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French Wine Scholar > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

What role did the Dutch play in developing the Medoc peninsula as vineyard land?

A

Drained the Medoc peninsula in the 1600s which exposed gravel suitable for viticulture

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2
Q

What are the three “Golden Ages” of Bordeaux?

A
  1. 1100s - Plantagenets (Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet) established strong economic ties with England that lasted 300 years
  2. 1700s - Expansion to new British and Dutch colonies
  3. 1980s - Emile Peynaud encouraged creation of second labels; Robert Parker’s 1982 scores
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3
Q

Why were Bordeaux estates able to survive the French Revolution and the impact of Napoleon’s Code of Inheritance?

A
  1. Wine trade was both secular and commercial which helped to keep stable during the French Revolution
  2. Ownership structure of estates mitigated the fracturing of vineyards through inheritance that was seen in places such as Burgundy
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4
Q

Name two ways Bordeaux is working toward sustainability and one way Bordeaux is combating climate change

A
  1. 60% of growing area is working toward environmental, organic, and/or biodynamic certifications
  2. Appellation specifications include environmentally friendly measures

Climate change: First wine region to petition INAO to approve new grape varieties

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5
Q

Define “petite chateaux”

A

unranked chateaus

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6
Q

How did the Dutch influence the proportion of red to white wine production in Bordeaux?

A

Production shifted to white wine as Dutch wanted white wine to distill into eau de vie and other sweet wines

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7
Q

How did the deep freeze of 1956 impact the grape varieties planted in Bordeaux?

A

1/4 of all vine stock killed with Malbec taking a particularly hard hit. Malbec was replaced by Merlot.

Overall, white varietals were replaced by red varietals.

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8
Q

Define “grand vin”

A

Grand vin = top wine of a producer/chateaux

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9
Q

Define “en primeur”

A

Wine made available for sale prior to its normal time

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10
Q

Why is the resale of Bordeaux wines no longer profitable?

A

Chateaux raised prices ex-cellar making the resale market a low margin enterprise after seeing how lucrative the resale market had become

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11
Q

Describe the structure of the Bordeaux wine trade

A

Grand vins of top chateaux are sold en primeur (futures market) in stages (tranches). The price increases with each tranch until the wine is sold.

Since there are multiple wine traders and negociants, prices for the same product can be different.

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12
Q

Describe Bordeaux’s climate and its moderating influences

A

Maritime. Warm summers with cloud cover. Winters are not severe but freezes do occur

Gulf Stream warms and regulates temperatures
Les Landes (manmade forest) provides a barrier to ocean winds/storms

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13
Q

How does the climate of Medoc/Haut Medoc differ from Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux?

A

The former has more moderate temperatures (closer to Atlantic) versus the latter has more continental influences as it is more inland.

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14
Q

What are the main climatic threats to Bordeaux?

A

Summer hail
Spring frost
Rain at harvest
Inc humidity –> inc disease pressure

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15
Q

Describe the “warm soils” of Bordeaux. What grape varietals are planted to these soils?

A

Gravels and sands

Late-ripening varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot)

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16
Q

Describe the “cool soils” of Bordeaux. What grape varietals are planted to these soils?

A

Clay and Limestone

Early-ripening varietals (Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc)

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17
Q

In general, describe the topography of:

  1. Left Bank
  2. Entre-deux-Mers
  3. Right Bank
A
  1. Relatively flat with gravel mounds
  2. Some significant slopes
  3. String of small hills that stretch from Blaye to Castillon
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18
Q

Describe wines produced from vines grown on gravel versus sandy soils

A

Gravel = firm tannins and structure
Sandy = opulent, soft, fruit-forward wines

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19
Q

Describe the wines produced from vines grown on clay versus limestone soils

A

Clay (iron-rich in Bordeaux) = noticeable texture
Limestone = pronounced acidity and lean, polished tannins

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20
Q

What are the main red and white grape varietals planted in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle

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21
Q

How has global warming impacted the preferred red grape varietals?

A

Use of Merlot might decrease as it is ripening to high alcohol levels

Use of Petit Verdot is becoming popular as it is better able to ripen

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22
Q

How are consumer patterns impacting white grape varietal plantings?

A

Semillon decreasing as sweet wines are less popular

Sauvignon Blanc is increasing in popularity as dry white wines are more popular. Dec use of copper sprays allow Sauvignon Blanc to maintain its characteristic aromas

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23
Q

Merlot is the primary red for both both banks with Cabernet Sauvignon as the other primary red for _________ bank and Cabernet Franc as the other primary red for _________ bank.

