Bordeaux Flashcards
What is the largest AC in France in terms of volume?
Bordeaux
What weather condition is Bordeaux susceptible to that results in vintage variation?
a. frost
b. high rain fall
c.
Prone to high rain fall, during growing season and harvest - can affect flowering and ripening.
What kind of climate does Bordeaux have?
moderate, martime. Influence from the warming effect of the Gulf Stream (warm air from the Caribbean)
Are spring frosts a problem in Bordeaux?
No. Grape ripening can happen until October.
Where is Bordeaux located?
South West France
What is the soil like in Medoc, Haut-Medoc and Graves? What does that mean for the grapes grown here?
Gravel - More cab sauv in the Medocs, in general riper fruit because of heat retention in the rocks.
What is the soil like in Saint Emilion and Pomeral? What grapes are grown here.
Clay with limestone subsoil. Merlot/Cab Franc dominatnt
The two largest vineyard concerns in Bordeaux are fungal disease and variable levels of ripeness. What causes this?
due to cloud cover and rain fall
Name the 4 main black and 3 white varieties of Bordeaux.
Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot
Semillon, Sauv Blanc, Muscadelle
What are the two theories behind Bordeaux blending?
Because different grape varieties flower and ripen at different times, blending offers an insurance policy against variable weather conditions that could cause one variety to suffer (e.g. heavy rainfall or frost)
How many varieties are permitted under AC law in Bordeaux?
13.
Merlot, CS, CF, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere. Sauv Blanc (gris), Semillon, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc
Where is Cab Franc predominantly grown? (Bordeaux)
St Emilion
What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?
Merlot
What do Merlot, Cab Sauv and Cab Franc each contribute to a blend?
Merlot: Softness, and body
Cab Sauv: Structure, tannin, colour fruit
Cab Franc: mid palate structure
When used, what does Petite Verdot contribute to a blend?
Tannin, colour, and spice to great wines
ripens only in hot years, giving very tannic ripe wine
Why is Semilion used to make sweet wines?
Thin skinned, affinity for noble rot
Why is it so important to know Bordeaux vintages?
Because of high vintage variation.
What is the one exception for blended Bordeaux wine?
Single varietal Sauv Blanc Bordeaux White
What is the contribution of Sauv Blanc to a blend?
High acid count balances flabbiness of Semilion - especially in sweet wines
What is a synonym for Picpoul de Pinet?
Folle Blanche
When are most Bordeaux wines blended?
In the spring following the vintage
How many litres in a barrique in Bordeaux?
225L
How long does a Bordeaux wine typically age in cask?
15-18 mo. Up to 24 mo for fine wines
Do dry whites of Bordeaux go through Malolactic fermentation?
No. Malic all the way
Which white Bordeaux’s are likely to have new oak use>
Those from Pessac-Leognan. It is fermented and matured in new oak.
What are the two rivers of Bordeaux?
Garonne & Dordogne combine to form the Gironde estuary.
At what stage in the wine making process are the reds blended?
After fermentation
Whats the difference between Bordeaux Rose and Clairet?
Bordeaux Rose is fresh, fruity
Clairet goes under longer maceration, deeper colour, fuller body
Name the 4 generic appellation of Bordeaux?
Bordeaux (red and white), Bordeaux Superior, Bordeaux Rose, Clairet
Name the Appellations of the Medoc north to south
St Estephe
Pouillac
St Julien
Margaux
Where do all the first growths of the 1855 rule come from?
Haut-Médoc and Pessac-Leognan
What kind of soil does St Estephe have?
Clay with gravel outputs
What kind of soil is found in the Bas-Medoc?
More clay than gravel
Style of red wine in Pessac-Leognan vs Haut Medoc?
PL: lighter in body, more fragrant. Mature quickly
Style of red wine in Graves?
Lighter, less concentrated and complex
What is the other name for right bank?
Libourne
What are the best vineyards located in St Emilion?
Grand Cru Classe A Chateau Angelus Chateau Cheval Blanc Chateau Ausone Chateau Pavie
Which wines are prices higher, St Emilion or Pomerol?
Pomerol, because the estates are smaller.
Is the St Emilion Grand Cru classification ever reviewed?
yes, every 10 years
Name the 4 Cotes de Bordeaux AC?
Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs
NOT cote de bourg
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux makes what style of wine?
a. premium dry whites
b. sweet reds
c. sweet whites
d. dry reds
C Sweet whites
Where are the best Premium dry white wines made?
Pessac-Leognan
What river creates the ideal misty autumn condition for botrytis
Ciron
What is Passerillage
another process that helps concentrate flavours further.
aka. dehydration
How can Barsac label their wines?
As Barscac AOC or Sauternes AOC
What do each grape add to the blend? Semilion, Sauv Bland and Muscadelle?
Semilion: body roundness
Sauv Blanc: acid
Muscadelle: perfume
Satellite appellations of Sauternes
Cerons AC, Loupiac AC, St Croix-du-Mont AC and Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux
Satellite appellations of St Emilion
Lussac, Montagne, Puisseguin, and St Georges
Where is Chateau Petrus?
Pomerol
What is Cru Bourgeois ?
Apply to a tasting panel and awarded for a specific vintage NOT a particular house
Where is Haut-Brion?
In Pessac Leognan, Graves
What is En Premieur Sales?
buying futures.
Which one of the following is an AC for red wines only?
a. Bergerac
b. Saint-Emilion
c. Premiers Cotes de Bordeaux
d. Pessac-Leognan
B. Saint Emilion
What are the ideal autumn weather conditions for the development of noble rot
Misty mornings and sunny afternoons
