Bordeaux Flashcards
1
Q
What was Burdigala?
A
A Celtic settlement situated west of the Garrone River on a gravel terrace.
2
Q
In what town/settlement was the Roman poet Ausonius born?
A
Burdigala
3
Q
Which producer is recorded as the first single-estate wine in Bordeaux?
A
Haut-Brion
4
Q
True/False: Malbec is indigenous to Bordeaux.
A
False.
It arrived in the region in 1730 from SW France
5
Q
Give an early name for Malbec.
A
Pressac Noir
6
Q
What event brought Bordeaux under English rule?
A
Eleanor of Aquitaine’s marriage to King Henry II
7
Q
Who ordered the classification of Bordeaux in 1855?
A
Emperor Napoleon III
8
Q
For what event was the 1855 Classification created?
A
Universal Exhibition in Paris
9
Q
What catastrophe struck Bordeaux in 1869?
A
Phylloxera
10
Q
In what year was the Cru Bourgeois Classification first defined? And eventually scrapped?
A
1932; 2008
11
Q
What classification was formally recognized in 2002?
A
Cru Artisan Classification
12
Q
Who was responsible for making the 1982 vintage a “breakout”?
A
Robert Parker
13
Q
The first classification of St-Émilion happened in what year? When was the most recent?
A
1955; 2012
14
Q
What 1st Growth château has opted to no longer sell wines “en primeur”?
A
Château Latour
15
Q
Bordeaux experiences what major climate type?
A
Maritime
16
Q
True/False: Bordeaux lacks a true dry season.
A
True.
It rains every month in the year.
17
Q
How does the Atlantic Gulf Stream moderate Bordeaux’s climate?
A
It brings warm waters up from the Caribbean
18
Q
Where does Bordeaux fall along the Winkler Scale?
A
Region II
19
Q
What climatic feature is lacking in Bordeaux that is characteristic of Continental climates?
A
A prominent diurnal shift
20
Q
Name the 2 sectors/regions of the Méodc. Which is further north?
A
Bas-Médoc, Haut-Médoc; Bas-Médoc
21
Q
What manmade feature separates Graves from the Atlantic Ocean?
A
Landes Forest
22
Q
From where are the soils in Graves derived?
A
Deposited by the Garonne River
23
Q
What two rivers promote the growth of botrytis in Sauternes?
A
Ciron
Garonne
24
Q
Apart from gravel, what other soil types are found in the Médoc?
A
Clay, sand, limestone
25
What is the most planted grape in Bordeaux?
Merlot
26
Name the prominent vine training/trellising system employed in Bordeaux.
Guyot (both simple and double)
27
On which side of the Gironde is Double Guyot more widely used?
Left Bank
28
On which side of the Gironde is simple/single Guyot more widely used?
Right Bank
29
For what style of wine is Cordon training used? Why?
Sweet wines
| Produces smaller berries that attract botrytis
30
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.
31
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
32
Name two producers in Bordeaux that have embraced biodynamics.
Ch. Pontet-Canet
| Ch. Climens
33
Who created the "Bordeaux Mixture"?
Alexis Millardet
34
What components are found in the "Bordeaux Mixture"? Why is it used?
Copper sulfate, lime, water; to combat fungal diseases
35
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.
36
What region in Bordeaux has the lowest density of plantings?
Entre-Deux-Mers
37
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
38
Peronospera is another name for what fungal disease?
Downy Mildew
39
Oidium is another name for what fungal disease?
Powdery Mildew
40
What is éclaircissage?
Green Harvest, or Vendange Verte
41
Give 2 reasons greenery might be stripped in the fruit zone after véraison.
Increase sunlight exposure on grapes
| Better ventilation = less problems with humidity
42
Apart from hand sorting, what are two mechanical/automated means of sorting used in Bordeaux?
Optical
| Density
43
True/False: De-stemming is rarely practiced.
False
| De-stemming is common for red wines
44
True/False: Chaptalization is illegal in Bordeaux.
False
| It is legal, though rarely practiced
45
Name 5 types of fermentation vessels found in Bordeaux.
