Bordeaux Flashcards
When did INAO award the first AOC’s?
INAO awarded the first AOCs in 1936
When was INAO established?
In 1935, the Institut National des Appellations dʼOrigine (INAO) was created to delimit and enforce Franceʼs wine appellation system.
Since 2007 the name has changed to “L’Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité” but the abbreviation has remained.
The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system, using early, self-imposed guidelines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape as a model, stipulated limits on…?
Yields Vineyard density Training and pruning techniques Grape varietals Methods of production Minimum alcohol levels Minimum must weights The geographical boundaries of each appellation
AOC wines must pass a tasting panel.
The Appellation dʼOrigine Contrôlée (AOC) became a model for many other European appellation systems, as Franceʼs controlled appellations assured authenticity and, to a degree, style.
When was the Appellation dʼOrigine Protégée (AOP) category created?
In 2009 in accordance within the EUʼs Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) category
In accordance with EU regulations, only which type of grapes are to be used in AOP or AOC labeled wines?
Vitis Vinifera
What’s the difference between AOP and AOC labeled wines?
AOP labeled wines have the same value as AOC. The AOP designation was created in 2009 in accordance with the updated EU regulations
When was Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS) created and eliminated?
VDQS was a stepping stone for AOC and AOP wines
Created: 1949
Eliminated: 2011
Regional wines—approximately 1/3 of French production —are released under which classification?
Vin de Pays
INAO now oversees Vin de Pays production. Which regulatory body used to oversee production?
VINIFLHOR, a government agricultural office, used to oversee Vin de Pays regulations, but control of the category was transferred to the INAO after the European reforms were finalized.
What is considered the lowest rung of wine production for France?
Vin de Table, or Vin Ordinaires
As of 2009, the table wine category was rechristened as Vin de France, and both vintage and varietal may now appear on the label. This change, designed to allow basic French wines to compete with New World varietal wines, coincided with the approval of new practices for table wines, including acidification and the use of oak chips.
What are the current three French wine appellation categories?
Appellation d’Origine Contrôlee / Protégée (AOC/AOP) Vin de Pays / Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) Vin de France (formerly Table Wine)
Bordeaux is one of Franceʼs most important fine wine regions and is second in volume of production only to…?
Languedoc
By 2017 what was the approximate total vineyard acreage of Bordeaux?
300,000 acres
It is Franceʼs largest AOC/AOP region.
What kinds of wine is Bordeaux permitted produce?
Red, white, rosé, sweet, and sparkling wines are produced
What are the two main tributaries of the Gironde estuary?
Garonne River
Dordogne River
What change made the Bordeaux region viable for viticulture?
The Dutch built a complex series of drainage channels throughout the area
What are Courtiers? What is their influence?
Courtiers—brokers of wine—became a powerful force in the Médoc, supplying
the châteaux with financial backing while gaining total control over the actual trade of wine. While the négociants faded in influence after World War II with the rising appeal of estate bottling, the courtiers of Bordeaux maintain their authority over the trade and are responsible for the current method of en primeur sales, the yearly offering of Bordeaux wine as futures.
In Bordeaux, what does en primeur indicate?
The yearly offering of Bordeaux as futures
Describe the Bordeaux climate
The climate of Bordeaux is maritime, with both the Atlantic and the Gironde estuary acting as moderating influences, protecting the vines from winter freezes and spring frost. Winters are short, springtime is usually damp and summers can reach high temperatures. Coastal pine forests protect the Médoc vineyards from harsh west and northwesterly winds
What climactic worries to winemakers and growers have in Bordeaux?
The very wet climate can bring on rot and mold.
Springtime frost can lead to coulure and millerandage, reducing the eventual yield, and the Bordeaux mixture—a mix of lime, copper sulfate, and water—is applied throughout the region to avoid fungal problems
That said, autumn humidity in the sweet wine districts of Graves is a cause for celebration due to the development of noble rot, the more malevolent grey rot can take hold in cooler years and destroy the fruit.
