Bordeaux: Appellations Part 2 Flashcards
What is the name of the principal city on the right bank of the Dordogne?
Liborne
What is the collective term for the wine regions surrounding the city of Libourne?
Libournais
What style of wine is produced in the Libournais?
Red: predominantly Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends with a little Cabernet Sauvignon added if soils allow.
How do the red wines of the Libournais compare to those of the Left Bank in Bordeaux?
Because of the high concentration of Merlot in the blend, Libournais wines are silken in texture and less powerfully structured.
Which grape varieties are permitted in the wines of the Libournais?
9 of the 10 red AOCs in this sub-region (except Pomerol) allow the use of the following varieties:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot
* [S] Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Note: there is some variation on which varieties are primary vs. secondary in each AOC.
Name the appellations of the Libournais.
- Fronsac AOC (1937)
- Canon Fronsac AOC (1939)
- Pomerol AOC (1936)
- Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC (1936)
- Saint-Emilion AOC (1936)
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC (1954)
- Lussac Saint-Emilion AOC (1936)
- Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC (1936)
- Puisseguin Saint-Emilion AOC (1936)
- Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion AOC (1936)
Where is Fronsac AOC located?
This appellation is situated on the right bank of the Dordogne River, opposite of the Graves de Vayres AOC.
Which appellations are the only 2 Libournais AOCs that lie on the right bank of the Isle River?
- Fronsac AOC
- Canon-Fronsac AOC: this AOC nests within Fronsac along the Dordogne River.
What are the soil types in Fronsac AOC and Canon-Fronsac AOC
Clay & limestone
Which grape varieties do the Fronsac AOC and Canon-Fronsac AOC specialize in ?
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
Due to the clay & limestone soils.
What are the characteristics of red wines from Fronsac AOC and Canon-Fronsac AOC?
Red fruits and black pepper.
Which grape varieties are permitted in the Pomerol AOC?
- [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cot
How do the soils in Pomerol AOC and Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC influence the wines?
The unique iron-rich soils are ideal for Merlot & Cabernet Franc which express themselves with heady aromas and rich textures.
How do the wines of Pomerol AOC compare to those of Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC?
- Pomeral: soft, velvety, round & generous
- Lalande-de-Pomerol: tends to be less aromatic, less structured & more characterized by bright berry fruit
Name the appellations of Saint-Emilion.
- Saint-Emilion AOC
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC
- Lussac Saint-Emilion AOC
- Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC
- Puisseguin Saint-Emilion AOC
- Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion AOC
What area do the Saint-Emilion AOC and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC cover?
These 2 AOCs cover exactly the same area of production. It is situated on the Right Bank of the Dordogne River, to the east of Libourne.
What are the restrictions for wines from Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC?
Tougher production standards compared to Saint-Emilion AOC:
* Lower yield
* Higher min. alcohol
* All wines must be bottled at the chateau
* must undergo 2 tastings, both before and after its mandatory one-year period of aging
What is the size of production in Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC compared with Saint-Emilion AOC?
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC is over 3 times the production of Saint-Emilion AOC (2018).
What soil types are found in Saint-Emilion?
Most are comprised of limestone & clay.
There are pockets of sand along the river.
There are 2 “islands” of Pomerol soil within this sub-region (Chateau Figeac & Chateau Cheval Blanc are located on them).
How do the varied soils influence the wines in Saint-Emilion?
- Limestone: high acidity & polished tannins
- Sand: Fruit-forward
- Pomerol soil (iron-rich): Velvet tannins & hints of walnut & prune (Pomerol flavours)
How do the wines of the four Saint-Emilion satellites compare to those of Saint-Emilion AOC/Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC?
These wines boast the same flavours & aromas but in a more delicate structure.
What does Cotes mean in French?
Coast/slope
Where are the Cotes located in Bordeaux?
Most of the Cotes are located on the right banks and are southwest-facing. These areas slope to the rivers or the estuary.
What soil types are found in the Cotes?
Principally clay & limestone
What are the prevalent grapes in the wines of the Cotes?
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
Name the appellations of the Cotes in Bordeaux.
