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Bordeaux Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

What are the primary red grape varieties of Bordeaux?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère

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2
Q

What are the primary white grape varieties of Bordeaux?

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle

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3
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Maritime

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4
Q

What is the name of the river system in Bordeaux?

A

Gironde estuary, fed by the Garonne and Dordogne rivers

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5
Q

What geographical feature protects Bordeaux from harsh Atlantic weather?

A

The Landes Forest

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6
Q

What are the five primary Bordeaux red wine appellations on the Left Bank?

A

Médoc, Graves, Pessac-Léognan, Sauternes, Barsac

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7
Q

What are the five primary Bordeaux red wine appellations on the Right Bank?

A

Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, Lalande-de-Pomerol

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8
Q

What is the difference between Left Bank and Right Bank soils?

A

Left Bank: gravel (good for Cabernet Sauvignon); Right Bank: clay and limestone (good for Merlot)

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9
Q

What is en primeur?

A

Bordeaux’s futures system, where wines are sold before bottling

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10
Q

What are the aging requirements for Bordeaux Supérieur?

A

Minimum 12 months aging before release

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11
Q

Name the four major Médoc appellations.

A

Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux

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12
Q

What is the classification system of the Médoc from 1855?

A

A ranking of châteaux into five growths (crus)

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13
Q

Which Médoc commune has the highest concentration of First Growths?

A

Pauillac (Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Latour)

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14
Q

Name the only Médoc estate promoted to First Growth status after the 1855 classification.

A

Château Mouton Rothschild (in 1973)

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15
Q

What is the primary soil type of Saint-Estèphe?

A

Gravel over clay

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16
Q

Name two Second Growths in Saint-Julien.

A

Château Léoville-Las Cases, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

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17
Q

Which commune is known for its perfumed wines and delicate tannins?

A

Margaux

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18
Q

What is the largest Médoc commune by land area?

A

Margaux

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19
Q

What style of wine does Haut-Médoc produce?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant reds with firm structure and ageability

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20
Q

What distinguishes Château Palmer in Margaux?

A

One of the top Third Growths, often rivaling higher classifications

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21
Q

What is the primary soil type of Graves?

A

Gravel with sand and clay

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22
Q

What is the classification system of Graves?

A

The 1953 (revised 1959) classification, covering both red and white wines

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23
Q

Which Graves estate is a First Growth from the 1855 classification?

A

Château Haut-Brion

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24
Q

What is the dominant white grape of Graves?

A

Sémillon

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25
Q

Which appellation was carved out of Graves in 1987?

A

Pessac-Léognan

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26
Q

Name two top producers of white wine in Pessac-Léognan.

A

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Château Carbonnieux

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27
Q

What distinguishes Château La Mission Haut-Brion?

A

It is one of the top wines in Graves, rivaling Château Haut-Brion

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28
Q

What is crémant de Bordeaux?

A

Sparkling wine made in the traditional method

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29
Q

What is the classification system of Saint-Émilion?

A

Introduced in 1955, with regular revisions, ranking wines as Premier Grand Cru Classé (A and B) and Grand Cru Classé

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30
Q

Name two Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) estates in Saint-Émilion as of 2022.

A

Château Pavie, Château Angélus

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31
Q

What is the primary grape variety of Saint-Émilion?

A

Merlot

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32
Q

What soil type is dominant in Saint-Émilion’s plateau?

A

Limestone

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33
Q

Which Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) estate left the classification system in 2022?

A

Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc

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34
Q

What distinguishes Pomerol from Saint-Émilion?

A

Pomerol has no official classification system

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35
Q

What is the flagship wine of Château Pétrus?

A

100% Merlot, known for its concentration and longevity

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36
Q

What is the dominant soil type of Pomerol?

A

Clay with gravel and sand

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37
Q

Name two other notable estates in Pomerol besides Château Pétrus.

A

Château Lafleur, Château Le Pin

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38
Q

What is noble rot, and how does it impact Sauternes?

A

Botrytis cinerea; it concentrates sugars, acids, and flavors by dehydrating the grapes

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39
Q

What are the primary grapes of Sauternes?

A

Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle

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40
Q

What is the only Premier Cru Supérieur estate in the 1855 classification?

A

Château d’Yquem

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41
Q

Which river system is crucial for the development of botrytis in Sauternes?

A

The Garonne and Ciron rivers

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42
Q

What is Barsac’s unique AOC regulation?

A

It can be labeled as either Barsac or Sauternes

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43
Q

What distinguishes Château Climens in Barsac?

