Bordeaux - General Study Guide Flashcards
Classify me: Château Couhins
1959 Graves, white only
When was St Emilion first classified and in what subsequent years was it revised?
1955, 1969, 1985, 1996, 2006, 2012
What is the maximum yield for Barsac, Sauternes, and Cerons?
25 hl/ha for Barsac and Sauternes; 40 hl/ha for Cerons
Which vintage of Bordeaux produced 8 wines that scored 100 points by Wine Spectator upon release? Can you name four of them? Which was the most expensive and which was the least expensive for release prices?
- Château Pétrus ($4975), Château Ausone ($2000), Château Lafleur ($2000), Château Margaux ($1080), Château Haut-Brion ($930), Château Pavie ($405), Château Léoville Las Cases ($315), Château L’Evangile ($260)
When are en primeur tastings generally held?
The first week of April
Classify me: Château Suduiraut
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Preignac)
When can Pomerol wines be released? Could they be 100% Petit Verdot? What about Lalande-de-Pomerol?
15 of November of the year following the harvest - yes (non min / max mandatory) Lalande can be released the 31th of March following the harvest CS, CF, Merlot, Malbec must represent a min of 70% of the blend Carmenere and PV a max of 10% (+ the yield are different, 49 vs 53)
What is the only estate on the right bank to use a significant proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Figeac, in St Emilion
Classify me: Château Haut-Batailley
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Besides Haut Brion, no Chateaux in Graves were classified until what year?
1953
What is the third wine of Chateau Latour?
Paulliac de Latour
Where in Bordeaux can the boulbenes soil be found? What is it?
Graves; a mixture of clay, sand, and gravel
Classify me: Château Coutet
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Barsac)
What was the first vintage of Le Petit Mouton?
1993
Domaine Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) owns other estates in Bordeaux - which ones? Give their commnune and rank. Bonus - which winery do they own in Chile? Where?
Duhart-Milon - Pauillac, 4th Rieussec - Sauternes AOP Fargues 1st L’Evangile - Pomerol, none Paradis-Casseuil - Entre-deux-Mers, none Peyre-Labade - Haut-Medoc, none Los Vascos, Cochalgua
Describe the 2012 growing season in Bordeaux.
Rainy and cold throughout flowering with drought in August. Low yields and small berries with thick skins. Made for irradic wines with toothy tannins. Merlot fared better than Cabernet Sauvignon as clay soils retained water better than gravel.
Classify me: Château de Chevalier
1959 Graves, red and white
When was Cru Bourgeois first drawn up and how many properties did it originally have?
1932; 444
Why do you find very few Chateaux in northern Pessac-Leognan? Which ones are there?
Near the communes of Merignac, Pessac, and Talence in northern Pessac-Leognan, there are only few Chateaux remaining, including Haut Brion, Pape Clement, and La Mission Haut Brion. The city of Bordeaux lies directly north of this area and urban sprawl has swallowed up a lot of estates (the BDX airport is in Merignac!). As a result, the remaining estates are the ones who were financially viable enough to withstand development.
Second Wine: Cantenac-Brown
Brio de Cantenac Brown
Classify me: Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Name three cru Bourgeois sites of St Estephe?
Ormes de Pez Phelan-Segur Meyney Beau-Site
Name the satellite appellations of St. Emilion.
Lussac Montagne St. Georges Puisseguin
What Bordeaux grape has parent/off-spring relationship with two Basque grapes?
Cabernet Franc
Name the 5 villages that Margaux is spread over. Which of them have classified growths? What is the largest and what is the smallest?
Soussans, Margaux, Cantenac, Labarde and Arsac. Margaux and Cantenac have classified growths. Labarde is the smallest, Arsac is the largest.
What is the minimum alcohol for Cotes de Bordeaux with and without subzone designate?
11/11.5
Which bank of the Garonne is St. Croix du Mont on?
Northeast
Name the five communes of Sauternes from north to south.
Barsac, Preignac, Bommes, Fargues, Sauternes
Classify me: Château Rauzan-Segla
1855, 2eme Margaux
Classify me: Château Romer du Hayot
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Fargues)
What separates St. Estephe from the Medoc?
The Chenal de Calon
What are the best vintages of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s for Sauternes and Barsac?
- 60s – 1962, 1967
- 70s – 1970, 1975, 1976, 1979
- 80s – 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989
- 90s – 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999
- 00s – 2001, 2005
- 10s
- 20s
Classify me: Château Climens
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Barsac)
What is Paulliac’s only 4th growth?
Duhart-Milon
What are the Premier Cru Classe estates of Fargues?
Just one – Rieussec
Describe the soil type of Sauternes.
Gunzian and colluvial gravel with sand and clay.
Some areas of calcaire a asteries (limestone/clay) – more prominent in Barsac.
Classify me: Château Batailley
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Can producers from the communal appellations of the Medoc (Margaux, St. Estephe, etc.) release wines as Medoc AOP?
No – they may release as Haut-Medoc, not Medoc.
How many classified growths are there of St-Estephe? Name them.
2nd: Cos d’Estournel, Montrose 3rd: Calon Segur 4th: Lafon-Rochet 5th: Cos Labory
Classify me: Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Bommes)
Classify me: Château Gruaud Larose
1855, 2eme St. Julien
Where is Graves de Vayres and what style of wine is made there?