A

Left
Right

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24
Q

List which of the following newly approved varietals are red or white:

Arinarnoa
Liliorila
Alvarinho
Castets
Marselan
Touriga Nacional

A

Red = 1, 4-6
White = 2-3

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25
Q

Newly approved varietals are limited to ___% of vineyard area and ___% of the blend.

A

5% and 10%

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26
Q

Why is semillon a primary varietal for barrique aged sweet wines?

A

Semillon has a natural affinity for oak

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27
Q

What does Muscadelle add to white wine blends?

A

Boost aromatics of sweet wines

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28
Q

Describe the flavor profile of Sauvignon Gris

A

Muskier, broom/boxwood

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29
Q

What do the following add to a red wine blend:

  1. Merlot
  2. Cabernet Franc
  3. Cabernet Sauvignon
A
  1. “flesh” to Cab Sauv and fruit to Cab Franc
  2. Leafy, tea-like nature
  3. Backbone and structure
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30
Q

What do the following add to a red wine blend:

  1. Cot (Malbec)
  2. Petit Verdot
A
  1. Black fruit and softness (low acid grape)
  2. Tannin, pigment, spice
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31
Q

Describe the taille medocaine training method used in Bordeaux

A

Looks like double guyot but with shorter canes

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32
Q

What are some growers doing to help delay bud break and thus mitigate the risk of spring frost damage

A

Delayed winter pruning

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33
Q

What is unique about the dry white wines produced in Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Sauternes/Barsac?

A

Most are barrel fermented and aged on the lees

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34
Q

Name differences between the production of moelleux (semi-sweet wines) and liquoreux (sweet wines)

A

Liquoreux must be handpicked and with selecting sorting – typically only botrytized grapes are selected through multiple passes (tris)

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35
Q

Why does harvest for sweet wine production take 6-8 weeks?

A

Reflects the amount of time for botrytis to spread

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36
Q

In general, one vine of botrytized grapes yields ___ glasses of wine

A

3

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37
Q

Name 2 ways producers have improved tannin extraction and management during red wine production

A
  1. Extended maceration and use of punch down or pump-over instead of rack and return
  2. Micro-oxygenation
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38
Q

What are the french terms for the following:

  1. Punch down
  2. Pump-over
  3. Rack and return
A
  1. Pigeage
  2. Remontage
  3. Delestage
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39
Q

Define the differences between:

  1. Claret
  2. Clairet
  3. Rose
A
  1. Claret = older term that was used in the UK to describe red Bordeaux wines
  2. Light red produced from saignee method with shorter maceration than red wine (usually 24-36 hours)
  3. Made through saignee (even shorter maceration than Clairet wines) or direct press. Much lighter in color than Clairet
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40
Q

Bordeaux AOC

  1. Wine Styles (+ main varietals)
  2. Name the specific DGC within the Bordeaux AOC along with its location and wine styles
A
  1. Dry white (Sauv Blanc, Sauv Blanc/Semillon)
    Roses (red varietals + Sauvignons/semillon)
    Clairet (red varietals)
    Semi-sweet white (no Alvarinho)
    Red (only red varietals)
  2. Haut-Benuage (Entre-deux-Mers) - dry and semi-sweet wines made from Semillon and Sauv Blanc
41
Q

What wine styles are produced in Bordeaux Superieur AOC

A

Dry red and semi-sweet white wines

42
Q

What are the different production standards for Bordeaux Superieur (versus Bordeaux AOC)?

A

Lower maximum yield, higher minimum alcohol level

Red wine must be aged until June 15th the year after harvest

Special parcels or older vines used for production

Must be estate-bottled

43
Q

Cremant de Bordeaux AOC

  1. Wine styles
  2. Blending requirements
A
  1. Sparkling white or rose
  2. White = At least 70% of primary varietals (reds included); rose = red varietals only
44
Q

Describe the location of the Medoc

A

North of city of Bordeaux along the L bank of the Gironde Estuary

45
Q

Describe the soils of the Medoc AOC versus the Haut-Medoc AOC

A

Medoc = more clay and limestone
Haut Medoc = gravels atop various subsoils

46
Q

What four communes of the Medoc are home to the majority of chateaux ranked in the Classification of 1855

A
  1. Saint-Estephe
  2. Pauillac
  3. Saint-Julien
  4. Margaux
47
Q

Which Medoc commune has the most classified growths?

