Bordeaux

Question 1

How would you describe Bordeaux climate?

Answer 1

Moderate Maritime

Question 2

Which Ocean Current warms Bordeaux?

Answer 2

The Gulf Stream

Question 3

What are the three major and one minor Red grape varieties grown in Bordeaux?

Answer 3

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc (herbaceous, stalky, floral)
Minor: Petit Verdot (deep-colored, tannic)

Question 4

What are the two major and one minor White grape varieties grown in Bordeaux?

Answer 4

Semillon (adds body, used in sweet wines)
Sauvignon Blanc (citrus and green fruit)
Minor - Muscadelle (grapey, floral flavor)

Question 5

What is the name of the original classification of the best red and white wines of The Medoc and Sauternes?
How are wines in this classification referred?

Answer 5

1855 classification

Crus Classé

Question 6

How many ranks in the historical Medoc and Sauternes classification system
Red wine?
White wine?

Answer 6

Red - 5 (first through fifth growths)
White 3 (first superior, first and second growths)

Question 7

What term can be applied to wines outside the Crus Classé classification?
What condition is attached to wines having this term?

Answer 7

Cru Bourgeois
Only awarded to wines in a specific vintage, not the Chateau, and wines must be submitted each year to gain classification

Question 8

Put the following wines in order of price and quality, lowest to highest
St Emilion, 
St Emilion Satellites, 
St Emilion Grand Cru Classé , 
St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A, 
St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B

Answer 8

St Emilion Satellites, St Emilion,
St Emilion Grand Cru Classé,
St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B,
St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A

Question 9

What is the main difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superior

Answer 9

Superior has slightly stricter appelation rules and has a higher alcohol content than plain Bordeaux

Question 10

What is a ‘Clairet’?

Answer 10

A deeper coloured Rose wine with fuller body made by longer maceration

Question 11

From north to south name the four leading appelations (communes’ of Haut-Medoc)

Answer 11

Saint-Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julian, Margaux

Question 12

Name the most highly rated area in Graves

Answer 12

Pessac-Leognan

Question 13

What name is given to the most northerly part of Medoc?

Answer 13

Bas-Medoc, wines are labeled Medoc

Question 14

What aromas and flavours would you expect from wines of Haut-Medoc?

Answer 14

A core of blackcurrant fruit with cedar notes from Oak and Grippy Tannins

Question 15

What type of soil would you expect in Haut-Medoc and Pessac-Leognan?

Answer 15

Gravelly

Question 16

Name two benefits of Gravel soil

Answer 16

Good drainage, so don’t hold water

Gravel soils tend to be warming

Question 17

Name the two leading appelations of the ‘right bank’.

Answer 17

St. Emilion and Pomerol

Question 18

Name the four regions that make up Côtes de Bordeaux

Answer 18

Blaye, Francs, Castillon, Cadillac

Question 19

Where are you likely to find the very best white wines in Bordeaux?

Answer 19

Pessac-Leognan, good ones also in Graves

Question 20

Name the two best Sweet Wine appelations.

Answer 20

Sauternes and Barsac

Question 21

Name the two main and one minor grapes used in Sweet wine production

Answer 21

Semillon, Sauvignan Blanc

Minor - Muscadelle

Question 22

What is the process of ‘Passerillage’?

Answer 22

French term for leaving grapes on the vine past normal harvest so that they dry up and concentrate their flavours

Question 23

The climate in Bordeaux is maritime. What does that mean?

Answer 23

Low continentality, low diurnal, rain all year long

Question 24

The soil of the ‘right bank’ are predominantly made up of what three components?

Answer 24

Clay, Limestone (some Sand & Gravel)

Question 25

What is the main taste difference of Pomerol Vs Saint Emilion wine?

Answer 25

Pomerol tends to be richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character

Question 26

Generally speaking what is the main difference between the soils of the left bank and the right bank?

Answer 26

Left bank predominately gravelly

Right bank predominately clay / limestone although there are gravelly outcrops

Question 27

The Atlantic brings high levels of rainfall and humidity to Bordeaux, what 3 risks does this bring?

Answer 27

Rain can disrupt flowering and fruit set
Dampness can promote rot
Rain at harvest time can dilute flavours

Question 28

How is Rosé wine labelled in Bordeaux?

Answer 28

Bordeaux Rosé or Bordeaux Clairet

Question 29

What is the most northerly part of Medoc and how are these wines labelled?

Answer 29

Bas Medoc

Labelled Medoc

Question 30

How are the best Bordeaux reds aged?

Answer 30

In 225 ltr Barriques, usually a mix of new and old oak.

Question 31

In what, and for how long, are the best sweet wines fermented and matured?

Answer 31

In new oak barrels for up to 3 years

Question 32

Working clockwise name the the four regions that make up Côtes de Bordeaux

Answer 32

Blaye, Francs, Castillon and Cadillac

Question 33

List the 4 Human factors of wine

Answer 33

Grape Growing
Wine Making
Maturation
Market Forces

Question 34

Within the context of Bordeaux, what is unique about the classification system in St-Emilion?

Answer 34

It forms part of the appellation system. Grand Cru Classe Chateaus can be demoted every 10 years.

Question 35

What protects vineyards from Atlantic storms?

Answer 35

The Landes forest and coastal sand dunes.