```
Large wooden vats
Stainless steel tanks
Epoxy-lined concrete tank
Naked cement vats
Barrique
```
46
What are two commonly used methods of Cap Management?
Remontage
| Pigeage
47
Why is pigeage a more risky method of cap management?
Aerobic in nature
| Risk over extraction w/ phenolic varietals
48
True/False: Most white Bordeaux wines undergo malolactic conversion.
False
| It is rare for white, though common for reds
49
What is "racking"?
Removing clear wine from settled sediment/lees
50
Traditionally, how often is racking performed?
Every 3 months
51
What is the typical élevage period for Bordeaux blanc?
12-15 months
52
What is the typical élevage period for Bordeaux rouge?
18-24 months
53
What is the volume of a barrique?
225L
54
Most Bordeaux blancs see less that what percentage new oak?
50%
55
Name the 6 red grapes authorized for Bordeaux.
```
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Cot/Malbec
Petit Verdot
Carmenère
```
56
What are the 4 major white grapes used in Bordeaux?
Muscadelle
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Gris
Sémillon
57
Name 4 white accessory varietals encountered in Bordeaux.
Ugni Blanc
Merlot Blanc
Colombard
Mauzac
58
On what side of the Gironde are vine plantings more dense?
Left Bank
| Médoc = 7,000 vines/ha
59
What is the common term for micro-bullage?
Micro-oxygenation
60
Who pioneered the use of micro-bullage?
Patrick Ducournieu
61
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
62
What is cliquage?
Controlled oxygenation of wine in barrel
63
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
64
When does bottling usually occur in Bordeaux?
April
65
True/False: AOC laws mandate the use of cork closures in Bordeaux.
False
| Cork is used because of tradition
66
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
67
How does the oak treatment of a second wine compare with that of a grand vin?
Second wines see less oak
68
What appellation do sparkling wines from Bordeaux fall under?
Crémant de Bordeaux AOP
69
Wines labelled as "Bordeaux Haut Benage" are what style?
Dry whites
70
What styles of wine is produced under the Bordeaux Supérieur AOP?
Off-dry whites
| Dry reds
71
What is the minimum residual sugar mandated for Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
17 g/l
72
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
73
The generic "Côtes de Bordeaux" appellation is authorized for what style of wine?
Dry reds
74
What geographic designations may be used with the Côtes de Bordeaux appellation?
Castillon
Cadillac
Blaye
Francs
75
Which geographic designation of the Côtes de Bordeaux appellation are authorized for white wines?
Blaye
| Francs
76
Which geographic designation of the Côtes de Bordeaux AOP is authorized to produce sweet white wines?
Francs
77
What is the minimum residual sugar required for Côtes de Bordeaux-Francs?
51 g/l
78
Liquoreux wines from Bordeaux must have a minimum acquired alcohol of _____%
12%
79
What grapes are authorized for the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux appellation?
Muscadelle
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Gris
Sémillon
80
What is the minimum residual sugar required for wine produced under Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?
34 g/l
81
What styles of wine are produced under the Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOP?
Blanc (sec)
Blanc Moelleux
Blanc Liquoreux
82
What appellation in Bordeaux has the highest minimum potential alcohol for still red wines?
Blaye AOP; 12%
83
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
84
Which of the classic red Bordeaux varietals is not permitted Pomerol?
Carmenère
85
What are the two primary white grapes of Côtes de Blaye AOP?
Colombard
| Ugni Blanc
86
Which two red Bordeaux varietals are not authorized for cultivation in Bourg AOP?
Carmenère
| Petit Verdot
87
Under what Bordeaux appellation is Mauzac an approved varietal?
Entre-Deux-Mers AOP
88
What style of wine is produced under the Graves Supérieurs AOP?
Sweet whites (Liquoreux)
89
What is the minimum residual sugar required for Graves Supérieurs AOP wines?
34 g/l
90
True/False: Graves AOP and Pessac-Léognan AOP have the same encépagements for blanc and rouge wines.
True
91
What styles of wine may be produced as Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOP
Dry whites (sec)
Semi-sweet whites (Moelleux)
Sweet whites (Liquoreux)
Dry reds
92
What style of wine is not permitted under the Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOP?
