Bordeaux Flashcards
what is the climate in Bordeaux
moderate maritime climate
three main rivers of Bordeaux
- Gironde
- Dordogne
- Garonne
what is the name of the forest that separates bordeaux from the atlantic ocean
the Landes forest
what do Les Landes and sand dunes do to bordeaux
provide protection against the storms of the Ocean
most widely planted grape variety in BDX
Merlot
what kind of bordeaux soil does the merlot thrive in
cooler clay soils on the right bank
in what bordeaux soil does Cab Sauv produce the best wine and why
in stone + gravel soils. can consistently ripen cab sauv
what type of soil does Cab Franc prefer in bdx
gravel + limestone
which characteristics does Petit Verdot add to a wine
adds tannin, color and spice flavours
in bdx which red grape variety dominates the right bank
Merlot
what is the main difference between st emilion and pomerol wines
st emilion = well structured, soft with plummy red berried fruit and tobacco + cedar
pomerol = richer and spicier, darker blue and blackberry
what areas are included in the left bank in bdx
all of the médoc + graves + sauternes
dominant red grape on the left bank in bdx
Cab Sauv
4 communes in left bank in bdx with highest rep
Saint Estephe
Pauillac
Saint Julien
Margaux
which commune in the medoc has the most premier grand cru classe 1855
Pauillac
what grapes varieties are used to make sweet Sauternes
- Semillon -> susceptible to noble rot
- Sauv Blanc -> adds acid + fruity
- Muscadelle -> perfume
what sweet wine AOP is situated in Sauternes AOP
Barsac AOP
which two rivers provide the Sauternes region with the ideal climate for noble rot
Garonne and Ciron
fermentation/maturation of wines from sauternes and barsac
IN OAK
what is the style of wine produced in entre deux mers
still dry whites predominantly Sauv Blanc and unoaked
main differences between whites in entre deux mers and pessac leognan
entre deux mers: rarely new oak, more affordable, fresh and fruity with minimal ageing
pessac leognan: high quality + price and portion of new oak for fermentation/maturation + bottle ageing
how many liters of wine does a famous bordeaux barrique barrel hold
225lt
what is clairet
pale red wine –> spends longer time macerating compared to bdx rosé (48hours), deeper in colour and fuller in body
what appellations put their names in côtes de bordeaux
blaye
cadillac
castillon
francs
what style of wine is made in the premieres cotes de bordeaux aop
only sweet white wines
difference between reds form graves and pessac leognan
graves = less concentration and complexity
pessac leognan= more merlot in the blend
