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My WSET LEVET 3 > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

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1
Q

what is the largest appellation in France?

A

Bordeaux - in terms of both value and volume

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2
Q

what kind of climate does Bordeaux have?

A

a moderate maritime climate

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3
Q

what benefits does Bordeaux receive from the Gulf stream?

A

warming ocean currents extends the growing season, spring frosts are rarely a problem, and grape ripening continue well into October.

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4
Q

what problems does the Atlantic bring to Bordeaux

A

high levels of rainfall and humidity

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5
Q

what protects the vineyards from the worst of the Atlantic storms?

A

the Landes Forest and coastal sand dunes that lie in the West region.

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6
Q

describe the rainfall in Bordeaux

A

rains all year round which can disrupt flowering and fruit set, promote rot, and dilute the flavors during harvest

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7
Q

Are Bordeaux wines blended or single varietals?

A

almost all Bordeaux reds and most of their whites are blended

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8
Q

Why is it too risky to rely on one variety in Bordeaux?

A

the variation in rainfall from year to year

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9
Q

what is one positive to using many varieties in Bordeaux?

A

one spring frost or heavy rainfall in unlikely to ruin an entire crop as they all flower at different times

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10
Q

how many grape varieties are allowed under the appellation?

A

13, however 3 black and 2 white predominate

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11
Q

Where does Cabernet Sauvignon predominate in Bordeaux?

A

Haut- Medoc, Bas-Medoc, and Graves - 3/4 of the blend if cab sauvignon in these regions

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12
Q

where can Cabernet most reliably ripen in Bordeaux and why?

A

Haut- Medoc, Bas-Medoc, and Graves due to the high stone/gravel soils which raise the vineyard’s temperature

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13
Q

Where is Cab Franc typically used?

A

Saint Emillion, and in a lesser extent Graves and Medoc

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14
Q

what are Cab Franc characteristics in Bordeaux?

A

less body and tannins than Cab Sauv, has stalky and herbaceous flavorswhen unripe, but when ripe can contribute vibrant fruit and floral notes to a blend.

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15
Q

what kind of soil does Cab Sauv and Cab Franc prefer?

A

well drained warm soil

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16
Q

what is the most widely planted variety in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

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17
Q

where is Merlot mostly planted in Bordeaux?

A

Saint Emillion and Pommerol

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18
Q

Why is Merlot planted in Saint Emillion and Pommerol regions mostly in Bordeaux?

A

it can grow in cooler clay soils

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19
Q

What is the typical grape in Bordeaux for high volume inexpensive wines?

A

Merlot

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20
Q

What is the smaller variety grown in Bordeaux and why?

A

Petite Verdot - it only ripens in very hot years in Bordeaux

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21
Q

Describe the characteristic of Petite Verdot in Bordeaux

A

very deep color, tannin and slowly aging wine and spicy notes

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22
Q

when are most wines blended in Bordeaux?

A

the spring following the harvest

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23
Q

what is grand vin?

A

best wine

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24
Q

how is top quality red Bordeaux aged?

A

in small oak

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25
Q

what is the one exception of Bordeaux’s classification system not living outside of the appellation system

A

Saint Emillion

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26
Q

what does Bordeaux’s classification system rank?

A

not vineyards, but estates commonly know as the chateaux (more of a brand).

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27
Q

what is known as the 1855 classification?

A

when the bordeaux chamber of commerece was approached to produce an official list of their best red wines from Medoc and white wines from Sauternes. it still remains intact

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28
Q

what are chateaux that are named in the 1855 Classification called?

A

crus classes

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29
Q

How many ranks were the chateaux divided into in Medoc and what were they?

A

5 - Chateaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion from Graves

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30
Q

How many ranks were the chateaux divided into in Sauternes and what was the top one?

A

3 - Chateau d’Yquem

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31
Q

what is cru bourgois?

A

another classification rank given in Bordeaux to wines in a specific vintage rather than a chateau itself

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32
Q

How are wines from Graves classified?

A

with parallel but separate lists for white and red. no rankings. all wines on the list can call themselves cru Classe.

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33
Q

where do all cru classe lie?

A

Pessac Leognan

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34
Q

How frequently do reclassification of promotion and demotion made in Saint Emillion structure?

A

at least every 10 years

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35
Q

What is the lowest step of Saint Emillion classification?

A

Cru Classe

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36
Q

What is the step above Saint Emillion classification cru classe?

A

Premier Grand Cru Classe

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37
Q

What two classifications is Premier Grand Cru Classe broken out into?