Rouge
93
Which 1st Growth is known for having more Merlot than Cabernet in their grand vin?
Château Haut-Brion
94
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.
95
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
96
True/False: Accessory varietals under the Bordeaux AOP are also permitted in Graves AOP.
False
| Only the 4 primary Bordeaux whites are permitted
97
How many châteaux are recognized as Premiers Grands Crus Classés A? Name them.
```
4
Angélus
Ausone
Cheval-Blanc
Pavie
```
98
How many châteaux are recognized as Premiers Grands Crus Classés B?
14
99
How many châteaux are recognized under the Cru Artisan Classification?
44
100
How many châteaux are recognized as Grands Crus Classés in St-Émilion?
64
101
What are "croupes"?
Hill made of gravel; typical to Médoc
102
What is the northernmost commune of the Haut-Médoc?
Saint-Estèphe
103
What is the appellation of Château Sociando-Mallet? To which commune is it nearest?
Haut-Médoc
| Saint-Estèphe (just north)
104
How many classified estates are found in Saint-Estèphe?
5
105
What commune of the Haut-Médoc is the considered the most important site for Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux?
Pauillac
106
Name the 1st Growth that lies at the northern border of Pauillac.
Château Lafite Rothschild
107
Name the 1st Growth that lies at the southern border of Pauillac.
Château Latour
108
What communal AOP lies directly south of Pauillac?
Saint-Julien
109
Describe the classic style of Pauillac.
Deep, dark, brooding, firm
110
Cabernet Sauvignon will typically consitute what percentage of the encépagement in Pauillac?
70-80%
111
How many classified growths are found in Saint-Julien?
11
112
How many communes are authorized to produce wines under Margaux AOP? Name them.
```
5
Margaux
Cantenac
Soussans
Arsac
Labarde
```
113
How many classified châteaux are found in Margaux?
21
114
Which troisième cru of Margaux is typically considered an over-achiever worthy of higher status?
Château Palmer
115
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
116
Are the gravel soils of Margaux shallower or deeper compared to other Left Bank regions?
Shallower
117
Describe the style of Margaux wines.
Aromatic, silky
118
What 2 AOPs of the Haut-Médoc are located between Saint-Julien and Margaux?
Listrac-Médoc
| Moulis
119
Which appellation is further north: Moulis or Listrac-Médoc?
Listrac-Médoc
120
What is the name of the croupe whose western edge is shared by both Saint-Julien and Moulis?
Grand Poujeaux
121
What major region of Bordeaux lies south of the Haut-Médoc?
Graves
122
Name the 2 regional AOPs of Graves.
Graves AOP
| Graves Supérieur AOP
123
Pessac-Léognan AOP covers the [northern/southern] sector of Graves.
Northern
124
How many châteaux were originally included in the 1959 Classification of Graves?
15
125
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
126
Laville Haut-Brion and La Tour Haut-Brion now supply grapes for what "second wine"?
La Mission Haut-Brion
127
What is the most planted white grape in Bordeaux?
Sémillon
128
What is the Place de Bordeaux?
A de facto 3-tier system for the wine trade in Bordeaux
129
What are the 3 tiers of the Place de Bordeaux?
Production (châteaux)
Brokerage (courtier)
Sales (négociant)
130
Who was responsible for spearheading the creation of the Pessac-Léognan AOP ?
André Lurton
131
Sauternes and Barsac are located in the [north/south] part of the Graves region.
South
132
What is the French term for noble rot?
Pourriture noble
133
Name the communes that comprise the Sauternes appellation.
```
Sauternes
Barsac
Bommes
Fargues
Preignac
```
134
Botrytis heightens/concentrates what 3 components in grapes?
Sugar
Acid
Glycerol
135
True/False: New oak is prevalent in Sauternes.
True!
136
What harvest method is mandated by law in Sauternes?
Hand harvest via tries successives
137
Among the communes authorized for the production of Sauternes, which is the largest?
Barsac
138
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
139
Sweet wines from Cérons AOP may hail from what 3 communes?
Cérons
Podensac
Illats
140
Dry whites and reds produced in the Cérons area are released under what AOP?
