Bordeaux

Question 1

The Bordeaux classification system: Is it related to the appellation system and is it attached to the vineyard site or the producer? *

Answer 1

It is not related to the appellation system and is attached to the producer.

Question 2

To which two regions does the 1855 classification apply and how many levels are there in each?*

Answer 2

Medoc: 5 growths
Sauternes: 3 levels

Question 3

Name the four châteaux of the original 1855 first growth classification, indicating which one lies outside the Médoc.*

Answer 3

Châteaux Lafite, Latour, Margaux and Haut Brion. Haut Brion lies in the Graves.

Question 4

Which classification was added to the Médoc in 1932 and is now only a labelling term?*

Answer 4

Cru Bourgeois

Question 5

Which labelling term that used to be a Bordeaux classification term is revised and allocated to wines every vintage?*

Answer 5

Cru Bourgeois

Question 6

Name and briefly explain the ranking categories of the classification system in the Graves.*

Answer 6

Cru Classe: no ranking (but the Pessac Leognan AC within the Graves was created in 1987 as all the Cru Classe domaines are situated here)

Question 7

St Emilion: In which year was St Emilion’s classification system introduced? *

Answer 7

1955

Question 8

Name the two ranking levels of the St Emilion classification system and indicate which one has two subdivisions. *

Answer 8

Grand Cru Class
Premiere Grand Cru Classe, with divisions A and B (B has 14 Chateaux whereas A has only 4 châteaux: Cheval blanc, Ausone, Angelus and Pavie)

Question 9

Bordeaux Left Bank: Name the four most highly regarded Communal AC’s of the Haut Medoc from North to South. *

Answer 9

Saint-Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux

Question 10

Within the Graves, which AC produces white wines of Cru Classe classification?*

Answer 10

Pessac Leognan AC

Question 11

On the left bank there are two regions producing quality dry white wines that may be labelled only as Bordeaux AC. Which are they?*

Answer 11

Mêdoc and Sauternes

Question 12

Barsac: Under which AC term may the sweet wine from this region be labelled?*

Answer 12

Barsac AC or Sauternes AC

Question 13

Which cultivars may be planted in the Sauternes AC?*

Answer 13

SB, Semillon and Muscadelle

Question 14

Which method of sugar concentration may be used in Sauternes in the years when Botrytis is insufficient?*

Answer 14

Passerillage

Question 15

Describe two differences between the left and right bank that explain why Cabernet Sauvignon is better suited to the left bank and Merlot to the right.*

Answer 15

Left bank: gravel soil and therefore slightly warmer with better drainage. CS does not like water logged soils and ripens late.
Right bank: Clay soils, higher water retention and a bit cooler. Therefore Merlot, which is earlier ripening and suited to clay soils is planted here.

Question 16

Which three important AC’s are within the Graves AC?*

Answer 16

Pessac Leognan, Sauternes and Barsac.

Question 17

What is the Côtes de Bordeaux, established in 2008? *

Answer 17

Four villages that may put the term Cotes de Bordeaux in front of their village name (from the left bank and entre-deux-mers): Blaye, Cadillac, Francs and Castillon. Easy drinking Merlot based wines, often of good value.

Question 18

Right bank: Name the two prominent red wine AC’s on the right bank.*

Answer 18

St Emilion and Pomerol

Question 19

How do the grape varieties in St Emilion and Pomerol differ to the left bank?*

Answer 19

The right bank is more Merlot focussed and St Emilion also has Cabernet franc in some blends (suited to the gravel and limestone soils in St Emilion)

Question 20

Why are Pomerol AC wines often more highly prices than those of St Emilion AC?*

Answer 20

Scarcity - the Pomerol estates are usually very small.

Question 21

Name a few satellites around St Emilion that may attach the their village name to the words ‘…. St Emilion AC’. *

Answer 21

St Emilion satellites: Lussac, Montagne, Puisseguin and St George.

Question 22

Briefly explain the garagiste movement and micro-cuvée increasingly found on the right bank.

Answer 22

Both are high quality, full bodied wines that sell for high prices due to scarcity. The garagiste movement is driven by small scale wine producers who often lie outside of highly regarded AC classifications or Cru classé designations. Vin de garage are usually produced from low yielding Merlot. Micro-cuvées may be produced by a chateaux as a niche market wine for consumers wanting an exceptionally concentrated and flavourful wine.

Question 23

Describe the difference in red wine style one can expect from the Haut Médoc, Pessac Leognan, St Emilion and Pomerol.

Answer 23

Haut Médoc: High acid and tannic CS with dark berry (blackcurrant) and cigar box flavours.
Pessac Leognan: Similar style to the Haut Médoc, but slightly lighter.
St Emilion: Merlot dominated rich red berry and plums, moderate tannins and often new oak aged. Those wines with significant amounts of Cabernet franc may have some raspberry and capsicum notes with less fine tannin structure.
Pomerol: Richer, spicier and more black and red fruit flavours.

Question 24

Which style of wine does the Premiêre Côtes de Bordeaux AC produce?

Answer 24

Natural sweet wines, less concentrated and usually less intense than Sauternes.

Question 25

What is the French name of the three tier Trade structure operating in Bordeeaux?

Answer 25

La Place de Bordeaux (producer - courtier - negotiant)

Question 26

Generic Appelations: Under which two generic AC terms are majority of Bordeaux reds labelled? Which one term applies to Bordeaux white wines?

Answer 26

Reds: Bordeaux AC and Bordeaux Supérieur AC
Whites: Bordeaux AC

Question 27

Generic Apellations: Under which two terms may rosé wines from Bordeaux be labelled?

Answer 27

Bordeaux rosé and Bordeaux Clairet (note no AC)