Bordeaux Flashcards
What was Burdigala?
A Celtic settlement situated west of the Garrone River on a gravel terrace.
In what town/settlement was the Roman poet Ausonius born?
Burdigala
Which producer is recorded as the first single-estate wine in Bordeaux?
Haut-Brion
True/False: Malbec is indigenous to Bordeaux.
False.
It arrived in the region in 1730 from SW France
Give an early name for Malbec.
Pressac Noir
What event brought Bordeaux under English rule?
Eleanor of Aquitaine’s marriage to King Henry II
Who ordered the classification of Bordeaux in 1855?
Emperor Napoleon III
For what event was the 1855 Classification created?
Universal Exhibition in Paris
What catastrophe struck Bordeaux in 1869?
Phylloxera
In what year was the Cru Bourgeois Classification first defined? And eventually scrapped?
1932; 2008
What classification was formally recognized in 2002?
Cru Artisan Classification
Who was responsible for making the 1982 vintage a “breakout”?
Robert Parker
The first classification of St-Émilion happened in what year? When was the most recent?
1955; 2012
What 1st Growth château has opted to no longer sell wines “en primeur”?
Château Latour
Bordeaux experiences what major climate type?
Maritime
True/False: Bordeaux lacks a true dry season.
True.
It rains every month in the year.
How does the Atlantic Gulf Stream moderate Bordeaux’s climate?
It brings warm waters up from the Caribbean
Where does Bordeaux fall along the Winkler Scale?
Region II
What climatic feature is lacking in Bordeaux that is characteristic of Continental climates?
A prominent diurnal shift
Name the 2 sectors/regions of the Méodc. Which is further north?
Bas-Médoc, Haut-Médoc; Bas-Médoc
What manmade feature separates Graves from the Atlantic Ocean?
Landes Forest
From where are the soils in Graves derived?
Deposited by the Garonne River
What two rivers promote the growth of botrytis in Sauternes?
Ciron
Garonne
Apart from gravel, what other soil types are found in the Médoc?
Clay, sand, limestone
What is the most planted grape in Bordeaux?
Merlot
Name the prominent vine training/trellising system employed in Bordeaux.
Guyot (both simple and double)
On which side of the Gironde is Double Guyot more widely used?
Left Bank
On which side of the Gironde is simple/single Guyot more widely used?
Right Bank
For what style of wine is Cordon training used? Why?
Sweet wines
Produces smaller berries that attract botrytis
Why are vines trained higher on the Right Bank than on the Left Bank?
Being more inland, the Right Bank faces greater threat from frost. Training higher helps mitigate this problem.
Why is it beneficial to train vines lower on the Left Bank?
Late ripening grapes (like Cabernet Sauvignon) can benefit from the radiant heat from the gravelly/stoney soils
Name two producers in Bordeaux that have embraced biodynamics.
Ch. Pontet-Canet
Ch. Climens
Who created the “Bordeaux Mixture”?
Alexis Millardet
What components are found in the “Bordeaux Mixture”? Why is it used?
Copper sulfate, lime, water; to combat fungal diseases
Why are vines spaced further apart on the Right Bank than the Left Bank?
The Right Bank has shallow soils with impermeable limestone bedrock. Vine roots spread out instead of digging deep.
What region in Bordeaux has the lowest density of plantings?
Entre-Deux-Mers
What are some hazards posed by copper sprays/copper toxicity in soils?
Reduced vigor
Sulfide characteristics (if sprayed too close to harvest)
Incomplete/stuck fermentation
Browning, turbidity in wine
Peronospera is another name for what fungal disease?
Downy Mildew
Oidium is another name for what fungal disease?
Powdery Mildew
What is éclaircissage?
Green Harvest, or Vendange Verte
Give 2 reasons greenery might be stripped in the fruit zone after véraison.
Increase sunlight exposure on grapes
Better ventilation = less problems with humidity
Apart from hand sorting, what are two mechanical/automated means of sorting used in Bordeaux?
Optical
Density
True/False: De-stemming is rarely practiced.
False
De-stemming is common for red wines
True/False: Chaptalization is illegal in Bordeaux.
False
It is legal, though rarely practiced
Name 5 types of fermentation vessels found in Bordeaux.
Large wooden vats Stainless steel tanks Epoxy-lined concrete tank Naked cement vats Barrique
What are two commonly used methods of Cap Management?
Remontage
Pigeage
Why is pigeage a more risky method of cap management?
Aerobic in nature
Risk over extraction w/ phenolic varietals
True/False: Most white Bordeaux wines undergo malolactic conversion.