A

Produces only Sémillon-based wines

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44
Q

What is crème de tête?

A

A traditional term for the finest sweet wines in Bordeaux

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45
Q

What is micro-oxygenation, and where is it commonly used in Bordeaux?

A

A technique to soften tannins and stabilize color; often used in modern Left Bank winemaking

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46
Q

What is the purpose of cement tanks in Bordeaux winemaking?

A

Retains neutral flavors while maintaining temperature stability

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47
Q

What is assemblage?

A

The blending of grape varieties in Bordeaux before aging

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48
Q

What is the typical aging regimen for Left Bank classified wines?

A

12-18 months in oak, with a high percentage of new barrels

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49
Q

Which Château produces ‘La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion’?

A

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

50
Q

What is the second wine of Château Margaux?

A

Pavillon Rouge

51
Q

Which château is known for producing a high percentage of Petit Verdot?

A

Château Palmer

52
Q

What is the most highly regarded Bordeaux vintage of the 21st century?

A

2010 (structured and long-lived wines)

53
Q

What defines the 2009 Bordeaux vintage?

A

Ripe, plush wines with lower acidity

54
Q

Name a biodynamic producer in Bordeaux.

A

Château Pontet-Canet

55
Q

Which vintage is considered one of the worst in recent Bordeaux history?

A

2013 (cool and wet)

56
Q

What is the only red wine AOC in Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur.

57
Q

Which appellation in Bordeaux produces exclusively dry white wines?

A

Entre-Deux-Mers.

58
Q

What distinguishes Côtes de Bordeaux from other regional appellations?

A

A blend of smaller appellations (e.g., Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon) unified under one umbrella to simplify marketing.

59
Q

What is the primary soil type in Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux?

A

Limestone and clay.

60
Q

What style of wine is Cadillac known for?

A

Sweet white wines.

61
Q

What is the primary red grape of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux?

A

Merlot.

62
Q

What distinguishes Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac from Pomerol?

A

More rugged terrain and higher tannins due to limestone soils.

63
Q

What AOC lies directly north of Pomerol?

A

Lalande-de-Pomerol.

64
Q

Which Bordeaux AOC specializes in sparkling wines?

A

Crémant de Bordeaux.

65
Q

What distinguishes Médoc from Haut-Médoc?

A

Médoc includes more rustic, clay-driven wines, while Haut-Médoc focuses on higher-quality gravel vineyards.

66
Q

What is the size limit for a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru estate?

A

There is no size limit; classification depends on quality.

67
Q

Which château is known for producing 100% Merlot in Saint-Émilion?

A

Château Le Dôme.

68
Q

What is the soil composition of Château Cheval Blanc?

A

A mix of gravel, clay, and sand, ideal for Cabernet Franc.

69
Q

Which satellite appellations are associated with Saint-Émilion?

A

Lussac, Montagne, Puisseguin, Saint-Georges.

70
Q

What is garage wine, and which Right Bank appellation pioneered the style?

A

Small-production, high-concentration wines; pioneered in Pomerol and Saint-Émilion (e.g., Château Valandraud).

71
Q

What distinguishes Château Pavie-Decesse from Château Pavie?

A

Pavie-Decesse is a smaller vineyard and often shows more concentration and elegance.

72
Q

What makes Château Smith Haut Lafitte’s white wine unique?

A

Use of barrel fermentation and extended aging for complexity.

73
Q

What distinguishes Château Haut-Bailly in Pessac-Léognan?

A

Known for its elegance and high proportion of Cabernet Franc.

74
Q

What is the primary grape in Château d’Yquem’s dry white wine, “Y”?

A

Sauvignon Blanc.

75
Q

Which Sauternes estate is known for its value relative to Château d’Yquem?

A

Château Rieussec.

76
Q

What is the primary soil type of Barsac?

A

Limestone over clay.

77
Q

What is triage, and why is it important in Sauternes?

A

Selective harvesting to pick only botrytized grapes.

78
Q

Which Graves estate is known for high-quality rosé?

A

Château de Chantegrive.

79
Q

What is the second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild?

A

Carruades de Lafite.

80
Q

What is the second wine of Château Latour?

A

Les Forts de Latour.

81
Q

What is the second wine of Château Haut-Brion?

A

Le Clarence de Haut-Brion.

82
Q

What is the second wine of Château Margaux?

A

Pavillon Rouge.

83
Q

What is the second wine of Château Mouton Rothschild?

A

Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild.

84
Q

What is the second wine of Château Pétrus?

