Bordeaux (France) Flashcards
What type of soils will you find in Pomerol on the Right Bank?
Iron pan under san and clay.
Where would you find Chateau Petrus?
Pomerol.
What grapes/styles of wine are made in Saint-Emilion?
Merlot, Cabernet Franc.
Dry reds only.
What was the major factor for success for international trade from/in Bordeaux?
The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
What body of water brings warm water from the Caribbean creating a mild, yet humid climate in Bordeaux?
The Gulf Stream.
What is the Bordeaux appellation hierarchy?
Bordeaux AOP (Regional appellations)
Sub-Regional/District appellations
Commune appellations
Describe Cabernet Franc (Bordeaux).
Fragrance, Black and Red Fruit, Freshness
Describe Sauvignon Blanc (Bordeaux).
Grassiness, High acid
Bordeaux is the largest region of AOP production in France. True or False?
True.
What was the important of the 1855 Classification?
It ranked 61 properties into first-fifth growths.
They used historical records of prices each wine commanded in that year.
Communes on the Right Bank were not included.
It is not a party of the AOP system, but still stands today.
What is the classification system of Saint-Emilion?
Instituted in 1955 and revised every 10 years (last in 2012)
Based on the reputation and tasting of the wines.
Wines are designated either as ‘premiers grand crus classe’ or ‘grand crus classe’.
What does Entre-Deux-Mers translate to?
Land Between Two Seas
Where is Graves located?
South of the Medoc.
Left Bank
Sub-Regional/District appellations?
Highest appellations attainable in a particular locale.
Can encompass a number of separate commune appellations.
(ex. Haut-Medoc)
What are the primary grape varietals of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Muscadelle (small %)
Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot (small %) Malbec (small %) Carmenere (small %)
Example of a typical wine from Saint-Emilion/Pomerol?
70% Merlot
30% Cabernet Franc
(usually some time in French oak barrels)
What kind of soil is found in Entre-Deux-Mers?
Very fertile silt.
Where is Bordeaux located?
Southwestern France.
Example of a sweet wine from Sauternes?
80% Semillon
20% Sauvignon Blanc
+ Muscadelle in small quantities
(Most aged in new French oak)
Where is Pomerol located?
Along the Dordogne River near the town of Libourne.
Northwest of Saint-Emilion.
Right Bank.
What are the 5 first growths of Bordeaux?
Chateau Lafita-Rothschild Chateau Latour Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (elevated in 1973) Chateau Margaux Chateau Haut-Brion (Graves)
What grape varietal grows best in gravel soils?
Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are some concerns during harvest in Bordeaux?
Region can suffer from excessive rain and frost.
What is the important soil type found in Medoc/Graves on the Left Bank?
Gravel.
What did Dutch Merchants do in Bordeaux in the 1600’s?
Sought to expand trade and drained the marshes which revealed gravel soils underneath.
What are the climate moderators for Bordeaux?
Large pine forest along the coast protects from Atlantic weather.
Gulf Stream brings warm water from Caribbean.
Garonne and Dordogne Rivers form Gironde Estuary and divide the area into three sections.