Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the climate of Bordeaux - type, and average growing temperature (cool, moderate, or warm?)

A

Moderate
Maritime

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Which Ocean Current warms Bordeaux?

A

The Gulf Stream

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the three major and one minor Red grape varieties grown in Bordeaux?
Provide a characteristic for each.

A

Cabernet Sauvignon (High tannin and acidity, black fruit and mint)

Merlot, (medium to high tannin potential / medium acidity/ aromas of plums and fruit cake)

Cabernet Franc (any one of these: herbaceous, stalky, green bell pepper, or floral)

Minor - Petit Verdot (intense - dark, pronouned aromas, high tannin).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

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

A

Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc
Minor - Muscadelle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the name of the original classification of the best reds of the Medoc?
How are wines in this classification referred? (CC)

A

1855 classification
Crus Classé

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What term can be applied to wines outside the Crus Classé classification in the Medoc?
What are the 3 sub-categories of this classification?
How often are is this classification reviewed?

A

Cru Bourgeois, comprising in ascending order:
- Cru Bourgois
- Cru Bourgois Superieur
- Cru Bourgois Exceptionnel
Reviewed every 5 years.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

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

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the main difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superior

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is ‘Clairet’?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Name the four leading appelations/communes of the Haut-Medoc from north to south.

A

Saint-Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julian, Margaux

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Name the most highly rated area in Graves

A

Pessac-Leognan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

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

A

Gravelly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Name two benefits of Gravel soil

A

Good drainage, so doesn’t hold water
Gravel soils tend to be warming, helping Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen .

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

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

A

St. Emilion and Pomerol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Name the four regions that make up Côtes de Bordeaux

A

Blaye, Francs, Castillon, Cadillac

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

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

A

Pessac-Leognan (Graves a close 2nd)

17
Q

Name the two best Sweet Wine appelations.

A

Sauternes and Barsac

18
Q

Name the 2 main grape varieties and 1 minor variety used in Bordeaux’s sweet wine production

A

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Minor - Muscadelle

19
Q

What is the process of ‘Passerillage’?

A

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

20
Q

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

A

Low continentality, low diurnal range, variable and sometimes wet at harvest

21
Q

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

A

Pomerol tends to be richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character

22
Q

What factor helps define the highest quality wines of Saint Emilion?

A

Soil: predominately clay / limestone.

23
Q

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

A

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

24
Q

How is rosé wine labelled in Bordeaux?

A

Bordeaux Rosé or Bordeaux Clairet

25
Q

How are the best Bordeaux reds aged?

A

In 225 litre tr Barriques. Usually a mix of new and old oak.

26
Q

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

A

In new oak barrels for up to 3 years

27
Q

In what way is the classification system of St-Emilion different to the Cru Classé system of the Medoc?

A

It is integrated into the appellation system.

(ie, Saint Emilion AOP is separate to Saint Emilion Grand Cru AOP, and so will follow different set of rules. In the Medoc a Medoc AOP will follow the same rules as a Cru Classé wine, despite what may be a very large quality and price difference).

28
Q

Why is the clay soil of St Emilion important?

A

Cooling influence on vines and so slows ripening, allowing longer development of aroma without loosing fresh acidity.

(This is a good illustration of how ripeness works - exploring the AAA and Balance).

29
Q

Using Semillon in blends allows a wine maker to do what?

A

Increase complexity.
Semillion works well with oak.
Semillon is prone to noble rot and so useful for sweet as well as dry wines (when fully fermented).
Semillon ages well.

30
Q

Using Muscadelle in blends allows a wine maker to do what?

A

Add floral aroma, and so enhance complexity.