Bordeaux Flashcards
Climate in Bordeaux
Moderate maritime climate that benefits from the effect of the Gulf Stream
Largest AOC in Bordeaux
Bordeaux Rouge
Name of River crossing Bordeaux
River Gironde
When Medoc and Sauternes were classified
1855
How many grape varietals are allowed in Bordeaux AOC
14 red
3 white
Main red grapes
CS, CF, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot.
Most planted grape?
Merlot
White grapes allowed
SB, Semillon, Muscadelle.
Top 5 Chateaux in Medoc
- Chateau Lafite Rothchild
- Chateau Latour
- Chateau Margaux
- Chateau Mouton Rothchild
- Chateau Haut-Brion (Graves).
Graves (Pessac-Leognan) classification
there is no ranking, all wines are ‘crus classes’
Saint-Emilion Grand cru classification
Lower: Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe
Higher: Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe this is divided in 2
Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru classe A - the best.
Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru classe B
White Bordeaux style
Sweet and dry. Most famous are whites coming from Sauternes and Barsac.
Top Quality districts of Bordeaux
Medoc Graves Sauternes Barsac St-Emilion Pomerol
Other districts in Bordeaux
Cerons, Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux, St Croix du Mont, Cadillac, Loupiac, Entre-Deux-Mers, Ste-Foy-Bordeaux, Graves de Vayres, Lalande de Pomerol, Fronsac, Cotes de Bourg.
Medoc AOC/AOP soil
Graelly with some clay limestone.
Communes in the left Bank
Saint-Estephe Pauillac Haut-Medoc Saint-Julien Margaux predominant CS.
Communes in the right bank
Pomerol
Saint-Emilion
predominant merlot
South of Bordeaux
Graves
- Pessac-Leognan, most highly rated area in Graves
- Sauternes and barsac
Second wine produced by Chateau Latour
Les Forts de Latour
Second wine produced by chateau Lafite-Rothchild
Carruades de Lafite Clarence de Haut-Brion
Second wine produced by Chateau Margaux
Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Magaux
Second wine produced by Rauzan-Segla
Segla
Second wine produced by Chateau Mouton-Rothchild
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton-Rothchild
Finest red in Graves
Chateau Haut-Brion classified in 1855 as first growth.
St-Estephe AOP style
full bodied red, high % of Merlot due to high level of clay amongst the gravel. No 1st growths. Chateau Cos d’Estournel aka ‘super-second’
Pauilliac AOP style
considered classic clared. CS based 3 x 1st growths: Lafite Rothchild Mouton-rothchild Latour
St-Julien AOP style
High quality - 80% is cru classe. No 1st growths.
5 x 2nd growths. (super seconds)
Chateau Leoville Las Cases & Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou
Listrac-Medoc AOP & Moulis-en-Medoc AOP
Lesser appellations, no classified growths. good value in good vintages.
Chateau Chasse-Spleen in Moulis is the most famous estate.
Margaux AOP
largest in Haut-Medoc
Soil in Graves
Similar to Medoc, sandier towards the south, mix of gravel and light clay known as boulbenes
botrytis cinerea aka
pourriture noble / noble rot
what causes botrytis in Sauternes
in good years cool morning mist blow off the ciron river and encounter the warmer waters of the garonne producing autumn afternoon humidity perfect for incubating botrytis spores
Sauternes AOP is produced every year?
no, such as 1992, 1974.
Sauterns AOP villages
Sauternes Barsac Fargues Preignac Mommes
Min sugar level
221 gr per liter, and when finified must contain at least 45 grams of RS.
min 13% ABV
Chateau Ygrec aka
Chateau d’Yquem “Y” Bordeaux Superiour AOC
Right bank
St-Emilion AOP
Pomerol AOP
mainly Merlot, less cab franc
St-Emilion soil
Cotes: hillside cotes are steep limestone slopes &
Graves: gravelly limestone plateau
Premiers Grand Crus Classes in St-Emilion
Ausone
Cheval Blanc (1947, 2010)
Pavie
Angelus
Pomerol AOC/AOP
smallest wine producing area in Bordeaux.
Soil: sandy/gravel, clay
Only red wines.
Mainly Merlot
Famous chateau in Pomerol
Chateau Petrus
What’s “Bouchet” in Pomerol
A blend of Merlot (80%) and Cab Franc (20%)
Biggest Chateaux in Pomerol
Petrus Vieux-Chateau-Certan Lafleur Le Pin Trotanoy
St-Emilion appellations
Lussac
St-Georges
Montagne
Puisseguin
