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CMS Advanced Sommelier Exam > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

How many acres of total vineyards makes up Bordeaux?

A

300,000 acres

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2
Q

What is the largest AOP region in France?

A

Bordeaux AOP

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3
Q

Who made viticulture possible by creating drainage channels in the Medoc in the 17th century?

A

The Dutch

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4
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Maritime

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5
Q

What are the 3 moderating influences on Bordeaux’s climate?

A

Atlantic Ocean
Gironde estuary
Coastal Pine Forests

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6
Q

What is the climate in St-Emilion and Pomerol vs. Medoc?

A

maritime but more continental than the Medoc

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7
Q

What is used to combat fungal problems in Bordeaux?

A

the bordeaux mixture

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8
Q

What’s in the Bordeaux Mixture?

A

lime
copper sulfate
water

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9
Q

What are the 6 grapes allowed for Bordeaux AOP red wines?

A 
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Petit Verdot
Malbec
Carmenère
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10
Q

What is the french word for the blend in a wine?

A

assemblage

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11
Q

What is the most planted grape in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

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12
Q

Which red grape is the earliest to ripen in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

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13
Q

What soil type does Merlot prefer?

A

Clay-based soils to delay its natural vigor

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14
Q

What soil type does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer?

A

well-drained gravel to allow roots to dig deep

slight water stress adds concentration to the fruit

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15
Q

What soil type does Cabernet Franc excel in?

A

limestone-based soils to promote acidity and freshness

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16
Q

What is the french word for the different varieties grown in a vineyard?

A

encepagement

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17
Q

What does Cabernet Sauvignon add to a wine?

A

structure
power
longevity

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18
Q

What does Merlot contribute to a blend?

A

fleshy, juicy texture

softens Cabernet Sauvignon

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19
Q

What does Cabernet Franc add to a blend?

A

herbal spice

red fruit aromatics

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20
Q

What has more tannin, Merlot or Cabernet Franc?

A

Cabernet Franc

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21
Q

What is a typical left-bank blend in Bordeaux?

A

2/3rds Cabernet Sauvignon

1/3rd Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and/or other

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22
Q

What is a typical right-bank blend in Bordeaux?

A

¾ Merlot

¼ Cabernet Franc

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23
Q

What is the last grape to ripen in Bordeaux?

A

Petit Verdot

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24
Q

What does Petit Verdot contribute in a blend

A

color
depth
exotic perfume

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25
Q

What is Malbec known as in the Right Bank?

A

Pressac

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26
Q

What 3 grapes dominate basic Bordeaux AOP white blends?

A

Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle

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27
Q

What are the 3 minor grapes allowed in basic Bordeaux AOP white blends?

A

Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Merlot Blanc

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28
Q

What’s the max % of Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc allowed in a basic Bordeaux AOP white blend?

A

max. 30%

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29
Q

What does Sauvignon Blanc contribute to a Bordeaux Blanc blend?

A

Pungency
High acidity
citrus flavors

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30
Q

What does Semillon contribute to a Bordeaux Blanc blend?

A

creamy, waxy texture
honey and beeswax aromas
with oak softens Sauvignon Blanc

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31
Q

What does Muscadelle impart in a Bordeaux Blanc blend?

A

(in small amounts) it imparts intense floral character

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32
Q

How long will top chateaux age Bordeaux reds?

A

up to 2 years in barriques (225 L)

large percentage of which will be new each year

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33
Q

How long are the best white wines from Bordeaux aged for?

A

12-16 months in barrel (new and used)

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34
Q

What’s the appellation for red and off-dry whites in Bordeaux with higher minimum alcohol content?

A

Bordeaux Supérieur AOP

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35
Q

What is the traditional method sparkling wine appellation for Bordeaux?

A

Crémant de Bordeaux AOP

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36
Q

What is the general left-bank Bordeaux appellation?

A

Medoc AOP

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37
Q

What is the region north of St.Estephe called?

A

Bas-Medoc

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38
Q

What is the name for the drainage channels in the Medoc?

A

jalles

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39
Q

Medoc AOP wines may only be what kind of wine?

A

Red

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40
Q

What grape is grown the most in the Bas-Medoc?

A

Merlot

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41
Q

What are the gravel mounds in the Haut-Medoc called?

A

croupes

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42
Q

What are the 6 main sub-regions on the Haut-Medoc (North to South)?

A

Saint-Estèphe
Pauillac
St. Julien

Listrac-Medoc
Moulis-en-Medoc
Margaux

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43
Q

When did Chateau Mouton-Rothschild elevate from second growth to first growth?

A

1973

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44
Q

What are the 2 less notable quality designations in Bordeaux?

A

Cru Artisan

Cru Bourgeois

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45
Q

When was Cru Artisan formally recognized?

