Bordeaux Flashcards
Graves classification date
1953 and 1959 - included 16 properties Haut Brion is the only Cru classé
Cru Bourgeois classification date
1932 and renewed every 10 years until 2003 when controversy interrupted the system. It is now more of an annual quality assessment. 300 producers in 2008
Cru Artisan
revived in 2006 with a list of 44 producers. Reevaluated every 10 years
Total acres of vines
Just under 300,000
Geographic Features
Garonne, Dordogne, Gironde
West Bank, East Bank, Entre-Deux-Mers, Landes Forest
Medoc, Graves, Libourne
Climate
Maritime - with gulf stream influences tempered by the Landes Forest along the west coast.
Grape Varieites in order of importance
Red - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carmenère
White - Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle and while rare Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc are allowed.
What percent of wine produced in Bordeaux is red?
89%
11% dry white and sweet
Limited rose and cremant
Wine styles
Basic reds - usually based on Merlot from Entre deus mere and the right bank. Good everyday wines
Right bank reds - based on Merlot
Left bank reds - based on Cab Sauv.
Dry whites - based on Sauv. Blanc (min Semillon) Graves
Sweet whites - semillon Sauternes and several places along the banks of the rivers.
How many appellations are there in the Bordeaux Region?
60 AOC’s Different styles of wine produced within an appellation are counted as different appellations. Some allow the production of only dry whites, dry reds or sweet whites while others allow all types.
What is the largest AOC in the Bordeaux Region?
The Bordeaux AOC both in physical size and production
It allows dry reds, sweet and dry whites, and roses
What is the appellation for sparkling wines
Crement de Bordeaux AOC
What is the Bordeaux Superior AOC
It covers the same geographic area as the Bordeaux AOC but it has tighter restrictions such as lower yields, higher min. ripeness and higher min. alcohol
Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superior combines produce 55% of the wine in Bordeaux.
What AOC’s are in the Medoc?
Medoc AOC, Haut-Medoc AOC and 6 communal AOC’s including 4 of the most prestigious villages in the wine world: St. Estephe, St. Julian, Margeaux, Pauillac
What are the AOC’s south of Medoc
AOC’s Graves is for dry reds and whites.
Pessac-Leognan AOC
Sauternes
Entre deux Mers AOC’s
Is the appellation for dry white wines only. Red wines produced in the area and AOC Bordeaux. And there are some small AOC’s along the river for red wine and sweet white wines.
What appellation was created in Bordeaux in 2008?
AOC Cotes de Bordeaux created for an area formally known as Cotes de Francs - including Cotes de Castillion, Premier Cotes de Blaye, and Premiers Cotes de Bordeaux. In the Cotes de Bordeaux AOC these villages can append their village name as long as the wine comes exclusively from the named area.
What are the wine regions of Libournais
Pomerol, St. Emilion, Fronsac, Lelande-de-Pomerol, and the 4 satellites of St. Emilion- Saint-George, Montagne, Lussac Puisseguin
Bordeaux Classification Date
1855 Left bank chateaux’s (not the vineyards)
Included 61 wines sub divided into 4 Crus
Premier Crus Haut Brion, Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Margaux and Mouton Pthschild was added in 1973.
Sweet wines were also classified in 1855 - 14 second growths, 11 first growths with one superior growth - Chateau d’Yquem.
St Emilion Grande Cru Classe Classification was in what year?
1954 and it requires reclassification every 10 years.
Levels Grand Cru Clsse, Premier Grand Cru Classe with higher viticultural standards .
As of 2012 there are 16 Premier Grand Classe chateaus with 4 rated at an A status - Angelus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Pavie
Total acreage of vines in Bordeaux
300,000 acres
Annual production of Bordeaux in cases
Approx. 61 millón cases
3 main rivers of Bordeaux
Garrone, Dordogne, Gironde
Main town on the right bank of Bordeaux
Libourne
Area north of the city of Bordeaux, on the left bank
The Medoc
Area south of the city of Bordeaux on the left bank
Graves
Area between the Dordogne and the Garonne
Entre Deux Mers
Percentage of Bordeaux’s vineyards planted in red grapes
89%
British term for red Bordeaux
Claret
3 main white grape varieties of Bordeaux
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
3 main red grape varieties of Bordeaux
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Canernat Franc
3 regional AOC’s of Bordeaux
Bordeaux AOC, Bordeaux Superior AOC, Cremant de Bordeaux AOC
4 highest ranking communes of the Medoc
St Julien, Margaux, St. Estephe, Pauillac
Largest appellation for dry white wines in Graves
Pessac Leognan
Term used for Bordeaux wine sold in futures
En Primeur
5 proprieties that are classified as Bordeaux Premier Cru
Haut Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild(1973), Margaux, Latour
