Bordeaux Flashcards
What percentage of the Bordeaux winegrowing area has/is working toward environmental, organic and/or biodynamic certifications that reduce agrochemical use and promote biodiversity?
60%
What measures have the Bordelais taken toward climate action?
- Implemented a region-wide climate action plan to manage their carbon footprint and reduce water and energy consumption.
- Environmentally friendly measures are included in 80% of the appellation specifications
- First wine region to petition the INAO to approve new grape varieties to mitigate climate change.
How much area do the vineyards in Bordeaux cover?
273,800ac/110,800ha (2019)
Almost 4x the size of Bourgogne.
How many estates, wine merchants, brokers, co-ops and co-op unions are there in Bordeaux?
- 5,660 estates
- 300 wine merchants
- 72 brokers
- 29 co-operatives
- 3 co-operative unions
How much wine does Bordeaux produce annually?
553 million bottles/4.15 million hectolitres of wine (2019)
What historical maladies ailed the vineyards of Bordeaux?
- Powdery mildew (1852)
- Phylloxera (1865)
- Downy mildew (1880)
- Deep freeze (1956)
What influence did the deep freeze of 1956 have on the vineyards of Bordeaux?
- Malbec was replaced with Merlot
- White cultivars were replaced with red
What percentage of France’s AOC plantings are located in Bordeaux?
25%
It also produces most of France’s luxury/prestige bottlings.
How is the majority of Bordeaux wine sold?
70% is sold through a network of 300 wine traders that deal with importers in over 165 countries.
How are most of the top chateaux grands vins of Bordeaux sold?
On the futures market. The wines are pre-sold while still in barrel.
The initial asking price, per case, is intended to be significantly lower than its final release price. Only a portion of the total is released first.
The remaining wine is sold off in stages (tranches), with each subsequent offering increasing in price until the wine is sold.
How does the Bordeaux futures sale structure influence different sellers?
Different retailers often have widely disparate prices for the same product.
What percentage of Bordeaux wine is consumed in France?
56% (2019)
44% is exported
How many growers belong to one of the co-ops or co-op unions?
44% (5,660 growers)
What percentage of Bordeaux wine is produced by the co-ops?
23% of Bordeaux’s harvest each year.
Where is Bordeaux located?
This region lies in the Gironde departement in the southwestern quadrant of France. It is situated within the region of Aquitaine, a word whose Latin roots mean “well-watered place.”
It is a large region stretching 63mi/100km from north to south; 78mi/125km from east to west.
Where are the left/right banks in Bordeaux?
- Left bank: stretches from the tip of the Medoc Peninsula south to the Graves-Sauternes area
- Right bank: runs southeast from Blaye to Castillon
- Entre-deux-Mers: lies between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers
What is the meaning behind the name Entre-deux-Mers?
Translated as “Between Two Seas,” the name alludes to the fact that the rivers are tidal; the salt water reaches 75mi/121km inland from the coast.
What is the climate in Bordeaux?
Maritime
- Areas nearer the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde (Medoc, Haut-Medoc) have more moderate temperatures.
- Appellations south and east (Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux) have more continental influences with slightly warmer summers and cooler winters.
What topographical features contribute to the climate in Bordeaux?
- The Atlantic’s Gulf Stream warms & regulates temperatures.
- Les Landes: a large pine forest provides a barrier to ocean winds and storms, protecting the vineyards from inclement weather
- Encroaching sand dunes: act as a protective barrier from harsh weather
- Network of rivers that empty into the Gironde Estuary: helps keep tempertures both constant & moderate
Note: Les Landes is the largest man-made forest in western Europe. Planting started in the 18th century, with extra focus in the 19th century. Almost 2.5 millionac/1 million ha of pine forest.
What are the seasons like in Bordeaux?
- Summers are warm; often cloud cover due to oceanic influences
- Winters: not typically severe, but freezes can occur
How much rainfall does Bordeaux receive?
