Bordeaux Flashcards
What is a coutier?
Wine broker. They supply the cht w financial backing while controlling the actual trade of wine
What size is Bordeaux AOP?
~117,500 ha
Explain the location of Bordeaux’s rivers.
The Gironde flows from the Atlantic and splits in two around Margaux, both the Dordogne river flowing northeast and the Garonne estuary flowing south
What is the average rainfall in the Medoc?
950 mm
37.4 in
What percentage of acreage is planted to Merlot in Bordeaux?
63%
~69407 ha
What are the regional AOPs of Bordeaux?
Bordeaux AOP
Bordeaux Superieur AOP
Cremant du Bordeaux AOP
What Bdx Chateau is petitioning to have a single estate AOP granted?
Chateau le Puy
What styles of wine are allowed under Bordeaux Superieur AOP?
- Dry red
- Medium sweet white
What styles are permitted for Bordeaux AOP?
White (sec, off-dry, medium sweet)
Rose
Clairette
Red
Aside from permitted styles, how do Bordeaux AOP and Bordeaux Superieur AOP differ?
Bdx AOP is released in 1/15 year follow, while BS AOP is 6/1 yr following. Bdx AOP has amin potential abv of 10.5%, while Superieur is 11%, also has tighter vine density and lower yields.
What is the subzone of Bordeaux AOP? What style is permitted?
Haut-Benauge
Off-dry to medium-sweet white
5-60 g/l rs
What IGP covers all of Bordeaux?
Atlantique IGP
What year did the Dutch drain the marsh, making the Medoc farmable?
mid-17th century
What are the canals of Bordeaux known as?
Jalles
What is the Liv-Ex Classification?
The London International Vintners Exchange has published a biennial Bordeaux classification in the style of 1855 since 2009
What year was Mouton elevated to 1st growth from second in the 1855 Classification?
1973
What three diseases that afflicted Bordeaux came from America?
Oidium (powdery mildew)
Phylloxera
Peronospera (downy mildew)
Why did Malbec and Carmenere not get replanted as much as the other grapes of Bordeaux?
They did not take to grafting as well
What was the first chateau to practice estate bottling? When?
Mouton-Rothschild in 1924.
Estate bottling did not become widespread until the 1960s. Became compulsory in 1972.
What was the worst vintage of the 1950s?
1956- winter frost killed most of the vines
What Bordeaux estate are biodynamic?
Cht Climens
Cht Pontet-Canet
Cht Palmer
What is cliquage?
a controversial for of micro-oxygenation in which small doses of oxygen are applied to the finished wine in barrel. Can counter reduction, but may be bad for long term aging.
List the communes of the Haut-Medoc, north to south.
Saint-Estephe Pauillac Saint-Julien Margaux Listrac-Medoc Moulis
List the classified growth of Saint-Estephe AOP
2nd Cos d'Estournel Montrose 3rd Calon-Segur 4th Lafon-Rochet 5th Cos Labory
Where are the deepest Croupes?
Pauillac
What Chateau is just north of Lafite?
Cos d’Estournel
What are Pauillac’s first growths?
Lafite-Rothschild
Mouton-Rothschild
Latour
What are the second growths of Pauillac?
Pichon Longueville Baron
Pichon-Longeuville Comtesse de Lalande
What are the third growths of Pauillac AOP?
None!
What are the fourth growths of Pauillac AOP?
Duhart-Milon-Rothschild
What are the fifth growths of Pauillac AOP?
Pontet-Canet Batailley Haut-Batailley Haut-Bages-Liberal Grand-Puy-Lacoste Grand-Puy-Ducasse Lynch-Bages Lynch-Moussas d'Armilhac Pedesclaux Clerc-Milon Croizet-Bages
What are the 2nd growths of Margaux?
Rauzan-Segla Rauzan-Gassies Durfort-Vivens Lascombes Brane-Cantenac
What are the third growths of Margaux?
Malescot-Saint-Exupery Desmirail Ferriere Marquis d'Alesme Becker Kirwan d'Issan Boyd-Cantenac Cantenac-Brown Palmer Giscours
What are the fourth growths of Margaux?
Marquis de Terme
Pouget
Prieure-Lichine
What are the 5th growths of Margaux?
Dauzac
du Tertre
What are the communes of Margaux?
Margaux Cantenac Soussans Arsac Labarde
What are the 2nd growths of Saint-Julien?
Leoville-Las Cases Leoville-Poyferre Leoville Barton Gruaud Larose Ducru Beaucaillou
What are the 3rd growths of Saint-Julien?
Lagrange
Langoa Barton
What are the 4th growths of Saint-Julien?
Saint-Pierre
Talbot
Branaire-Ducru
Beychevelle
What are the 5th growths of Saint-Julien?
None!
What are the classified growths of the Haut-Medoc, with communes?
3rd La Lagune (Ludon) 4th La Tour Carnet (Saint-Laurent) 5th Belgrave (Saint-Laurent) de Camensac (Saint-Laurent) Cantemerle (Macau)
What was Cht d’Armailhac known as from 1933-1988?
Mouton-Baronne-Philippe
What percentage of Pauillac AOP is planted to CS?
