Bordeaux 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

When was the INAO created, and when were the first AOC’s awarded?

A

19351936

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2
Q

When did the INAO transition from the Institute National des Appellations d’Origine to L’Institute National de l’Origine et de la Qualité, and in the process, come in line with EU regulations?

A

2007

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3
Q

When was VDQS created?

A

1949, as a stepping stone to AOC

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4
Q

Currently, are hybrid varieties allowed for AOP wines?

A

No

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5
Q

Currently, what % of grapes must be from the stated AOP to qualify?

A

100.00%

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6
Q

Are hybrid varieties allowed for IGP wines?

A

Yes

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7
Q

What % of grapes must be from the stated IGP to qualify?

A

85.00%

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8
Q

What are the three levels of IGP?

A

RegionalDepartmentalLocal

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9
Q

What are the regional IGP zones?

A

Pays d’Oc IGP (Languedoc-Rousillon)Val de Loire IGP (Loire)Comtés Rhodaniens IGP (Northern Rhône, Jura, Savoie)Méditerranée IGP (Southeast France)Atlantique IGP (Bordeaux and CharanteComté Tolosan IGP (Sud Ouest)

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10
Q

Maximum yield for IGP wines?

A

White: 90 hl/haRed/Rosé: 85 hl/haTotal: 100 hl/ha

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11
Q

As of 2009, what may be listed on the label for VDT wines?

A

Vintage, Varietal, and Place of Origin

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12
Q

What is France’s largest viticultural area by acreage?

A

Bordeaux (123,834ha)

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13
Q

What are courtiers?

A

Brokers of wine in the Médoc, which supplied chateaux with financial backing in exchange for control over trade.

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14
Q

What is Bordeaux mixture, and what does it combat?

A

Copper sulfate, lime, water; fungal problems

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15
Q

What is millerandage?

A

Hens and chicks, or clusters that produce unevenly sized berries.

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16
Q

What is Coulure?

A

shatter - occurring in spring, when cold and wet or unseasonably high temperatures cause flowers to stay closed and not be fertilized. May result in undeveloped grapes falling off, or irregular, less compact bunches

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17
Q

What is the max % of Merlot Blanc, Ugni Blanc, and Colombard in white Bordeaux?

A

30% combined

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18
Q

Minimum must weight for red wines of the Left Bank?

A

180g/L; 189 for Merlot (Merlot accumulates sugar much faster than the other varieties)

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19
Q

Authorized styles for Bordeaux Supérieur?

A

Rouge, Blanc Demi-Sec/Moelleux

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20
Q

What are jalles?

A

The drainage channels of the Médoc

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21
Q

When was Cru Artisan formally recognized, and with what vintage did labeling begin?

A

20022005

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22
Q

When was Cru Bourgeois created, and what were the original categories?

A

1936Cru BourgeoisCru Bourgeois SuperiéurCru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

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23
Q

When was the Cru Bourgeois classification abolished, and when did the new designation come into effect?

A

20032010, for the 2008 vintage.

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24
Q

Authorized styles for Médoc/Haut-Médoc?

A

RED ONLY

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25
Q

What are the authorized styles for Graves Supérieures?

A

Sweet White only - 221 g/L (must weight), 34 g/l (RS)

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26
Q

What are the authorized styles for Pessac-Léognan?

A

Rouge, Blanc Sec

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27
Q

When was the Pessac-Léognan AOC established?

A

1987

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28
Q

What are the authorized styles for Entre-Deux-Mers AOP?

A

Blanc Sec only

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29
Q

What is the geographic subzone of Bordeaux AOP and Entre-Deux-Mers AOP?

A

Haut-Benauge, lying along the border of Côtes de Bordeaux Saint Macaire.

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30
Q

What are the authorized styles for Graves de Vayres AOP?

A

Rouge, Blanc, Blanc Sec

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31
Q

What is the difference between Blanc and Blanc Sec in Graves de Vayres?

A

Blanc Sec has 4g/L RS.

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32
Q

How many producers carry the Cru Artisan designation?

A

44

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33
Q

What forest protects the Médoc from Atlantic winds?