On the Dordogne river, across from Fronsac (between the Dordogne and the Garonne). Blanc, blanc sec, and rouge are made.
Why is Haut Brion not classified for its white as well as its red?
Haut Brion did not ask for classification for its white wine, as it makes too little
Classify me: Château Pape-Clement
1959 Graves, red only
Which appellation of Bordeaux forbids chaptalization?
Cotes de Bordeaux St Macaire
Who owns Chateau Pape Clement, and what other Chateaux in Bordeaux does he own?
Bernard Magrez Ch. Fombrauge in St. Emilion (Grand Cru Classe) Ch. La Tour Carnet in the Haut Medoc (4th growth) Clos Haut Peyraguey in Sauternes (1st growth)
Classify me: Château Calon Segur
1855, 3eme St. Estephe
Where is Cotes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire, and what styles of wine can be made there?
SouthEast of Loupiac, Cadillac, along the Garonne Blanc sec, moelleux, and liquoreux
Second Wine: Ducru-Beaucaillou
Croix de Beaucaillou
Classify me: Château La Tour-Haut-Brion
1959 Graves, red only (final vintage 2005)
Which estates were classified for white only in the 1959 Graves Classification? Which are still in production?
Couhins, Couhins-Lurton, and Laville-Haut-Brion (Laville is now La Mission Blanc)
Classify me: Château Palmer
1855, 3eme Margaux
What does limestone become as it erodes, and how does this affect the soil composition of St Emilion?
Limestone becomes clay as it erodes; the limestone plateau of St-Emilion has slopes of clay
Classify me: Château La Mission Haut-Brion
1959 Graves, red only
When was the appellation Pessac-Leognan established?
1987
Second Wine: Brane Cantenac
Baron de Brane
What châteaux are classified Crus Classé for only white wines in Graves?
Château Couhins Château Couhins-Lurton Château Laville-Haut-Brion
Who makes “Historical XIXth Century Wine” and what is it?
Chateau Palmer’s homage to the “Hermitaged” style of wine made in the 19th century. Includes a small percentage of Syrah. Non-vintage.
Classify me: Château Haut-Brion
1959 Graves, red only 1855 1eme
Second Wine: Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Réserve de la Comtesse
Classify me: Clos Fourtet
1955 St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe B
Name the second growths of St. Julien.
Leoville-Poyferre Leoville-Las Cases Leoville-Barton Gruad Larose Ducru Beaucaillou
What are the classified growths of Labarde?
Chateau Dauzac (5eme cru) Chateau Giscours (5eme cru)
What is the difference in RS and yield between Graves Superieures and Cerons?
Graves Superieures = 34 g/l RS, 40 hl/ha - MW 221 Cerons = 45 g/l RS, 40 hl/ha - MW 221
What is Malbec known as on the right bank?
Pressac
In what year did it become compulsory for classed Chateaux to estate bottle?
1972
Name the Chateaux in Graves that are only classified as Cru Classe for dry red wines.
Ch. Haut Bailly Ch. de Fieuzal Ch. Smith-Haut-Lafitte Ch. Haut Brion Ch. La Mission Haut Brion Ch. Pape Clement Ch. La Tour Haut Brion
Why are spring frosts a greater concern in Pomerol than elsewhere in Bordeaux?
Merlot ripens earlier and is more susceptible to spring frosts. Dominance of Merlot in Pomerol makes it particularly risky.
What is “sur souche”?
Practice of negociants buying grapes while they were still on the vine. Fell out of favor with the 1961 vintage which was sold off cheap and ended up being magnificent.
Classify me: Château de Myrat
1855 Sauternes 2eme Cru (Barsac)
Classify me: Château Duhart-Milon
1855, 4eme Pauillac
Classify me: Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
1855 5eme Pauillac
Classify me: Château Romer
1855 Sauternes 2eme Cru (Fargues)
What styles of wine are made in Blaye AOP? Cotes de Blaye?
Rouge only; Blanc sec only
How is the soil different in St-Estephe and name two effects.
Richer in clay – gives greater richness and structure as well as provides an advantage in hot, dry years because of moisture retention
What is the cepage of Cheval Blanc?
57% Cab Franc, 39% Merlot, 3% Cab, 1% Malbec
What are the five villages that Sauternes covers?
N > S Barsac, Preignac, Bommes, Fargues, Sauternes
Classify me: Château La Lagune
1855 3eme Haut-Medoc
What is the only classified growth in Arsac?
Chateau du Tertre (5eme cru)
What are the Premier Cru Classe estates of Sauternes?
Just one - Ch Guiraud (as Chateau d’Yquem is Premier Cru Superieur)
Describe the soil type of Cheval Blanc vs. Ausone.
Cheval Blanc is on the gravel outposts on the western edge of St. Emilion, bordering Pomerol. The soil is a combination of gravel and clay with sand and iron. Ausone is on the cotes surrounding the plateau near the city of St. Emilion itself. The soil here is dominated by clay and limestone.
Where is Ste-Croix-du-Mont AOP and what style of wine is made there?