- Cotes de Bordeaux AOC (2009)
- Blaye AOC (1936)
- Cotes de Blaye (1936)
- Bourg/Cotes de Bourg/Bourgeais AOC (1936, Dry White 1941) (this AOC goes by 3 names)
What style of wine is produced under Cotes de Bordeaux AOC?
Red only
Which grape varieties are permitted in Cotes de Bordeaux AOC wines?
Red:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot
* [S] Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Name the 5 DGCs of the Cotes de Bordeaux AOC.
- Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux DGC (2009
- Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC (2009)
- Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC (2009)
- Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC (2009)
- Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DGC (2016)
This AOC can incorporate the fruit from any of these DGCs into their wines.
Note: some DGCs are allowed to make more wine styles than just red.
What styles of wine are produced under Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
- Dry White: produces 3% of all the dry white wine made in Bordeaux (2018)
- Red: Merlot-based; only 40% of its production is red
Which grape varieties are permitted in Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux DGC wines?
White:
* [P] Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
* [S] Colombard, Ugni Blanc
Rose/Gris:
* [S] Sauvignon Gris
Red:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot
* [S] Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Where is Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC located?
This DGC is located on the right bank of the Garonne in Bordeaux.
What soil types are found in Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Clay & limestone interspersed with pockets of gravel, hence the use of Cabernet Sauvignon.
What style of wine is produced under the Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Red only: Merlot-dominant, with significant additions of Cabernet Sauvignon
Which grape varieties are permitted under the Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Red:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot
* [S] Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Where is the Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC located?
This DGC is located on the right bank of the Dordogne, just east of Saint-Emilion.
What soil types are found in the Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
An abundance of clay.
Hence, Merlot is dominant in these wines.
What style of wine is produced under Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Red-only: Merlot often comprises 70-80% of the blend.
Which grape varieties are permitted in Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC wine
Red:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot
* [S] Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Where is Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC located?
This DGC is located to the north of Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC.
What soil types are found in Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Lots of limestone (conducive to Cabernet Franc)
What styles of wine are made in Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
- Dry White: small amount produced
- Red: most of production; Merlot-dominant blend with a significant component of Cabernet Franc
- Sweet White: min. 5.1% (51g/l) RS; even smaller amount produced
Which grape varieties are permitted in Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
White:
* [P] Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
* [S] Colombard, Ugni Blanc
Rose/Gris:
* [S] Sauvignon Gris
Red:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot
* [S] Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Where is Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DGC located?
This DGC is located on the left bank of the Dordogne and faces east; it is situated to the east of the Entre-deux-Mers.
What styles of wine are made under Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
- Dry White
- Red
- Semi-Sweet White: 1.7-4.5% (17-45g/l) RS
- Sweet White: min. 5.1% (51g/l) RS
White wines are produced in small amounts.
Which grape varieties are permitted in Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
White:
* [P] Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
* [S] Colombard, Ugni Blanc
Rose/Gris:
* [S] Sauvignon Gris
Red:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot
* [S] Petit Verdot, Carmenere
What soil types are found in Blaye AOC?
A mix of soil types:
* Sandy gravel
* Clay
* Limestone
This makes for great diversity in vine planting.
What style of wine is produced in Blaye AOC?
Red: min. 50% Merlot, Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Which grape varieties are permitted in the Blaye AOC?
Red:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
* [S] Petit Verdot, Carmenere, Cot
Which is the most widely planted grape in the Blaye AOC?
Merlot
What style of wine is produced in Cotes de Blaye AOC?
Dry White
Historically, this appellation crafted dry whites primarily from Colombard & Ugni Blanc, but is currently in transition.
Errata: Cotes de Blaye has been decommissioned with the implementation of the Cotes de Bordeaux AOC
Which grape varieties are permitted in Cotes de Blaye AOC?
White:
* [P] Colombard, Ugni Blanc
* [S] Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
Rose/Gris:
* [S] Sauvignon Gris
What styles of wine are produced in the Cotes de Bourg AOC?
- Dry White
- Red
Which grape varieties are permitted in the Cotes de Bourg AOC?
White:
* [P] Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, Colombard
Rose/Gris:
* [S] Sauvignon Gris
Red:
* [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot
What percentage of red varieties planted in Cotes de Bourg AOC are Merlot?
65%; the dominant red grape.
What percentage of white varieties planted in Cotes de Bourg AOC are Sauvignon Blanc?