A

Fôret de Landes

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34
Q

Bordeaux lies along what latitudinal parallel?

A

45º

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35
Q

What factors affect Bordeaux’s climate?

A

Proximity to the Gironde estuary results in a maritime climate; the Atlantic Gulf Stream current, carrying warm water up from the Caribbean, warms the weather off Bordeaux’s coast.It is also the rainiest major wine region in France - 950mm annually - and rain falls throughout the year, hence its historic troubles with washout and rot.Bordeaux does not experience a sizable diurnal shift, making it unique in major growing regions for Cabernet Sauvignon.

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36
Q

Which two Bordeaux varieties are not related to the others?

A

Muscadelle and Petit Verdot

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37
Q

What is the most planted red grape in Bordeaux (and also France)?

A

Merlot, at 63% of the Bordelais vignoble.

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38
Q

What market drove the development of Sauternes and Barsac as sweet wine regions in the 1600’s?

A

The introduction of the Dutch into the market after trade with England collapsed at the end of the Hundred Year’s War; the English taste for lighter reds was supplanted by the Dutch taste for sweet wines and rich reds.

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39
Q

What is Liv-Ex?

A

The London International Vintners Exchange, a marketplace for trading wine, which also monitors and publishes price indices that influence trends in the wine world in general.

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40
Q

When did château bottling become compulsory for classified estates in the Médoc?

A

1972

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41
Q

Why is Guyot popular in the Médoc and on the right bank, but Cordon de Royat in sweet wine appellations?

A

Cordon de Royat training tends to produce smaller berries more susceptible to botrytis; guyot cane-training produces larger berries that are more susceptible to grey rot.

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42
Q

What is cliquage?

A

A variant of micro-oxygenation (which happens during fermentation), it involves small doses of oxygen applied to the wine in barrel periodically throughout elevage.

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43
Q

What are the current subzones of the Côtes de Bordeaux?

A

FrancsCastillonBlayeCadillac

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44
Q

What styles are authorized for Côtes de Bordeaux-Castillon and Côtes de Bordeaux-Cadillac?

A

Red only

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45
Q

What styles are authorized for Côtes de Bordeaux-Blaye?

A

Rouge, Blanc Sec

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46
Q

What styles are authorized for Côtes de Bordeaux-Francs?

A

Rouge, Blanc Sec, Blanc Liquoreuex

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47
Q

What styles are authorized for Blaye?

A

Red only

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48
Q

What styles are authorized for Bourg and Côtes de Bourg?

A

Rouge, Blanc Sec

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49
Q

What is unique about the Côtes de Blaye AOP?

A

Blanc Sec, incorporating >50% Colombard and Ugni Blanc

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50
Q

What is the primary difference between blanc sec from Côtes de Bordeaux-Blaye and Côtes de Blaye?

A

Côtes de Bordeaux-Blaye requires the classic BDX encépagement of Sauv Blanc, Sauv Gris, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. Côtes de Blaye requires an assemblage of 50% combined Colombard and Ugni Blanc.

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51
Q

What is the single most dangerous weather element in Bordeaux?

A

Rain, particularly at harvest.

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52
Q

What is the Ciron?

A

A tributary of the Garonne cutting through Barsac and Sauternes, creating a “T” that contributes to botrytis.

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53
Q

What is higher: max yield for the Médoc/Haut-Médoc, or max yield for St-Estèphe, Paulliac, St-Julien, and the other communal appellations?

A

Médoc/Haut-Médoc @ 55hl/h v. 57 for the named communes

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54
Q

What are the communes of Pauillac?

A

PauillacSt-EstèpheSt-Julien-BeychevelleCissac-MédocSaint-Saveur

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55
Q

What are the communes of St-Julien?

A

PauillacSt-Julien-BeychevelleSt-Laurent-MédocCussac-Fort-Médoc

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56
Q

What is the “super-second” of St-Estèphe?

A

Cos d’Estournel

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57
Q

What are the Super Seconds of St-Julien?

A

Léoville-Las-CasesDucru-Beaucaillou

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58
Q

What are the communes of Margaux?