On the eastern shore of the Garonne; sweet white wine
Most red grapes from the Médoc and neighboring communes have a minimum must weight of 180 g/l. Which grape has a higher minimum must weight and what the heck is that minimum must weight?
Merlot has a minimum must weight of 189 g/l
What is coupage?
“Cutting” – practice of adding Spanish wine and Hermitage to Bordeaux in the 18th century. Very common for up to 15% to be added. Referred to us “vins coupes” vs. “vins purs”
Classify me: Château Clerc Milon
1855 5eme Pauillac
How many communes of Pessac-Leognan are there? Name 5.
Ten Pessac, Leognan, Cadaujac, Canéjan, Gradignan, Martillac, Mérignac, Saint-Médard-d’Eyrans, Talence, Villenave-d’Ornon
Classify me: Château Cos Labory
1855 5eme St. Estephe
Classify me: Château Belgrave
1855 5eme Haut Medoc
What is the name of Chateau d’Yquem’s dry white wine?
Y or Ygrec
Classify me: Château Lafon-Rochet
1855 4eme St. Estephe
How many St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe B estates were there before 2012? How many after?
10; 14 (4 were promoted in 2012)
Classify me: Château Sigalas-Rabaud
1855 Sauternes 1eme Cru (Bommes)
Classify me: Château Rieussec
1855 Sauternes 1eme Cru (Fargues)
What is the last of the Bordelais grapes to ripen?
Petite Verdot!
Give 3 estates of Moulis and Listrac-Medoc.
Moulis = Chasse-Spleen, Poujeaux, Clarke Listrac-Medoc = Fourcas Dupre, Fourcas Hostens, Grand Listrac
What Chateaux in Pessac-Leognan are owned by SA Clarence Dillon?
Haut Brion, La Mission Haut Brion, Laville Haut Brion, and La Tour Haut Brion (the later two now making wine for La Mission Haut Brion)
What vintage of Bordeaux produced 19 wines scored 100 points by Parker? What was the only fifth growth?
2009 The full list: Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse Bellevue Mondotte Clinet Clos Fourtet Cos D’Estournel Ducru Beaucaillou L’Evangile Haut Brion Latour Leoville Poyferre La Mission Haut Brion Mondotte Montrose Pavie Petrus Le Pin Pontet-Canet Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge Pontet-Canet
Define the climate of Bordeaux.
Maritime climate, influenced by the Atlantic and Girone Estuary. Winters are short, spring is damp, and summers can be hot. Rot and mold are big problems.
What style of wine may be made in Entre-deux-Mers?
Exclusively dry white wine.
Where is Cadillac AOP and what style of wine is made there?
On the eastern shore of the Garonne; sweet white wine
How does soil type differ from one side of Pomerol to the next and how does this affect the wine?
Western side is sandier, lesser quality. Eastern side has more gravel with clay.
Where is Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux and what styles of wine are made there?
Further upriver (east) of the major right bank appellations, south of the Dordogne. Blanc sec, moelleux, and liquoreux as well as rouge.
Classify me: Château Kirwan
1855, 3eme Margaux
Classify me: Château La Gaffeliere
1955 St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe B
Who currently owns Chateau d’Yquem?
LVMH
What style of wine is Graves Superieures?
Off-dry white, min. 34 g/L RS
Define assemblage vs. encépagement.
Assemblage is the blend of a wine; encépagement is the varietal make-up of a vineyard.
Which two rivers have the greatest influence on the sweet wines of Graves?
The Garonne and Ciron
What classed growth was once known as Chateau Mouton Baron Phillipe?
Chateau d’Armhailac; Mouton-Rothschild bought d’Armhailac in the 1920s and renamed it Mouton Baron Phillipe. d’Armhailac is still under the ownership of Mouton, but was changed back to its original name (if anyone knows the year in which this happened, please share!)
Name two estates that disappeared from the 2012 St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe classification because they merged with other estates.
Chateau Magdelaine, formerly a B, merged with Chateau Belair-Monagne, a B as well Chateau Berget merged with Chateau Trottevieille
What style of wine can be made in the Medoc AOP?
Dry red wine
Classify me: Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
1855 2eme Paulliac
In what AOP would you find Chateau Petrus?
Pomerol
What are the two northernmost Cru Classé of Pessac-Leognan?
Châteaux Haut-Brion (Pessac) and La Mission Haut-Brion (Talence)
What borders St Emilion on the north, west, south, and east?
N – Route Nationale 10 W – towns of Libourne and Pomerol S – the Ruisseua la Capelle & Dordogne E – Cotes de Castillon
Second Wine: Cos d’Estournel
Les Pagodes de Cos
Classify me: Château Langoa Barton
1855, 3eme St. Julien
Name three of the most common weather hazards in Bordeaux.
- Winter & Spring frosts (yields) - Hail in July & August (yields) - Rain at harvest causing rot, mold, and dilution
Why does Merlot thrive in clay based soils?
Clay delays natural vigor.
Where is Cotes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire AOP and what styles of wine are made here?
Just east of Premiers Cotes de Bordeaux, on the north side of the river, as the Garonne flattens out and runs east/west. White wine can be made in sec, moelleux, and liquoreux styles.