False
It is rare for white, though common for reds
What is “racking”?
Removing clear wine from settled sediment/lees
Traditionally, how often is racking performed?
Every 3 months
What is the typical élevage period for Bordeaux blanc?
12-15 months
What is the typical élevage period for Bordeaux rouge?
18-24 months
What is the volume of a barrique?
225L
Most Bordeaux blancs see less that what percentage new oak?
50%
Name the 6 red grapes authorized for Bordeaux.
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot Cot/Malbec Petit Verdot Carmenère
What are the 4 major white grapes used in Bordeaux?
Muscadelle
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Gris
Sémillon
Name 4 white accessory varietals encountered in Bordeaux.
Ugni Blanc
Merlot Blanc
Colombard
Mauzac
On what side of the Gironde are vine plantings more dense?
Left Bank
Médoc = 7,000 vines/ha
What is the common term for micro-bullage?
Micro-oxygenation
Who pioneered the use of micro-bullage?
Patrick Ducournieu
Describe the chemical process involved in micro-bullage.
Micro-amounts of oxygen are added to a wine during fermentation. Ethanol is converted into ethanal, which can then bind anthocyanins and tannins; color is stabilized, tannins are softened
What is cliquage?
Controlled oxygenation of wine in barrel
What are the two schools of though regarding assemblage?
Blend early to have wine ready for en primeur tastings
Keep components separate as long as possible to track individual development
When does bottling usually occur in Bordeaux?
April
True/False: AOC laws mandate the use of cork closures in Bordeaux.
False
Cork is used because of tradition
Give 3 possible sources for fruit used in Second Wines
Rejected lots from grand vin
Young vines lacking maturity
Vineyards developed specifically for 2nd wines
How does the oak treatment of a second wine compare with that of a grand vin?
Second wines see less oak
What appellation do sparkling wines from Bordeaux fall under?
Crémant de Bordeaux AOP
Wines labelled as “Bordeaux Haut Benage” are what style?
Dry whites
What styles of wine is produced under the Bordeaux Supérieur AOP?
Off-dry whites
Dry reds
What is the minimum residual sugar mandated for Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
17 g/l
True/False: Rosé wines under the Crémant de Bordeaux AOP may only be made from red grapes.
True
White grapes are not authorized for rosé production
The generic “Côtes de Bordeaux” appellation is authorized for what style of wine?
Dry reds
What geographic designations may be used with the Côtes de Bordeaux appellation?
Castillon
Cadillac
Blaye
Francs
Which geographic designation of the Côtes de Bordeaux appellation are authorized for white wines?
Blaye
Francs
Which geographic designation of the Côtes de Bordeaux AOP is authorized to produce sweet white wines?
Francs
What is the minimum residual sugar required for Côtes de Bordeaux-Francs?
51 g/l
Liquoreux wines from Bordeaux must have a minimum acquired alcohol of _____%
12%
What grapes are authorized for the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux appellation?
Muscadelle
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Gris
Sémillon
What is the minimum residual sugar required for wine produced under Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?
34 g/l
What styles of wine are produced under the Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOP?
Blanc (sec)
Blanc Moelleux
Blanc Liquoreux
What appellation in Bordeaux has the highest minimum potential alcohol for still red wines?
Blaye AOP; 12%
True/False: The “Haut-Benage” geographic indication may be used for both Bordeaux AOP and Entre-Deux-Mers AOP.
True
However, they have differing minimum potential alcohol and residual sugar requirements
Which of the classic red Bordeaux varietals is not permitted Pomerol?
Carmenère
What are the two primary white grapes of Côtes de Blaye AOP?
Colombard
Ugni Blanc
Which two red Bordeaux varietals are not authorized for cultivation in Bourg AOP?
Carmenère
Petit Verdot
Under what Bordeaux appellation is Mauzac an approved varietal?
Entre-Deux-Mers AOP
What style of wine is produced under the Graves Supérieurs AOP?
Sweet whites (Liquoreux)
What is the minimum residual sugar required for Graves Supérieurs AOP wines?
34 g/l
True/False: Graves AOP and Pessac-Léognan AOP have the same encépagements for blanc and rouge wines.
True
What styles of wine may be produced as Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOP
Dry whites (sec)
Semi-sweet whites (Moelleux)
Sweet whites (Liquoreux)
Dry reds
What style of wine is not permitted under the Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOP?
Rouge
Which 1st Growth is known for having more Merlot than Cabernet in their grand vin?
Château Haut-Brion
What amendment was made to the 1855 Classification in 1856? Why did this happen?
