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Vin_III > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

According to EU legislation, what geographical indications exist in France ?

A

Vin de France PGI Wines (IGP/Vin de Pays) PDO wines (AOP/AOC)

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2
Q

Which is the largest appellation in France, in terms of both volume and value ?

A

Bordeaux

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3
Q

How is the climate in Bordeaux ?

A

Moderate maritime climate (benefitting from the warm Gulf stream)

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4
Q

What are the beneficial consequences of the Gulf stream in Bordeaux ?

A

Spring frost rarely a problem Long ripening period (will into October)

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5
Q

What are the negative effects of the presence of the Atlantic in Bordeaux ?

A

Humidity, high levels of rainfall (throughout the year) => disruption of flowering, fruit set, rot and dilution of flavour in grapes.

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6
Q

What natural features protect Bordeaux from the Atlantic storms ?

A

The Landes forest The coastal sand dunes (west)

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7
Q

What are the benefits from producing wine from a blend of grapes in Bordeaux ?

A

The variability in the weather, in particular rain, makes it risky to rely on one variety only. The 13 varities permitted flower and ripen at different times, thus spreading the risk.

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8
Q

What are the most important black Bordeaux varieties ?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot (Petit Verdot)

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9
Q

Where in Bordeaux does Cabernet Sauvignon dominate ?

A

Haut-Médoc (plus Bas-Médoc and the Graves) due to the high stone/gravel content=> raise in temperature. In the finest wines it account for 3/4

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10
Q

Where in Bordeaux does Cabernet Franc dominate ?

A

Saint-Émilion (plus Médoc and the Graves) It prefers well drained warm soils, just like CS.

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11
Q

What are the main differences between Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon ?

A

CF produces wines with less body and tannin than CS. CF can have herbaceous or stalky flavours when unripe but when ripe contribute with vibrant fruit and floral notes.

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12
Q

Which is the most widely planted black variety in Bordeaux ?

A

Merlot. It can succesfully grow on the cooler soils in e.g. Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

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13
Q

In which premium wines is Merlot particularly important ?

A

Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

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14
Q

What is the role of Petit Verdot in Bordeaux blends ?

A

Minor. It is mainly added for tannin, colour and some spicy notes. Ripens fully only in very hot years, deep-coloured, tannic wine that ages slowly.

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15
Q

Are Bordeaux wines made from field blends or blended by a wine maker ?

A

Most wines are blended in the spring following the vintage.

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16
Q

How is top-quality Bordeaux aged ?

A

In small oak barriques of 225 litres. The finest in new casks.

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17
Q

Why is Sémillon the most important variety for sweet wines in Bordeaux ?

A

Due to its thin skin and affinity for noble rot

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18
Q

In the premium wines of Pessac-Léognan and Graves, what is the role of Sauvignon Blanc ?

A

It adds body and acidity to Sémillon

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19
Q

What are the differences in aroma between Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle in Bordeaux ?

A

SB has citric and green fruit aromas, whereas Muscadelle has a pronounced grapey, floral flavour.

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20
Q

What does the Left bank of Bordeaux consist of ?

A

The districts of Médoc, Graves and Sauternes (West and south of the Gironde/Garonne)

21
Q

What is the area between the Dorgdogne and the Garonne called ?

A

The appellation Entre-deux-Mers

22
Q

What are the principal distrits to the north and east of the Gironde and Dordogne ?

A

Saint-Émilion and Pomerol (Right bank)

23
Q

What is the particularity of the Bordeaux classification system ?

A

It is not integrated in the appellation system. Also, it ranks individual estates (châteaux) rather than vineyards.

24
Q

What do you know about the classification of Médoc and Sauternes ?

A

On the ocassion of the Paris Universal Exhibition, the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce was asked to elaborate an official list of the best red wines from the Médoc and white wines from Sauternes. The 1855 classification. The chateauxs on this list are referred to as crus classés. Top of the 5 ranks in Médoc: Lafite Rotschild, Latour, Margaux and Mouton Rotschild + Haut-Brion from Graves. Top of the 3 ranks in Sauternes: Château d’Yquem.

25
Q

How does cru bourgeois differ from crus classés ?

A

The bourgeois classification was introduced for the chateaux’s that were not on the classés list, and is currently only awarded to wines in a specific vintage thus subject to yearly avaliation.

26
Q

What do you know about the classification of Graves (Pessac-Léognan) ?

A

The red and white wines are classified in parallel separate lists, the wines on which are referred to as crus classés.

No ranking applies.

All crus classés lie within Pessac-Léognan.

27
Q

What do you know about Saint-Émilion Grand cru ?