What are the four subzones of Cotes de Bordeaux AOP? What styles of wine can be made in each?
Cadillac, Francs, Castillon & Blaye No subzone designation Castillon & Cadillac – rouge only Blaye – Blanc sec and rouge Francs – Blanc sec and blanc liquoreux
What are the communes of Pomerol.
Libourne, Pomerol
In what year was Mouton Rothschild upgraded to a 1st growth.
1973
What are the classified growths of the Haut Medoc?
La Lagune (3rd) La Tour Carnet (4th) Cantermerle (5th) Camensac (5th) Belgrave (5th)
Which famous aperitif is produced in Podensac?
Lillet
What is the difference in potential alcohol between Barsac, Sauternes, and Cerons?
Barsac and Sauternes are both 15%, Cerons is 14.5% (all three require 12% acquired)
What two natural features separates Barsac, Sauternes, and Cerons from the rest of Graves?
The Ciron River Valley and Les Landes (forest!)
Second Wine: Lagrange
Les Fiefs de Lagrange
Classify me: Château Suau
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Preignac)
What estates border Chateau Latour on the north and south?
North – Haut Bages Liberal; South – Leoville-las-Cases
Classify me: Château Brane-Cantenac
1855, 2eme Margaux
Classify me: Château Ausone
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe A
Each of the satellites of St-Emilion have their own commune except one. Name it.
St. Georges is within the Montagne commune.
Starting with what vintage has “Y” – Chateau d’Yquem’s dry wine – been produced every year?
2004, under the direction of LVMH
Classify me: Château Latour-Martillac
1959 Graves, red and white
What are the three main white grapes of Bordeaux AOP? What other grapes are allowed and in what amounts?
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon & Muscadelle; Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, and Colombard can make up no more than 30% of the blend collectively
What are the difference in yield between St Emilion and St Emilion Grand Cru?
53hl/ha vs 46hl/ha (and 11 vs 11.5% // release 15th of April vs 15th of May of the year following the harvest)
Classify me: Château La Tour Carnet
1855, 4eme Haut Medoc
Classify me: Château Branaire-Ducru
1855, 4eme St. Julien
What appellation lies directly across the Gironde Estuary from Marguax?
Cotes de Bourg
What first growth removed itself from en primeur sales in 2012?
Chateau Latour
Classify me: Château Giscours
1855, 3eme Margaux
What commune lies directly across the Ciron from Barsac?
Preignac
What is the subzone of Entre-deux-Mers?
Haut-Benauge
Classify me: Château Rauzan-Gassies
1855, 2eme Margaux
What other Chateau has vineyards contiguous with Latour’s l’Enclos?
Leoville-las-Cases
What are Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle said to contribute to a white Bordeaux blend?
SG – plush, pink-skinned, floral, perfumed Muscadelle – fresh and perfumed vibrancy
When did it become common for consumers to be involved in en primeur tastings?
In the 1970s. As estate bottling became ubiquitous, consumers invested in futures rather than merchants who bought barrels from negociants.
Classify me: Château Saint-Pierre
1855, 4eme St. Julien
Which of the classified chateaux of Pessac-Leognan are located inside the city of Bordeaux (which includes the surrounding communes of Merignac, Talence, Pessac) ?
Château Pape-Clement - Pessac Château Haut-Brion - Pessac Chateau La Mission Haut Brion - Talence Chateau Laville-Haut Brion, now part of Haut Brion / La Mission - Talence Chateau La Tour Haut Brion - Talence
What is crasse de fer?
The iron and clay rich soil of Pomerol
Which bank of the Garonne is Loupiac on?
Northeast
Second Wine: Montrose
La Dame de Montrose
Classify me: Château Smith-Haut Lafitte
1959 Graves, red only
Classify me: Château de Rayne-Vigneau
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Bommes)
Classify me: Château Malescot Saint-Exupery
1855, 3eme Margaux
In what AOP would you find Le Pin?
Pomerol
What steps were taken in the 2012 classification of St Emilion to avoid the accusations of partiality that plagued the 2006 classification?
The Syndicat Viticole of St Emilion passed all authority to the INAO who appointed a board of judges from outside of Bordeaux
Describe the ways in which the classification of St Emilion was structured differently than the 1855 classification of the Medoc.
Three main ways: 1) Inclusion would depend on submitted requests, not a ranking of local merchants 2) Ranking would be based on tasting and analysis of the estate rather than market value of the wines 3) It would be reassessed periodically rather than set in stone
Can you make sweet wine in Cotes-de-Bordeaux Cadilliac?
No
How many estates were originally classified in Graves in 1953? How many are there today?
10 were originally classified in 1953, with 6 more being added in 1959. Two are no longer in operation (Laville Haut Brion and La Tour Haut Brion), bringing the number to 14.
Where is Ch. Sociando-Mallet?
Located just north of St. Estephe in the Haut Medoc.
Classify me: Château Filhot
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Sauternes)
What is the difference between “petite vidure” and “grosse vidure”?
petite vidure = CF, grosse vidure = CS
Classify me: Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Bommes)
What are the 6 AOPs for Graves?
