Bordeaux

Question 1

What are climatic condition of Bordeaux?

Answer 1

• Moderate maritime climate that benefits from the effect of the Gulf Stream.
• High levels of rainfall and humidity from The Atlantic.
• Protective from storms by Landes forest and coastal sand dunes.

Question 2

Why are Bordeaux wines almost always blends?

Answer 2

The variability in the weather means that it is too risky to rely on one grape variety. So many grapes are planted with different ripening times are planted.

Question 3

Why is Cabernet Sauvignon the dominant grape in the Haut Medoc?

Answer 3

The high stone and gravel content of the soil increases the warmth in vineyards and allows cabernet to ripen.

Question 4

What is top quality red Bordeaux aged in?

Answer 4

It is aged in 225 liter barrique.

Question 5

What are the important white grapes in Bordeaux and their styles/roles in winemaking?

Answer 5

1) Semillon: It has thin skin and is excellent for noble rot. It is used for sweet wine production and to add body to Sauvignon Blanc.
2) Sauvignon Blanc: Made into single varietal dry wines. Adds acidity to sweet wines.
3) Muscadell: Adds a grape floral flavor to dry and sweet wines.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a premium dry white wine from Pessac-Leognan?

Answer 6

• blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
• Fermented/matured in new oak
• Richness and concentrated nutty flavor overlying the fruit.

Question 7

What are the major bodies of water in the Bordeaux region?

Answer 7

• Dordogne and Garonne rivers which combine to form the Gironde Estuary.
• The Atlantic Ocean

Question 8

What is the difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superier? And at their best what should they taste like?

Answer 8

Higher levels of alcohol and slightly stricter appellation rules.
Medium bodied, ripe red and black fruit and sometimes cedar notes from black fruit.

Question 9

What are the four communes with the highest reputation in the Haut Medoc?

Answer 9

Saint Estephe
Paullic
Saint Julien
Margaux

Question 10

Describe the difference between the wines of Saint Emilion and Pomerol.

Answer 10

Wines of Pomerol tend to be richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character.

Question 11

Explain the term Vins de Garage.

Answer 11

Full bodied, incredibly ripe wines made in tiny quantities from small plots of land.

Question 12

What are the appellations that have agreed to share the name Cote de Bordeaux?

Answer 12

Blaye, Cadillac, Francs, Castillon

Question 13

What are the primary sweet wine appellations of Bordeaux and what are the conditions that make sweet wine possible?

Answer 13

Sauternes and Barsac

The Garonne and its tributary the Ciron create the ideal misty autumn conditions for Nole rot to develop. Passerillage is used to concentrate sugars when there is little noble rot.

Question 14

What is the major appellation of Dordogne and what kind of wine is made there?

Answer 14

• Bergerac

- Red and white wines made from the same varieties grown in Bordeaux and crafted in a similar style

Question 15

Describe the appellation of Monbazillac

Answer 15

• Lies inside the Dordogne region

- Source of good value, botrytized sweet wines, similar to Sauternes, made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 16

Describe the appellation of Cahors and the wines made there

Answer 16

• Located on either side of the river Lot, to the east of Bordeaux
• The most important grape is Malbec, but Merlot and Tannat are also grown
• Best wines are aged in oak/deeply colored/high tannins/intense dark berry fruits

Question 17

What is Cotes de Gascogne?

Answer 17

An IGP southeast of Bordeaux producing mainly dry, light bodied white wines from Ugni Blanc that have flavors of green apple.

Question 18

Describe Madiran and the wines made there

Answer 18

• Located south of Bordeaux, towards the Pyrenees

- Red wines produced from blends, led by deeply colored/high tannin grape, Tannat

Question 19

Describe Juraçon and the wines made there

Answer 19

• Located in the foothills of the Pyrenees
• Dry and sweet wines made
• Most important wines are high-acid sweet wines made from Petit Manseng grape in the passerillage method