Château Cantermerle was added as a 5th Growth;
It was mistakenly left out the first time.
Name the château that disappeared from the 1855 Classification after being subsumed by another property. Name the purchaser as well.
Château Durbignon
Malescot-St-Exupery
True/False: Accessory varietals under the Bordeaux AOP are also permitted in Graves AOP.
False
Only the 4 primary Bordeaux whites are permitted
How many châteaux are recognized as Premiers Grands Crus Classés A? Name them.
4 Angélus Ausone Cheval-Blanc Pavie
How many châteaux are recognized as Premiers Grands Crus Classés B?
14
How many châteaux are recognized under the Cru Artisan Classification?
44
How many châteaux are recognized as Grands Crus Classés in St-Émilion?
64
What are “croupes”?
Hill made of gravel; typical to Médoc
What is the northernmost commune of the Haut-Médoc?
Saint-Estèphe
What is the appellation of Château Sociando-Mallet? To which commune is it nearest?
Haut-Médoc
Saint-Estèphe (just north)
How many classified estates are found in Saint-Estèphe?
5
What commune of the Haut-Médoc is the considered the most important site for Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux?
Pauillac
Name the 1st Growth that lies at the northern border of Pauillac.
Château Lafite Rothschild
Name the 1st Growth that lies at the southern border of Pauillac.
Château Latour
What communal AOP lies directly south of Pauillac?
Saint-Julien
Describe the classic style of Pauillac.
Deep, dark, brooding, firm
Cabernet Sauvignon will typically consitute what percentage of the encépagement in Pauillac?
70-80%
How many classified growths are found in Saint-Julien?
11
How many communes are authorized to produce wines under Margaux AOP? Name them.
5 Margaux Cantenac Soussans Arsac Labarde
How many classified châteaux are found in Margaux?
21
Which troisième cru of Margaux is typically considered an over-achiever worthy of higher status?
Château Palmer
True/False: Margaux has a wider diversity in soil types than in other areas of the Haut-Médoc.
True.
Gravel is still dominant, though sand, limestone, and clay are also found
Are the gravel soils of Margaux shallower or deeper compared to other Left Bank regions?
Shallower
Describe the style of Margaux wines.
Aromatic, silky
What 2 AOPs of the Haut-Médoc are located between Saint-Julien and Margaux?
Listrac-Médoc
Moulis
Which appellation is further north: Moulis or Listrac-Médoc?
Listrac-Médoc
What is the name of the croupe whose western edge is shared by both Saint-Julien and Moulis?
Grand Poujeaux
What major region of Bordeaux lies south of the Haut-Médoc?
Graves
Name the 2 regional AOPs of Graves.
Graves AOP
Graves Supérieur AOP
Pessac-Léognan AOP covers the [northern/southern] sector of Graves.
Northern
How many châteaux were originally included in the 1959 Classification of Graves?
15
What changes have occurred to the 1959 Graves Classification?
Château Couhins split into two properties (Couhins-Lurton)
Laville-Haut-Brion and La Tour Haut-Brion no longer produce wines
Laville Haut-Brion and La Tour Haut-Brion now supply grapes for what “second wine”?
La Mission Haut-Brion
What is the most planted white grape in Bordeaux?
Sémillon
What is the Place de Bordeaux?
A de facto 3-tier system for the wine trade in Bordeaux
What are the 3 tiers of the Place de Bordeaux?
Production (châteaux)
Brokerage (courtier)
Sales (négociant)
Who was responsible for spearheading the creation of the Pessac-Léognan AOP ?
André Lurton
Sauternes and Barsac are located in the [north/south] part of the Graves region.
South
What is the French term for noble rot?
Pourriture noble
Name the communes that comprise the Sauternes appellation.
Sauternes Barsac Bommes Fargues Preignac
Botrytis heightens/concentrates what 3 components in grapes?
Sugar
Acid
Glycerol
True/False: New oak is prevalent in Sauternes.
True!
What harvest method is mandated by law in Sauternes?
Hand harvest via tries successives
Among the communes authorized for the production of Sauternes, which is the largest?
Barsac
Why are dry whites from Barsac and Sauternes not permitted to use Graves AOP? Which appellation may they use?
When the AOP boundaries were drawn, the communes of Sauternes were excluded from Graves. Dry whites are released as Bordeaux AOP
Sweet wines from Cérons AOP may hail from what 3 communes?
Cérons
Podensac
Illats
Dry whites and reds produced in the Cérons area are released under what AOP?
Graves
How does elevation compare between the Left and Right Banks?