Graves AOP, Graves Superieures AOP, Pessac-Leognan AOP, Barsac AOP, Cerons AOP, Sauternes AOP
What is the parentage of Carmenere?
Cabernet Franc x Gros Cabernet
What producer in Margaux is known for using a significant amount of Petite Verdot?
Palmer (5-8%)
When did Malbec plantings significantly decrease in Bordeaux?
After the frost of 1956, few Malbec vines were replanted. It fufills the same purpose as Merlot and is less demanding.
Second Wine: Rauzan-Segla
Segla
Classify me: Château Lafite-Rothschild
1855, 1eme Paulliac
What are the assemblage requirements for Fronsac?
Merlot, Cab, Cab Franc, and Malbec must make up at least 50% of the blend.
Second Wine: Château Haut Brion (white)
La Clarte de Haut-Brion (as of 2009)
In what kind of years can you expect there to be less tries in Sauternes?
In particularly ripe/botrytis infected years, when a certain level of healthy grapes are desired to impart freshness to the wine, less tries are generally performed.
Second Wine: Leoville Las Cases
Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases
What was the first vintage of Ygrec?
The first year for d’Yquem’s dry white wine was 1959.
Name three influences that Emile Peynaud had in Bordeaux.
Stainless steel fermentations, new oak elevage, hygiene and temperature control, inducing MLF, promotion of second wines.
What styles of wine can be made in Cotes de Bourg? What appellation surrounds it?
dry red and white wine; Cotes de Blaye/Blaye
When in relation to the Medoc is the harvest in Graves?
Usually earlier, sometimes by up to two weeks.
For these wines give their usual blend (the one usually annouced by the estate) Le Pin Valandraud La Mondotte Ausone Angelus Pavie Cheval blanc Petrus Lafleur Trotanoy VCC
Le Pin = 100% merlot Valandraud = 65% Merlot 25% CF 5% CS 4% Malbec (different sources and % for this one) La Mondotte = 75% M 25% CF Ausone = 55% CF 45% M Angelus = 50% M 45%CF 5%CS Pavie = 60% M 30% CF 10% CS Cheval blanc = 60% CF 40% M Petrus = 95% M 5 %CF Lafleur = 50% M 50% CF Trotanoy = 90% M 10% CF VCC = 60%M 30% CF 10% CSw
What tributary of the Garonne separates Barsac and Sauternes?
The Ciron
In what AOP would you find Chateau Trotanoy?
Pomerol
Classify me: ChâteauBouscat
1959 Graves, red and white
Classify me: Château Trottevieille
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B
What river separates Cerons and Barsac?
Saint-Cricq
What commune has the most Premier Cru Classe estates in Sauternes? How many? What are they?
What commune has the most Premier Cru Classe estates in Sauternes? How many? What are they?
What are winemaker’s options for halting sweet wine fermentations in Sauternes/Barsac in order to leave the desired amount of residual sugar/alcohol?
Refrigeration and/or sulphur dioxide.
Classify me: Château Broustet
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Barsac)
Name five vintages in which Chateau d’Yquem was not produced.
1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992, 2012
Second Wine: Leoville Poyferré
Pavillon de Leoville Poyferré
In what commune are the wines of St. Julien concentrated? What are the other three communes that cover St. Julien?
Saint-Julien-Beychevelle; Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Pauillac, Saint-Laurent-Médoc
What is the difference in terroir between Pessac-Leognan and Graves du Sud?
Graves du Sud is warmer, with less consistency of soil – gravel with clay and limestone
What is the minimum alcohol for wines of the Medoc? Does this differ from the communal appellations (St. Estephe, Paulliac, etc.)?
11%, and nope – it’s 11% down the board throughout the Medoc.
Which is the smallest of St Emilion Satellites?
St Georges, which is included inside Montagne St Emilion
Why are stuck fermentations common in making Sauternes?
Sugar acts as a preservative and bacteria and yeast do not survive well. Botrytis is also thought to inhibit the activity of yeasts.
Name four sweet wine AOP’s of Graves.
Barsac, Cérons, Sauternes, and Graves Supérieures
Where is Loupiac AOP and what style of wine is made there?
On the eastern shore of the Garonne; sweet white wine
Name three methods of water removal used in Bordeaux.
- Boiling – low pressure evaporation (vacuum – low temps) - Freezing – cryo-extraction - Molecular methods – reverse osmosis
What are the Premier Cru Classe estates of Preignac?
Just one – Suduiraut
Classify me: Château Lascombes
1855, 2eme Margaux
In which commune of the Médoc are the villages of Pez and Marbuzet?
St-Estèphe
What are the most successful vintages of the 60’s for the Left Bank?
1961 and 1966
Classify me: Château Lamothe
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Sauternes)
Which classified growth has been absorbed by Chateau Belair-Monange?
Chateau Magdelaine
Classify me: Château Talbot
1855, 4eme St. Julien
Classify me: Château Beausejour (Duffau-Lagarrosse)
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B
Name the five villages that Margaux is spread over.
Arsac, Cantenac, Margaux, Soussans, Labarde
What two properties were promoted from Grand Cru Classe to Premier Grand Cru Classe B in the 2006 classification of St Emilion (and allowed to keep their promotions even though the demotions of that classification were negated)?