70-80%
One of the highest
What percentage of Saint-Jullien is controlled by classified growths?
~85%
Highest in the Medoc
Why does Margaux harvest CS a few days before Pauillac?
The gravel beds are more shallow
Where are Cht Chasse-Spleen and Cht Poujeaux?
Moulis AOP
What are the other classifications of the Medoc?
Cru Bourgeois
Cru Artisan
What is the Cru Artisan classification?
In the Medoc. It has been used for ~150 yrs, but formally recognized in 2002. FIrst vinatge is 2005. It is for small scale producers, avg 6 ha.
Updated every 5 yrs. Currently 36 members
How often is the Cru Bourgeois revised?
Annually since it was revised in 2008.
Previously every 12 years until being banned in 2007.
What forest sits the the west of the Left Bank?
The Landes
What is the difference between Graves AOP and Graves Superieur AOP?
Graves AOP is for dry red and white
Graves Superieur AOP is for sweet white only
WHat is the difference in soil between Southern Graves and Pessac-Leognan AOP?
Pessac-Leognan (and the rest of the northern sector) is gravelly
The southern part is more sand and limestone
What two estates have disappeared from the Graves classification?
Cht Latour Haut-Brion stopped in 2005
Cht Laville Haut Brion in 2008
Now Latour HB supplies grapes for Mission’s 2nd label red, while Laville HB gives Mission’s white grapes
What year was the Graves Classification finalized?
1959
What communes are included in Pessac-Leognan AOP?
Pessac Leognan Cadaujac Martillac Talence Merignac Canejan Gradignan Saint-Medard-d'Eyrans Villenave-d'Ornon
What Chateaux are Classified for red in the 1959 Graves Classification?
Bouscaut Carbonnieux Domaine de Chevalier de Fieuzal Haut-Bailly Haut-Brion Latour-Martillac Malartic-Lagraviere La Mission Haut-Brion Olivier Pape-Clement Smith-Haut-Lafitte La Tour Haut-Brion
What Chateaux are classified for white in the 1959 Graves Classification?
Bouscaut Carbonnieux Domaine de Chevalier Couhins* Couhins-Lurton* Latour-Martillac Malartic-Lagraviere Laville-Haut-Brion* Olivier *white only
Which Graves chateaux are classified for both red and white?
Bouscaut Carbonnieux Dmn de Chevalier Latour-Martillac Malartic-Lagraviere Olivier
What are the communes of Sauternes?
Barsac Preignac Bommes Fargues Sauternes
What are Sauternes first growths?
La Tour Blanche (Bommes) Lafaurie-Peyraguey (Bommes) Clos Haut-Peyarguey (bommes) de Rayne-Vigneau (Bommes) Suduiraut (Preignac) Coutet (Barsac) Climens (Barsac) Guiraud (Sauternes) Rieussec (Fargues) Rabaud-Promis (Bommes) Sigalas-Rabaud (Bommes)
What are the Sauternes Second Growths?
de Myrat (Barsac) Doisy Daene (Barsac) Doisy-Dubroca (Barsac) Doisy-Vedrines (Barsac) d'Arche (Sauternes) Filhot (Sauternes) Broustet (Barsac) Nairac (Barsac) Caillou (Barsac) Suau (Barsac) de Malle (Preignac) Romer (Fargues) Romer du Hayot (Fargues) Lamothe (Sauternes) Lamothe-Guignard (Sauternes)
Which Classified Sauternes estates are in Sauternes commune?
d'Yquem 1st Guiraud 2nd d'Arche Filhot Lamothe Lamothe-Guignard
Which classified Sauterenes estates are in Preignac?
1st
Suduiraut
2nd
de Malle
Which classified Sauternes estate are in Fargues?
1st Rieussec 2nd Romer Romer du Hayot
What was the first vintage of Ygrec?
1959, made in select vintages
Made every year since 2004
What is the max yield for Sauternes AOP and Barsac AOP?
25 hl/ha
What is the minimum abv of Sauternes?
Min must weight?
15% potential
12% acquired
221 g/l
What is the min RS of Graves Superieur AOP?
34 g/l
Name 3 non-classified yet high quality Sauternes houses
Cht de Fargues (owned by Lur-Saluces)
Cht Gilette
Cht Raymond-Lafon
What vintages have not been made by d’Yquem?
1910, 1915 1930 1951, 1952 1964 1972, 1974 1992 2012
What appellations are part of Bordeaux’s Right Bank?
Fronsac AOP Canon Fronsac AOP Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP Pomerol AOP Lussac-St-Emilion AOP Montagne-St-Emilion AOP St-Georges-St-Emilion AOP Puisseguin -St-Emilion AOP St-Emilion AOP St-Emilion Grand Cru AOP
What other AOPs are in eastern Bordeaux?
Bourg AOP
Blaye AOP
Cotes de Bordeaux-Castillon AOP
Cotes de Bordeaux-Francs AOP
Which is higher in altitude- right or left bank?
Right bank.
Left bank is ~15-30 m
Right can get up to 90 m at highest point
What two zones of St Emilion are considered the best?
