Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

CLIMATE

Bordeaux has a ?

A

Moderate maritime climate that benefits from the warming effect of the Gulf stream.

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2
Q

CLIMATE

What does the warming effect from the Gulf Stream do ?

A

This brings warm water from the Caribbean to northern Europe, extending the growing season.

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3
Q

CLIMATE

Does Bordeaux suffer from Spring Frosts and when does ripening go until ?

A

No Bordeaux rarely suffers from Spring Frosts and ripening continues well into October.

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4
Q

CLIMATE

How does the Atlantic effect Bordeaux?

A

It brings high levels of rainfall and humidity.

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5
Q

CLIMATE

What protects the vineyards from the worst of the Atlantic storms ?

A

The Landes Forest and the coastal sand dunes, but rainfall is high, averaging 950mm a year.

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6
Q

CLIMATE

Consequently of all the factors effecting Climate, what about vintage variation?

A

Vintage variation is an important consideration in Bordeaux.

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7
Q

VITICULTURE

What are the two biggest concerns in Bordeaux vineyards?

A

Fungal diseases and variable levels of ripeness, both of which are a result of the high rainfall and cloud cover.

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8
Q

VITICULTURE

What three things have resulted in healthier grapes?

A

VSP, Green Harvesting and Leaf Stripping.

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9
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

How many grape varieties are permitted under the AC regulations?

A

Thirteen grape varieties

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10
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

In practice how many Black and White grape varieties predominate ?

A

Three black grape varieties and two white.

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11
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc is mainly grown where?

A

Saint-Emilion

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12
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc is grown to a lesser extent where ?

A

The Medoc and The Graves, although it does not dominate any of these sub-regions.

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13
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc produces what kind of wines ?

A

Less body than CabSav, tannin and finesse. It can have herbaceous or stalky flavours when unripe but can have a marked fragrance when ripe which is its key contribution to a blend.

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14
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc prefers soils ?

A

Well drained warm soils.

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15
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates what sub-regions ?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon only dominates in the Haut-Medoc, although it is very important in Bas Medoc and the Graves.

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16
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon does well here because ?

A

The high stone/gravel content in the soils here helps reflect heat back into the vineyard, and consequently these are the only areas it can reliably ripen.

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17
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon, in its dominating sub-regions it accounts to how much of the blend in the finest wines ?

A

Three quarters

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18
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon in these sub-regions produces what kinds of wines ?

A

Tannic wines, with an affinity to oak and a core of blackcurrant fruit. but when unripe the tannins can be too high and the flavours overly herbaceous.

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19
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon is always blended here with which grape variety ?

A

Merlot

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20
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon, the best Cabernet dominated wines can age for ?

A

Decades.

21
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot , is it the most widely planted variety in Bordeaux ?

A

Yes.

22
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot produces what kinds of wines ?

A

It produces, full bodied, moderately tannic wines which also mature earlier than CabSav.

23
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot, what does it add to the austere Cab Sav ?

A

It adds softness, richness and body.

24
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot, What does it rely on the two Cabernets for ?

A

Aromatic fruit, colour and tannin.

25
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot is particularly important in the premium wines of ?

A

Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, where unlike CabSav it can ripen successfully.

26
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot, on its own lacks character unless ?

A

The yields are very low.

27
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot, because of its softness it is better suited to produce ?

A

A more appealing inexpensive wine.

28
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Petit Verdot, of the other black grape varieties it is the only of importance, why and what and how

A

It ripens full only in very hot years, giving a very deep-coloured tannic wine which ages slowly. It never plays more than a minor role in a blend, Used mainly to add tannin, colour and some exotic spicy notes.

29
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Semillon, is the most widely planted white variety planted in Bordeaux, why what how

A

Given its thin skin and affinity for noble rot, it is used widely for sweet wines. It gives wines with a golden colour and plenty of body. It has affinity for oak and can age well.

30
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Sauvignon Blanc, In Bordeaux, why what how

A

In Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc produces wines with a distinctive herbaceous,grassy and elderflower aroma.
When blended its acidity acts as a counterbalance to the some times flabbiness of Semillon.

31
Q

GRAPE VARIETIES

Muscadelle , In Bordeaux, why what how

A

Has a pronounced grapey, floral flavour and plays an important supporting role in sweet and dry white wine production. it only makes up a small percentage of any blend.

32
Q

GENERIC APPELLATIONS

The output of the generic appellations reaches how many hectolitres ?

A

Three Million Hectolitres

33
Q

GENERIC APPELLATIONS

Two thirds of this is red labelled what ?

A

Bordeaux AC or Bordeaux Superieur AC

34
Q

GENERIC APPELLATIONS

The white and rose is labelled ?

A
Bordeaux AC (White) 
Bordeaux Rose, Bordeaux Clairet (Rose)
35
Q

GENERIC APPELLATIONS

At their best what do the dry reds display ?

A

Medium-body, black berry and cedar notes.

36
Q

GENERIC APPELLATIONS

The best bordeaux Rose is fresh and fruity, whereas Clairet .. ?

A

Clairet undergoes a longer maceration and is deeper in colour and fuller bodied.

37
Q

GENERIC APPELLATIONS

White Bordeaux is increasingly what and shows what ?

A

White Bordeaux is increasingly dominated by Sauvignon blanc and shows a vibrant grassy elderflower character, some can have a toasty note from oak-ageing.

38
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

To the North of Bordeaux’s left bank lies ..

A

The Medoc

39
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

To the south of Bordeaux’s right bank lies

A

The Graves

40
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

Within these sub-regions, the best quality red wines are made where ? and what is the dominating grape ?

A

Haut-Medoc (Medoc)
Pessac-Leognan (Graves)
Cabernet Sauvignon

41
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

In the Best quality sub-regions what are the characteristics of the wines produced ?

A

The Best wines are very structured with high tannins and acid and have a concentrated core of blackcurrant fruit overlaid by flavours of toasted oak.

42
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

Can the Wines from Haut-Medoc/Pessac-Leognan age and what do they develop ?

A

Yes, They can age for decades and develop cigar box and cedar aromas.

43
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

What is the Northern most part of the Medoc sub-region and what are the wines labelled ? Also what is the soil like ?

A

The northern most part is Bas-Medoc and the wines are labelled simply as Medoc AC. The soil here is predominantly clay but there significant outcrops of gravel.

44
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

From Saint-Estephe southwards what highly rated vineyards are there

A

Haut-Medoc AC, With one exception, all red wines in thr 1855 classification come from here.

45
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

From North to South what are the four with the highest reputation ?

A

Saint-Estephe AC, Pauillac AC, Julien AC and Margaux AC.

Each of these commune ACs have even lower maximum yields and a widely recognised distinctive style,

46
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

What lies to the south of Bordeaux’s Left Bank ?

A

Pessac-Leognan AC. where all the finest vineyards and all the Cru Classe Chateaux in this area are located.

47
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

Pessac-Leognan, soils, wine styles ?

A

Soils are gravelly and well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon but in general the wines are a little lighter bodied and more fragrant.

48
Q

THE REDS OF MEDOC AND GRAVES

Where does Graves AC extend to and tell us about it

A

Graves AC extends to the south of Pessac-Leognan making red wines that are similiar in style but less concentrated and complex. usually with a higher proportion of Merlot.