Troplong-Mondot and Pavie-Macquin
Define coulere and millerandage. What climactic conditions create them and what region might you find these commonly in?
Coulere – “no fertilization, no grape” –> fewer berries per bunch Millerandage – “poor fertilization, smaller grapes” –> no seeds Frost causes these problems, and is common in Bordeaux
Second Wine: Château Lafite-Rothschild
Carruades de Lafite
Name the second growths of St-Estephe.
Cos d’Estournel and Montrose.
How many Premier Cru Classe A estates are there in St Emilion? B? Grand Cru Classe?
4; 14; 64
Classify me: Château Pontet-Canet
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Second Wine: Château Mouton-Rothschild
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
Describe three advantages of second wines in Bordeaux.
- Increase quality of first wine 2. Second wines generate more revenue than if those grapes were sold off in bulk. 3. Prevents any bottling by a negociant being touted as grapes from a certain chateau 4. Offers a lower priced alternative for brand loyalty
How would you describe the difference in style between Barsac and Sauternes, and what would you attribute this to?
Barsac tends to be a bit higher acid than the other 4 communes of Sauternes, which is generally attributed to there being more limestone in the soil there.
What is a jalle?
Jalles are the small streams that run at 90’ angles into the Gironde in the Medoc. They separate the communes and provide for natural drainage.
What is the largest of the six communal appellations in the Medoc?
Margaux
Classify me: Château Boyd-Cantenac
1855, 3eme Margaux
What AOP is Y’Quem’s dry white wine (“Y” or “Y’grec”) released as?
Bordeaux AOP (Barsac and Sauternes are not eligible to release wines as Graves AOP. I have seen bottles labeled “Bordeaux Superieur” which implies it was at one point semi-sweet, but I can’t find evidence to substantiate this.)
What is the minimum RS for Sauternes? What is the typical amount of RS found in Sauternes?
45 g/L; 130-140 g/L
Classify me: Château Latour
1855, 1eme Paulliac
How many communes are there of Pessac-Leognan? Name five.
Ten; Pessac, Leognan, Cadaujac, Canéjan, Gradignan, Martillac, Mérignac, Saint-Médard-d’Eyrans, Talence, Villenave-d’Ornon
Second Wine: Boyd Cantenac
Jacques-Boyd
Classify me: Château Pavie-Macquin
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B (promoted in 2006)
What are the RS, must weight, min. ABV, and max. yield requirements for Cadillac, Loupiac, and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont?
Cadillac – 51 g/L RS, 255 g/L MMW, 15% (12% acquired) min. ABV, and 37 hl/ha max. yields Loupiac & Sainte-Croix-du-Mont (have the same requirements) – 45 g/L RS, 229 g/L MMW (238 g/L for Semillon), 14.5% (12% acquired) min. ABV, and 40 hl/ha max. yields
Classify me: Château Desmirail
1855, 3eme Margaux
Which appellations have the highest min residual sugar requirements in Bordeaux? How much it is?
51 g/l; Cotes de Bordeaux Francs, Cadillac, St Foy Bordeaux liquoreux
Classify me: Château Mouton-Rothschild
1855, 1eme Paulliac (promoted in 1973)
Name five communes of the Haut-Medoc.
This is an easier question than we think. The Haut-Medoc AOP includes all of the communes of St. Estephe, Paulliac, St. Julien, and Margaux. (So if you can name the five communes of Margaux, that counts!) The full list is: Arcins, Arsac, Avensan, Blanquefort, Cantenac, Castelnau-de-Médoc, Cissac-Médoc, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Labarde, Lamarque, Listrac-Médoc, Ludon-Médoc, Macau, Margaux, Moulis-en-Médoc, Parempuyre, Pauillac, Le Pian-Médoc, Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Saint-Laurent-Médoc, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, Sainte-Hélène, Soussans, Le Taillan-Médoc, Vertheuil
Classify me: Château Lamothe-Guignard
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Sauternes)
When was Cru Bourgeois reconceptualized as an annual award of quality rather than a classification?
The 2003 update was annulled in 2007 and restructured. Now based on a tasting panel – can be awarded to any estate of the Medoc.
Classify me: Château Lynch Moussas
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Classify me: Château Lynch Bages
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Classify me: Château Doisy-Dubroca
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Barsac)
What are the two soil types that St Emilion’s soil is broadly classified into?
Cotes – steep hillsides, limestone Graves – gravely limestone plateau (resembles the Medoc)
Which property had the highest release price of any estate with the 2000 release?
Château Pétrus ($1800)
In what recent vintage did we see the amount of Cabernet Franc used in Cheval Blanc as low as 40%?
2009
Classify me: Château Malartic-Lagraviere
1959 Graves, red and white
Classify me: Château Figeac
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B
Second Wine: Palmer
Alter Ego
Classify me: Château d’Armailhac
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Name the 2nd growths of Paulliac?
Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron & Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
What style of wine is made in Canon-Fronsac?
Dry red wine (same AOP requirements at Fronsac)
What is Malbec known as on the right bank?
Pressac
NW to SE, name the three sweet white wine appellations of Graves.
