Bordeaux Flashcards
Describe the Bordeaux region
Largest fine wine district in the world
Reds outnumber whites 9 to 1
Great red wines areas are Medoc north of Bordeaux.
Commands the worlds highest prices.
Rarely upholds the glory during vintage years due to Climate.
What are the principal grape varieties of Bordeaux?
Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Semillion Sauvignon Blanc Muscadelle
What are the major white varieties in Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillion
Which 2 areas in Bordeaux are known for their White Wines?
Graves and Sauternes
How are the White Graves wines classified?
Graves and Pessac-Leognan
Simple wines are called Graves
Best Wines are in Pessac-Leognan.
What is the breakdown of Bordeaux Production?
85% red
13% white
2% sweet
What does Graves mean?
Gravel - the soil type on the region.
How to select a Graves Wine?
Purchase from a classified Chateaux
Chateau Bouscaut Chateau Carbonnieux Chateau Couhins-Lurton Domaine de Chevalier Chateau Haut-Brion Chateau La Louviere Chateau La Tour-Martillac Chateau Laville-Haut-Brion Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Chateau Olivier Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte.
What is White Bordeaux?
A blend if SB, Semillion and sometimes Muscadet.
What are the wine styles of White Bordeaux?
There are two major styles of White Bordeaux: Light & Fruity or Rich & Creamy. Light & Fruity styles make up the majority of White Bordeaux and are generally cheaper. Rich & Creamy White Bordeaux wines are made in a specific region (Pessac-Leognan) and tend to be expensive.
What are the best vintages for White Bordeaux?
2000, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010
What are good food pairings for a White Bordeaux?
Grilled Sea Bass with Beurre Blanc Goat Cheese Soufflé Crab Salad Mussels Clams Scallops Arugula Salad with Lemon and Parmesan Asparagus Risotto English Pea Ravioli with Crab or Lobster Angel Hair Pasta with Basil Pesto Yellowtail Sushi with Avocado White Fin Fish, such as Cod or Halibut, with Beurre Blanc
Describe the Light and Fruity style of White Bordeaux.
This is the most readily available style of White Bordeaux. Expect big flavors and aromas of citrus, grapefruit, lemon, gooseberry and lime along with grass, freshly-wet concrete, honey, passionfruit and honeysuckle flower.
Describe the Rich and Creamy Style of White Bordeaux.
This is the most highly sought-after style of White Bordeaux. These wines tend to be predominantly Semillon which offers a much richer, more oily feeling on the tongue than Sauvignon Blanc. Expect flavors of baked apples and pears, crème brûlée, carmelized grapefruit, orange zest, ginger, figs, lemon butter and even chamomile.
What is the difference between Sauternes and Barsac Region?
Barsac is adjacent to Sauternes and has the option of using Sauternes or Barsac.
What are the best vintages for Sauternes?
1986,1988, 1989, 1990, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010
What is the primary grape used in Sauternes?
Semillion
How long can you age Sauternes?
Most classified Chateau wines can age 10-30 yrs.
What is the Grand Premier Cru for Sauternes?
Chateau d’Yquem
What are the 4 most important wine regions for red wine?
Medoc
Pommerol
Graves/Pessac-Leognan
St-Emilion
What are 7 important appellations in Medoc?
Haut Medoc St-Estephe Pauillac St-Julien Margaux Moulis Listrac
What are the 3 classifications for Bordeaux wine?
Bordeaux -proprietary or brand name wines ie Mouton-Cadet
Region ie Pauillac and St-Emilion
Region + Chateau
What is the typical Medoc Blend?
60-80% CS
25-40% Merlot
10-20% CF
What 6 grapes are allowed in standard Bordeaux AOP red?
CS Merlot CF Petit Verdot Malbec Carmenere
Describe the climate in Bordeaux?
Maritime climate, Atlantic and Gironde protect the vines from winter freeze and spring frost.
Winters are short, spring is damp and summers can reach high temperatures.
Climate becomes more continental towards St-Emilion & Pomerol.
What is the Bordeaux mixture in context of vineyard mgmt?
A mix of lime, copper sulfate & water applied to avoid fungal problems.
How do Merlot, Cab Sauv and Cab Franc compliment each other in a Bordeaux blend?
CS gives the wine structure, power and longevity. Merlot gives fleshy, fruity texture that can soften the CS. CF is more tannin than Merlot but less weight than CS and imparts herbal spice and red fruit aromatics.
What is the Right Bank?
Right Bank of the Dordogne River
What are the Grand Crus of Graves?
Chateau Bouscaut Chateau Carbonnieux Chateau de Chevalier Chateau de Fieuzal Chateau de Haut-Bailly Chateau La Mission-Haut-Brion Chateau La Tour-Martillac Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Chateau Olivier Chateau Pape-Clement Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte
Which region does not have official classification?
Pomerol
Smallest of the top red wine districts - wines are scarce and expensive.
Which Bordeaux regions make Merlot style Bordeaux?
St-Emilion or Pomerol
Easier to drink when young
Which regions make Cabernet style Bordeaux?
Medoc or Graves
