Bordeaux Flashcards
Roughly how many hectares of land are under vine in Bordeaux?
111000ha
Roughly how many Chateaux are in Bordeaux?
7000
What is Bordelais wine known as in England?
Claret
When is wine thought to have first been produced in Bordeaux?
The 4th century
What happened to Bordeaux in the 17th century?
The Dutch drained the marshes of the Medoc and then planted vines across where the Grand Cru Classe Chateau now lie
What did Napoleon do to showcase Bordelais wine in 1855?
He sanctioned the Medoc and Sauternes to be classified based off the prices of the wines in order to show off the best at the Paris Universal Expedition
Which Chateau was promoted from second growth to first growth and in what year?
Chateau Mouton Rothschild
1973
How many Chateau are classed in the 1855 Medoc Classification?
60
How many Chateaux were classified for the Cru Bourgeois system in 1932?
444
Which classification sits below Cru Bourgeois? How many Chateaux are featured?
Cru Artisan
44
What year was the Graves classification setup?
1953
How many Chateaux are classified in the Graves Classification and for what colour wines?
6 Chateaux for red and white wines
7 Chateaux for red wine only
2 Chateaux for white wine only
How many Chateaux are classified in the Sauternes classification?
25
Which Chateaux is the only one classed as a 1st Great Growth in the Sauternes Classification?
Chateau Yquem
When was the Saint Emilion classification first setup?
1955
What are the 3 categories of the Saint Emilion Classification?
Premier Grand Cru Classe (Class A and Class B)
Grand Cru Classe
Grand Cru
Which Saint Emilion classification was declared void?
2006
What are the names of the 2 rivers and 1 estuary flowing through Bordeaux?
Dordogne River
Garonne River
Gironde Estuary
What is the name of the pine forest to the south of Bordeaux, and what is its impact on Bordeaux’s climate?
La Foret des Landes
It protects Bordeaux from strong, salty winds coming off the Atlantic
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Moderate Maritime
Who are the 4 people which sell wine in Bordeaux?
Producers
Co-operatives
Negocients
Brokers
Roughly much of Bordeaux’s annual output comes from producers?
75%
What do co-operatives offer in Bordeaux?
A place for producers to vinify, blend, and package their wines and sell them often with the co-op name somewhere on the label
What are Bordeaux brokers?
People who work as an intermediary between producers and negociants matching supply and demand and advising
What do Bordeaux Brokers do?
They work as guarantors to supply contracts and monitor the wines quality during its maturation to ensure the finished product matches the price
What are negocients?
Merchants houses which sell wines made at estates or by commercial brands
How many negociants in Bordeaux occupy 90% of the market?
25 negociants
What are the best Bordeaux vintages since 1990?
1990, 1995, 1996, 1998
2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009
2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
2020, 2022
What are the 6 red Bordeaux grapes?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenere
Which 3 grapes make up 98% of Bordeaux plantings?
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Which grape in Bordeaux was previously abandoned, but recently has seen a resurgence in plantings and in blends?
Petit Verdot
What is the other name for Malbec in Bordeaux?
Cot
What are the 7 permitted white grapes of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc
Which 3 white grapes make up 99% of plantings in Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Muscadelle
What are the 6 grapes permitted for trial in Bordeaux in 2021?
Marselan
Touriga Nacional
Castets
Arinarnoa
Albarino
Liliorila
What size oak barrels are Bordeaux wines usually aged in?
225l barriques
What is a Chai?
A single story building used for storing barriques found in Bordeaux
How frequently are Bordeaux wines racked?
Every 3 months
How long is Bordelais wine usually aged for?
2 years
What style of wines are produced under the Bordeaux Clairet appellation?
Still rose wines
Typically, which grape dominated Bordeaux Clairet?
Merlot, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
What is the flavour profile of Bordeaux Clairet?
Intense and bright raspberry tones with ripe, fleshy fruit
What wines may be produced under the Bordeaux Superieur Appellation?
Still, dry red wines, and sweet white wines
What potential alcohol must the grapes reach to be able to be classified as Bordeaux Superieur?
10%
When was the Cotes de Bordeaux appellation created?
2009
What are the 7 appellations which now make up the Cotes de Bordeaux appellation?
Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux
Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux
Côte de Bordeaux Saint Macaire
Francs Côte de Bordeaux
Premieres Côte de Bordeaux
Sainte Foy Côte de Bordeaux