What is clairet?
In Bordeaux, Clairet is a darker, more aromatic style of rosé that evokes the original claret wines shipped to England in the Middle Ages
What are the six grapes permitted for red Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec Carmènere
Is blending typical in Bordeaux?
Yes
Due to the varying soils throughout the region, coupled with the different speeds of ripening for each grape Bordeaux chateau’s generally blend varietals
What is the most planted grape in Bordeaux?
Merlot
Does Merlot ripen early or late?
Merlot is the earliest grape to ripen
What type of soil is best for Merlot? Why?
Merlot prefers clay-based soils, as they delay its natural vigor
What type of soil does Cabernet Sauvignon preform best in?
Cabernet Sauvignon performs admirably in well-drained gravel, which allows the vineʼs root system to dig deeply while slight water stress adds concentration to the fruit. The grape has difficulty ripening in colder limestone and clay soils.
What type of soil does Cabernet Franc perform best in?
Cabernet Franc excels in limestone-based soils, which promote acidity and freshness in the wines.
Describe what the following varietals add to a Bordeaux blend:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon - The highly pigmented, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine structure, power, and longevity.
Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Franc, a more tannic grape than Merlot but less muscular or weighty than Cabernet Sauvignon, imparts herbal spice and red fruit aromatics
Merlot - Merlot contributes a fleshy, juicy texture that can soften the austerity of Cabernet Sauvignon.
On the Left Bank (Médoc and Graves) what is the dominate varietal in blends?
Cabernet Sauvignon comprises approximately two-thirds of the blend and Merlot, Cabernet Franc and the other varieties make up the remainder.
Which grape(s) dominate the right bank Bordeaux blends?
Merlot and Cabernet Franc typically dominate blends on the Right Bank, at three-quarters and one-quarter respectively. These proportions may vary greatly depending on the exact commune and château.
Is Petit Verdot used more on the Left Bank or the Right Bank?
The inky Petit Verdot, the last grape in Bordeaux to ripen, is occasionally added on the Left Bank in minute quantities for color, depth and exotic perfume; it is essentially non-existent on the Right Bank.
What is a synonym for Pressac?
Malbec
What are the white grapes of Bordeaux?
Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc Muscadelle Ugni Blanc Merlot Blanc Colombard
What flavor profiles do Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle offer in Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc offers pungency, high acidity, and citrus flavors. In Bordeaux, the sharpness of Sauvignon Blanc can be leavened with Sémillon and rounded with oak.
The best white wines (whether dry or off-dry) achieve creamy, waxy texture while emitting unique aromas of honey and beeswax. The fragile Muscadelle is added sparingly, as its lovely, intense floral character can quickly overtake the wineʼs balance.
What are barriques?
225 liter capacity oak barrels
Do white wines see new oak in Bordeaux?
Yes, top estates implement new oak in white wine. White wines from a top Graves estate will also be aged in new oak, although the percentage of new wood varies greatly by producer. The best white wines typically spend a year to 16 months in barrel.
What are traditional method sparking wines produced as in Bordeaux?
Traditional method sparkling wines are produced in Bordeaux as Crémant de Bordeaux AOP.
What are Jalles?
Drainage channels criss-cross the low-lying, remote landscape and prevent the Médoc from reverting to swampland.
Is the Medoc white or red wine focused?
The Médoc is overwhelmingly devoted to red wine production: approximately 123 acres in the entire appellation are planted with white grapes. AOP wines must be red.
In the Haut-Médoc, the best vineyards are characterized by which type of soil?
Well-drained gravelly soils, perfectly suited to the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Name some of the Haut Medoc’s communes.
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, and Margaux
Name the 1855 classification of 1st growths.
Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac Château Latour, Pauillac Château Margaux, Margaux (Margaux) Château Haut-Brion, Graves Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac
When was Château Mouton Rothschild elevated from 2nd to 1st growth status?
1973
Name (3) 2nd growths.