A

SoussansMargauxCantenacLabardeArsac

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59
Q

What are boulbenes?

A

A mix of sand, gravel, and light clay found in Graves

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60
Q

What was the Graves Classification created, and when was it revised?

A

19531959

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61
Q

What was the last vintage for La Tour Haut-Brion, and what is it now used for?

A

2005Blended into the second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion: La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion

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62
Q

What was the last vintage for Laville Haut-Brion, and what is it now used for?

A

2008La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc

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63
Q

Notable unclassified estates of the Médoc

A

Potensac (Médoc)Sociando-Mallet (Haut-Médoc)Chasse-Spleen (Moulis)Poujeaux (Moulis)

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64
Q

What château originally classified in 1855 is no longer part of the classification?

A

Château Dubignon, a third growth of Margaux. It was absorbed into Malescot-St-Exupéry post-phylloxera in the 1870’s. From 1901 to 1960 it was its own estate labeled Dubignon-Talbot and classed as Cru Bourgeois Superieur/Ancienc Troisieme Cru; later parceled and sold off.

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65
Q

What marks the border between St. Estèphe and Pauillac? What two estates does it divide?

A

The Jalle de Breuil.Cos d’Estournel and Lafite-Rothschild.

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66
Q

What is calcaire à astéries?

A

Starfish limestone, the bedrock of the Left Bank; younger than Jurassic limestone, containing starfish fossils

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67
Q

What is the soil composition of Pomerol?

A

Gravel over Frondais Molasse (sandy clay) and Crasse de Fer (iron rich wind sediments)

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68
Q

What is pressac?

A

Malbec (Right Bank)

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69
Q

What is bouchet?

A

Cabernet Franc (Right Bank)

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70
Q

Which St-Émilion château uses a high % of Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Château Figeac35% Cab Sauv35% Cab Franc30% Merlot

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71
Q

What are the two major soil structures of St-Émilion?

A

Côtes: Steep limestone slopesGraves: gravelly limestone plateau

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72
Q

What are Sables Anciens?

A

Very Old Sand - often seen in St-Émilion

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73
Q

When was St-Émilion first classified, and when was it revised?

A

19551969, 1985, 1996, 2006, 2012

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74
Q

What is St-Émilion Grand Cru?

A

An AOP covering the same ground as St-Émilion; wines are required to have higher minimum alcohol (11.5% v. 11%) and longer elevage (Released May 15 v. April 15 of the year following the harvest).

75
Q

What are the communes of Pomerol?

A

LibournePomerol

76
Q

What are the communes of Lalande-de-Pomerol?

A

Lalande-de-PomerolNéac

77
Q

Four satellites of St-Émilion

A

St-George-St-ÉmilionMontagne-St-ÉmilionLussac-St-ÉmilionPuisseguin-St-Émilion

78
Q

Pomerol Satellites

A

Lalande-de-PomerolFronsacCanon-Fronsac

79
Q

In 1973, what two former satellites of St-Émilion merged with Montagne and St-Émilion respectively?

A

Parsac-St-Émilion (Montagne)Sables-St-Émilion (St Emilion)

80
Q

In addition to the côtes and graves, what other two main soil types will you find in St-Emilion?

A

Sand over clay in the northwest, near Pomerol. More alluvial soils in the south, close to the Dordogne.

81
Q

What are the two most famous garagiste producers?

A

Valandraud Mondotte

82
Q

What is the highest-elevation subzone of St-Émilion?

A

Puisseguin-St-Émilion (89m)

83
Q

What stream separates St-Émilion from Montagne-St-Émilion?

A

The Barbanne

84
Q

What other satellite has the option of labeling as Montagne-St-Émilion?

A

St-George-St-Émilion

85
Q

What are the requirements for Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe?

A

Submitted to a tasting panel, judged on a 20 point scale14/20 for Grand Cru Classe50% Tasting of 10 vintages20% Topography and soil10% viticulture and winemaking20% reputation of the estate

86
Q

What are the requirements for Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe?

