BORDEAUX Flashcards
Bordeaux is divided by which waterway. This in turn divides into which 2 rivers?
Gironde Estuary, which splits into the Garonne & Dordogne Rivers
124,000 hectares are planted to vines in Bordeaux. What is the acreage conversion?
306,000 acres. Bordeaux is the largest appellation in France.
What is the name for the drainage ditches that cross the Médoc, preventing it from reverting to swampland?
Jalles
From 1152 to 1453 Bordeaux was ruled by which country?
England
What is a Négociant?
An intermediary who buys grapes or wine in barrel to age in their own cellars before bottling and selling the wine.
What is a Courtier?
A wine broker who controls the wine trade. Created “En Primeur” method of Bordeaux sales.
What is “En Primeur”?
The yearly offering of Bordeaux wine as futures.
What does “Grand Vin” refer to?
A chateaus’ single, estate vineyards fruit produced wine. Must be within the appropriate AOC/P.
Describe the climate classification of Bordeaux.
Maritime, moving towards Continental near St. Émilion & Pomerol.
What is the “Bordeaux Mixture”?
A mix of lime, copper sulfate, and water used to avoid fungal problems due to damp weather conditions.
What is Bordeaux Clairet?
A darker, richer, more aromatic style of rosé reminiscent of the wines sent to England in the Middle Ages.
Name the 6 grape varieties allowed for Bordeaux AOP red wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec, Carmènere
Name 3 soil types in Bordeaux and the grape variety that grows best in it.
Clay-based (Merlot), Gravel-based (Cab. Sauvignon), Limestone-based (Cab. Franc)
What is the “typical” grape blend of the Left Bank? Right Bank?
Left Bank (Cab. Sauvignon-2/3, Merlot, Cab. Franc, Petite Verdot) Right Bank (Merlot 3/4, Cab. Franc 1/3, infrequent Malbec (Pressac))
Name the 3 major and 3 minor white grape varietals of Bordeaux AOP.
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle (Major)
Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc (Minor)
