Bordeaux

Question 1

What are the 3 dominant black and 2 dominant white varieties in Bordeaux?

Answer 1

Black: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc
White: Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 2

What is the most widely planted black grape variety planted in Bordeaux

Answer 2

Merlot

Question 3

Where is Cabernet Sauvignon dominant in Bordeaux?

Answer 3

Haut-Médoc, Bas-Médoc and Graves

High stone content in soils allows CS to ripen
75% of the blend in the finest wines.
Soil: warm and well drained

Question 4

Where is Merlot dominant in Bordeaux?

Answer 4

St. Emilion and Pomerol

Soil- cooler clay soil
Has a softness and is dominant in high volume, inexpensive wines

Question 5

Which three varieties are used to make sweet wines of Barsac in Sauternes?

Answer 5

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Mascadelle.

Question 6

What is the typical style of a sweet wine from Sauternes?

Answer 6

High in alcohol, sweet, high acidity, apricot and citrus peel aromas of noble rot, notes of toast and vanilla from oak fermentation/maturation.

Question 7

What variety are the white dry wines of Pessac-Leognan in Graves and Entre-deux-Mers?

Answer 7

Sauvignon blanc in an unoaked style.

Pessac-Leognan is home to the best dry whites. These may be made from SB and Semillon and are oaked.

Question 8

Describe the wines of Pessac-Leognan.

Answer 8

Premium dry white wines from Pessac-Leognan are fermented and matured in new oak and have a richness and concentrated nutty flavour overlaying the fruit.

Question 9

How do large generic appellations label their wines?

Answer 9

Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superior. They can come from anywhere in the region. They are inexpensive and easy drinking.

Question 10

What are the four key smaller appellations in Bordeaux?

Answer 10

Medoc, Sauternes, Graves and Saint Emilion.

Question 11

How is Medoc divided in terms of appellations?

Answer 11

Two large: Medoc and Haute-Medoc

Smaller Communes: Saint Estephe, Pauillac, Saint Julian and Margaux. These are all for red wines only.

Question 12

What are the two classification systems used in Medoc?

Answer 12

-1855 classification - (5 levels established but these are not indicated on the bottle) The top tier are among the most expensive in the world. ‘crus classe’ on labels
-Cru Bourgeois - awarded to individual wines annually
There are some wines and chateau that don’t belong to any classification.

Question 13

How many levels were Sauternes sweet wines ranked in the 1855 Classification?

Answer 13

Three levels: Deuxiemes cru (bottom), Premiers Crus (middle), Primeur Cru Superieur (top)
Cru Classe appears on the label

Question 14

How are wines classified in Graves?

Answer 14

Pessac-Leognan is the only appellation for dry wines and is the only appellation with chateau with cru classe status. The status is given to red or white wines specifically, not just the chateau.
All listed wines may call themselves crus classé.

Question 15

What are the two classification levels of wine in the appellation of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru?

Answer 15

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - this is a separate appellation and within this classification there is one for the best chateau
Highest: Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé
-Premier Grand Cru Classé A (best)
-Premier Grand Cru Classé B
Middle: Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
Lowest: Grand Cru

Question 16

Describe the climate of Bordeaux.

Answer 16

Moderate Maritime Climate due to warm effect of the Gulf Stream
Atlantic can bring high levels of rainfall and humidity.
Vineyards are protected by the Landes forest and the coastal sand dunes.
Vintage variation

Question 17

Describe Petit Verdot and what it adds to a Bordeaux blend.

Answer 17

smaller plantings
Ripens fully only during hot years
Deep coloured, tannic wine that ages slowly
Blend: adds tannin, colour and spicy notesTop-quality red

Question 18

What is the most important white grape variety for sweet wines in Bordeaux?

Answer 18

• Sémillon (thin skin and affinity for noble rot)
• Blended with Sauvignon Blanc in the premium dry white wines of Pessac-Leognan and Graves, where it adds body to these wines.

Question 19

Describe the expression of Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux.

Answer 19

It produces wines with citrus and green fruit aromas.
It is being used increasingly for single varietal dry white wines
In blends, it adds acidity necessary for sweet wines

Question 20

Describe the role of Muscadelle in Bordeaux.

Answer 20

pronounced grapey, floral flavour and plays an important supporting role in sweet and dry white wine production
Small percentage of a blend

Question 21

Describe the style of lower-end white wines in Bordeaux.

Answer 21

Fresh, fruity, fermented in temp controlled inert vessels within minimal further ageing but some have toasty hints of oak.

Question 22

Describe the style of higher-end white wines in Bordeaux.

Answer 22

Premium dry white wines from Pessac-Leognan are fermented and matured in new oak and have a richness and concentrated nutty flavour overlaying the fruit.
Great sweet wines have been made from grapes infected with noble rot. The best are fermented and matured in new oak barrels for up to 3 years.

Question 23

What are the top 5 chateaux listed in the 1855 Classification crus classés

Answer 23

• In Médoc the top five are: Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux and Mouton Rothschild with Chateau Haut-Brion from Graves.
• Sauternes - Château d’Yquem

Question 24

Describe the 3 main sections of Bordeaux and the rivers that run through them.

