Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

France > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

Bordeaux Location/Geography

A

Southwestern France, inland from the Atlantic Ocean

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Bordeaux Climate

A

Maritime, Bordeaux is located on the 45th parallel.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The region can suffer from…

A

…rain and frost

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Bordeaux Geography and Climate Influences

A

A large pine forest along the coast to the west protects the region from harsh storms and winds from the Atlantic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Two rivers, the ______ and ______, meet north of the city of Bordeaux and form the ______, which flows into the Atlantic.

A

Garonne, Dordogne, Gironde Estuary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

The climate is moderated by…

A

…its waterways and its proximity to the Atlantic coast. The Gulf Stream current brings warm waters up from the Caribbean, keeping the weather mild yet humid.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The Left Bank is west of…

A

Garonne and Gironde

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The Right Bank is East and north of…

A

the Dordogne

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Entre-Deux-Mers is located…

A

…Between the Garonne and Dordogne

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Soil: Medoc and Graves on the Left Bank

A

Gravel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Soil: Saint-Emilion on the Right Bank

A

Gravel, limestone, sand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Soil: Pomerol on the Right Bank

A

Iron pan under sand and clay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Bordeaux White Grape Varieties

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Bordeaux Red Grape Varieties

A

Merlot (the most widely planted), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot (small quantities), Malbec (allowed but rarely seen today), Carmenere (also allowed but rarely seen)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

This region suffers from…

A

… rain at harvest and frost

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Typical Wine Style of the Left Bank

A

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, plus Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, these wines are usually aged in new French oak barrels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Typical Wine Style: Red Wines from Saint-Emilion and Pomerol (Right Bank)

A

70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, these wines spend some time in French oak barrels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Typical Wine Style: Dry White Wines mainly from Graves (Pessac-Leognan) on the Left Bank and Entre-Deux-Mers

A

80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon, the majority of inexpensive white wines from Bordeaux are made without oak. Prestigious wines in the upper price tiers, however, tend to be aged in new French oak barriques.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Typical Wine Style: Sweet Wines mainly from Sauternes and nearby communes

A

80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle (small percentage), many sweet wines of Bordeaux are aged in new French oak barrels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Bordeaux AOP

A

Largest appellation in size and production, grapes can come from anywhere in the entire region, an appellation for red and white wines in both sweet and dry styles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Sub Regional or District Appellations

A

These may be the highest appellations attainable in a particular locale or they may encompass a number of separate commune appellations. Examples: Haut Medoc AOP and Entre-Deux-Mers

22
Q

Commune Appellations

A

These are the smallest AOPs in each region, with generally the highest quality wines. Examples: Pauillac, Margaux, Pomerol, Saint Julien, Saint Estephe, St. Emilion

23
Q

The Medoc Location

A

North of the city of Bordeaux along the Gironde Estuary

24
Q

The Medoc Soil

A

Gravel, with great moisture draining properties. Perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon

25
Q

The Medoc Grape Varieties

A

Cabernet Sauvignon based blends, red wines only

26
Q

Medoc AOPs

A

Sub regions: Medoc AOP, Haut-Medoc AOP. Communes: Saint-Estephe AOP, Pauillac AOP, Saint-Julien AOP, Margaux AOP

27
Q

1855 Classification

A

Emperor Napoleon III commissioned a ranking of Bordeaux’s top chateaux for the Universal Exposition in Paris. Merchants and brokers ranked 61 properties in five tiers: first growth through fifth growth. To do so, they used the historical record of the prices that each property’s wines commanded in the marketplace; the higher the price, the higher the ranking. Communes in the right bank were not part of this classification. One property in the Pessac-Leognan commune in Graves was included, largely because the wine grown and made at Chateau Haut-Brion had long fetched a very high price in the market. This classification system still stands today and remains important to many consumers, but it is NOT part of the AOP system.

28
Q

First Growth Chateaux of the 1855 Classification

A

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (elevated to 1st growth in 1973), Chateau Margaux, Chateau Haut-Brion (Graves)

29
Q

Top Recent Vintages of the Medoc

A

2005, 2009, 2010, 2015

30
Q

Graves Location/Geography

A

South of the Medoc and directly south and around the city of Bordeaux

31
Q

Graves Soil

32
Q

Graves White Grape Varieties

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon

33
Q

Graves Red Grape Varieties

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

34
Q

Graves Sub-Region: Pessac-Leognan AOP

A

Northernmost part of Graves, including the most highly regarded chateaux. Vinification: dry white wines, dry red wines, new french oak.

35
Q

Graves Sub-Region: Sauternes AOP

A

Southernmost portion of Graves, bordered by the Garonne and Ciron Rivers. Vinification: botrytis-affected sweet wines, oak aged, often in new French barrique.

36
Q

Entre-Deux-Mers AOP Location/Geography

A

Translates to “land between two seas,” a large area between the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers

37
Q

Entre-Deux-Mers Soil

A

Very fertile silt

38
Q

Entre-Deux-Mers White Grape Varieties

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle

39
Q

Entre-Deux-Mers Vinification

A

Dry white wines only, little to no oak, stainless steel, red wines made in this area fall under the Bordeaux AOP appellation.

40
Q

Saint-Emilion Location/Geography

A

Along the Dordogne River near the town of Libourne

41
Q

Saint-Emilion Soils

A

Proportions vary depending on the location, large bed of silt, clay, and gravel, Limestone plateau, sand

42
Q

Saint-Emilion Red Grape Varieties

A

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, AOP for red wines only

43
Q

Saint-Emilion Appellations

A

Saint-Emilion AOP, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOP (an appellation, not a classification. Wines have an additional 0.5% alcohol and must undergo a longer aging than wines labeled Saint-Emilion AOP.

44
Q

Saint-Emilion Classification System

A

Instituted in 1955, with a goal of revision every 10 years. The most recent revision was in 2012.

45
Q

Saint-Emilion Premiers Grands Cru Classe A

A

4 named chateaux: Chateau Ausone, Chateau Angelus, Chateau Pavie, Chateau Cheval-Blanc

46
Q

Saint-Emilion Premiers Grands Crus Classe B

A

14 named chateaux

47
Q

Saint-Emilion Grands Crus Classe

A

64 named chateaux

48
Q

Pomerol Location/Geography

A

Along the Dordogne River near the town of Libourne to the northwest of Saint Emilion. A very small appellation, only 3 square miles.

49
Q

Pomerol Soils

A

Sand, clay, gravel, subsoil of iron pan and rich clay

50
Q

Pomerol Red Grape Varieties

A

Merlot and Cabernet Franc-based blends, red wines only

France (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions