Bordeaux Flashcards
When was viticulture possible in Bordeaux?
Mid 1600s
What year did Mouton-Rothschild become a 1st growth?
1973
What is the Bordeaux mixture?
A blend of lime, copper and water used to avoid fungal diseases
What is Pressac?
Local name for Malbec in the Right Bank
What is “jalles”?
Drainage channels in Bordeaux
What are “croupes”?
Gravel mounds
What are “boulbenes”?
Soil type, mixture of clay, sand, and gravel, found in Graves
Where would you find “boulbenes”?
Graves
What is “Crasse de Fer”?
Soil type in Pomerol
Mixture of iron pan and rich clay
What is “Bouchet”?
Local name for Cab Franc in Pomerol
What are “garagistes”?
Microproducers, pushing for great quality and small quantities
Example: Chateau le Pin
Influencing bodies in the Medoc
Gironde
Atlantic
Pine forests
Main threats in Bordeaux
Grey rot Mold Springtime frost Coulure Millerandage
When was the Cru Artisan approved?
2002
What is the area for Cru Artisans?
Medoc
How many Crus Artisans are there?
36 (updated in 2018)
How often does the Cru Artisan list gets reviewed?
Every 5 years
How many apps are there in the Medoc?
8
Name a Cru Artisan producer
Chateau Linot (St-Estephe)
When did the Cru Bourgeois become official?
2003
How many Cru Bourgeois were there originally?
444, divided intro 3 levels
What are the 3 levels of Cru Bourgeois?
CB Exceptionnel
CB Superieur
Cru Bourgeois
When was the last revision of the Cru Bourgeois?
2020
How many Cru Bourgeois are there currently?
249
14 CBE
56 CBS
179 CB
How often does the Cru Bourgeois get revised?
5 years
next revision 2025
Name a Cru Bourgeois producer
Chateau d’Agassac (CBE, Haut-Medoc)
When was the Graves class created?
1953 (with INAO’s support)
How many chateaux are included in the Graves class.?
16 in total, of which
- 13 Cru Classe for reds
- 9 Cru Classe for whites
What chateaux are still part of the Graves class but don’t produce wine?
Chateau La Tour Haut-Brion, reds, last 2005
Chateau Lavilla Haut-Brion, whites, 2008
When was the Sauternes class created?
1855
What are the levels of the Sauternes class?
Premier Cru Superieur
First Growths
Second Growths
What are the levels of St-Emilion Class?
Premier Grand Cru Classes A
Premier Grand Cru Classes B
Grand Cru Classes
Name the Premier Grand Cru Classes A of St-Emilion
Chateau Angelus
Chateau Ausone
Chateau Cheval Blanc
Chateu Pavie
Where is Chateau Lafite-Rothschild located?
Pauillac
Where is Chateau Latour located?
Pauillac
Where is Chateau Haut-Brion located?
Graves
Where is Chateau Mouton-Rothschild located?
Pauillac
What’s the purpose of Cab Sauv in blends?`
Structure, power, and longevity
What’s the purpose of Merlot in blends?
Fleshy, juicy texture that can soften up Cab Sauv
What’s the purpose of Cab Franc in blends?
More tannic than Merlot, imparts herbal spice and red fruit aromatics
What’s the purpose of Petit Verdot in blends?
Colour, depth, exotic perfume. Almost inexistent in the Right Bank
What GV works well on clay? Why?
Merlot
Delays its natural vigor
What GV works well on gravel? Why?
Cab Sauv
Draining characteristics, pushing the roots to dig deeply and increase concentration in fruit
What GV works well on limestone? Why?
Cab Franc
Promotes acidity and freshness in the wine