40% Sauvignon Blanc
Balance is split between Colombard (30%) & Semillon (30%).
What is the Classification of 1855?
This list places the top chateaux in Bordeaux in a ranking of first through fifth growths.
The listing itself was a “working document” put together by the Union of Brokers attached to the Bordeaux Commodities Market and served as a reference guide for setting prices and/or paying taxes.
It was never intended as a classification system.
How many chateaux were ranked on the original document for the Classification of 1855?
87 total:
* 1 chateau from Graves (Pessac-Leognan)
* 26 chateaux from Sauternes & Barsac
* 60 chateaux from the Medoc
What were the 3 categories that chateaux crafting sweet wines were placed into upon the creation of the Classification of 1855?
- Premier Cru Superieur
- Premier Cru
- Deuxieme Cru
Which sweet wine was selling for the highest price at the inception of the Classification of 1855?
Chateau d’Yquem
It alone bears the title Premier Cru Supiereur, for this reason.
What changes have occurred to the Classification of 1855 since its inception?
- Chateau Cantemerle was added; changing the number of Medoc chateaux to 61
- There are now 27 ranked wines from Sauternes/Barsac
- Pexoto no longer exists
- Chateau Mouton Rothschild was elevated from second-growth status to first-growth status in 1973
Detail the current numbers of chateaux under the Classification of 1855 for each sub-region and tier.
Medoc: 61 Chateaux ranked
* 5 Premier Crus: including 1 in Pessac-Leognan (Graves)
* 14 Deuxieme Crus
* 14 Troisieme Crus
* 10 Quatriemes Crus
* 18 Cinquiemes Crus
Sauternes & Barsac: 27 Chateaux ranked
* 1 Premier Cru Superieur
* 11 Premiers Crus
* 15 Deuxiemes Crus
What is Cru Bourgeois?
This is a classification system created in 1932 and was applied to select wines in recognition of their quality.
Name the 3 levels of Cru Bourgeois.
- Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels
- Crus Bourgeios Superieurs
- Crus Bourgeois
How often are the rankings for Cru Bourgeois reviewed?
Every 5 years
Detail the current numbers of Medoc Crus Bourgeois in total and in each tier.
249 Estates ranked:
* 14 Crus Bourgois Exceptionnels
* 56 Crus Bourgeois Superieurs
* 179 Crus Bourgeois
What is a Cru Artisan?
These are identified as small (2.5-12.5ac/1-5ha) estates that are entirely responsible for their own red wine production process from vineyard to barrel to bottle.
This classification recognizes “boutique” wineries of quality.
How many Medoc Crus Artisans estates are there?
36 Crus Artisans
What is the Graves classification system?
- Established 1953
- Revised in 1959
- Ranks the wines of 16 properties
- wines fall within the Pessac-Leognan AOC
- wines are labeled “Grand Cru Classe de Graves” (may also be labeled as “Cru Classe de Graves”).
- only classification system in Bordeaux that ranks the wines, not the estates
Detail the number of (Grand) Cru Classes de Graves.
22 Crus Classes de Graves from 16 Estates:
* 6 Estates for red & white wines
* 3 Estates for white wine only
* 7 Estates for red wine only
When was the Saint-Emilion classification system established?
1955
It was designed to be revised every 10 years.
What are chateaux graded on when being considered under the Saint-Emilion Classification system?
- Quality
- Condition of the winery & its equipment
- Standing of the estate in the marketplace
- Quality of the wine
- Their efforts to create a welcoming environment for visitors (controversially)
When was the most recent revision of the Saint-Emilion Classification system?
2022
What is the difference between Saint-Emilion Grand Cru and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe?
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: Is an AOC
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe: Is a ranking within the classification system
However, a wine that achieves Grand Cru Classe status must be a Grand Cru AOC before joining the classified ranks.
Detail the number of Saint-Emilion Grands Crus Classes.
85 Chateaux are ranked:
* 2 Premiers Grands Crus Classes A: Chateau Figeac, Chateau Pavie
* 12 Premiers Grands Crus Classes B
* 71 Grands Crus Classes
Errata
Why were Chateaux Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Angelus removed from the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classes A rank?
They withdrew from consideration prior to the classification being announced.
Errata