A

Submitted to a tasting panel, judged on a 20 point scale16/20 for Grand Cru Classe30% Tasting of additional 5 vintages (15 vintages total)30% Topography and soil5% Viticulture and winemaking35% Reputation of the estate

87
Q

Where is the Isle River?

A

A tributary of the Dordogne, separating Fronsac and Lalande-de-Pomerol.

88
Q

What years did d’Yquem not produce a Sauternes?

A

1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992, 2012

89
Q

Minimum must weight and RS for Sauternes, Barsac, and Cerons

A

Must weight: 221g/LRS: 45 g/L

90
Q

Max yield for Barsac and Sauternes?

A

25hl/ha

91
Q

What are the authorized styles for Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire?

A

Blanc sec, Moelleux, Liquoreux

92
Q

What is the minimum must weight and RS for CdB-St-Macaire Moelleux?

A

Must weight: 221 g/LRS: 34-45 g/L

93
Q

What is the minimum must weight and RS for CdB-St-Macaire Liquoreux?

A

Must weight: 255 g/LRS: 45 g/L

94
Q

What is the minimum must weight and RS for Cadillac AOP?

A

Must weight: 255 g/LRS: 51 g/L

95
Q

What is the minimum must weight and RS for Loupiac and Ste-Croix-du-Mont AOP?

A

Must weight: 229g/L; 238g/L for SémillonRS: 45g/L

96
Q

What is the minimum must weight and RS for Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?

A

Must weight: 221g/LRS: 34g/L

97
Q

What are the authorized styles for Ste-Foy-Bordeaux?

A

RougeBlanc Sec, Moelleux, Liquoreux

98
Q

What is the minimum must weight and RS for Ste-Foy-Bordeaux Moelleux?

A

Must weight: 221g/LRS: 17-45g/L

99
Q

What is the minimum must weight and RS for Ste-Foy-Bordeaux Liquoreux?

A

Must weight: 255g/LRS: 51g/L

100
Q

How is Haut-Brion classified in the Graves Classification of 1959?

A

Grand Cru Classé for red

101
Q

What is the only Grand Cru Classé in the Graves Classification?

A

Haut-Brion

102
Q

List the communes of Pessac-Léognan from North to South

A

MérignacTalencePessacGradignanVillenave-d’OrnonCadaujacLéognanMartillac

103
Q

What are the classified growths of Talence?

A

Laville Haut-Brion (White)La Tour Haut-Brion (Red)

104
Q

What are the classified growths of Pessac?

A

Haut-Brion (Grand Cru Classé Red)La Mission Haut-Brion (Red)Pape Clément (Red and White)

105
Q

What are the classified growths of Villenave d’Ornon?

A

Couhins (White)Couhins-Lurton (White)

106
Q

What are the classified growths of Cadaujac?

A

Bouscaut (red and white)

107
Q

What are the classified growths of Léognan?

A

Carbonnieux (Red and White)de Chevalier (Red and White)de Fieuzal (Red)Haut-Bailly (Red)Malartic-Lagravière (Red and White)Olivier (Red and White)

108
Q

What are the classified growths of Martillac?

A

Latour-Martillac (Red and White)Smith Haut-Lafitte (Red)

109
Q

Which communes of Graves have no classified growths?

A

MérignacGradignan

110
Q

Which Chateaux in Graves are classified for red only?

A

La Tour Haut-Brion (Talence)Haut-Brion (Pessac)La Mission Haut-Brion (Pessac)de Fieuzel (Léognan)Haut-Bailly (Léognan)Smith-Haut Lafitte (Martillac)

111
Q

Which Chateaux in Graves are classified for white only?

A

Laville Haut-Brion (Talence)Couhins (Villenave d’Ornons)Couhins-Lurton (Villenave d’Ornons)

112
Q

Which Chateaux in Graves are classified for both red and white?

A

Pape-Clément (Pessac)Bouscaut (Cadaujac)Carbonnieux (Léognan)de Chevalier (Léognan)Malartic-Lagravière (Léognan)Olivier (Léognan)Latour-Martillac (Martillac)

113
Q

What is the commune of Laville Haut-Brion? What color wines are produced?