A

2002

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46
Q

As of 2005, how many producers are Cru Artisan?

A

44

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47
Q

How small must Cru Artisan producers be?

A

less than 5 hectares of vineyards

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48
Q

As of 2018, how often are Cru Artisan estates reviewed?

A

every 5 years

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49
Q

What are the 3 designations for Cru Bourgeois (as of 2018)?

A

Cru Bourgeois
Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

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50
Q

When will Cru Bourgeois appear on labels again?

A

2020, reviews every 5 years

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51
Q

What is the northernmost commune appellation in Haut-Medoc?

A

St-Estephe

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52
Q

Which Haut-Medoc commune has slightly higher % of Merlot?

A

St-Estephe

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53
Q

How many first growths are located in St-Estephe?

A

none

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54
Q

What is the most notable producer in St-Estephe?

A

Chateau Cos d’Estournel (Super Second)

55
Q

What are the three first growths in Pauillac?

A

Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Mouton-Rothschild
Château Latour

56
Q

Why are Pauillac wines the most structured and long lived?

A

the gravel topsoil of the Haut-Medoc is at its deepest point

57
Q

Latour vs Lafite styles

A

Latour: brooding depth and concentration

Lafite: emphasizes aromatics and elegance

58
Q

What commune produces the least amount of wine in Haut-Medoc?

A

St-Julien AOP

59
Q

What % of St-Julien AOP is cru classe?

60
Q

What are the 2 “super-seconds” of St. Julien

A

Chateau Leoville Las Cases

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

61
Q

What is the most famous estate of Moulis-en-Medoc AOP?

A

Chateau Chasse-Spleen

62
Q

What is the largest communal appellation of the Haut-Medoc?

63
Q

What are the 5 villages of Margaux?

A 
Soussans
Margaux
Cantenac
Labarde
Arsac
64
Q

What is the soil around the village of Margaux?

A

thin, sandy gravel over limestone

the croupes are more shallow compared to St-Julien or Pauillac

65
Q

How many classified growths are located in Margaux?

66
Q

How are Margaux wines generalized as?

A

floral bouquet
exotic character
finesse

67
Q

What is the mix of sand, gravel and light clay soils in Graves called?

68
Q

2/3rds of Graves wines are what color?

69
Q

When were the wines of Graves first classified?

70
Q

How many wines were added to the Graves Classification in 1959?

71
Q

How many wines are classified cru classe for red wines in Graves?

72
Q

How many wines are classified cru classe for white wines?

73
Q

How many total estates in Graves are classified cru classe?

74
Q

When was Pessac-Leognan AOP established?

75
Q

What is the sweet wine appellation in Graves?

A

Graves Superieur AOP

76
Q

What are the 3 smaller sweet wine appellations in Graves Superieur?

A

Cerons
Barsac
Sauternes

77
Q

What is the french word for noble rot/botrytis cinerea?

A

Pourriture Noble

78
Q

Which appellation is less likely to show significant botrytis: Cerons, Barsac, or Sauternes

79
Q

How does botrytis form in Graves Superieur?

A

cool morning mist from the ciron river + warmer waters of the garonne = autumn afternoon humidity perfect for botrytis spores

80
Q

What are the 3 categories of classified wines of Sauternes?

A

Premier Cru Superieur (only d’Yquem)
First Growth
Second Growth

81
Q

What years did d’Yquem not produce a wine in the last 50 years?

A

2012
1992
1974
1972

82
Q

What is Chateau d’Yquem dry white wine called?

A

“Y” (“Ygrec”)

83
Q

What are the 5 villages of Sauternes?

A 
Sauternes
Barsac
Fargues
Preignac
Bommes
84
Q

What is the minimum must weight of Sauternes AOP?

85
Q

What is the minimum R.S. of Sauternes AOP?

86
Q

What is a famous unclassified Chateau in Sauternes?

A

Chateau Grilette

87
Q

What is Chateau Grilette’s decades-long matured in concrete vats wine?

A

Creme de Tete

88
Q

Name a producer on the right bank that produces Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wines

A

Château Figeac (St-Emilion Classe B)

89
Q

When did St-Emilion create its classification system?

90
Q

What are the 5 revision years of the St-Emilion classification?

A 
1969
1985
1996
2006
2012
91
Q

What are the requirements for St-Emilion Grand Cru AOP?

A

.5% more alcohol than normal AOP (11.5%)

and longer elevage

92
Q

What are the 4 main soils of Pomerol?

A

Sand
Clay
Gravel
crasse de fer

93
Q

What are crasse de fer soils?

A

subsoil of iron pan and rich clay

94
Q

What is unique about the soil around Chateau Petrus?

A

the subsoil clay rises very close to the surface

95
Q

What is the typical blend of Pomerol wines?

