Bordeaux Flashcards
what is the largest appellation in France?
Bordeaux - in terms of both value and volume
what kind of climate does Bordeaux have?
a moderate maritime climate
what benefits does Bordeaux receive from the Gulf stream?
warming ocean currents extends the growing season, spring frosts are rarely a problem, and grape ripening continue well into October.
what problems does the Atlantic bring to Bordeaux
high levels of rainfall and humidity
what protects the vineyards from the worst of the Atlantic storms?
the Landes Forest and coastal sand dunes that lie in the West region.
describe the rainfall in Bordeaux
rains all year round which can disrupt flowering and fruit set, promote rot, and dilute the flavors during harvest
Are Bordeaux wines blended or single varietals?
almost all Bordeaux reds and most of their whites are blended
Why is it too risky to rely on one variety in Bordeaux?
the variation in rainfall from year to year
what is one positive to using many varieties in Bordeaux?
one spring frost or heavy rainfall in unlikely to ruin an entire crop as they all flower at different times
how many grape varieties are allowed under the appellation?
13, however 3 black and 2 white predominate
Where does Cabernet Sauvignon predominate in Bordeaux?
Haut- Medoc, Bas-Medoc, and Graves - 3/4 of the blend if cab sauvignon in these regions
where can Cabernet most reliably ripen in Bordeaux and why?
Haut- Medoc, Bas-Medoc, and Graves due to the high stone/gravel soils which raise the vineyard’s temperature
Where is Cab Franc typically used?
Saint Emillion, and in a lesser extent Graves and Medoc
what are Cab Franc characteristics in Bordeaux?
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.
what kind of soil does Cab Sauv and Cab Franc prefer?
well drained warm soil
what is the most widely planted variety in Bordeaux?
Merlot
where is Merlot mostly planted in Bordeaux?
Saint Emillion and Pommerol
Why is Merlot planted in Saint Emillion and Pommerol regions mostly in Bordeaux?
it can grow in cooler clay soils
What is the typical grape in Bordeaux for high volume inexpensive wines?
Merlot
What is the smaller variety grown in Bordeaux and why?
Petite Verdot - it only ripens in very hot years in Bordeaux
Describe the characteristic of Petite Verdot in Bordeaux
very deep color, tannin and slowly aging wine and spicy notes
when are most wines blended in Bordeaux?
the spring following the harvest
what is grand vin?
best wine
how is top quality red Bordeaux aged?
in small oak
what is the one exception of Bordeaux’s classification system not living outside of the appellation system
Saint Emillion
what does Bordeaux’s classification system rank?
not vineyards, but estates commonly know as the chateaux (more of a brand).
what is known as the 1855 classification?
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
what are chateaux that are named in the 1855 Classification called?
crus classes
How many ranks were the chateaux divided into in Medoc and what were they?
5 - Chateaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion from Graves
How many ranks were the chateaux divided into in Sauternes and what was the top one?
3 - Chateau d’Yquem
what is cru bourgois?
another classification rank given in Bordeaux to wines in a specific vintage rather than a chateau itself
How are wines from Graves classified?
with parallel but separate lists for white and red. no rankings. all wines on the list can call themselves cru Classe.
where do all cru classe lie?
Pessac Leognan
How frequently do reclassification of promotion and demotion made in Saint Emillion structure?
at least every 10 years
What is the lowest step of Saint Emillion classification?
Cru Classe
What is the step above Saint Emillion classification cru classe?
Premier Grand Cru Classe
What two classifications is Premier Grand Cru Classe broken out into?
Premier Grand Cru Classe A (the best)
Premier Grand Cru CLasse B
what is the most important white variety for sweet wines in Bordeaux and why?
Semillion due to its thin skin and affinity for noble rot.
what other varietal can Semillion be blended with in France
Sauvignon blanc, esp in Pessac-Leognan and Graves where it ads body and creates a premium dry white wine
Describe a Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux
citrus, and green fruit aromas. often blended where it provides high acidity which is particularly needed in sweet wines.
describe a muscadelle from Bordeaux?
pronounced grapey floral aroma and plays an important supporting role in sweet and dry wine
how are premium dry white wines fermented in Bordeaux?
fermented and matured in new oak barrels giving it a richness and concentrated nutty flavor overlaying the fruit
how are sweet white wines made from noble rot fermented and matured in Bordeaux?
in new oak barrels for up to 3 years
what two rivers for to make the Gironde Esturary?
Garonne and Dordogne
What three broad areas does Gironde divide Bordeaux into?
- West and south of Gironde = Medoc, Graves and Sauternes (left bank)
- area between Dordogne and Garonne is covered by appellation Entre Deux Mers
- north and east - Saint Emillion and Pommerol (right bank)
how many appellations in Bordeaux?
over 50
what are the two major red generic appellation labels for Bordeaux?
Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur (which requires higher level of alcohol and slightly stricter appellation rules)
What are the white and rose wines in Bordeaux labelled?
