Bordeaux Flashcards
Which IGT is Bordeaux within?
Atlantique IGT
Standard Bordeaux AOP Wine styles
Red White Rose or Clairet
Define Clairet
a darker more aromatic style of rose that evokes the original claret wines shipped to England
Red Grapes Allowed for Bordeaux AOP
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere
Why is Assemblage Important?
insurance for the blend, Merlot is harvested earlier (safety from late summer rains) and Cabernet Sauvignon can avoid early spring frosts
What is the most widely planted grape of Bordeaux
Merlot
What type of soil does Merlot Prefer?
clay based soils, delays natural vigor
What soil does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer?
well-drained gravel, best for roots to dig deep, undergo water stress. has problems ripening in colder limestone/clay soils
What soil does Cabernet Franc prefer?
limestone soil, promotes acid
Typical Medoc Blend?
2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon 1/3 Blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Typical Right Bank Blend?
3/4 Merlot to 1/4 Cabernet Frac
Where would you find Petit Verdot?
small amounts on left bank, virtually non existent on the right (b.c. LAST TO RIPEN)
What is another name for Malbec? Where is it used?
Pressac, On the Right Bank (like merlot performance wise)
Name two former grapes previously allowed for AOC reds?
Saint Macaire and Gros Vredot
Main Basic Bordeaux AOP Blanc
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
Other Bordeaux AOP Blanc blending grapes?What percentage of these is allowed?
30%, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, Colombard
What oak barrel is typically used? What size?
225L Barrique for top Chateaux, entry level usually large oak barrels
Climate of Bordeaux?
Maritime
What bodies of water affect Bordeaux?
Atlantic, Gironde Estuary (Dordogne R. Bank) and Garrone L Bank)
any forrest that help bordeaux?
coastal pine forests protect Medoc from harsh winds
What are the biggest worries climate wise for Bordeaux?
Rain at harvest, Wet springs and Humidity cause mold and rot problems
Name 3 American Diseases that Affected Bordeaux around late 1800’s
Oidium (powdery mildew) Phylloxera (Root Louse) Pernospera (downey Mildew)
What is the bordeaux mixture, what is it used for
lime copper sulfate and water used to combat pernospera (downy mildew)
What are the dutch drainage channels, when were they created?
1600’s Jalles
What style of wine did the Dutch prefer?
sweet white wines, full bodied reds, germanic technique of burning sulfur candle in barrel
What style of wine did the British prefer?
Light red clairets
wine brokers of bordeaux?
courtiers, control trade and financial backing for wineries