A

This classification system is integrated into the appellation system. Within Saint-Émilion lies Saint-Émilion Grand cru and within the best châteaux are classified. The lowest step is simply Saint-Émilion Grand cru classé. Above this is Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, which is subdivided into Premier Grand Cru Classé A and B. The reclassifications take place every 10 years.

28
Q

How many different appellations are there in Bordeaux ?

A

Over 50 ranging in size from very large generic appellations to smalle commune appellations.

29
Q

What is AOP Bordeaux supérieur ?

A

A generic appellation subject to slightly stricter rules and requirements to alcohol level than AOP Bordeaux.

30
Q

What is AOP Bordeaux ?

A

Either red or white still wine (rosé would be labelled as AOP Bordeaux Rosé/Clairet). The best of the red are early drinking, medium-bodied wines with ripe and black fruit. The whites are increasingly dominated by Sauvignon blanc and have a vibrant grassy character.

31
Q

What can you expect from a wine labelled with AOP Médoc ?

A

The wine is from the northern part of Médoc, Bas-Médoc, where soil dominates. Wines tend to be early-drinking in style with a higher proportion of Merlot than those just to the south.

32
Q

What is AOP Haut-Médoc ?

A

Area south of Bas-Médoc in which is found a number of smaller appellation, often referred to as communes, in which moste of the higher classified châteaux can be found like Saint-Estèphe etc. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates and the wines normally display a core of blackcurrant fruit, as well as cedar notes from oak. Grippy tannins when young, often long ageing potential.

33
Q

Organise these Haut-Médoc communes from north to south: Pauillac Margaux Saint-Estèphe Saint-Julien

A

From North to South: Saint-Estèphe Pauillac Saint-Julien Margaux

34
Q

Where in Bordeaux is Pessac-Léognan located ?

A

Just south of the port city Bordeaux (on the Garonne).

35
Q

Where is Graves located ?

A

Just south of Pessac-Léognan along the left bank of the Garonne

36
Q

What grape variety dominates on the Right Bank ?

A

Merlot (and Cabernet Franc)

37
Q

Which are the 3 different soil types in Saint-Émilion ?

A
  1. On the plateau north/west of the town of S-E: warm well-drained gravel and limestone 2. On the escarpment south/east of S-E: clay limestone soils. 3. At the foot of the escarpment: sandy soils
38
Q

How would you describe the typical wines from the gravel and limestone soils in Saint-Émilion ?

A

Medium to high tannins, less structured than the Left bank wines, softer, richer mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas, developing into tobacco and cedar notes.

39
Q

What is the difference between the wines from Saint-Émilion and Pomerol ?

A

The wines from Pomerol tend to be richer, with a spicier blackberry fruit character.

40
Q

What did the term vin de garage mean ?

A

It designated a tiny Right-bank production, from a small plot of land, of full-bodied incredibly ripe wines.

41
Q

What is Côtes de Bordeaux ?

A

A designation for a group of lesser-known appellations: Blaye Cadillac Castillon Francs The wines tend to be Merlot based and destinated for early drinking. (There is no connection with 1ères Côtes de Bordeaux, which is an appellation for sweet wines.)

42
Q

Which Bordeaux appellations are permitted to produce dry white wine ?

A

Entre-deux-Mers (white): Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc Graves (white) Pessac-Léognan (white/red): (Partly) oak fermented/matured Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon. Médoc and Sauternes also produce premium dry white wines, but these must be labelled as AOP Bordeaux.

43
Q

Where are the top sweet wines of Bordeaux produced ?

A

On the banks of the Garonne and its tributary the Ciron, as the rivers create ideal conditions for botrytis to develop.

44
Q

What is passerillage ?

A

A method to concentrate the suger levels of the grape through drying. When there is little noble rot, this is used to compensate.

45
Q

Where is Sauternes located ?

A

On the western bank of the Garonne

46
Q

Where is Barsac located ?

A

Within Sauternes. Producers in Barsac may choose between the appellation of Barsac and Sauternes.

47
Q

What are the main grape varieties used for sweet wines in Sauternes and Barsac ?

A

Sémillon, because of its thin skin and suscpetibility to botrytis. Sauvignon blanc provides acidity and fruity aromas Muscadelle adds exotic perfume (where used).

48
Q

Describe a typical Sauternes

A

The best wines tend to be high in alcohol sweet high acidity apricot, citrus peel aromas of noble rot notes of toast, vanilla from oak fermentation and/or maturation

49
Q

How is a wine without geographical indication described in France ?

A

Vin de France (>< Vin de Pays/PGI)

Vin_III (16 decks)

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