A

Talence; white

114
Q

What is the commune of La Tour Haut-Brion? What color wines are produced?

A

Talence; red

115
Q

What is the commune of Haut-Brion? What color wines are produced?

A

PessacClassified for red. Whites are also produced, but were not included in the classification because production is so low.

116
Q

What is the commune of La Mission Haut-Brion? What color wines are produced?

A

Pessac; red

117
Q

What is the commune of Pape Clément? What color wines are produced?

A

Pessac; red and white

118
Q

What is the commune of Couhins? What color wines are produced?

A

Villenave-d’Ornon; white

119
Q

What is the commune of Couhins-Lurton? What color wines are produced?

A

Villenave-d’Ornon; white

120
Q

What is the commune of Bouscaut? What color wines are produced?

A

Cadaujac; red and white

121
Q

What is the commune of Carbonnieux? What color wines are produced?

A

Léognan; red and white

122
Q

What is the commune of de Chevalier? What color wines are produced?

A

Léognan; red and white

123
Q

What is the commune of de Fieuzal? What color wines are produced?

A

Léognan; red

124
Q

What is the commune of Haut-Bailly? What color wines are produced?

A

Léognan; red

125
Q

What is the commune of Malartic-Lagravière? What color wines are produced?

A

Léognan; red and white

126
Q

What is the commune of Olivier? What color wines are produced?

A

Léognan; red and white

127
Q

What is the commune of Latour-Martillac? What color wines are produced?

A

Martillac; red and white

128
Q

What is the commune of Smith Haut-Lafitte? What color wines are produced?

A

Martillac; red

129
Q

Name the Premiers Grands Crus Classés A of St-Emilion

A

AusoneCheval BlancAngélusPavie

130
Q

Name the Premiers Grands Crus Classés B of St. Emilion

A

Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse)Beau-Séjour BécotBélair MonangeCanonCanon-la GaffelièreFigeacClos FourtetLa GaffelièreLarcis DucasseLa MondottePavie-MacquinTroplong MondotTrotte VieilleValandraud

131
Q

Which chateaux were elevated to Premier Cru Classé A in 2012?

A

AngélusPavie

132
Q

Which chateaux were elevated to Premier Cru Classé B in 2012?

A

Canon-la-GaffelièreLarcis DucasseLa MondottePavie-Macquin (2006)Troplong Mondot (2006)Valandraud

133
Q

Which two chateaux were promoted in 2006, and allowed to keep the status even after the classification was voided?

A

Pavie-MacquinTroplong Mondot

134
Q

1959

A

ExceptionalPerfect weather - warm, sunnyLush, easy drinking up front - much like 2009Have aged very well, but are harder to find due to popularity and drinkability at release.

135
Q

1960

A

AbysmalDestroyed by rain

136
Q

1961

A

ExceptionalVery warm, dry summerEarly harvest with low yieldsSmall, thick-skinned, deeply concentrated berriesRich, tannic, ageworthy

137
Q

1962

A

Fair for still wineExceptional sweet wine

138
Q

1963

A

AbysmalCold, wet, rottedPalmer declassified entire crop

139
Q

1964

A

Disaster vintage Left Bank and SauternesExcellent on Right Bank - harvested before devastating rains

140
Q

1965

A

Disaster vintage

141
Q

1966

A

Second best of the 1960’sHard and tannic on releaseStill drinking well now

142
Q

1967-1969

A

1967: Light, easy-drinking, over the hill, very good in Sauternes1968: Disaster, Wettest year since 19511969: Similar

143
Q

Great vintages of the 1960’s

A

19611962 (Sauternes only)1966 (by comparison)

144
Q

Disaster vintages of the 1960’s

A

1960 196319641965 1968 1969

145
Q

1970

A

ExcellentFirst good vintage since 1961Big crop, heavy production

146
Q

1972-1974

A

Series of disastersCold, wet, rainy

147
Q

1975

A

Only fair - hard and tannic - but best of a string of bad vintagesExceptional in sauternes

148
Q

1977

A

Disaster vintageThe other worst vintage of the decade

149
Q

Great vintages of the 1970’s

A

19701975 (by comparison)