48
Q

Describe the soils and mesoclimate of Saint-Estephe AOC and how it impacts the wine blend/style

A

Higher clay percentage; windier and cooler climate

Merlot dominant blend –> softer wine

49
Q

Describe the soil of Pauillac AOC and how it impacts the wine blend/style

A

Gravelly soil with excellent drainage

Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend –> structured, powerful wines that are ageworthy. Benchmark note of dusty cocoa

50
Q

Describe the soils of Saint-Julien AOC and the wine blend/style

A

Gravel mounds over subsoils of clay, marl, gravel, and iron-pan

Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend –> “Californian” of Medoc wines with chocolate and cherry notes

51
Q

Describe the soils and wine blend/style of Margaux AOC

A

Gravel of varying sizes with more sand in the subsoil

Delicate, perfumed, and elegant wines

52
Q

What are two communes of the Medoc that are a little more inland and thus slightly cooler given their distance from the Gironde Estuary?

A

Listrac-Medoc AOC
Moulis-en-Medoc/Moulis AOC

53
Q

Describe the soils, location, wine blend/style of Listrac-Medoc AOC

A

More clay, sands, and limestone –> Merlot dominates blend and they are usually heavier and denser wines that benefit from cellaring

Located at the edge (Listrac) of the forest.

54
Q

Describe the soils, wine blend/style of Moulis-en-Medoc/Moulis AOC

A

Varied soils + subsoils with higher clay and marl content

Merlot-based, full-bodied wines that benefit from bottle aging

55
Q

Where were the first vineyards of Bordeaux planted?

56
Q

What is unique about the soil composition in and south of Cerons in Graves?

A

Soils shift from gravels to a mix with clay, marl, limestone, and sand

57
Q

Graves AOC

  1. Wine styles
  2. Primary grape varietals
  3. Red vs white wine production breakdown
A
  1. Dry white, red
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon based red blends, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon based white blends
  3. 85% red production
58
Q

Graves Superieures AOC

  1. Wine Styles
  2. Vinification techniques
A
  1. Semi-sweet white (minimum 3.4% sweetness)
  2. Noble rot or passerillage
59
Q

Pessac-Leognan AOC

  1. Wine styles (+ notable tasting notes)
  2. Primary grape varietals
  3. Soil type
  4. Vinification techniques
A
  1. Dry white, red (clove)
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds; Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon based whites
  3. Deep gravel soils
  4. White wines generally see oak
60
Q

What AOCs are found in The Sauternais. What style of wine do they produce?

A

Cerons AOC
Sauternes AOC
Barsac AOC

Sweet white wines

61
Q

Describe why The Sauternais is well-suited for the growth of Botrytis cinerea

A

Mist is generated when cool waters of the Ciron River travel through the shade of the Les Landes forest to the warm waters of the Garonne

62
Q

What is the minimum sweetness requirement for the three AOCs of the Sauternais?

63
Q

Sauternes AOC

  1. Soil Types
  2. Variety breakdown
A
  1. Diverse; sand, gravel, clay, marl, limestone
  2. 2/3 Semillon, 1/3 Sauvignon Blanc
64
Q

Barsac AOC

  1. Location
  2. Soil Types
  3. Flavor profile
A
  1. L bank of Ciron River (across from Sauternes)
  2. Clay-limestone plateau
  3. Distinct lemony freshness
65
Q

Can Barsac producers bottle their wines as Sauternes?

A

Yes, Barsac is included in the Sauternes zone of production

66
Q

Cerons AOC

  1. Soil Type
  2. Location
A
  1. Higher gravel and sand content compared to Sauternes/Barsac
  2. N of Barsac
67
Q

T or F: Dry reds and whites from Barsac are bottled as Bordeaux AOC

A

False; Dry reds and whites are bottled as Graves

68
Q

Describe the soils found along the rivers, slopes, and plateaus/hillsides in Entre-deux-Mers

A
  1. Rivers = alluvial deposits
  2. Slopes = gravel
  3. Plateaus/hillsides = clay/sand or clay/limestone
69
Q

Red wine made in the Entre-deux-Mers region are bottled under what AOC?

A

Bordeaux AOC

70
Q

T or F: Wines made in Entre-deux-Mers AOC can be blends or single varietal bottlings?

A

False, they must be blends

71
Q

What 3 Entre-deux-Mers AOCs lie across the Garonne from Sauternais and what style of wine do they produce?

A

Cadillac AOC
Loupiac AOC
Sainte-Croix-du-Mont AOC

Sweet white wine

72
Q

Which of the following is considered more prestigious and why?

Loupiac AOC
Cadillac AOC
Sainte-Croix-du-Mont AOC

A

Sainte-Croix-du-Mont AOC; higher concentration of gravels in its soils

73
Q

What sweet wine making AOC lies on the L bank of the Dordogne River in Entre-deux-Mers?

A

Graves de Vayres AOC

74
Q

Graves de Vayres AOC

  1. Wines Styles
  2. Soil Type
  3. Production breakdown
A
  1. Dry white, red, semi-sweet whites
  2. Gravel beds; pebbles deposited by the Isle River as it empties into the Dordogne River
  3. Mainly red production
75
Q

What is the principle city of the R bank?

76
Q

The Libournais red blends are predominantly what two varietals?

A

Merlot and Cabernet Franc

77
Q

What are the four Libournais AOCs that lie close to the Isle River where it feeds into the Dordogne River?

A

Fronsac
Canon Fronsac
Pomerol
Lalande-de-Pomerol

78
Q

Describe the location, soil type, and wine style of Fronsac and Canon Fronsac

A

Location: R bank of Isle River (Canon Fronsac within Fronsac)
Soil Type: Clay and limestone
Wine Style: Cabernet Franc/Merlot blends with notes of red fruits and black pepper

79
Q

What is unique about the soils of Pomerol and Lalande-de-Pomerol?

A

Iron-rich soils

80
Q

What two chateaus in Saint-Emilion lie on iron-rich Pomerol soil?

A

Chateau Figeac
Chateau Cheval Blanc

81
Q

Describe the different production standards of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC versus Saint-Emilion AOC

A
  1. Lower yields, higher minimum alcohol
  2. Wines must be bottled at the chateau and undergo 2 tastings before and after its mandatory one year of aging
82
Q

Describe the wines of Saint-Emilion that are grown on the following soil types:

  1. Sand
  2. Limestone
  3. Pomerol (iron-rich)
A
  1. Fruit-forward
  2. High acidity, polished tannins
  3. Velvet tannins, hints of walnut and prune
83
Q

The Cotes of Bordeaux are mostly on the ____ bank and have a _________ aspect. Soils are primarily ___________ and ____________________ blends are common.

A

Right
SW
Clay and Limestone
Merlot/Cabernet Franc

84
Q

T or F: Cotes de Bordeaux AOC is a red only AOC that can use fruit from any of its 5 DGCs

85
Q

Name the five DGCs of Cotes de Bordeaux AOC

A

Cadillac
Blaye
Francs
Castillon
Saint-Foy

86
Q

What wine styles are permitted in Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?

A

Dry white and red (Merlot based)

87
Q

Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC

  1. Wine Style
  2. Soil Type
  3. Location
A
  1. Dry Red
  2. Mainly clay and limestone with some gravel
  3. R bank of Garonne (Entre deux Mers)
88
Q

Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC

  1. Wine Style
  2. Soil Type
  3. Location
A
  1. Dry Red (Merlot dominant)
  2. Mainly clay
  3. R bank of Dordogne (E of Saint-Emilion)
89
Q

Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC

  1. Wine Style
  2. Soil Type
  3. Location
A
  1. Dry white, red, sweet white
  2. Limestone (Merlot + Cabernet Franc)
  3. North of Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux (E of Saint-Emilion)
90
Q

Saint-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DGC

  1. Wine Style
  2. Location
  3. Aspect
A
  1. Dry white, Red, semi-sweet white, sweet whites
  2. L bank of Dordogne (east of EdM)
  3. East
91
Q

Blaye AOC

  1. Wine Style
  2. Soil Type
  3. Blend specifications
A
  1. Red
  2. Mixture –> diverse plantings
  3. Must be at least 50% Merlot, Cab Franc, and/or Cab Sauv
92
Q

Bourg/Cotes de Bourg/Bourgeais AOC

  1. Wine Style
  2. Dominant grape varieties
A
  1. Dry white and red
  2. Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
93
Q

Classification of 1855 is a tiered system that reflected what about the wines of Bordeaux?

A

Prince points that wines were selling at in the 19th century

94
Q

How were red and sweet white wines ranked in the Classification of 1855?

A

Red wines: 5 categories (growths)
Sweet white wines: 3 categories (Premier Cru Superieur, Premier Cru, Deuxieme Cru)

95
Q

What is the most significant change to the Classification of 1855 and when did it occur?

A

Chateau Mouton-Rothschild moving to first-growth in 1973

96
Q

Describe the Cru Bourgeois classification system

A

249 Medoc estates were sorted into three levels (Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Cru Bourgeois Superieur, Cru Bourgeois)

Rankings reviewed every 5 years

97
Q

Describe the Cru Artisan classification system

A

Recognizes small estates that are entirely responsible for their red wine production process from vineyard to bottle. Currently 36 are recognized

98
Q

Describe the Graves classification system

A

13 red and 9 white wines are currently ranked and all fall within Pessac-Leognan AOC. Ranked wines are entitled to “Grand Cru Classe de Graves”

French Wine Scholar (11 decks)

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