon Gris
What is the climate of Bordeaux
Moderate Maritime
The Atlantic Ocean and Gironde Estuary moderate temperatures
Rainfall year-round
More continental inland toward St. Emilion and Pomerol
What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux
Merlot
What is a “Chateau” in Bordeaux
Estate under single ownership
What is a “Courtier” in Bordeaux
A broker of wine
Acts as a middleman between the Chateaux and merchants
What are En Primeur Sales in Bordeaux
Futures
What is a Negociant in Bordeaux
Intermediary that purchases fruit or wine in barrel to age and bottle under their own label
Influence faded after WWII
What is the soil in Medoc and Northern Graves
Gravel
What is the soil type in St. Emilion
Gravel over limestone
What is the soil type in Pomerol
Iron pan under sand/gravel and clay
Chateau Petrus is located on a button of clay
What are the rivers of Bordeaux
Gironde Estuary
Garonne (left bank)
Dordogne (right bank)
What are the grapes of the left bank blends
Cabernet Sauvignon (70%)
Merlot (30%)
Minor (Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere)
What are the grapes of the right bank blends
Merlot (70%)
Cabernet Franc (25%)
Cabernet Sauvignon/others (5%)
Explain aging in Bordeaux
Top Chateaux will often age red wines for up to two years in barriques (225L)
A large % of new oak is used each new vintage
What are the generic Bordeaux appellations (3)
Bordeaux AOC
Bordeaux Superieur AOC
Cremant de Bordeaux AOC
1855 Classification First Growths (5)
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
Chateau Latour (Pauillac)
Chateau Margaux (Margaux)
Chateau Haut-Brion (Graves)
What is the 1855 Classification
Created in 1855 and still stands today
61 chateaux ranked with 5 growths
Only the left bank was rated
Based on historical marketplace prices and demand, not on quality
Pomerol major Chateaux (5)
Petrus
Vieux Chateau Certan
Chateau Lefleur
Chateau Latour a Pomerol
Chateau Trotanoy
What are the primary varietals in Listrac and Moulis
Cabernet Sauvignon (majority)
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
What is Medoc AOC
Bas-Medoc
Upper 3rd of region
Used by Chateaux that do not qualify for precise appellation
Merlot is dominant
What is Haut-Medoc AOC
Left bank
Well drained gravel soils
Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blends
Haut-Medoc major communes (6)
St. Estephe
Pauillac
St. Julien
Margaux
Listrac-Medoc
Moulis-en-Medoc
St. Estephe
Left bank
Larger percentage of Merlot in blends due to more clay amongst gravel
No 1st growths
Super 2nd - Cos d’Estournel
Pauillac
Left bank
Power and finesse
Gravel topsoil is at its deepest
3 of the 5 1st growths
St. Julien
Left bank
Elegant wines
80% is Cru Classe
No 1st growths
5 2nd growths
2 super 2nds: Chateau Leoville Las Cases and Chateaux Ducru-Beaucaillou
Margaux
Left bank
Largest in Haut-Medoc
5 villages
21 classified growths
1 first growth
Wines said to be feminine with floral and exotic characteristics
What are Listrac-Medoc and Moulis-en-Medoc
Lesser left bank appellations without classified growths
Medoc highly rated vintages (11)
1945, 1961, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010
Soil type in Graves
Gravel
Boulbenes (mixture of sand, gravel, and clay) in the south
Graves wine styles
Red and white
Graves classifications
13 estates classified as cru classe for red
9 estates classified as cru classe for white
Chateau Haut-Brion retains 1st growth status
Pessac-Leognan
Prestigious appellation for both red and white
Explain the sweet white wines of Graves
All sweet wines can be labeled Graves Superieur
3 smaller appellations (Cerons, Barsac, Sauternes)
Wines produced with Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle
Botrytis affected
What is the geography of Sauternes
Located at conflux of Ciron and Garonne rivers
Cool morning mists from Ciron and warmer waters of Garonne creates humidity for development of Botrytis
Classification system in Sauternes
Created in 1855
3 levels:
Second growths, first growths, and one Premier Cru Superieur (Chateau d’Yquem)
Right bank appellations (2)
Pomerol
St. Emilion
St. Emilion
Right bank
Merlot and Cabernet Franc dominated blends
St. Emilion Classification
Created in 1955
Split into 3 levels:
Premier Grand Cru Classe A
Premier Grand Cru Classe B
Grand Cru Classe
Reassessed every 10 years (most recently in 2022)
Satellite appellations for St. Emilion (4)
Lussac
St. Georges
Montagne
Puisseguin
Describe Pomerol
No classification
Merlot does well in clay based soil
