Bordeaux Appellations

Question 1

What are the two generic appellations in Bordeaux?

Answer 1

Bordeaux AOC;
Bordeaux Supérieur AOC

Question 2

Why do some Bordeaux AOC wines (of any color) have low flavor concentration?

Answer 2

Maximum yields are on the high side:
67 hL/ha for whites;
62 hL/ha for rosés;
60 hL/ha for reds.

Question 3

Médoc AOC and Haut-Médoc AOC are only allowed to produce this color wine.

What is the maximum yield for both AOCs

Answer 3

Red wine;
55 hL/ha.

Question 4

What four famous single commune appellations are subregions of Haut-Médoc?
What is their maximum yield?

Answer 4

Saint-Estèphe; Pauillac; Saint-Julien; Margaux.
57hl/ha

Question 5

Which of the four single commune appellations is the coolest, and why is it the coolest?

Answer 5

Saint-Estèphe due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean; this gives it the reputation of having rustic wines that need many years in bottle to soften the tannins.

Question 6

Why is Pauillac AOC known to produce wines of high tannins, high acidity, and great longevity?

Answer 6

It has a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend which is planted on gravel banks close to the estuary, leading to fully ripened grapes with high concentration and structure.

Question 7

Saint-Julien AOC is known for its:

a. high-proportion of clay soils
b. limestone soils
c. very homogenous gravel soils

Answer 7

c. very homogenous gravel soils

Question 8

Why does Margaux AOC have more Merlot planted than Pauillac and Saint-Julien?

Answer 8

It has clay seams in its soil which Merlot grows better on than Cabernet Sauvignon, though this can add supplementary drainage;
Margaux has stony, gravelly soils and, being slightly further south, grapes ripen a few days earlier.
Remember: Merlot is mid-ripening, giving
the advantage that the grapes can be picked before early autumn rain whereas Cabernet Sauvignon ripens late (and hence needs to be grown on warmer soils), making it vulnerable to early autumn rains.

Question 9

Listrac-Médoc AOC and Moulis AOC are further from the Gironde than the four single commune appellations, resulting in: (in terms of climate influence and soil)

Answer 9

less moderating influence
from the estuary, less gravel in their soils

Question 10

Graves Supérieures AOC is restricted to what kind of wines?

What is its maximum yield?

Answer 10

Late harvest and/or botrytis-affected sweet wines with maximum yields of 40 hL/ha (higher than Sauternes).

Question 11

Pessac-Léognan AOC is a subregion within this AOC.

Answer 11

Graves AOC

Question 12

Entre-deux-Mers AOC makes only this color wine, and its maximum yields are __.

Answer 12

White, 65hl/ha (high enough which means some wines will have low flavor intensity).

Question 13

What is the difference between Saint-Émilion AOC and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC?

Answer 13

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru has lower maximum yields (46 hL/ha, as opposed to 53 hL/ha) and longer minimum maturation time (20 months, as opposed to 6 months).

Question 14

What are the dominant grape varieties in Pomerol AOC?

Answer 14

Merlot;
Cabernet Franc.

Question 15

These two AOCs in southern Graves are the key appellations known for sweet, botrytis-affected wines made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and small amounts of Muscadelle.

Answer 15

Sauternes AOC;
Barsac AOC.

Question 16

What are the conditions that allow botrytis in Barsac AOC and Sauternes AOC?

Answer 16

The cold Ciron River meets the warmer Garonne River – promoting morning mists – and afternoon sunshine dries the grapes, avoiding grey rot.

Question 17

What is the special growth category that was awarded specifically for Château d’Yquem?

Answer 17

Premier Cru Supérieur

Question 18

What were the original four First Growths (Premier Cru Classé) of the 1855 Classification, and which house was the fifth that was added as a First Growth in 1973?

Answer 18

Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac;
Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac (promoted in 1973);
Château Latour, Pauillac;
Château Margaux, Margaux;
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac, Graves.

Question 19

In the Saint-Émilion classification, châteaux are judged on what criteria?

Answer 19

Terroir;
Methods of production;
Reputation and commercial considerations;
A blind tasting of at least 10 vintages.

Question 20

What are the tiers of the Saint-Émilion classification?

Answer 20

Premier Grand Cru A;
Premier Grand Cru B;
Grand Cru Classé.

Question 21

Co-operatives in Bordeaux: do they play an important role or are they unimportant?

Answer 21

They play an important role.

In 2018, co-ops were responsible for 25% of production from 40% of grape growers.

Question 22

What are the advantages of the en primeur system for the estates?

Answer 22

Opportunity to test the market by releasing early lower-priced tranches;
Early payment and return on investment which allows the estates to finance the next vintage.

Question 23

What are the disadvantages of the en primeur system for the estates?

Answer 23

Potentially selling at a lower price than the estate might get for the bottled wine;
Potential for financial mismanagement or losses by négociants (that could lead them to go out of business) that could adversely affect an estate’s reputation.

Question 24

What are the advantages of the en primeur system for the end consumer?

Answer 24

Opportunity to secure sought-after wines and theoretically at the lowest price;
Option to keep or trade sought-after wines.

Question 25

What are the disadvantages of the en primeur system for the end consumer?

Answer 25

Wines are bought based on the opinions of trade buyers and journalists tasting unfinished barrel samples that may not truly reflect the final wine;
Intermediaries (négociants, shippers) may go out of business before the wine arrives;
Prices may fall before the wine arrives due to economic conditions or the quality of following vintages.

Question 26

Médoc AOC is mainly planted with ___% Merlot and ___% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Answer 26

55% Merlot;
40% Cabernet Sauvignon;
Médoc AOC wines are often predominantly Merlot.