Cotes (slopes of the limestone plateau)
Graves
Every single classified estate is on one or the other
Differences between St-Emilion AOP and St-Emilion Grand Cru AOP
GC must be estate bottled.
Lower max yields (53 vs 46 hl)
Aging (4/15 year following vs 5/15 2nd year)
What year was Saint Emilion classified?
1955
Legally enacted in 1958
What years has the St-Emilion Classification been updated?
1955 1969 1986 2006 2012
What are estates judged on for the St-Emilion classification?
- Analyses of soil , topography, viticulture and winemaking
- cht’s reputation
- tasting spanning a decade of vintages
What are the current premier grand cru classe As?
Pavie
How many Premier grand cru classe Bs?
Name 5
14 Beau-Sejour Becot Beausejor Belair-Monange Canon Canon-la-Gaffeliere Figeac Clos Fourtet La Geffeliere Larcis-Ducasse La Mondotte Pavie-Macquin Troplong-Mondot Trottevieille Valandraud
Which estates were elevated to premier grand cru classe B in 2006? 2012?
2006 Pavie-Macquin Troplong-Mondot 2012 Larcis-Ducasse Canon-la-Gaffeliere La Mondotte Valandraud
How many Grand Cru Classe properties of St-Emilion? Name 3
64 L'Arrosee Bellefont-Belcier Couvent des Jacobins Fleur-Cardinale Quinault l'Enclos Clos de l'Oratoire
What rivers border Pomerol AOP?
The Barbanne (south) The Isle (north)
What is the Buttoniere?
“Buttonhole”
a 20 ha area of deep blue clay in Pomerol AOP. Petrus is located here
What is Pomerol’s largest producer?
Chateau de Sales
What styles can be made in Fronsac AOP and Canon Fronsac AOP?
Red only
What is the soil of Fronsac AOP and Canon Fronsac AOP?
Fronsadais molasse (a mix of soft limestone and clay)
Name some estates in Fronsac AOP and Canon Fronsac AOP
Canon Fronsac: Cht Grand-Renouil Cht Gaby Fronsac: Cht Dalem Cht de la Dauphine Cht Fontenil (Michel Roland)
What are the four satellite appellations of Saint-Emilion AOP?
Lussac-St-Emilion AOP
Puisseguin-St-Emilion AOP
Montagne-St-Emilion AOP
Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion AOP
What are the soils of the Saint-Emilion satellites?
like St-Emilion: clay, sand, limestone
What is the largest of the Saint-Emilion satellites?
Montagne-St-Emilion AOP
What AOP may label as Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOP?
Saint-Georges-St-Emilion AOP can label as Montagne instead
What is the satellite of Pomerol?
Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP
What are the communes of Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP?
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Neac
What grape has the most acreage planted between the Garonne and Dordogne?
Merlto
For Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur AOPs
What is the subzone of Entre-Deux-Mers AOP?
Haut-Benauge
What are the subzones of Cotes de Bordeaux AOP?
Francs Cadillac Castillon Blaye Sainte Foy
Which Cotes de Bordeaux AOP subzones are or dry red only?
Castillon
Cadillac
What styles are made in Cotes de Bordeaux-Blaye?
Blanc Sec
Rouge
What styles are made in Cotes de Bordeaux-Francs?
Blanc Sec
Blanc Liquoreux (botrytis or passillerage)
Rouge
What styles are made in Cotes de Bordeaux-Sainte-Foy?
Blanc Sec
Blanc Moelleux
Blanc Liquoreux
Rouge
What is the RS for Liquoreux wines in Cotes de Bordeaux?
51 g/l
What are the sweet white only AOPs between the Garonne and the Dordogne?
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux AOP
Cadillac AOP
Loupiac AOP
Sainte-Croix-du-Mont AOP
What is the min RS for the sweet wine appelations to the east of the Garonne?
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux AOP: 34 g/l
Sainte-Croix-du-Monte AOP: 45 g/l
Loupiac: 45 g/l
Cadillac AOP: 51 g/l
What styles can be made in Blaye AOP?
Rouge only
What styles can be made in Cotes de Blaye AOP?
Blanc Sec only
What styles can be made in Bourg/Cotes de Bourg AOP?
Blanc Sec
Rouge
What styles can be made in Graves de Vayres AOP?
Blanc Sec
Rouge
What appellation can be used for red wine made in the Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux AOP?
Cotes de Bordeaux AOP
What styles are made in Cotes de Bordeaux AOP?
Rouge only
What Bordeaux AOP requires min 50% Colombard and Ugni Blanc?
Cotes de Blaye.
It’d very close in proximity to Cognac
What is a Blanc Sec based on SB and Semillon made in the Blaye area released as?
Cotes de Bordeaux-Blaye AOP
Because Cotes de Blaye AOP is for Ugni and Colombard, and Blaye AOP is rouge only
What Medoc properties are allowed to include fruit from Haut-Medoc vineyard sites into their communal wines? Why?
Beychevelle and Ducru-Beaucaillou are allowed to include fruit from the commune of Cussac in their Saint-Julien becasue their prestige allowed them to get grandfathered in.