Elevation is slightly higher on the Right Bank, especially as one moves further inland
The Left Bank is relatively flat
What are the prominent soil types found on the Right Bank?
Clay/calcareous clay
What is the dominant grape planted on the Right Bank?
Merlot
What is the “traditional” grape of the Right Bank?
Cabernet Franc
What does Cabernet Franc add to blends from the Right Bank?
Structure
Acidity
Describe the “garagiste” movement.
Small production, low-yielding, extracted, tons of new oak.
The antithesis of terroir.
Name a Saint-Émilion producer closely associated with the garagiste movement.
Château Valandraud
In what year was the town of Saint-Émilion and it’s surrounding vineyards designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
1999
For whom is Château Ausone named?
The Roman poet Ausonius (born in Burdigala!)
Is Merlot an early- or late-ripening grape?
Early ripening
Château Figeac is known for having a higher percentage of what varietal in their blend?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Château Cheval Blanc is known for having a higher percentage of what varietal in their blend?
Cabernet Franc
The “côtes” is Saint-Émilion are characterized by what soil type?
Limestone
Clay
The “graves” of Saint-Émilion are characterized by what soil?
Gravel
What is the Jurade de Saint-Émilion?
An organization dedicated to the promotion of wines from Saint-Émilion, Lussac St-Em, and Puisseguin St-Em.
What celebration/festival is sponsored by the Jurade de Saint-Émilion?
Ban de Vendanges
True/False: Wines labelled as Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP must be estate bottled.
True
True/False: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP has more restrictive geographical boundaries than Saint-Émilion AOP.
False
They have the same geographic boundaries
What organization is currently responsible for the classification of Saint-Émilion?
INAO
Which 2 châteaux were promoted to Grands Crus Classés A in the 2012 revision of St-Em Classification?
Angélus
Pavie
What is the most important grape of Pomerol?
Merlot
Name the rivers that surround Pomerol AOP.
Barbanne
Isle
What is “crasse de fer”, and where is it found?
Iron-rich sand deposits
The middle terrace of Pomerol
What is the “buttonière”? Name two estates associated with it.
An area of deep blue clay soils
Famously associated with Château Pétrus, also some @ Cheval Blanc
Why did plantings of Cabernet Franc fall significantly in Pomerol?
The winter of 1956 killed the vines. Merlot was favored for being more reliable
Who is the largest producer in Pomerol?
Château de Sales
What producer can claim the largest plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon in Pomerol?
Château de Sales
Which communes of Fronsac are noted for having the best hillside vineyard sites?
Saillans
La Rivière
Name 2 top-tier properties of Canon-Fronsac.
Château Grand-Renouil
Château Gaby
Name 3 top estates of Fronsac.
Château Dalem
Château de L Dauphine
Château Fontenil
Who owns Château Fontenil?
Michel Rolland
What is the largest property in Fronsac?
Château de La Rivière
Describe the soils of Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac. What is the French term?
Soft limestone mixed with clay
“Fronsadais molasse”
What geographic feature Saint-Émilion from its satellite appellations to the north?
The Barbanne River
True/False: Producers in Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion may label their wines as Montagne-Saint-Émilion.
True.
Saint-Georges was annexed by Montagne in 1973, though the separate AOPs remain.
Which satellite appellation of Saint-Émilion is the smallest in both size and production?
Saint-Georges
Name the northernmost satellite appellation of Saint-Émilion.
Puisseguin
Bordeaux-based tonnellerie Sylvain owns what property in Lussac-Saint-Émilion?
Château La Rose Perrière
What two communes comprise the Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP?
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Néac
What is the dominant grape of Entre-Deux-Mers?
Merlot
Red wines produced in Entre-Deux-Mers are released under what AOPs?
Bordeaux
Bordeaux Supérieur
How many communes are authorized to use the “Haut-Benage” geographic designation?
9
What is the dominant varietal released under the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?
Sémillon
Name the 3 premier sweet-wine appellations that lie within the boundaries of the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP.
Cadillac
Loupiac
Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
True/False: Hand harvesting is required in Cadillac, Loupiac, and Ste-Croix-du-Mont
True
Tries successives
Of the following appellations, which has the highest minimum residual sugar requirement, and how much is it?
Cadillac, Loupiac, Ste-Croix-du-Mont
Cadillac; min. 51 g/l
In what year was the Côtes de Bordeaux AOP introduced?
2009
What is the dominant varietal grown in Bourg AOP?
Merlot
What region of Bordeaux holds the highest concentration of Malbec vines?
Bourg
Who is the most lauded producer from Bourg AOP?
Château Roc de Cambes
