Bordeaux Flashcards
Describe the climate of Bordeaux - type, and average growing temperature (cool, moderate, or warm?)
Moderate
Maritime
Which Ocean Current warms Bordeaux?
The Gulf Stream
What are the three major and one minor Red grape varieties grown in Bordeaux?
Provide a characteristic for each.
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).
What are the two major and one minor White grape varieties grown in Bordeaux?
Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc
Minor - Muscadelle
What is the name of the original classification of the best reds of the Medoc?
How are wines in this classification referred? (CC)
1855 classification
Crus Classé
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?
Cru Bourgeois, comprising in ascending order:
- Cru Bourgois
- Cru Bourgois Superieur
- Cru Bourgois Exceptionnel
Reviewed every 5 years.
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
St Emilion Satellites,
St Emilion,
St Emilion Grand Cru Classé,
St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B,
St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A
What is the main difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superior
Superior has slightly stricter appelation rules and has a higher alcohol content than Bordeaux
What is ‘Clairet’?
A deeper coloured rosé wine with fuller body made by longer maceration
Name the four leading appelations/communes of the Haut-Medoc from north to south.
Saint-Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julian, Margaux
Name the most highly rated area in Graves
Pessac-Leognan
What type of soil would you expect in Haut-Medoc and Pessac-Leognan?
Gravelly
Name two benefits of Gravel soil
Good drainage, so doesn’t hold water
Gravel soils tend to be warming, helping Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen .
Name the two leading appelations of the ‘right bank’.
St. Emilion and Pomerol
Name the four regions that make up Côtes de Bordeaux
Blaye, Francs, Castillon, Cadillac