A

Premier Grand Cru Classe A (the best)

Premier Grand Cru CLasse B

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38
Q

what is the most important white variety for sweet wines in Bordeaux and why?

A

Semillion due to its thin skin and affinity for noble rot.

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39
Q

what other varietal can Semillion be blended with in France

A

Sauvignon blanc, esp in Pessac-Leognan and Graves where it ads body and creates a premium dry white wine

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40
Q

Describe a Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux

A

citrus, and green fruit aromas. often blended where it provides high acidity which is particularly needed in sweet wines.

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41
Q

describe a muscadelle from Bordeaux?

A

pronounced grapey floral aroma and plays an important supporting role in sweet and dry wine

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42
Q

how are premium dry white wines fermented in Bordeaux?

A

fermented and matured in new oak barrels giving it a richness and concentrated nutty flavor overlaying the fruit

43
Q

how are sweet white wines made from noble rot fermented and matured in Bordeaux?

A

in new oak barrels for up to 3 years

44
Q

what two rivers for to make the Gironde Esturary?

A

Garonne and Dordogne

45
Q

What three broad areas does Gironde divide Bordeaux into?

A
  1. West and south of Gironde = Medoc, Graves and Sauternes (left bank)
  2. area between Dordogne and Garonne is covered by appellation Entre Deux Mers
  3. north and east - Saint Emillion and Pommerol (right bank)
46
Q

how many appellations in Bordeaux?

A

over 50

47
Q

what are the two major red generic appellation labels for Bordeaux?

A

Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur (which requires higher level of alcohol and slightly stricter appellation rules)

48
Q

What are the white and rose wines in Bordeaux labelled?

A

Bordeaux (white) and Bordeaux Rose or Bordeaux Clairet

49
Q

describe a red bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur wine at best

A

early drinking, medium bodied, ripe red and black fruit, and sometimes cedar notes from oak.

50
Q

describe a red bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur wine that is cheaper

A

lighter in body, more astringent tannins,

51
Q

Describe the best Bordeaux rose

A

fresh and fruity

52
Q

What is Clairet rose?

A

style of wine in Bordeaux undergoes long maceration than typical rose and is deeper in color and fuller in body.

53
Q

describe a white bordeaux

A

increasingly dominated by Sauvignon Blanc and shows vibrant grassy character.

54
Q

Where does Medoc lie in regards to the city of Bordeaux?

A

to the north

55
Q

where does Graves lie in regards to the city of Bordeaux?

A

to the south

56
Q

what is the northern more section of Medoc called? what are the wines labeled?

A

Bas Medoc - labeled Medoc

57
Q

how are the soils in Bas Medoc+

A

Predominantly clay, but there are outcrops of gravel

58
Q

what variety is the higher proportion of most in the Bas Medoc region

A

Merlot

59
Q

what is the area from Saint Estephe southward in Bordeaux called?

A

Haut Medoc

60
Q

what are the highest reputable “communes” in Haut Medoc are found?

A

from North to South: Saint Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux

61
Q

The wines found in Haut Medoc predominately have which variety?

A

Cabernet Sauvingon in the blend

62
Q

describe a wine from Haut Medoc

A

core of Blackcurrent fruit, complemented cedar notes from oak. they can have grippy tannins when young and often have a long aging potential

63
Q

what lies immediately to the south of the city of Bordeaux?

A

Pessac-Leognan - most highly rated area in Graves

64
Q

Describe the soils in Pessac-Leognan

A

similar to Haut Medoc they are gravelly and well suited for Cab Sauv

65
Q

describe wines from Pessac-Leognan

A

slightly lighter in body and more fragrant than the finest wines in Haut Medoc.

66
Q

what extends south of pessac Leognan>

A

Graves

67
Q

how are Graves wines in comparison to Pessac-Leognan

A

similar in style but less concentrated and complex and normally higher proportion of Merlot

68
Q

What varietal dominates the Right bank wines?

A

mostly Merlot with some Cab Franc

69
Q

Describe the two groups of vineyards in Saint Emillion that are on different soils

A
  1. ones on a plateau to the north and west - areas of warm, well drained gravel and limestone encourage Cab Franc and occasionally Cab Sauv
  2. on the escarpment to the south and east with clay limestone soils
70
Q

describe wines from the two subgroups of vineyards in Saint Emillion

A

medium and high tannins, but compare with the more structure wines of the Left Bank. The have a soft and rich mouthfeel with complex and red berry fruit and plums aromas, developing tobacco, and cedar notes as they evolve.

71
Q

explain wines of Pomerol

A

reputation is as high as Saint Emillion. wines tend to be richer with a spicer blackberry fruit character.