Cérons, Barsac, Sauternes
Classify me: Château Pavie
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe A (promoted in 2012)
What three vintages of the 21st century routinely saw Merlot being harvest at 15+% potential alcohol in Bordeaux?
2003, 2009, and 2010
What is the current market price (US market / wine-searcher) for: Ausone 2005 Petrus 2005 Haut Brion 2005 Lafite 2005 Latour 2005 Le Pin 2005
Ausone 2005 = $1800 Petrus 2005 = $3900 Haut Brion 2005 = $800 Lafite 2005 = $1100 Latour 2005 = $900 Le Pin 2005 = $3700
Classify me: Château du Tertre
1855, 5eme Margaux
Rank the communes of Margaux from south to north - which one does not have any classified growth?
Arsac, Labarde, Cantenac, Margaux, Soussans; Soussans
What six Chateaux were added to the 1953 Graves classification in 1959.
Couhins, Couhins-Lurton, Latour-Martillac, Malartic Lagravière, Fieuzal, and Pape Clement
Classify me: Château Caillou
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Barsac)
If a customer was heart set on enjoying a bottle of Bordeaux from the following vintages, which region would you recommend for a serviceable wine: 1983, 1993, 2003.
Margaux for 1983, Pomerol for 1993, and Pauillac for 2003.
Classify me: Château de Malle
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Preignac)
In what AOP would you find Chateau La Mondotte?
St. Emilion
Please list the following properties in descending order for their release price from the 2010 vintage (highest to lowest): Château Lynch-Bages, Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château D’Armailhac, and Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste.
Château Mouton-Rothschild > Château Lynch-Bages > Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste > Château D’Armailhac
Which AOP of the Medoc has the highest min potential %?
they are all the same at 11%
Which classified growths are located in the communes of Barsac? Which one are NOT using the Barsac appellation, but the Sauternes?
1st = Coutet, Climens 2nd = Broustet, Caillou, Doisy Daene, Doisy Vedrines, Doisy Dubroca, Nairac, Myrat, Suau Sauternes aop = Caillou, Doisy Vedrines, Myrat, Suau Barsac aop = Climens, Broustet, Doisy Daene, Doisy Dubroca, Nairac, Sauternes- Barsac = Coutet
Classify me: Château Doisy-Daene
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Barsac)
Classify me: Château Cos d’Estournel
1855, 2eme St. Estephe
Classify me: Château Haut-Bailly
1959 Graves, red only
Classify me: Château Valandraud
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B (promoted in 2012)
Name four Deuxiemes Cru Classe estates of Barsac?
Chateau de Myrat, Doisy Daene, Doisy Dubroca, Dosiy Vedrines, Broustet, Nairac, Caillou, Suau
What is the Bordeaux mixture and what is it used to combat?
Lime, copper sulfate, and water. Used to combat fungal problems – downey mildew, powdery mildew, etc.
What four estates of St. Julien line the Gironde estuary?
Leoville-las-Cases Leoville-Barton Leoville-Poyferre Ducru Beaucaillou
Name the properties in Graves that are classified as Cru Classé for both red wine and white wine.
Ch. Bouscaut, Ch. Carbonneiux, Domaine de Chevalier, Ch. d’Olivier, Ch. Malartic Lagraviere, and Ch. La Tour-Martillac
Which two Graves classified growths had their last vintages in 2005 and 2008, respectively? What are both properties used for now?
Chateau La Tour Haut-Brion and Chateau Laville-Haut-Brion. Both properties now supply fruit for second red wine and new white wine under the La Mission Haut-Brion label.
Name three Chateaux of Pesssac-Leognan that are not part of the 1959 classification.
Brown, Les Carmes Haut Brion, Larrivet-Haut-Brion
Where would you find traditional “taille a cots” pruning?
Sauternes
How does the climate differ between Medoc and the right bank?
The climate becomes less maritime and more continental on the right bank.
Into what two sectors is the plateau of St. Emilion split?
St. Martin plateau (western side), St. Christophe plateau (eastern side)
What year of the 90s saw terrible Spring frosts that killed 80% of the crop in Bordeaux?
1991
Describe three mechanisms for sorting machines.
- Can exclude damaged fruit by shooting it against a flat surface – the intact berries bounce off and the damaged ones stick - Can sort by density – grapes are floated through sugar must, the ripe, sugar-rich berries sink, the unripe berries float - Optical density – computer
What two rivers define the western side of St. Emilion?
The Isle and the Dronne
Classify me: Château Pouget
1855, 4eme Margaux
What is Les Landes? What affect does it have on the climate of Graves?
Les Landes is the name of the pine forests that lie between Graves proper and the sweet wine appellations of Cerons, Barsac, and Sauternes. Have a moderating, warming climate on Graves.
Classify me: Château Larcis-Ducasse
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B (promoted in 2012)
Classify me: Château Marquis d’Alesme Becker
1855, 3eme Margaux
How many Chateaux of Graves are classified for both red and white wine. Name them.
Six: Bouscaut, Carbonnieux, Dom. de Chevalier, Chateau d’Olivier, Malartic Lagraviere, La Tour Martillac
When was Pessac-Leognan demarcated?
1987
What is an abonnement?
