Bordeaux Flashcards
INAO
Institute National des Appellations d’Origine; established in 1935 to de-limit and enforce wine laws and appellation systems.
What were the INAO laws modeled after?
Chateauneuf du Pape, 1411. They had self imposed laws stipulating yields, vineyard density, training, pruning, varietals, production methods, min alcohol, min must weights and geographical boundaries. Wines must also pass a tasting panel.
What happened to the INAO in 2007?
They were merged with an existing EU designation governing foodstuffs and now oversee the French AOC.
- Introduction of the PDO/AOP system
- laws are stricter
- designations of AOP/ AOC are used interchangeably.
What is PDO?
Protected designation of Origin.
VDQS/ AOVDQS
Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure
- Began in 1949, was the stepping stone to AOC, but no longer exists.
- Most VDQS were advanced to full AOC.
Vin de Pays
“Regional Wine”
- Middle level - quality varies widely
- Relaxed regulations
- Formerly VINIFLOHR
- 29% of production in france
- Labeled as IGP (Indication Géographique Protegee) or PGI (Protected Geographic Indication)
- Must be Vitis Vinifera, 85% from sourced area.
- Min alochol, 9-10%
- limits on added sulfur, acidity, and grape sources.
Vin de Table/ Vin Ordinaires
“Table Wine”
- lowest quality rung in France.
- Allow varietal, vintage, and place.
- Acidification and oak chips are allowed.
What were the Dutch responsible for doing in Bordeaux?
Creating a complex series of drainage canals in the 4th century, that allowed the marshes to be habitable by the 1600s.
Eleanor of Aquitane
Daughter of Duke Aquitane married Henry Plantagenet, the future king go England, and the land of Bordeaux became under British rule. 1152-1453
Jalles
The name of the drainage channels
Claret
The original name of Bordeaux wine.
What did the Gironde Estuary do for bordeaux?
It’s proximity to the Atlantic and the world’s demand for claret gave Bordeaux a direct trade line, and let many wealthy investors build grand chateau all over the region.
Negociants in Bordeaux
Buyer of fruit or wine in barrel to age at their own cellars to be bottled and sold under their label. This practice faded after WWII in favor of estate bottled wines.
Courtiers
Brokers
Became a powerful investing force for Bordeaux, as they gave financial backing while gaining total control of the actual trade. Created En Primeur Sales.
En Primeur
The yearly offering of Bordeaux wine as futures
Grand Vin
A chateau’s best bottling, comprised of the best fruit from its estate.
Second wines
Comprised of fruit deemed “inappropriate” for the Grand Vin.
- Usually younger vines in newly replanted plots OR
- Vines in less favorable terroir.
ex. Mouton Rothschild bottles Petit Mouton as 2nd.
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Maritime.
Humidity and mold are worries.
-Climate becomes more continental toward St. Emillon and Pomerol.
What are the climate moderators of Bordeaux?
- Atlantic Ocean
- Gironde Estruary
Protects from winter freezes and spring fros
What is the Bordeaux mixture?
A mix of lime, copper sulfate, and water. A natural fungicide that combats frost and prevents :
- Couloure
- Millerandage
which destroys the fruit
What do the forests to the west of Bordeaux do?
Block the Atlantic wind.
Coulure
A metabolic reaction that causes a failure of fruit to develop after flowering.
Millerandage
“Hens and chickens”
- when numerous small berries form on a cluster of normal size berries.
What styles of wine are produced in Bordeaux?
- Red
- White
- Sparkling
- Rose
- Clairet (a darker, more aromatic style of rosé )
- Sweet
Assemblage
Blend
What is the most planted grape in Bordeaux?
Merlot. Prefers clay soils, earliest to ripen.
What grapes are allowed in red Bordeaux AOP?
Merlot Cab Sauv Cab Franc Petit Verdot Malbec (Cot) Carmenere
What soil type does Cab Sauv prefer?
Well-drained Gravel. Allows the vine’s root system to dig deeply while slight water stress adds concentration to the fruit.
What soil type does Cab Franc prefer?
Limestone-based soils, which promote acidity and freshness in the wines.
Encepagement
A mixture of grapes in the vineyard that give “insurance” due to the nature of different ripening times across the different species.
What is the last grape to ripen in Bordeaux?
Petit Verdot = inky
What is the basic makeup of wines on the left bank vs the right?
Left Bank:
- 70% Cab Sauv
- 30% Merlot
Right Bank:
- 70% Merlot
- 30% Cab Franc
What grapes are allowed in white Bordeaux AOP?
- Sauv Blanc
- Semillon
- Muscadelle
- Ugni Blanc*
- Merlot Blanc*
- Colombard*
*rarely used, and only allowed to be 30% of blend combined.
Barrique
225L barrel