72
Q

explain the movement that is associated with the Right Bank

A

called vins de garage - full bodied, incredibly ripe wines made in tiny quantities from small plots of land and no expense spared in the vineyard or winery.

73
Q

What is the group of lesser known red wine appellations that have agreed to share the same name called in Bordeaux?

A

Cotes de Bordeaux

74
Q

What appellations are included in Cotes de Bordeaux?

A

Blaye, Castillion, and Fracs

75
Q

Describe wines from Cote de Bordeaux

A

tend to be Merlot based and meant for early drinking and can offer excellent wines for their money

76
Q

which appellation chooses not to join the Cote de Bordeaux group

A

Cotes de Bourg

77
Q

Decscribe Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux

A

region that produces sweet wines and is not connected with COte de Bordeaux

78
Q

Describe the appellation of Entre-Deux-Mers

A

its a large appellation located between the Dordoogne and Garonne rivers. Can only produce white wines

79
Q

Describe the white wines from Graves and Entre-Deux-Mers

A

tend to be made from Sauvignon Blanc nin an unoaked style

80
Q

where is the home of many great dry white wines which can be eligible for cru classe classification

A

Pessac-Leognon

81
Q

Describe Pessac-Leognon white wines

A

tend to be blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion, usually fermented and at least paertially matured in new oak giving a medium to full body with toasty oak flavors.

82
Q

where are the top quality sweet wine appellations of Bordeaux?

A

grouped on the Banks of the Garonne and its tributary the Ciron.

83
Q

How do the Garonne and Ciron river hep in the production of sweet wines?

A

the create the ideal misty autumn conditions for noble rot to develop on fully ripened grapes

84
Q

what is needed to help concentrate sugars in years when there is little noble rot?

A

Passerillage

85
Q

Where do the best sweet wines come from in Bordeaux?

A

Sauternes

86
Q

Where is Suaternes within Bordeaux?

A

on the west bank of the GAronne

87
Q

Which village lies within Sauternes?

A

Barsac

88
Q

What variety dominates in Barsac?

A

Semillion because of its thin skin and susceptibility to botrytis.

89
Q

What does Suavingnon Blanc and Muscadelle provide to white wines in Barsac?

A

Sauvignon Blanc provides refreshing acidity and fruity aromas. While Muscadelle provides adds exotic perfumes.

90
Q

Describe the best kind of sweet wines in Bordeaux

A

high in alcohol, sweet yet balanced by high acidity, display apricot and citrus peel aromas of noble rot, along with notes of toast and vanilla from oak fermentation/maturation.

91
Q

Where do the vineyards of Dordogne lie?

A

to the east of Entre-Deux-Mers

92
Q

Explain the climate in Dordogne

A

similar to Bordeaux except with less moderating maritime influence

93
Q

What is Bergerac

A

the major appellation of Dordogne which produces both red and white wines made from the same varieties as Bordeaux

94
Q

What is Monbazillac

A

an appellation in Dordogne that is a source of good value botrytised sweet wines made from Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc

95
Q

Where is Cahors?

A

Southest of France, in the east of Bordeaux. located on either side of teh River Lot

96
Q

describe wines from Cahors?

A

historically they were known as “black wines” and were very tannic and long lived. now a more broad style of wines is produced depending on whether the vineyards are in the fertile valley bottom, on the poorer soils of the slopes, or on the plateau above.

97
Q

What is the most important grape variety in Cahors?

A

Malbec, but Merlot and Tannat are also planted

98
Q

describe a South West France style wine

A

at their best they are aged in oak, deeply colored, high tannins, intense dark berry fruits, they mature slowly to reveal notes of cedar and earth

99
Q

what is the most important IGP wine to teh Southeast of Bordeaux?

A

Cotes de Gascogne

100
Q

describe a Cotes de Gascogne wine

A

generally dry light bodied white wine made from Ugni Blanc with aromas of green apples

101
Q

what is located further south of Cotes de Gascogne

A

Madiran - located towards the Pyrenees

102
Q

Describe Madiran wines

A

red wines produced from blends led by deeply colored high tannin variety Tannat. Typically needing a long period of bottle aging, to soften the tannins. Today the best wines have softer riper tannins, black fruit flavors

103
Q

what is located at the foothills of Pyrenees

A

Jurancon

104
Q

describe wines from Jurancon wines

A

both dry and sweet white wines are made. the most important made from Petit Manseng. The grape remains free of botrytis and undergoes paserillages. Wines have aromas of apricot and grapefruit sometimes accompanied by spicy notes from new oak.

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