Bordeaux Flashcards
Evidence of wine production in the Bordeaux region dates back to
4th century AD
Bordeaux Location
Southwestern France, inland from the Atlantic Ocean
Bordeaux Climate
Maritime, mild yet humid. Can suffer rain and frost
Bordeaux geographic and climate influences
A large pine forest along the coast to the west protects the region from harsh storms and winds from the Atlantic. Two rivers, the Garonne and the Dordogne, meet north of the city of Bordeaux and form the Gironde Estuary, which flows into the Atlantic.
Left Bank
West of the Garonne and Gironde
Right Bank
East and north of the Dordogne and Gironde
Entre-Deux-Mers
Between the Garonne and Dordogne
Bordeaux Soil
Each of the regions of Bordeaux is known for a specific soil type that is matched with the grape varieties that grow best there. Water drainage is key.
Soil in Médoc and Graves on the Left Bank
Gravel
Soil in Saint-Émilion on the Right Bank
Gravel, limestone and sand
Soil in Pomerol on the Right Bank
Iron pan under sand and clay
Grape Varieties of Bordeaux
Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Muscadelle Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec Carménère
Bordeaux Viticulture
This region suffers from rain at harvest and frost
Bordeaux Vinification
Wines from Bordeaux are usually blends of two or more of the grape varietals in the Bordeaux family
Typical Red Wine Blend from Médoc
70% Cabernet Sauvignon
30% Merlot
Plus Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
These wines are usually aged in new French oak barrels
Typical Red Wine Blend from Saint-Émilion and Pomerol
70% Merlot
30% Cabernet Franc
These wines are usually aged in new French oak barrels
Dry white wines mainly from Graves (Pessac-Léognan) on the left bank and Entre-Deux-Mers
80% Sauvignon Blanc
20% Sémillon
The majority of inexpensive white wines from Bordeaux are made without oak. Prestigious wines in the upper price tiers, however tend to be aged in new French oak barriques
Sweet wines mainly from Sauternes and nearby communes
80% Sémillon
20% Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle (small percentage)
Many sweet wines of Bordeaux are aged in new French oak barrels
Bordeaux yearly weather and vintage variation
Spring frosts and excessive rainfall at harvest are the biggest problems.
Bordeaux AOP
Largest appellation in size and production
Grapes can come from anywhere in the entire region
An appellation for red and white wines in both sweet and dry styles
Sub-Regional or District Appellations
These may be the highest appellations attainable in a particular locale or they may encompass a number of separate commune appellations (Haut Médoc AOP and Entre-Deux-Mers AOP)
Commune Appellations
These are the smallest AOPs in each region, with generally the highest quality wines. (Pauillac, Margaux, Pomerol, Saint Julien, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Émilion
The Château Concept
Most vineyards in Bordeaux are not known by names attached to specific plots of land, as they are in other important French wine-growing regions. Instead, Bordeaux vineyards are known by names of château, the French word for castles or manor houses. Not all Bordeaux château, however are as architecturally grand as the word suggests. A Bordeaux château is an estate under a single ownership. A château name is more of a brand than a specific vineyard location.
This is Bordeaux’s most renowned red wine area.
Médoc
Médoc Factors of Production
Location: North of the city of Bordeaux along the Gironde Estuary
Soil: Gravel, with great moisture draining properties. Perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon - based blends
First growth Châteaux of the 1855 Classification
Château Lafite-Rothschild Château Latour Château Margeaux Château Haut-Brion (Graves) Château Mouton-Rothschild (elevated in 1973)
Médoc AOPs
Médoc AOP (Sub-Region) Haut-Médoc AOP (Sub-Region) Saint-Estèphe AOP (Commune) Pauillac AOP (Commune) Saint-Julien AOP (Commune) Margaux AOP (Commune)
Top Recent Vintages of the Médoc
2015
2010
2009
2005
Graves AOP Factors of Production
Location: South of the Médoc and directly south and around the city of Bordeaux
Soil: Gravel
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Sub-Region: Pessac-Léognan AOP
Sauternes AOP Factors of Production
Location: Southernmost portion of Graves, bordered by the Garonne and Ciron rivers
Vinification: Botrytis-affected sweet wines. Oak aged often in new French barrique.
Entre-Deux-Mers AOP Factors of Production
Location: Translates to “land between two seas”. A large area between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
Soil: Very fertile silt
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
Vinification: Dry white wines only. Little to no oak, stainless steel. Red wines made in this area fall under the Bordeaux AOP appellation.
Saint-Émilion AOP
Location: Along the Dordogne River near the town of Libourne
Soils: Proportions vary depending on the location. Large bed of silt, clay and gravel. Limestone plateau. Sand.
Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, AOP for red wines only.
Classification system instituted in 1955
Saint-Émilion Classification 2012 Premier Grands Crus Classé A
Château Ausone
Château Angélus
Château Pavie
Château Cheval-Blanc
Pomerol AOP
Location: A very small appellation (only 3 square miles) along the Dordogne River near the town of Libourne to the nothwest of Saint-Émilion.
Soils: Sand, clay, gravel, subsoil of iron pan, and rich clay.
Grape varieties: Merlot and Cabernet Franc based blends
