Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

How would you describe Bordeaux climate?

A

Moderate Maritime

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2
Q

Which Ocean Current warms Bordeaux?

A

The Gulf Stream

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3
Q

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

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Minor - Petit Verdot

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4
Q

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

A

Semillon and Sauvignon BlancMinor - Muscadelle

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5
Q

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?

A

1855 Classification

Crus Classé

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6
Q

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

A

Red - 5

White 3

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7
Q

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

A

Cru Bourgeois

Only awarded to wines in a specific vintage, wines from new vintages must be submitted each year to gain classification

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8
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

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9
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 plain Bordeaux

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10
Q

What is ‘Clairet’?

A

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

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11
Q

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

A

Saint-Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julian, Margeaux

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12
Q

Name the most highly rated area in Graves

A

Pessac-Leognan

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13
Q

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

A

Bas-Medoc

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14
Q

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

A

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

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15
Q

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

A

Gravelly

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16
Q

Name two benefits of Gravel soil

A

Good drainage, so doesn’t hold water

Gravel soils tend to be warming

17
Q

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

A

St. Emilion and Pomerol

18
Q

Name the four regions that make up Côtes de Bordeaux

A

Blaye, Francs, Castillon, Cadillac

19
Q

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

A

Pessac-Leognan

20
Q

Name the two best Sweet Wine appelations.

A

Sauternes and Barsac

21
Q

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

A

Semillon, Sauvignan Blanc

Minor - Muscadelle

22
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

23
Q

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

A

Low continentality, low diurnal, rain all year long

24
Q

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

A

Clay, Limestone and Sand

25
What is the main taste difference of Pomerol Vs Saint Emilion wine?
Pomerol tends to be richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character
26
Generally speaking what is the main difference between the soils of the left bank and the right bank?
Left bank predominately gravelly | Right bank predominately clay / limestone although there are gravelly outcrops
27
The Atlantic brings high levels of rainfall and humidity to Bordeaux, what 3 risks does this bring?
Rain can disrupt flowering and fruit set risking Coulure and Millerandage Dampness can promote rot Rain at harvest time can dilute flavours and/or split grapes if they swell quickly
28
How is Rosé wine labelled in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux Rosé or Bordeaux Clairet
29
What is the most northerly part of Medoc and how are these wines labelled?
Bas Medoc | Labelled Medoc
30
How are the best Bordeaux reds aged?
In 225 ltr Barriques, usually a mix of new and old oak.
31
In what, and for how long, are the best sweet wines fermented and matured?
In new oak barrels for up to 3 years
32
Working clockwise name the the four regions that make up Côtes de Bordeaux
Blaye, Francs, Castillon and Cadillac
33
List the 4 Human factors of wine
Grape Growing, Wine Making, Maturation, Market Forces
34
Within the context of Bordeaux, what is unique about the classification system in St-Emilion?
It forms part of the appellation system