Château Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe
Château Montrose, Saint-Estèphe
Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Pauillac
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac
Château Léoville-Las Cases, Saint-Julien
Château Léoville-Poyferré, Saint-Julien
Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien
Château Gruaud-Larose, Saint-Julien
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien
Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Rauzan-Gassies, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Durfort-Vivens, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Lascombes, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux (Cantenac)
Name (3) 3rd growths
Château Calon-Ségur, Saint-Estèphe Château Lagrange, Saint-Julien Château Langoa Barton, Saint-Julien Château Malescot-Saint-Exupéry, Margaux Château Desmirail, Margaux (Cantenac) Château Ferrière, Margaux (Margaux) Château Marquis d'Alesme Becker, Margaux (Margaux) Château Kirwan, Margaux (Cantenac) Château d'Issan, Margaux (Cantenac) Château Boyd-Cantenac, Margaux (Cantenac) Château Cantenac-Brown, Margaux (Cantenac) Château Palmer, Margaux (Cantenac) Château Giscours, Margaux (Labarde) Château La Lagune, Haut-Medoc (Ludon)
Name (1) 4th growth
Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, Pauillac
Château Saint-Pierre, Saint-Julien
Château Talbot, Saint-Julien
Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien
Château Beychevelle, Saint-Julien
Château Marquis de Terme, Margaux (Margaux)
Château Pouget, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux (Cantenac)
Château La Tour Carnet, Haut-Médoc (Saint-Laurent)
Name (1) 5th growth
Château Cos Labory, Saint-Estèphe Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac Château Batailley, Pauillac Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac Château Haut-Bages-Libéral, Pauillac Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pauillac Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac Château Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac Château d'Armailhac, Pauillac: This estate was known as Mouton-Baronne-Philippe from 1933-1988. Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac Château Clerc-Milon, Pauillac Château Croizet Bages, Pauillac Château Dauzac, Margaux (Labarde) Château du Tertre, Margaux (Arsac) Château Belgrave, Haut-Médoc (Saint-Laurent) Château de Camensac, Haut-Médoc (Saint-Laurent) Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc (Macau)
How was the 1855 classification of Bordeaux determined?
Commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III and carried out by the region’s courtiers, this classification ranked the top properties of Bordeaux by PRICE prior to international exposure at the Universal Exposition in Paris later that year. All of the properties classified for red wine—with the exception of Château Haut-Brion in Graves—were Médoc châteaux, categorized by price into first through fifth growths.
What is cru artisan in Bordeaux?
Cru Artisan and Cru Bourgeois. Cru Artisan, a designation that has been in use for nearly a century and a half, was formally recognized in 2002. From the 2005 vintage forward, 44 small producers throughout the Médoc’s 8 appellations have the right to use the designation, denoting their place as exceptional stewards of the land and craft of winemaking, without the financing or apparatus of large-scale operations. Cru Artisan estates must be smaller than 5 hectares; the list is reviewed every ten years.
What is Cru Burgeois?
Cru Bourgeois, an embattled classification originally introduced in 1932, divided 444 properties into three categories: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, and Cru Bourgeois. The classification was not official until 2003, when only 247 châteaux retained their status. The resulting legal action nullified the entire classification. Cru Bourgeois was reinstated for the 2008 vintage, but the higher designations of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel and Cru Bourgeois Supérieur were eliminated. In 2018 new legislation passed to reinstate the previously eliminated terms. Starting in 2018 châteaux may once again apply for Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, and Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. The terms will appear on labels in 2020. The classification will be reviewed every 5 years, with a new list appearing in 2020 and then 2025.
What is known as a “super-second” growth in St-Estèphe AOP
Château Cos d’Estournel, a “super-second” growth, is the most notable, making powerful wines in a polished modern style.