150
Q

Disaster vintages of the 1970’s

A

1972197319741977

151
Q

1982

A

Vintage of the centuryPhenomenal, perfect weather

152
Q

1983

A

Very good for dry winesSpectacular for sweet wines - best since 1967

153
Q

1985

A

ExceptionalParticularly good on the right bankElegance over power

154
Q

1986

A

Also ExceptionalHot, very dry “Traditional”, high-tannin

155
Q

1987

A

Worst of the 1980’s along with 1984Harvest was totally rained out

156
Q

1988

A

Very poor and dilute red winesExceptional sweet wines (1st of 3 great vintages)

157
Q

1989

A

ExceptionalVery hot - hottest summer since 1949, earliest harvest since 1870’sBig crop, lots of power, lots of fruitExceptional for sweet wines as well

158
Q

Great vintages of the 1980’s

A

19821983 (especially Sauternes)198519861988 (Sauternes only)1989

159
Q

Disaster vintages of the 1980’s

A

19841987

160
Q

1990

A

Exceptional - vintage of the century v. 2Record-breaking heat, sun, and rainSimilar to 1989; slightly more well-regarded

161
Q

1991-1992

A

A series of poor years1991, 1992: Total disaster, across the board1993: slightly better, but not much1994: Mediocre, but optimism led to price inflation

162
Q

1995

A

Best of the last five yearsBIG CROPhard, tannic, somewhat charmlesssimilar to 1975

163
Q

1996

A

ExceptionalBest since 1990, better on the Left BankPure, deep, concentrated winesVery good sweet wines as well

164
Q

1997

A

Difficult year for dry winesVery exceptional sweet wines

165
Q

1998

A

Excellent on the right bank: similar quality to 2000 but much better QPRLeft bank washed out by rain

166
Q

1999

A

Rainy and fraught by hailWould have been a disaster but for modern winemaking philosophy and techniques

167
Q

Great vintages of the 1990’s

A

199019961997 (Sauternes only)1998

168
Q

Disaster vintages of the 1990’s

A

199119921993

169
Q

2000

A

Exceptional across the boardFirst great vintage for both banks since 1990

170
Q

2001

A

Spectacular for sweet wineRight Bank very good, especially nowLeft bank wines are somewhat dilute

171
Q

2002

A

“Classic” - somewhat green and underripeBut the pricing is reasonable

172
Q

2003

A

Heat Wave VintageBest wines are from cooler and/or more clay heavy appellations

173
Q

2004

A

Huge crop - very high yieldsLadybug vintage - some complaints of greennessDrink now

174
Q

2005

A

Vintage of the century - exceptional across the boardGenerally hot and dry with just the right amount of rainRecord upticks in price

175
Q

2006

A

Hard, tannic, and austere vintageGood wine made through rigorous sortingVery wet September

176
Q

2007

A

Soft, pleasant, easy drinkingGratuitously overpriced as futuresExceptional for sweet wine

177
Q

2008

A

Very long, cool, sunny, dry summerVery late harvest - up to 160 days of hang time for some (v. 100 average)First vintage to hit once the Asian market blew up

178
Q

2009

A

Exceptional across the boardRich, opulent, well-fruited

179
Q

2010

A

Also exceptional, but more tannic, structured, less drinkable now. Very powerful. Will age.Drought year = high extract

180
Q

2011

A

Difficult year, very small yieldsFresh and aromatic, less concentrated, drink nowBig botrytis year - excellent in Sauternes

181
Q

2012

A

Hot, dry summer delayed ripening (shutdown)Very late harvests, affected by rainRigorous sorting necessary

182
Q

2013

A

Extremely difficult weather - rainstorms, rainstorms, rainstorms, hail, wind, etc.Very low yields - most of the crop was destroyed or unusable.

183
Q

2014

A

Better than the 3 previous years - warm and sunny at harvest, yields are up, and the grapes are likely in better condition.

184
Q

20th Century Exceptional Vintages

A

1899190019211928 (high tannin, austere)192919341937 (Sauternes only)19451947 (especially Right Bank)19491953