Bordeaux

Question 1

What is the largest AC in France in terms of volume?

Answer 1

Bordeaux

Question 2

What weather condition is Bordeaux susceptible to that results in vintage variation?
a. frost
b. high rain fall
c.

Answer 2

Prone to high rain fall, during growing season and harvest - can affect flowering and ripening.

Question 3

What kind of climate does Bordeaux have?

Answer 3

moderate, martime. Influence from the warming effect of the Gulf Stream (warm air from the Caribbean)

Question 4

Are spring frosts a problem in Bordeaux?

Answer 4

No. Grape ripening can happen until October.

Question 5

Where is Bordeaux located?

Answer 5

South West France

Question 6

What is the soil like in Medoc, Haut-Medoc and Graves? What does that mean for the grapes grown here?

Answer 6

Gravel - More cab sauv in the Medocs, in general riper fruit because of heat retention in the rocks.

Question 7

What is the soil like in Saint Emilion and Pomeral? What grapes are grown here.

Answer 7

Clay with limestone subsoil. Merlot/Cab Franc dominatnt

Question 8

The two largest vineyard concerns in Bordeaux are fungal disease and variable levels of ripeness. What causes this?

Answer 8

due to cloud cover and rain fall

Question 9

Name the 4 main black and 3 white varieties of Bordeaux.

Answer 9

Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot

Semillon, Sauv Blanc, Muscadelle

Question 10

What are the two theories behind Bordeaux blending?

Answer 10

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)

Question 11

How many varieties are permitted under AC law in Bordeaux?

Answer 11

13.

Merlot, CS, CF, Petit Verdot, Malbec, 
Carmenere.
Sauv Blanc (gris), Semillon, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc

Question 12

Where is Cab Franc predominantly grown? (Bordeaux)

Answer 12

St Emilion

Question 13

What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?

Answer 13

Merlot

Question 14

What do Merlot, Cab Sauv and Cab Franc each contribute to a blend?

Answer 14

Merlot: Softness, and body
Cab Sauv: Structure, tannin, colour fruit
Cab Franc: mid palate structure

Question 15

When used, what does Petite Verdot contribute to a blend?

Answer 15

Tannin, colour, and spice to great wines

ripens only in hot years, giving very tannic ripe wine

Question 16

Why is Semilion used to make sweet wines?

Answer 16

Thin skinned, affinity for noble rot

Question 17

Why is it so important to know Bordeaux vintages?

Answer 17

Because of high vintage variation.

Question 18

What is the one exception for blended Bordeaux wine?

Answer 18

Single varietal Sauv Blanc Bordeaux White

Question 19

What is the contribution of Sauv Blanc to a blend?

Answer 19

High acid count balances flabbiness of Semilion - especially in sweet wines

Question 20

What is a synonym for Picpoul de Pinet?

Answer 20

Folle Blanche

Question 21

When are most Bordeaux wines blended?

Answer 21

In the spring following the vintage

Question 22

How many litres in a barrique in Bordeaux?

Answer 22

225L

Question 23

How long does a Bordeaux wine typically age in cask?

Answer 23

15-18 mo. Up to 24 mo for fine wines

Question 24

Do dry whites of Bordeaux go through Malolactic fermentation?

Answer 24

No. Malic all the way

Question 25

Which white Bordeaux's are likely to have new oak use>

Answer 25

Those from Pessac-Leognan. It is fermented and matured in new oak.

Question 26

What are the two rivers of Bordeaux?

Answer 26

Garonne & Dordogne combine to form the Gironde estuary.

Question 27

At what stage in the wine making process are the reds blended?

Answer 27

After fermentation

Question 28

Whats the difference between Bordeaux Rose and Clairet?

Answer 28

Bordeaux Rose is fresh, fruity | Clairet goes under longer maceration, deeper colour, fuller body

Question 29

Name the 4 generic appellation of Bordeaux?

Answer 29

Bordeaux (red and white), Bordeaux Superior, Bordeaux Rose, Clairet

Question 30

Name the Appellations of the Medoc north to south

Answer 30

St Estephe Pouillac St Julien Margaux

Question 31

Where do all the first growths of the 1855 rule come from?

Answer 31

Haut-Médoc and Pessac-Leognan

Question 32

What kind of soil does St Estephe have?

Answer 32

Clay with gravel outputs

Question 33

What kind of soil is found in the Bas-Medoc?

Answer 33

More clay than gravel

Question 34

Style of red wine in Pessac-Leognan vs Haut Medoc?

Answer 34

PL: lighter in body, more fragrant. Mature quickly

Question 35

Style of red wine in Graves?

Answer 35

Lighter, less concentrated and complex

Question 36

What is the other name for right bank?

Answer 36

Libourne

Question 37

What are the best vineyards located in St Emilion?

Answer 37

``` Grand Cru Classe A Chateau Angelus Chateau Cheval Blanc Chateau Ausone Chateau Pavie ```

Question 38

Which wines are prices higher, St Emilion or Pomerol?

Answer 38

Pomerol, because the estates are smaller.

Question 39

Is the St Emilion Grand Cru classification ever reviewed?

Answer 39

yes, every 10 years

Question 40

Name the 4 Cotes de Bordeaux AC?

Answer 40

Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs NOT cote de bourg

Question 41

Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux makes what style of wine? a. premium dry whites b. sweet reds c. sweet whites d. dry reds

Answer 41

C Sweet whites

Question 42

Where are the best Premium dry white wines made?

Answer 42

Pessac-Leognan

Question 43

What river creates the ideal misty autumn condition for botrytis

Answer 43

Ciron

Question 44

What is Passerillage

Answer 44

another process that helps concentrate flavours further. | aka. dehydration

Question 45

How can Barsac label their wines?

Answer 45

As Barscac AOC or Sauternes AOC

Question 46

What do each grape add to the blend? Semilion, Sauv Bland and Muscadelle?

Answer 46

Semilion: body roundness Sauv Blanc: acid Muscadelle: perfume

Question 47

Satellite appellations of Sauternes

Answer 47

Cerons AC, Loupiac AC, St Croix-du-Mont AC and Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux

Question 48

Satellite appellations of St Emilion

Answer 48

Lussac, Montagne, Puisseguin, and St Georges

Question 49

Where is Chateau Petrus?

Answer 49

Pomerol

Question 50

What is Cru Bourgeois ?

Answer 50

Apply to a tasting panel and awarded for a specific vintage NOT a particular house

Question 51

Where is Haut-Brion?

Answer 51

In Pessac Leognan, Graves

Question 52

What is En Premieur Sales?

Answer 52

buying futures.

Question 53

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

Answer 53

B. Saint Emilion

Question 54

What are the ideal autumn weather conditions for the development of noble rot

Answer 54

Misty mornings and sunny afternoons