Describe the wines of St-Estèphe AOP, their characteristics, soil type
St-Estèphe AOP is the northernmost commune appellation in Haut-Médoc. The wines are sturdy and full-bodied reds with a slightly higher percentage of Merlot, due to a higher proportion of clay amongst the gravel. St-Estèphe does not contain any first growths, and it hosts only five classified growths overall. Château Cos d’Estournel, a “super-second” growth, is the most notable, making powerful wines in a polished modern style.
Describe the wines of Pauillac AOP
Pauillac AOP is considered classic claret and boasts three first growths:
Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Mouton-Rothschild
Château Latour.
In Pauillac the gravel topsoil of the Haut-Médoc is at its deepest point, and the Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines are structured and long-lived. Lafite and Latour represent the pinnacle of Pauillac: Latour produces wines of brooding depth and concentration and Lafite emphasizes aromatics and elegance
What are croupes?
Gravel mounds that the Dutch unearthed during their drainage work in the 1600s, and the better châteaux are usually located upon these deeper banks of gravel, primarily located within the communes of Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, and Margaux.
What percentage of the St Julien wine is cru Classe wine?
80%
St-Julien AOP produces less wine than the other communes, but the quality is very good: approximately 80% of the AOP is cru classé wine.
St. Julien 2nd Growths: Château Léoville-Las Cases, Saint-Julien Château Léoville-Poyferré, Saint-Julien Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien Château Gruaud-Larose, Saint-Julien Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien
St. Julien has no first growths. How many second growths does it have?
There are no first growths, but St-Julien has five second growths, including the “super-seconds” of Château Léoville Las Cases and Château Ducru- Beaucaillou. Both can produce wine on par with premier cru estates. St-Julien reds typically demonstrate an elegant style.
Château Léoville-Las Cases, Saint-Julien Château Léoville-Poyferré, Saint-Julien Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien Château Gruaud-Larose, Saint-Julien Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien
Which is the most famous estate in either Listrac-Médoc AOP or Moulis-en-Médoc AOP?
Château Chasse-Spleen in Moulis-en-Medoc AOP is the most famous estate of either commune.
Which is the largest and which is the smallest communal appellation in the Haut Medoc?
St. Julien AOP is the smallest.
Margaux AOP is the largest.
Marguax AOP is split between which 5 villages?
Soussans Margaux Cantenac Labarde Arsac
How many classified growths are found in Marguax?
21 including first growth Chateau Marguax
Which Marguax third growth performs consistently well and commands high prices?
Château Palmer
How are the wine of Marguax generally described?
The wines of Margaux are often described as feminine, with an emphasis on floral bouquet, exotic character and finesse.
Has Graves or the Haut Medoc been producing wine longer?
Graves.
The wines of Graves have a longer history than those of the Médoc. While the land to the north was still unworkable, disease-ridden swampland, Graves wines were successfully exported to England: Samuel Pepys famously extolled the virtues of “Ho-Bryan” in 1663, and the 1660 cellar-book of King Charles II shows the wine in inventory. Archives uncovered in Bordeaux in 2014 show a sale of the wine by name—”Aubrion”—in 1521! Château Pape-Clément remains the first identifiable vineyard estate in the region, a papal gift awarded to Bordeaux in 1305
The soil type of Graves knowns as boulbenes is a mixture of?
In Graves, the soil is similar to the Médoc but becomes sandier toward the south. This mixture of sand, gravel and light clay is known as boulbenes.
What percentage of Graves wine is red wine?
Red wine accounts for approximately 2/3 of production.
Are Medoc AOP wines red, white or both?
Medoc AOP can only release red wines
Are Graves AOP wines red, white or both?
Graves AOP can release both red and white wine
How many Graves AOP estates are classified as cru Classe?
16 estates total with 22 AOP demarcation’s total: 13 red and 9 whites
All Graves AOP cru classe estates are located in which sub appellation?
Pessac-Léognan AOP
Name the communes in Pessac-Léognan AOP
Pessac Léognan Cadaujac Canéjan Gradignan Martillac Mérignac Saint- Médard-d'Eyrans Talence Villenave-d'Ornons.