Average of 37in/940mm per year.
Rain falls all year round, including at harvest time.
Note: the name of the region is apt: Aquitaine (well-watered place)
Is irrigation permitted/required in Bordeaux?
It is not needed, nor is it legal.
Many estates when replanting vineyards have inserted drainage tiles to eliminate excess ground water.
In rare circumstances (dought of 2022), irrigation is possible and must be granted by the INAO.
What are some threats to the vineyards in Bordeaux?
- Humidity: engenders rot
- Spring frost
- Summer hail
What soil types are found in Bordeaux?
Primarily sedimentary, featuring gravel terraces interspersed with sand, silt and clay, plus both fresh-water & salt-water limestones.
The last Ice Age and its periods of inter-glacial melt (2 million to 10,000BCE) left extensive river deposits and marine sediments (due to coastal flooding) across the entire Gironde.
What is the elevation of the land in Bordeaux?
This region is mostly flat.
Elevation peaks at 377ft/115m in Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux, the easternmost appellation on the Right Bank.
The Left Bank’s elevation is only 100-140ft/30-43m above sea level.
Describe the topography of Bordeaux.
- Right Bank: Characterized by a string of small hills that stretch from Blaye to Castillon. These hills are interspersed by low-lying plateaus and deep valleys.
- Left Bank: A relatively level expanse of gravel mounds.
- Entre-deux-Mers: Has some significant slopes that are ideal for vineyard sites.
What are the warm & cold soils of Bordeaux are where are they located?
- Warm soils(gravel & sands): found primarily on the Left Bank of the Gironde and Garonne, and in parts of Entre-deux-Mers; they warm up quickly in the spring, radiate warmth back up into the vine canopy and are well-drained
- Cool soils (clay & limestone): Primarily found on the right bank of the Gironde & Dordogne, and hillsides of Entre-deux-Mers. They are dense, and retain moisture.
Which grape varieties are planted to the warm or cold soils in Bordeaux?
- Warm soils (gravel & sands): Late-ripening varieties; Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot, which need the warmth to mature their fruit.
- Cool soils (clay & limestone): Early-ripening varieties; Merlot, Malbec & Cabernet Franc.
What characteristics are expressed in the wines of Bordeaux as a result of warm or cold soils?
-
Warm soils:
- Gravel: Firm tannins & structure
- Sandy: More opulent, soft & fruit-forward with easy drinkability
-
Cool soils:
- Clay (mostly iron-rich): Noticeable texture
- Limestone: Pronounced acidity & lean, polished tannins
Today, 97% of Bordeaux plantings are made up of which 3 red and which 3 white grape varieties?
Red:
* Merlot
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Cabernet Franc
White:
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Semillon
* Muscadelle
Which grape varieties in Bordeaux are most affected by global warming?
- Petit Verdot: now ripening more regularly, becoming fashionable once again
- Merlot: ripening to high alcohol levels; resulting in the reduction of its use in blends
Which grape variety in Bordeaux is negatively affected by the use of copper-sulfate sprays in the vineyard?
Sauvignon Blanc: this spray to combat mold & mildews robs this grape of its aromas.
Now, these sprays are used more judiciously.
Which new grape varieties did the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur AOC winegrowers vote to adopt in 2019? What are their limitations?
Red:
* Arinarnoa
* Castets
* Marselan
* Touriga Nacional
White:
* Alvarinho
* Liliorila
These are limited to:
* 5% of total propery vineyard area
* 10% of the blend
Note: this is in adaptation for a warmer future.
Name the white grapes of Bordeaux.
- Semillon
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Muscadelle
Others: Colombard, Merlot Blanc, Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc (mostly in the Cotes & Entre-deux-Mers).
Newly approved: Alvarinho & Liliorila
Which white grape variety is used as the primary grape for sweet wine production in Bordeaux?
