Bordeaux

Question 1

In Bordeaux, where do the best sweet wines come from?

Answer 1

Sauternes and Barsac (Lies within Sauternes and can choose to be labelled as Barsac or Sauternes)

Question 2

What are the varietals of Sauternes? Describe their roles.

Answer 2

Semillon - dominant varietal b/c of it’s thin skin and susceptibility to botrytis

Sauvignon Blanc - supplies refreshing acidity and fruity aromas

Muscadelle - where used, adds an exotic perfume quality

Question 3

What are the five 1st growths in the Bordeaux?

Answer 3

Ch. Lafite Rothschild
Ch. Latour
Ch. Margaux
Ch. Mouton Rothschild
Ch. Haut Brion (Graves)

Question 4

Break down the bodies of water in Bordeaux:

Answer 4

The Gironde, north of the Medoc, opens to the Bay of Biscay in the west and divides into the Dordogne and Garonne.

The Dordogne runs east below the right bank and above Entre-deux-mers.

The Garonne runs south east above Graves and below Entre-deux-mers.

Question 5

Break down the appellations of the Left Bank from North to South.

Answer 5

Bas Medoc
Haut Medoc (surrounds the following communes on all but the east sides.
St. Estephe
Paulliac
Saint-Julien
Margaux

Pessac Leognan
Graves (Appelation includes Pessac and Sauternes/Barsac)
Barsac
Sauternes

Question 6

What varietal(s) is the Left Bank known for?

Answer 6

Cabernet Sauvignon, although Merlot is known for blends with a higher proportion of Merlot

Question 7

What are the regions that make up the Right Bank? What varietal(s) are prominent?

Answer 7

Saint Emilion, Pomerol, and Cotes de Bordeaux

-Mostly Merlot and some Cab Franc

Question 8

What are the 4 regions of Cotes de Bordeaux? Clockwise.

Answer 8

Francs Cotes de Bordeaux
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux
Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux
Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux

Question 9

What is Premieres Cote de Bordeaux?

Answer 9

A sweet wine appellation not associated with the Cotes de Bordeaux group.

Question 10

What is Entre-Deux-Mers known for?

Answer 10

Premium dry white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc in an unoaked style.

Question 11

Why is Pessac Leognan important to the dry whites of Bordeaux?

Answer 11

Home of many of the very best and may be eligible for Cru Classe.

Made from Sauv B and Semillon and are usually fermented and/or matured in partially new oak.

Question 12

Do Graves and Saint Emilion have the same classification as Medoc and Sauternes?

Answer 12

No.

Graves uses Cru Classe. All of which are in Pessace Leognan.

Saint Emilion has 4 tiers:

Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe
Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe: (divided)
-Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A (best)
-Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe B

Question 13

Describe the climate of Bordeaux:

Answer 13

Moderate Maritime that benefits from the gulf stream. Warm ocean currents extend the growing season.

• Spring frosts are rare
• Ripening can continue well in to October
• Rainfalls throughout the year can disrupt flowering/fruit set, promote rot, and dilute flavors at harvest

Question 14

Why are most wines in Bordeaux blends?

Answer 14

variability of the weather, particularly rainfall, means it can be risky to rely too heavily on one variety. Different varieties permitted in Bordeaux flower and ripen at different times, meaning that one bad frost or heavy shower is unlikely to ruin an entire crop.

Question 15

How many grape varieties are permitted in Bordeaux?

Name the top 4 red, and 3 white.

Answer 15

13

Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot

White: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle

Question 16

Where does Cabernet Sauvignon dominate in Bordeaux?

Answer 16

Left Bank (Haut Medoc, Bas Medoc, and Graves)

high stone/gravel content of soils raise vineyard temps allowing Cabernet to reliably ripen.

Question 17

Where is Cabernet Franc most dominant in Bordeaux?

Answer 17

Saint Emilion, and to a lesser extent Medoc and Graves

Question 18

Where is Merlot most dominant in Bordeaux?

Answer 18

Saint Emilion and Pomerol

most widely planted varietal in Bordeaux

Question 19

What is Petit Verdot primarily used for in Bordeaux?

Answer 19

Used for blending to add tannin, color, and spice

Question 20

What is Grand Vin?

Answer 20

the best wine from a chateaux

Question 21

Why is Semillon important to Bordeaux?

Answer 21

• Prime for sweet wines with it’s thin skin and susceptibility to Noble Rot
• blended with Sauvignon Blanc to add body to premium dry whites in Pessac Leognan

Question 22

Where in Bordeaux is Sauvignon Blanc most dominant? Describe Styles.

Answer 22

Graves
Entre-Deux-Mers
Pessac Leognan

• Typically unoaked and fresh in Graves and Entre.
• Pessac Leognan is often fermented and/or matured in partially new oak and blended with Semillon for body.

Question 23

Describe the importance of Muscadelle in Bordeaux:

Answer 23

• Used for blending in sweet and dry wine

- pronounced grapey flavor adds floral notes to Sauternes

Question 24

Describe the generic appellations of Bordeaux:

Answer 24

Mainly red wines labelled as either Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur (the latter designation has slighty stricter appellation rules and requires a higher alcohol level in the final wine.)

Question 25

What is the 1855 classification?

Answer 25

an official list of the best wines from Medoc and Sauternes. Chateaux listed in this classification are crus classes.

Question 26

Describe the wines of Saint Emilion vs. the wines of Pomerol

Answer 26

Merlot dominant and Cabernet Franc to a lesser extent (particularly in Saint Emilion)

Saint Emilion - medium to high tannins but, compared with the more structured wines of the left bank, they have a softer richer mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas, developing tobacco and cedar notes as they evolve.

Pomerol - tend to be richer, with a spicier, blackberry fruit character