A

70-80% Merlot

20-25% Cabernet Franc

96
Q

What is Cabernet Franc known as in Pomerol?

97
Q

What are the 5 best properties in Pomerol?

A 
Chateau Petrus
Vieux-Château-Certan
Château Lafleur
Château Le Pin
Château Trotanoy
98
Q

Name 3 garagistes/microchateaux

A

Le Pin (Pomerol)

Valandraud (St-Emilion)
La Mondotte (St-Emilion)
99
Q

What are the 4 satellite appellations for St-Emilion?

A

Lussac
St-Georges
Montagne
Puisseguin

100
Q

What are the 3 neighboring red wine districts of Pomerol?

A

Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP
Fronsac AOP
Canon-Fronsac AOP

101
Q

Which 2 appellations in Bordeaux have the oldest cultivated vineyards?

A

Bourg AOP

Côtes de Bourg AOP

102
Q

Who is the leading producer in Cotes de Bourg AOP?

A

Château Roc de Cambes

103
Q

What Bordeaux AOP uses large percentages of Ugni Blanc and Colombard in dry whites?

A

Cotes de Blaye AOP

104
Q

What 5 villages may add their name to Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?

A 
Francs
Castillon
Blaye
Cadillac
Sainte Foy
105
Q

What 2 rivers is Entre-Deux-Mers AOP in between?

A

Dordogne river

Garonne river

106
Q

Name the 3 sweet white wine appellations along the eastern shore of the Garonne river

A

Loupiac
Ste-Croix-du-Mont
Cadillac

107
Q

What kind of wines are made as Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux AOP?

A

exclusively sweet wines

108
Q

Which of the following estates encouraged the transition to estate bottling in Bordeaux in the 1920s?

A

Château Mouton-Rothschild

109
Q

In what century did Malbec first appear in Bordeaux?

A

18th Century

110
Q

What is the grape parentage of Carmenère?

A

Gros Cabernet x Cabernet Franc

111
Q

What is the average annual rainfall for Bordeaux?

A

35 in (950 mm)

112
Q

What is the only classified growth in the Médoc that is certified biodynamic?

A

Château Pontet-Canet

113
Q

2 Second Growths of Pauillac

A

Pichon-Longueville

Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

114
Q

5 Second Growths of St. Julien

A 
Leoville Las Cases* super 2nd
Leoville-Poyferre
Leoville Barton
Gruaud Larose
Ducru-Beaucaillou* super 2nd
115
Q

5 Second Growths of Margaux

A 
Rauzan-Segla
Rauzan-Gassies
Durfort-Vivens
Lascombes
Brane-Cantenac
116
Q

What is the only Third growth in St. Estephe

A

Calon-Segur

117
Q

How many Third growths are in Pauillac?

118
Q

2 Third Growths of St. Julien

A

Lagrange

Langoa Barton

119
Q

10 Third Growths of Margaux

A 
Kirwan
D’Issan
Giscours
Malescot Saint-Exupery
Boyd-Cantenac
Cantenac brown
Palmer
Desmirail
Ferriere
Marquis d’Alesme Becker
120
Q

What is the only Third Growth in the general Haut-Medoc AOP?

A

Chateau La Lagune

121
Q

What is the only Fourth Growth in St. Estephe?

A

Lafon-Rochet

122
Q

What is the only Fourth Growth in Pauillac?

A

Duhart-Milon

123
Q

4 Fourth Growths of St. Julien

A

Saint-Pierre
Talbot
Branaire-Ducru
Beychevelle

124
Q

3 Fourth Growths of Margaux

A

Pouget
Prieuré-Lichine
Marquis de Terme

125
Q

What is the sole Fourth Growth in the general Haut-Medoc AOP?

A

Château La Tour Carnet

126
Q

What is the only Fifth Growth in St. Estephe

A

Cos Labory

127
Q

How many 5th growths are in Pauillac

128
Q

Name 3 notable 5th growths from Pauillac

A

Clerc Milon
Pontet-Canet
Lynch-Bages

129
Q

How many Fifth Growths in St. Julien?

130
Q

2 Fifth Growths in Margaux

A

Dauzac

Du Tertre

131
Q

What are the 3 Fifth Growths in the general Haut Medoc AOP?

A

Belgrave
De Camensac
Cantemerle

132
Q

Name 3 classified chateaux from Graves

A

Carbonnieux
Haut-Bailly
Pape-Clement

133
Q

What are the 4 Premiers Grands Crus Classe A Chateaux?

A

Angelus
Ausone
Cheval-Blanc
Pavie

134
Q

Name 4 Premiers Grands Crus Classes B Chateaux

A

Beausejour
Figeac
La Mondotte
Valandraud

CMS Advanced Sommelier Exam (9 decks)

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