Chateau Petrus is most famous
Neighboring red wine districts of Pomerol (3)
Fronsac
Canon-Fronsac
Lalande-de-Pomerol
What are Bourg and Blaye
Oldest vineyards in Bordeaux
Predominantly red wines
Consolidated as part of Cotes de Bordeaux AOC in 2008
Entre-deux-Mers
Land between 2 seas
Lies between Garonne and Dordogne
Dry white wines
What protects the Medoc from harsh west and northwesterly winds
Les Landes Forest
What is Clairet
Deeply colored rose (between rose and red)
What is the French word for blend
Assemblage
What is encepagement
The makeup of grape varieties in the vineyard (or blend)
What is the name of the drainage channels that prevent the Medoc from reverting into a marsh
Jalles
Name 2 designations that designate quality in Bordeaux
Cru Borgeois
Cru Artisan
What is Cru Bourgeois
Reinstated in 2008
Designates quality outside of 1855 classification
Chateaux must apply regularly and submit wines to blind tastings
Why is blending so important in Bordeaux
Vintage variation due to unpredictable weather, especially rainfall
By planting different varieties that each bud, flower, and ripen at different times, it ensures that one bad storm will not ruin the entire crop
Blending also brings consistency and balance year after year
What are the Premier Grand Cru Classe A of St. Emilion (2)
2022
Château Figeac
Chateau Pavie
2012
Chateau Cheval Blanc
Chateau Ausone
Chateau Angelus
Chateau Pavie
What is the French term for Noble Rot/Botrytis Cinerea
Pourriture Noble
What are the 2 rivers of Sauternes
Ciron
Garonne
Tries
Picking grapes at different times (multiple passes)
Typically for Botrytis affected grapes that ripen unevenly
When was Y’grec first made
1959
Dry
Labeled as Bordeaux AOP or Bordeaux Superieur AOP
Villages of Sauternes (5)
Sauternes
Barsac
Fargues
Bommes
Preignac
Where do you find Cotes and Graves soil in Bordeaux
St. Emilion
Cotes = Limestone
Graves = Gravel
Another name for Cabernet Franc in Pomerol
Bouchet
Villages of Margaux (5)
Arsac
Cantenac
Margaux
Soussons
Labarde
How does Chateaux Figeac differ from the rest
Cabernet Sauvignon as dominant grape
Promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 2022
What types of wine are produced in St. Emilion AOC
Red only
Sweet white wine appellations located east of Sauternes (3)
Cadillac
Loupiac
Saint Croix du Mont
What is the difference in style between Cotes de Blaye and Blaye
Cote de Blaye produces dry white wines from Ugni Blanc and Colombard
Blaye produces dry red wines
What is Pressac
Term for Malbec in the right bank
What is the INAO
Institut National des Appellations d’Origine
Created in 1935
Delimits and enforces appellation system
What size are barriques
225L
What is boulbenes and where is it found
Mixture of sand, clay and gravel
Graves
What is millerandage
Irregular fruit set
Can be caused by rain and low temperatures during flowering
What is in Bordeaux Mixture
Lime, Copper Sulphate, and water
Used to prevent fungal disease
When were Cru Exceptionelle and Cru Bourgeois Superieur eliminated
2008
Name 3 super seconds
Cos d’Estournel (St. Estephe)
Leoville de Cases (St. Julien)
Ducru Beaucaillou (St. Julien)
Communes of Pessac Leognan (8)
Merignac
Talence
Pessac
Gradignan
Villenave d’Ornon
Cadaujac
Leognan
Martillac
north to south
First estate to be established in Bordeaux
Pape Clement (Graves)
Garagistes
Right bank producers who produce small batches of wine and spare no expense
Microchateau
Villages of Pomerol (2)
Pomerol
Lisborne
Which two Chateaux from the 1855 classification are still family owned
Mouton-Rothschild
Leoville Barton
Why is there such a swing in price from one vintage to another in Bordeaux
The unpredictable climate and weather variations in Bordeaux resulting in vintage variation
What is the most widely planted white grape in Bordeaux
Semillon
Can you blend white and red wine together to make rose wine in Bordeaux
NO
True or False:
Rose production in Bordeaux goes through more than 12 hours maceration
False
What is a chai in Bordeaux
Term for the place where wine filled barriques are stored
What was the only change ever made to the 1855 classification
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild was elevated to first growth status in 1973
What grape in Bordeaux is most likely to be affected by Botrytis
Semillon
How many Chateaux were classified in the 1855 classification
61
How many communes are in the Medoc
16
2022 - How Many Premier Crus Classés & How Many Grand Crus Classés in Saint Emilion?
