Bordeaux Flashcards
Which phenomenon regulates and tempers the climatic conditions of Bordeaux?
The Gulf Stream
What is the name of the man made forest to the west of Bordeaux?
Les landes
When was the Hundred Years’ War and who won?
1337-1453
The French won, reclaiming Bordeaux and expelling the English
How did the Dutch influence Bordeaux?
They wanted sweet white wine, and white wine to distill into Brandy
In the 17th century, Dutch engineers drained the Médoc Peninsula allowing for vineyards to grow
When was the severe winter that damaged vineyards across Southwest France - especially Bordeaux?
1956
What grape was particularly affected by the winter of 1956?
Côt, which was then replaced by Merlot (which was more cold-hardy)
What grape is the most widely planted in Bordeaux?
Merlot
Which white grape is the primary variety for sweet wines from Bordeaux?
Sémillon
What is the French term for punch downs?
Pigeage
What is the French term for pump over?
Remontage
What is the French term for rack and return?
Délestage
Where were the first vineyards of Bordeaux planted?
Graves
Which Libournais AOC does not allow Carmenère?
Pomerol
What style of wine is produced in Libournais?
Red wine only
What style of wine is produced in the Médoc?
Red wine only
What are the 2 most important grape varieties in the Côtes?
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
What Médoc AOC is most famous and has 3 of the 5 Premier Cru Classé Château?
Pauillac
How many classified growths does Pauillac have?
17 (including 3 Premier Cru Classés)
Name the 8 AOCs of the Médoc north to south
Médoc
Saint-Estéphe
Pauillac
Saint-Julien
Listrac
Moulis
Margeaux
Haut-Médoc
What style of wine and with what grapes would you find in Graves Supérier AOC?
Red, dry and semi-sweet white
Cab Sauv, Merlot
Sauv Blanc, Sauv Gris
Sémillon, Muscadelle
What is the river that flows through Sauternes and Barsac?
Ciron river
Between which rivers sits Entre-deux-Mers?
Dordogne
Garonne
What style of wine is produced in Entre-deux-Mers AOC?
Dry white only
Cadillac, Loupiac, and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont are directly across what river from Sauternes?
Garonne
What style of wine is made in Graves de Vayres?
red, dry and semi-sweet white
What style of wine is made in Entre-deux-Mers AOC?
Dry white only
How many AOCs are in Libournais and what style of wine do they produce?
10 AOCs
Red wine only
In order to achieve Grand Cru status, what must Saint-Émilion wines do?
Have lower yields
Higher minimum alcohol
Bottled at the Château
Undergo 2 tastings
Age for at least one year
What grapes are allowed in Pomerol wines?
Cab Sauv
Cab Franc
Merlot
Côt
Petit Verdot
(Carmenére is not permitted)
What two Libournais AOCs lie to the west of the Isle River?
Fronsac
Canon Fronsac
What is the dominant blend in Libournais wines?
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
What style of wine is produced in the Côtes de Bordeaux AOC?
Red wine only, though some of the DCGs also produce dry and sweet white wines
What style of wine is produced in Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux?
Dry white and red wine
What style is wine is produced in Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux?
Red wine only
Merlot dominant but significant Cab Sauv as well
What style of wine is produced in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux?
Red wine only
70-80% Merlot due to the clay soils
What style of wine is produced in Francs Côtes de Bordeaux?
Mostly Red (Merlot dominant with Cab Franc)
Small amount of dry and sweet white
What style of wine is produced in Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux?
Mainly red
Small amount of dry, semi-sweet, and sweet whites
What style of wine is produced in Bourg AOC?
Merlot dominant reds
Sauvignon Blanc dominate whites
What style of wine is produced in Blaye AOC?
Red only (Merlot dominant)
Must be at least 50% Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, and Merlot
Where does 25% of white Bordeaux come from?
Entre-deux-Mers AOC
What is the name of the one Premier Cru classé located in Pessac-Léognan?
Château Haut-Brion
Which Bordeaux classification system includes white wines?
Graves Classification
Which areas of Bordeaux have classifications?
Médoc
Graves & Pessac-Léognan
Sauternes and Barsac
Saint-Émilion
Which Châteaux was promoted to Premier Cru in 1973?
Châteaux Mouton-Rothschild
What style of wine is produced in Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
Dry red wine
Moelleux white wine
What style of wine is produced in Bordeaux Haut-Benauge?
Dry and semi-sweet white wine
Which river separates Graves from Entre-deux-Mers?
Garonne
Which river separates Entre-deux-Mers from the Libournais?
Dordogne