Graves
141
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
142
What are the prominent soil types found on the Right Bank?
Clay/calcareous clay
143
What is the dominant grape planted on the Right Bank?
Merlot
144
What is the "traditional" grape of the Right Bank?
Cabernet Franc
145
What does Cabernet Franc add to blends from the Right Bank?
Structure
| Acidity
146
Describe the "garagiste" movement.
Small production, low-yielding, extracted, tons of new oak.
| The antithesis of terroir.
147
Name a Saint-Émilion producer closely associated with the garagiste movement.
Château Valandraud
148
In what year was the town of Saint-Émilion and it's surrounding vineyards designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
1999
149
For whom is Château Ausone named?
The Roman poet Ausonius (born in Burdigala!)
150
Is Merlot an early- or late-ripening grape?
Early ripening
151
Château Figeac is known for having a higher percentage of what varietal in their blend?
Cabernet Sauvignon
152
Château Cheval Blanc is known for having a higher percentage of what varietal in their blend?
Cabernet Franc
153
The "côtes" is Saint-Émilion are characterized by what soil type?
Limestone
| Clay
154
The "graves" of Saint-Émilion are characterized by what soil?
Gravel
155
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.
156
What celebration/festival is sponsored by the Jurade de Saint-Émilion?
Ban de Vendanges
157
True/False: Wines labelled as Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP must be estate bottled.
True
158
True/False: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP has more restrictive geographical boundaries than Saint-Émilion AOP.
False
| They have the same geographic boundaries
159
What organization is currently responsible for the classification of Saint-Émilion?
INAO
160
Which 2 châteaux were promoted to Grands Crus Classés A in the 2012 revision of St-Em Classification?
Angélus
| Pavie
161
What is the most important grape of Pomerol?
Merlot
162
Name the rivers that surround Pomerol AOP.
Barbanne
| Isle
163
What is "crasse de fer", and where is it found?
Iron-rich sand deposits
| The middle terrace of Pomerol
164
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
165
Why did plantings of Cabernet Franc fall significantly in Pomerol?
The winter of 1956 killed the vines. Merlot was favored for being more reliable
166
Who is the largest producer in Pomerol?
Château de Sales
167
What producer can claim the largest plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon in Pomerol?
Château de Sales
168
Which communes of Fronsac are noted for having the best hillside vineyard sites?
Saillans
| La Rivière
169
Name 2 top-tier properties of Canon-Fronsac.
Château Grand-Renouil
| Château Gaby
170
Name 3 top estates of Fronsac.
Château Dalem
Château de L Dauphine
Château Fontenil
171
Who owns Château Fontenil?
Michel Rolland
172
What is the largest property in Fronsac?
Château de La Rivière
173
Describe the soils of Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac. What is the French term?
Soft limestone mixed with clay
| "Fronsadais molasse"
174
What geographic feature Saint-Émilion from its satellite appellations to the north?
The Barbanne River
175
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.
176
Which satellite appellation of Saint-Émilion is the smallest in both size and production?
Saint-Georges
177
Name the northernmost satellite appellation of Saint-Émilion.
Puisseguin
178
Bordeaux-based tonnellerie Sylvain owns what property in Lussac-Saint-Émilion?
Château La Rose Perrière
179
What two communes comprise the Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP?
Lalande-de-Pomerol
| Néac
180
What is the dominant grape of Entre-Deux-Mers?
Merlot
181
Red wines produced in Entre-Deux-Mers are released under what AOPs?
Bordeaux
| Bordeaux Supérieur
182
How many communes are authorized to use the "Haut-Benage" geographic designation?
9
183
What is the dominant varietal released under the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?
Sémillon
184
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
185
True/False: Hand harvesting is required in Cadillac, Loupiac, and Ste-Croix-du-Mont
True
| Tries successives
186
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
187
In what year was the Côtes de Bordeaux AOP introduced?
2009
188
What is the dominant varietal grown in Bourg AOP?
Merlot
189
What region of Bordeaux holds the highest concentration of Malbec vines?
Bourg
190
Who is the most lauded producer from Bourg AOP?
Château Roc de Cambes