14 premiers grands crus classés (2 classified A)
71 grands crus classés
2022 - Name the Premier Crus Classes of Saint Emilion
Château FIGEAC (Classé A)
Château PAVIE (Classé A)
Château BEAU-SEJOUR BECOT
Château BEAUSEJOUR HERITIERS DUFFAU LAGARROSSE
Château BELAIR MONANGE
Château CANON
Château CANON LA GAFFELIERE
Château LARCIS DUCASSE
Château PAVIE MACQUIN
Château TROPLONG MONDOT
Château TROTTEVIEILLE
Château VALANDRAUD
CLOS FOURTET
LA MONDOTTE
Former Grands Cru Classés withdrawn from the 2022 classification
Château Angélus (Former Premier Grand Cru Classe A)
Château Ausone (Former Premier Grand Cru Classe A)
Château Cheval-Blanc (Former Premier Grand Cru Classe A)
Château La Gaffelière (Former Premier Grand Cru Classe B)
Cru Bourgeois 2020 Classification includes:
14 crus bourgeois exceptionnels
56 crus bourgeois supérieurs
179 crus bourgeois
Superior First Growth
Classification of Sauternes (1855)
Château d’Yquem, Sauternes
First Growths (Premiers Crus)
Classification of Sauternes (1855)
Château La Tour Blanche, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château Suduiraut, Preignac (Sauternes)
Château Coutet, Barsac
Château Climens, Barsac
Château Guiraud, Sauternes
Château Rieussec, Fargues (Sauternes)
Château Rabaud-Promis, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château Sigalas-Rabaud, Bommes (Sauternes)
Second Growths (Deuxièmes Crus)
Classification of Sauternes (1855)
Château de Myrat, Barsac
Château Doisy Daëne, Barsac
Château Doisy-Dubroca, Barsac
Château Doisy-Védrines, Barsac
Château d’Arche, Sauternes
Château Filhot, Sauternes
Château Broustet, Barsac
Château Nairac, Barsac
Château Caillou, Barsac
Château Suau, Barsac
Château de Malle, Preignac (Sauternes)
Château Romer, Fargues (Sauternes)
Château Romer du Hayot, Fargues (Sauternes)
Château Lamothe, Sauternes
Château Lamothe-Guignard, Sauternes
Classification of Graves (1959)
Red Wine (13)
Château Bouscaut (Cadaujac)
Château Carbonnieux (Leognan)
Domaine de Chevalier (Leognan)
Château de Fieuzal (Leognan)
Château Haut-Bailly (Leognan)
Château Haut-Brion (Pessac)
Château Latour-Martillac (Martillac)
Château Malartic-Lagravière (Leognan)
Château La Mission Haut-Brion (Talence)
Château Olivier (Leognan)
Château Pape-Clément (Pessac)
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte (Martillac)
Château La Tour-Haut-Brion (Talence)
Classification of Graves (1959)
White Wine (9)
Château Bouscaut
Château Carbonnieux
Domaine de Chevalier
Château Couhins (Villenave d’Ornon)
Château Couhins-Lurton (Villenave d’Ornon)
Château Latour-Martillac
Château Malartic-Lagravière
Château Laville-Haut-Brion (Talence)
Château Olivier
First Growths (Premiers Crus)
1855 Classification of Bordeaux
Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac
Château Latour, Pauillac
Château Margaux, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Haut-Brion, Graves
Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac: Originally classified as a second growth, the estate was elevated in 1973.
Second Growths (Deuxièmes Crus)
1855 Classification of Bordeaux
Château Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe
Château Montrose, Saint-Estèphe
Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Pauillac
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac
Château Léoville-Las Cases, Saint-Julien
Château Léoville-Poyferré, Saint-Julien
Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien
Château Gruaud-Larose, Saint-Julien
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien
Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Rauzan-Gassies, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Durfort-Vivens, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Lascombes, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux (Cantenac)
Third Growths (Troisièmes Crus)
1855 Classification of Bordeaux
Château Calon-Ségur, Saint-Estèphe
Château Lagrange, Saint-Julien
Château Langoa Barton, Saint-Julien
Château Malescot-Saint-Exupéry, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Desmirail, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château Ferrière, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Marquis d’Alesme Becker, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Kirwan, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château d’Issan, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château Boyd-Cantenac, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château Cantenac-Brown, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château Palmer, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château Giscours, Margaux (Labarde)
Château La Lagune, Haut-Medoc (Ludon)
What is Chateau Haut-Brion’s second wine
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
Fourth Growths (Quatrièmes Crus)
1855 Classification of Bordeaux
Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, Pauillac
Château Saint-Pierre, Saint-Julien
Château Talbot, Saint-Julien
Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien
Château Beychevelle, Saint-Julien
Château Marquis de Terme, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Pouget, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château La Tour Carnet, Haut-Médoc (Saint-Laurent)
Fifth Growths (Cinquièmes Crus)
1855 Classification of Bordeaux
Château Cos Labory, Saint-Estèphe
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Château Batailley, Pauillac
Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac
Château Haut-Bages-Libéral, Pauillac
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pauillac
Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac
Château Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac
Château d’Armailhac, Pauillac:
Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac
Château Clerc-Milon, Pauillac
Château Croizet Bages, Pauillac
Château Dauzac, Margaux (Labarde)
Château du Tertre, Margaux (Arsac)
Château Belgrave, Haut-Médoc (Saint-Laurent)
Château de Camensac, Haut-Médoc (Saint-Laurent)
Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc (Macau)
What is Chateau Latour’s second wine
Le Forts de Latour
What is Chateaux Margaux’s second wine
Pavillon Rouge du Chateaux Margaux
What is Chateau Mouton Rothschild’s second wine
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
What is Chateaux Rauzan Segla’s second wine
Segla