Answer 24

• Left Bank (West and South of the Gironde Estuary/Garonne river)- Medoc, Graves and Sauternes
• Entre-Deux-Mers - Area between the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers
• Right Bank (North and East of the Girone and Dordogne Rivers - Saint-Emilion and Pomerol

Question 25

How are generic wines labelled in Bordeaux?

Answer 25

-Red Labelled ‘Bordeaux’ or ‘Bordeaux Superior’ (later one has stricter rules and higher alcohol). Ripe red and black fruit, early drinking, medium bodied, sometimes cedar from oak. Cheaper are lighter in body and have more astringent tannins -White labelled ‘Bordeaux’ - SB dominated with grassy aromas. -Rosé labelled ‘Bordeaux rosé’ or ‘Bordeaux Clairet’ Rosé - Best is fresh, fruity with more producers making higher quality Clairet - Longer maceration, popular on French market, deeper colour and fuller body

Question 26

Describe the soil and red wines of the Bas-Médoc (Northern Médoc)

Answer 26

Bas-Médoc (Northern Médoc)- soil is clay but some gravel. Wines are higher in Merlot and are early-drinking in style.

Question 27

Describe the Haut-Médoc (Saint-Estèphe downwards) and red wines from this region.

Answer 27

Haut-Médoc (Saint-Estèphe downwards) - Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux are part of smaller appellations known as communes which are highly regarded for their wines. Wines are high in Cabernet Sauvignon Flavours/aromas of blackcurrant fruits, grippy tannins when young, cedar from oak and long ageing potential

Question 28

Describe the soils and red wines of Pessac-Léognan

Answer 28

Pessac-Léognan (most highly rated area in Graves) Soils are gravelly and well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon Wines are lighter in body and more fragrant than the finest wines of the Haut-Médoc. Prices are similar to Haut-Médoc

Question 29

Describe the red wines of Graves

Answer 29

Graves (extends south) - wines are similar in style to P-L but less concentrated and complex, usually higher in Merlot.

Question 30

Describe the red wines of the Right Bank (Saint-Émilion and Pomerol)

Answer 30

Wines of the right bank are dominated by Merlot and to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc

Question 31

Where do the best wines come from in Saint-Émilion?

Answer 31

Saint-Émilion is the larger of the two appellations with three distinct vineyards on different soils. Best wines come from first two regions - Wines have medium to high tannins, but compared to Left Bank, they have a soft and rich mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas, developing tobacco and cedar notes 1. Vineyards on the Plateau North and West of Saint-Émilion town. Soils are warm, well-drained gravel and limestone, which are good for Cabernet Franc and some Cabernet Sauvignon 2. Vineyards on the Plateau’s escarpment to the South and East. Soils are clay limestone 3. Sandy soils at the foot of the plateau’s escarpment which are typically lighter bodied wines and less prestigious.

Question 32

How are wines from Pomerol different to Saint Emilion?

Answer 32

Pomerol - as high of a reputation as S-E. - Wines tend to be richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character.

Question 33

Name the appellations of the Côtes de Bordeaux.

Answer 33

Côtes de Bordeaux (appellations of Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs) - Merlot based wines meant for early drinking - Premier Côtes de Bordeaux - sweet wine appellation...not to be confused - Côtes de Bourg are not part of this group but make a similar style wine

Question 34

What type of wines can be labelled Entre deux Mers?

Answer 34

Entre deux Mers can only produce white wines. Red wines from this area must be labelled with a generic appellation name.

Question 35

What type of wines are produced in Graves and Pessac-Leognan?

Answer 35

Graves and Pessac-Léognan - produce white and red wines

Question 36

Describe the grape and style of wine from Entre-Deux-Mers and Graves.

Answer 36

White wines from Entre-Deux-Mers and Graves are made from SB and are unoaked.

Question 37

Which appellation is known for the best dry white wines?

Answer 37

Pessac-Léognan is home to the best dry white wines. Eligible for cru classé status Blends of SB and Sémillon -fermented in partly new oak, medium to full body with toasty oak flavours.

Question 38

What are dry white wines from Medoc and Sauternes labelled as?

Answer 38

Médoc and Sauternes also produce premium dry white wines but they cannot be sold under those appellations. Sold under generic Bordeaux appellation.

Question 39

Describe the general location for making sweet wines from Bordeaux.

Answer 39

Top sweet wines are grouped on the banks for the Garonne and its tributary the Ciron. The rivers create ideal misty autumn mornings for noble rot to develop. Passerillage (sun exposure to grapes before winemaking) is often needed to concentrate sugars during years where there is little noble rot.

Question 40

Describe the wines of Sauternes.

Answer 40

Sauternes - best sweet wines Village of Barsac can be put on label or use Sauternes. -Sémillon dominates because of thin skin and susceptibility to botrytis. -Sauvignon Blanc provides acidity and fruit aromas. -Muscadelle adds exotic perfume. Best wines are high in alcohol, sweet, yet balanced by high acidity with apricot and citrus peel aromas of noble rot, along with notes of toast and vanilla from oak fermentation and/or maturation.