Bordeaux (white) and Bordeaux Rose or Bordeaux Clairet
describe a red bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur wine at best
early drinking, medium bodied, ripe red and black fruit, and sometimes cedar notes from oak.
describe a red bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur wine that is cheaper
lighter in body, more astringent tannins,
Describe the best Bordeaux rose
fresh and fruity
What is Clairet rose?
style of wine in Bordeaux undergoes long maceration than typical rose and is deeper in color and fuller in body.
describe a white bordeaux
increasingly dominated by Sauvignon Blanc and shows vibrant grassy character.
Where does Medoc lie in regards to the city of Bordeaux?
to the north
where does Graves lie in regards to the city of Bordeaux?
to the south
what is the northern more section of Medoc called? what are the wines labeled?
Bas Medoc - labeled Medoc
how are the soils in Bas Medoc+
Predominantly clay, but there are outcrops of gravel
what variety is the higher proportion of most in the Bas Medoc region
Merlot
what is the area from Saint Estephe southward in Bordeaux called?
Haut Medoc
what are the highest reputable “communes” in Haut Medoc are found?
from North to South: Saint Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux
The wines found in Haut Medoc predominately have which variety?
Cabernet Sauvingon in the blend
describe a wine from Haut Medoc
core of Blackcurrent fruit, complemented cedar notes from oak. they can have grippy tannins when young and often have a long aging potential
what lies immediately to the south of the city of Bordeaux?
Pessac-Leognan - most highly rated area in Graves
Describe the soils in Pessac-Leognan
similar to Haut Medoc they are gravelly and well suited for Cab Sauv
describe wines from Pessac-Leognan
slightly lighter in body and more fragrant than the finest wines in Haut Medoc.
what extends south of pessac Leognan>
Graves
how are Graves wines in comparison to Pessac-Leognan
similar in style but less concentrated and complex and normally higher proportion of Merlot
What varietal dominates the Right bank wines?
mostly Merlot with some Cab Franc
Describe the two groups of vineyards in Saint Emillion that are on different soils
- ones on a plateau to the north and west - areas of warm, well drained gravel and limestone encourage Cab Franc and occasionally Cab Sauv
- on the escarpment to the south and east with clay limestone soils
describe wines from the two subgroups of vineyards in Saint Emillion
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.
explain wines of Pomerol
reputation is as high as Saint Emillion. wines tend to be richer with a spicer blackberry fruit character.
explain the movement that is associated with the Right Bank
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.
What is the group of lesser known red wine appellations that have agreed to share the same name called in Bordeaux?
Cotes de Bordeaux
What appellations are included in Cotes de Bordeaux?
Blaye, Castillion, and Fracs
Describe wines from Cote de Bordeaux
tend to be Merlot based and meant for early drinking and can offer excellent wines for their money
which appellation chooses not to join the Cote de Bordeaux group
Cotes de Bourg
Decscribe Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux
region that produces sweet wines and is not connected with COte de Bordeaux
Describe the appellation of Entre-Deux-Mers
its a large appellation located between the Dordoogne and Garonne rivers. Can only produce white wines
Describe the white wines from Graves and Entre-Deux-Mers
tend to be made from Sauvignon Blanc nin an unoaked style
where is the home of many great dry white wines which can be eligible for cru classe classification
Pessac-Leognon
Describe Pessac-Leognon white wines
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.
where are the top quality sweet wine appellations of Bordeaux?
grouped on the Banks of the Garonne and its tributary the Ciron.
How do the Garonne and Ciron river hep in the production of sweet wines?
the create the ideal misty autumn conditions for noble rot to develop on fully ripened grapes
what is needed to help concentrate sugars in years when there is little noble rot?
Passerillage
Where do the best sweet wines come from in Bordeaux?
Sauternes
Where is Suaternes within Bordeaux?
on the west bank of the GAronne
Which village lies within Sauternes?
Barsac
What variety dominates in Barsac?
Semillion because of its thin skin and susceptibility to botrytis.
What does Suavingnon Blanc and Muscadelle provide to white wines in Barsac?
Sauvignon Blanc provides refreshing acidity and fruity aromas. While Muscadelle provides adds exotic perfumes.
Describe the best kind of sweet wines in Bordeaux
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.
Where do the vineyards of Dordogne lie?
to the east of Entre-Deux-Mers
Explain the climate in Dordogne
similar to Bordeaux except with less moderating maritime influence
What is Bergerac
the major appellation of Dordogne which produces both red and white wines made from the same varieties as Bordeaux
What is Monbazillac
an appellation in Dordogne that is a source of good value botrytised sweet wines made from Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc
Where is Cahors?
Southest of France, in the east of Bordeaux. located on either side of teh River Lot
describe wines from Cahors?
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.
What is the most important grape variety in Cahors?
Malbec, but Merlot and Tannat are also planted
describe a South West France style wine
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
what is the most important IGP wine to teh Southeast of Bordeaux?
Cotes de Gascogne
describe a Cotes de Gascogne wine
generally dry light bodied white wine made from Ugni Blanc with aromas of green apples
what is located further south of Cotes de Gascogne
Madiran - located towards the Pyrenees
Describe Madiran wines
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
what is located at the foothills of Pyrenees
Jurancon
describe wines from Jurancon wines
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.