A

There is no second wine for Château Pétrus.

85
Q

What is the second wine of Château Angélus?

A

Carillon d’Angélus.

86
Q

What is the second wine of Château Cheval Blanc?

A

Le Petit Cheval.

87
Q

What made the 2005 vintage iconic in Bordeaux?

A

Perfect balance of structure, ripeness, and acidity; excellent aging potential.

88
Q

Which Bordeaux vintage is often described as having fresh, classic wines with lower alcohol?

A

2014.

89
Q

What distinguishes the 2016 vintage in Bordeaux?

A

Ripe tannins, fresh acidity, and consistent quality across Left and Right Banks.

90
Q

Which vintage was marked by frost, reducing yields significantly?

A

2017.

91
Q

What defines the 2018 vintage in Bordeaux?

A

Ripe, opulent wines with higher alcohol and lush tannins.

92
Q

What is notable about the 2020 Bordeaux vintage?

A

A challenging year due to drought and COVID-19, but resulted in concentrated wines.

93
Q

Which vintage is considered one of the best for Sauternes in recent decades?

A

2001.

94
Q

What is unique about the Crus Bourgeois classification?

A

It is reviewed every five years and focuses on unclassified Médoc estates.

95
Q

What are the three tiers of the updated Crus Bourgeois system?

A

Crus Bourgeois, Crus Bourgeois Supérieur, Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnel.

96
Q

What is the difference between Grand Cru and Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion?

A

Grand Cru requires stricter production standards but is not part of the official classification system.

97
Q

What classification system applies to Graves?

A

The 1959 Graves Classification, including both red and white wines.

98
Q

How is Pomerol classified?

A

Pomerol has no official classification.

99
Q

What is the 1855 classification based on?

A

Price and reputation of Médoc and Sauternes wines at the time.

100
Q

Which château is the only First Growth from Graves in the 1855 classification?

A

Château Haut-Brion.

101
Q

What is the primary soil type of the plateau in Pomerol?

A

Blue clay (crasse de fer), which contributes to the power and depth of wines like Château Pétrus.

102
Q

Which Bordeaux appellation is known for dry, aromatic whites, including Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blends?

A

Pessac-Léognan.

103
Q

What is the maximum residual sugar allowed for dry Bordeaux whites?

A

4 g/L.

104
Q

What is the minimum required percentage of Sauvignon Blanc in Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

There is no minimum percentage; blends are common but Sauvignon Blanc is dominant.

105
Q

Which château in Pauillac is known for producing wines from one of the smallest vineyard holdings among the classified estates?

A

Château Latour.

106
Q

What is the distinctive feature of the wines from Château Pontet-Canet?

A

Biodynamic practices and a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.

107
Q

Which Pomerol estate is nicknamed ‘the garage wine pioneer’?

A

Château Le Pin.

108
Q

What is the appellation of Château Figeac, and what makes it unique?

A

Saint-Émilion; it has a Right Bank blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon.

109
Q

What is the aging potential of top-tier Sauternes like Château d’Yquem?

A

Upwards of 50-100 years due to high sugar, acidity, and botrytis influence.

110
Q

What are bâtons à feu and how are they used in Bordeaux?

A

Smudge pots or heaters used to combat frost in the vineyards.

111
Q

What is the purpose of concrete fermentation tanks in Bordeaux?

A

Provide thermal stability and oxygen permeability without imparting flavors.

112
Q

What percentage of new oak is typically used for First Growth reds?

A

80-100%.

113
Q

How long must Crémant de Bordeaux age on the lees?

A

Minimum 9 months.

114
Q

What is the minimum aging requirement for Sauternes AOC?

A

Wines must be aged for at least 18 months before release.

115
Q

Which Bordeaux appellation is known for red wines with unusually high acidity for the region?

A

Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, due to cooler temperatures and limestone soils.

116
Q

Which satellite appellation of Saint-Émilion is known for value-driven wines?

A

Montagne-Saint-Émilion.

117
Q

What distinguishes Château Haut-Bailly’s terroir?

A

A gravel ridge with sandstone subsoil rich in fossilized shells.

118
Q

What is the only château in Sauternes to produce both dry and sweet wines at Grand Cru level?

A

Château d’Yquem.

119
Q

Which classification system applies to Médoc estates outside of the 1855 classification?

A

Crus Bourgeois.

120
Q

What is the most common vineyard density in Bordeaux?

A

Approximately 6,500 to 10,000 vines per hectare, depending on the region.

Advanced Sommelier (7 decks)

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