Bordeaux Flashcards
How many acres of total vineyards makes up Bordeaux?
300,000 acres
What is the largest AOP region in France?
Bordeaux AOP
Who made viticulture possible by creating drainage channels in the Medoc in the 17th century?
The Dutch
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Maritime
What are the 3 moderating influences on Bordeaux’s climate?
Atlantic Ocean
Gironde estuary
Coastal Pine Forests
What is the climate in St-Emilion and Pomerol vs. Medoc?
maritime but more continental than the Medoc
What is used to combat fungal problems in Bordeaux?
the bordeaux mixture
What’s in the Bordeaux Mixture?
lime
copper sulfate
water
What are the 6 grapes allowed for Bordeaux AOP red wines?
Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec Carmenère
What is the french word for the blend in a wine?
assemblage
What is the most planted grape in Bordeaux?
Merlot
Which red grape is the earliest to ripen in Bordeaux?
Merlot
What soil type does Merlot prefer?
Clay-based soils to delay its natural vigor
What soil type does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer?
well-drained gravel to allow roots to dig deep
slight water stress adds concentration to the fruit
What soil type does Cabernet Franc excel in?
limestone-based soils to promote acidity and freshness
What is the french word for the different varieties grown in a vineyard?
encepagement
What does Cabernet Sauvignon add to a wine?
structure
power
longevity
What does Merlot contribute to a blend?
fleshy, juicy texture
softens Cabernet Sauvignon
What does Cabernet Franc add to a blend?
herbal spice
red fruit aromatics
What has more tannin, Merlot or Cabernet Franc?
Cabernet Franc
What is a typical left-bank blend in Bordeaux?
2/3rds Cabernet Sauvignon
1/3rd Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and/or other
What is a typical right-bank blend in Bordeaux?
¾ Merlot
¼ Cabernet Franc
What is the last grape to ripen in Bordeaux?
Petit Verdot
What does Petit Verdot contribute in a blend
color
depth
exotic perfume
What is Malbec known as in the Right Bank?
Pressac
What 3 grapes dominate basic Bordeaux AOP white blends?
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
What are the 3 minor grapes allowed in basic Bordeaux AOP white blends?
Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Merlot Blanc
What’s the max % of Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc allowed in a basic Bordeaux AOP white blend?
max. 30%
What does Sauvignon Blanc contribute to a Bordeaux Blanc blend?
Pungency
High acidity
citrus flavors
What does Semillon contribute to a Bordeaux Blanc blend?
creamy, waxy texture
honey and beeswax aromas
with oak softens Sauvignon Blanc
What does Muscadelle impart in a Bordeaux Blanc blend?
(in small amounts) it imparts intense floral character
How long will top chateaux age Bordeaux reds?
up to 2 years in barriques (225 L)
large percentage of which will be new each year
How long are the best white wines from Bordeaux aged for?
12-16 months in barrel (new and used)
What’s the appellation for red and off-dry whites in Bordeaux with higher minimum alcohol content?
Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
What is the traditional method sparkling wine appellation for Bordeaux?
Crémant de Bordeaux AOP
What is the general left-bank Bordeaux appellation?
Medoc AOP
What is the region north of St.Estephe called?
Bas-Medoc
What is the name for the drainage channels in the Medoc?
jalles
Medoc AOP wines may only be what kind of wine?
Red
What grape is grown the most in the Bas-Medoc?
Merlot
What are the gravel mounds in the Haut-Medoc called?
croupes
What are the 6 main sub-regions on the Haut-Medoc (North to South)?
Saint-Estèphe
Pauillac
St. Julien
Listrac-Medoc
Moulis-en-Medoc
Margaux
When did Chateau Mouton-Rothschild elevate from second growth to first growth?
1973
What are the 2 less notable quality designations in Bordeaux?
Cru Artisan
Cru Bourgeois
When was Cru Artisan formally recognized?
2002
As of 2005, how many producers are Cru Artisan?
44
How small must Cru Artisan producers be?
less than 5 hectares of vineyards
As of 2018, how often are Cru Artisan estates reviewed?
every 5 years
What are the 3 designations for Cru Bourgeois (as of 2018)?
Cru Bourgeois
Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
When will Cru Bourgeois appear on labels again?
2020, reviews every 5 years
What is the northernmost commune appellation in Haut-Medoc?
St-Estephe
Which Haut-Medoc commune has slightly higher % of Merlot?
St-Estephe
How many first growths are located in St-Estephe?
none