Bordeaux- Climate and Grapes Flashcards
Bordeaux second in volume of production in France only to what?
the Languedoc
What was the total vineyard area in 2004?
encompasses 306,000 acres, establishing Bordeaux as France’s largest wine appellation
Evidence of wine production near the Garonne dates back to when?
the 4th century AD
The Dutch provided the framework for the Médoc’s eventual dominance by creating what?
a complex series of drainage channels throughout the area, making it suitable for viticulture in the mid-1600s
When was Bordeaux ruled by England?
From 1152 to 1453
As the marshes became habitable, what followed?
the wealthy noblesse de la robe followed, establishing the great châteaux foremost in modern wine markets
As the business of Bordeaux expanded, what widened?
the disconnection between consumer and producer
What emerged with the resources to store and sell wine on a commercial scale in the 18th century?
a merchant class
Traditionally, négociants acted as what?
one type of intermediary, buying fruit or wine in barrel to age in their own cellars before selling the bottled wine
What were Courtiers?
brokers of wine
Courtiers became a powerful force in the Médoc, supplying the châteaux with what?
financial backing while gaining total control over the actual trade of wine
When did the négociants influence fade?
after World War II with the rising appeal of estate bottling
The courtiers of Bordeaux maintain their authority over the trade, and are responsible for the current method of what?
en primeur sales, the yearly offering of Bordeaux wine as futures
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
maritime
What act as moderating influences protecting the vines from winter freezes and spring frost?
the Atlantic and the Gironde estuary
Describe the seasonal weather of Bordeaux
Winters are short, springtime is usually damp and summers can reach high temperatures.
What protect the Médoc vineyards from harsh west and northwesterly winds?
Coastal pine forests
What is a worry, especially at harvest?
RAIN!!
How does the climate change towards St-Émilion and Pomerol?
becomes more continental
The wet spring season and humidity of the region can result in what?
severe problems with mold and rot
While autumn humidity in the sweet wine districts of Graves is a cause for celebration due to the development of noble rot, what can take hold in cooler years and destroy the fruit?
the more malevolent grey rot
Springtime frost can lead to what?
coulure and millerandage
What does coulure and millerandage lead to?
reduced eventual yield
What is the Bordeaux mixture?
a mix of lime, copper sulfate, and water—is applied throughout the region to avoid fungal problems