Semillon
* Susceptible to botrytis
* Has a natural affinity for oak (sweet wines are typically aged in barrique)
Which grape variety typically dominates Bordeaux’s dry white blends?
Sauvignon Blanc
It is increasingly becoming the only grape in these bottlings.
Which grape variety is intensely aromatic and is used to boost the aromatics of sweet wines in Bordeaux?
Muscadelle
Generally used in small amounts (5% or less).
Name the rose/gris grape(s) of Bordeaux.
Sauvignon Gris:
* A mutation of Sauvignon Blanc
* Boasts a muskier aromatic profile within the broom/boxwood spectrum
* Adds depth and texture to a wine
Name the red grape varieties of Bordeaux.
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Cot (Malbec)
- Petit Verdot
- Carmenere
Newly approved: Arinarnoa, Castets, Marselan & Touriga Nacional.
Which grape is the most widely planted variety in Bordeaux?
Merlot
What does the Merlot variety contribute to the blends in Bordeaux?
- It adds “flesh” to Cabernet Sauvignon’s skeletal structure
- Adds fruit to Cabernet Franc’s herbal/leafy flavour profile
What does the Cabernet Sauvignon variety contribute to wines in Bordeaux?
It forms the backbone of the Left Bank blends.
Its inherent structure crafts wines that can age for decades.
What is the role of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux?
- Plays a significant role in Saint-Emilion; can represent 30-35% of the blend
- Forms the backbone of the red blends in the Cotes
- has a flavour/structural profile similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, to a lesser degree
- Boasts a leafy, tea-like nature that Cabernet Sauvignon does not
Where are the majority of the Cot (Malbec) plantings located in Bordeaux?
Largely found in:
* Bourg
* Blaye
* Entre-deux-Mers
What does the Cot grape variety contribute to blends in Bordeaux?
The low-acid nature of this grape softens a blend and adds black fruit.
What does the Petit Verdot grape contribute to the blends in Bordeaux?
This variety adds tannin, pigment and spice.
Rank the grape varieties of Bordeaux from most to least widely planted.
- Merlot (59%)
- Cabernet Sauvignon (20%)
- Cabernet Franc (8%)
- Semillon (5%)
-
Sauvignon Blanc (5%)
Other (3%)
What vine training methods are used in Bordeaux?
2 primary methods used:
* taille medocaine: looks like a double Guyot, but with shorter canes
* single/double Guyot
What are the planting densities in Bordeaux?
Planting density is generally higher for less fertile soil:
* Medoc: 4,000 vines per ac/10,000 vines per ha
* Cotes: 2,000-2,400 vines per ac/5,000-6,000 vines per ha
* Even lower density plantings in areas devoted to regional Bordeaux AOCs
Note: with climate change, the trend is to reduce planting density so each vine has access to enough water.
What changes are being made in Bordeaux vineyards due to climate change?
- Planting density is being reduced
- Switching to drought-resistant roostocks
- Introduction of late-ripening, heat-tolerent grape varieties
- Investigation of disease-resistant hybrid varieties
- Rethinking of leaf removal (leaves are need to protect berry clusters from sunburn)
- Delaying winter pruning in the hopes of delaying bud break (to avoid damage from spring frosts)
How has Bordeaux benefitted from global warming?
They can produce more generous, supple, fruit-driven wines with less astringent tannins at every AOC level and price point.
What is the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE)?
The High Environmental Value is an environment certification applied to vineyards that follow practices which support biodiversity, judicious agrochemical use and water supply/consumption.
Over the past 12 years, Bordeaux has reduced its carbon footprint by 20%, its energy consumption by 20% and its water use by 20%.
How are dry white wines produced in Bordeaux?
- At one end of the spectrum are bright, fresh wines, fermented & matured in stainless steel, with no malolactic conversion, so aromatics are preserved.
- At the other end are top-end wines from Pessac-Leognan AOC, Graves AOC or dry white bottlings made in the Sauternes or Barsac areas. These are often barrel fermented and aged on lees, giving them richer textures & creamier flavours.
