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France > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

Bordeaux Location/Geography

A

Southwestern France, inland from the Atlantic Ocean

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2
Q

Bordeaux Climate

A

Maritime, Bordeaux is located on the 45th parallel.

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3
Q

The region can suffer from…

A

…rain and frost

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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.

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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

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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.

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7
Q

The Left Bank is west of…

A

Garonne and Gironde

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8
Q

The Right Bank is East and north of…

A

the Dordogne

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9
Q

Entre-Deux-Mers is located…

A

…Between the Garonne and Dordogne

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10
Q

Soil: Medoc and Graves on the Left Bank

A

Gravel

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11
Q

Soil: Saint-Emilion on the Right Bank

A

Gravel, limestone, sand

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12
Q

Soil: Pomerol on the Right Bank

A

Iron pan under sand and clay

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13
Q

Bordeaux White Grape Varieties

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle

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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)

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15
Q

This region suffers from…

A

… rain at harvest and frost

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

A

Gravel

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

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