Which grape varieties are usually used to produce sweet wines from Bordeaux?
- Semillon
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Muscadelle: sometimes there is a small addition of this
How are moelleux produced in Bordeaux?
These semi-sweet wines are made from handpicked grapes. Selective sorting is not mandated. The sound grapes are harvested along with the ones affected by botrytis.
By law, theses wines must have 1.2%-4.5% (12-45g/l) R.S.
How are the grapes for liquoreux harvested in Bordeaux?
Grapes for these sweet wines are handpicked, either berry by berry or by partial cluster.
Selection is made through multiple passes (tris) in the vineyard.
In some appellations, only those grapes that are infected with botrytis are picked.
The finished wines must possess min. 4.5% (45g/l) R.S..
When are grapes for liquoreux harvested in Bordeaux?
As botrytis takes time to spread, harvest spans 6-8 weeks and runs mid-September to November, although it has stretched into December on occasion.
How many glasses of wine can one vine of botrytized grapes yield?
1-3 glasses
What winemaking method contributes to the high cost of prestigious sweet wines produced in Bordeaux?
Aging in barrels.
Top-of-the-line barrels can cost as much as US$900 each and are replaced regularly, sometimes every year.
What are the characteristics of sweet wines from Bordeaux?
Honey is dominant.
Depending on the percentage of Semillon to Sauvignon in the blend, flavours can range from apricot to pineapple.
Ample acidity balances the high sugar levels.
How are the red grapes harvested in Bordeaux?
- Mechanical harvester
- Grape varieties and vines of different ages are harvested separately
How long are the red wines of Bordeaux fermented for?
8-10 days
How long are the red wines of Bordeaux macerated on the skins for?
15-21 days or longer
What vessels are used for the fermentation and maturation of red wines in Bordeaux?
- Entry-level: fermentation & maturation may take place in concrete or temperature-controlled stainless steel
- More expensive bottlings: same as entry-level, with the addition of aging in barrel
Overall, oak influence has been reduced.
What methods are used for tannin extraction in red wines in Bordeaux?
Over the last decade, large improvements have been made by:
* extending maceration
* using punch down (pigeage)
* pump-over (remontage), rather than rack and return (delestage)
Cap-management systems are being automated by large-scale systems.
What technique is used in Bordeaux to soften the tannins in red wine?
Application of micro-oxygenation technology.
What are the tiers of wine production for chateaux in Bordeaux?
A chateau often produces second and third labels along with their primary product or grand vin.
* Grand vin: are the best lots of wine with the greatest ability to age
* Second/Third labels typically have a less structured blend and spend less time in the cellar before release; designed for more immediate consumption
What are the 2 lightly pigmented wines produced in Bordeaux?
- Rose: which is pink
- Clairet: which is light red
How are clairet wines produced in Bordeaux?
Traditional red wine production techniques are used with the exception that its maceration is relatively short (24-36 hours).
It is made by saignee method.
How are the rose wines produced in Bordeaux?
Most often by the saignee method.
Maceration time is shorter than that of clairet, hence the lighter colour.
Some producers use direct press. This method is becoming more prevalent in order to capitalize upon the success of pale Provence roses.
What are the characteristics of rose wines from Bordeaux?
- Alwasy finished dry
- Pink in colour (no orange overtones)
How long can the wines of Bordeaux be aged and when are they best consumed?
- Petits Chateaux, Cru Bourgeois & wine from the Cotes: best consumed within 5-7 years; in good vintages they may last a decade
- Classified growths should be held a decade before popping
- Sweet wines: can age gracefully for decades; in stellar vintages they may hit the 100-year mark
- Semi-sweet whites, roses & clairets: made for immediate consumption
- Dry whites: made for immediate consumption; but those crafted by top producers will age for decades, changing into golden wines that hint of toasted coconut, roasted hazelnut and beeswax