A “subscription” – negociants would buy in abonnements from Bordeaux Chateaux in order to secure prices for a stretch of time. Ultimately favored negociants as time went by and prices rose.
Classify me: Château Leoville Barton
1855, 2eme St. Julien
Classify me: Château Troplong-Mondot
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B (promoted in 2006)
Name 5 Grand Cru Classe B properties of St-Emilion. What are the 4 As?
As: Pavie, Ausone, Angelus, Cheval Blanc Bs: Beau-Séjour-Bécot, Beauséjour, Belair-Monange, Canon, Fourtet, Figeac, La Gaffeliere, Magdelaine, Trottevieille
How many grapes are allowed in Bordeaux AOP white wines? Which three can make up no more than 30% of the blend?
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, Merlot Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Colombard (the latter three may make up no more than 30%).
When was the classification of Graves first drawn up? When was this classification ratified, and when was it revised? How many estates were added to the initial classification? What are they?
Graves was first classified in 1953, though this classification wasn’t ratified until 1958. In 1959, this classification was revised, and 6 new estates were added: Couhins, Couhins-Lurton, Latour-Martillac, Malartic-Lagraviere, Fieuzal and Pape Clement
What is Cru Artisan? Cru Bourgeois?
Cru Artisan - Classification of 2002, 44 small, recognized producers. Cru Bourgeois – guarantor of quality, Chateaux must reapply.
What style of wine can be made under the Graves AOP?
Red & White.
Classify me: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
1855, 2eme St. Julien
Classify me: Château Guiraud
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Sauternes)
Where in Graves are all the cru classes properties located?
Pessac-Leognan
Who is Denis Doubordieu?
Mostly famous for making dry white wines, he is a consulting winemaker for dry wines at a number of famous sauternes estates including Doisy-Daene in Barsac and Chateau d’Yquem.
What is the AOP for Chateau Petrus?
Pomerol
What lauded vintage of the 21st century saw hail in July and August that wiped out a large portion of the crop, especially in St. Emilion and Entre-deux-Mers?
2009
What is a regisseur?
General manager-come-winemaker when absent nobility owned chateaux in Bordeaux.
Second Wine: Calon-Segur
Marquis de Calon
Second Wine: Pichon-Longueville
Les Tourelles de Longueville
What is the min. alcohol, must weight, and max. yield of Barsac and Sauternes? What are the differences is Cerons’ AOP reqs?
Min. potential alcohol 15% (12% acquired) Min. must weight 221 g/L Max. yield 25 hl/ha Cerons – min. potential alcohol 14.5% (12% acquired still) and yields are 40 hl/ha
Describe the difference in soil between the Haut Medoc and the Bas Medoc.
Bas Medoc – Marshy land north of St. Estephe. Haut-Medoc – west of the communes, well-drained gravelly soil
What is Mouton Cadet?
For years it was a second wine of Ch. Mouton-Rothschild, and Ch. Mouton-Baron-Phillipe (d’Armhailac), and now it is a global brand made by negoce firm Baron Phillipe de Rothschild SA.
Charles Chevalier is the managing director for which three classed Bordeaux Chateaux?
Lafite-Rothschild, Duhart-Milon, and Rieussec
What two properties were promoted from Grand Cru Classe to Premier Grand Cru Classe B in the 2012 classification of St Emilion?
Canon-la-Gaffeliere and Larcis-Ducasse
The Chanel de Gaer divides what in half?
Paulliac
Name three estates who were awarded Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 2003?
There were nine: Chasse-Spleen (Moulis) Haut-Marbuzet (St. Estephe) Labegorce-Zede (Margaux) Ormes de Pez (St. Estephe) de Pez (St. Estephe) Phelan-Segur (St. Estephe) Potensac (Medoc) Poujeaux (Moulis) Siran
Classify me: Château Nairac
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Barsac)
Classify me: Château Canon-la-Gaffeliere
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B (promoted in 2012)
Classify me: Château Angelus
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe A (promoted in 2012)
What is the difference in AOP requirements between Graves and Pessac-Leognan?
Rouge can have a higher max. RS sugar in Pessac-Leognan (4g/L vs. 3g/L) Blanc has a higher min. alcohol in Pessac-Leognan (11% vs. 10.5%) Lower max. yields and higher min. planting density in Pessac-Leognan
What style of wine is made in Fronsac and where is it?
Dry red wine (Cab, Cab Franc, Merlot and Malbec must account for at least 50%); due west of Pomerol.
What is Roc de Cambes? Who owns it and what is the cepage?
Roc de Cambes is an estate in the Cotes de Bourg. It was purchased by Ch. Tetre-Rotebouef in 1988. It is 65% Merlot usually, with the remainder being Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. 15-18 months in 50% new French oak.
Name three estates in Bordeaux that typically use more than 50% Cabernet Franc.
Le Dôme (80%), Ausone (55%), Cheval Blanc (40-55%) – all St. Emilion
What two classified estates of Graves are no longer in production under their name? What do wines from these Chateaux go towards?
Both Laville Haut Brion and La Tour Haut Brion no longer produce wine under those names. Laville had its final vintage in 2008; La Tour, 2005. The wines once made at Laville Haut Brion (in Talence, classified as white only) are now rebranded as the white wine of La Mission Haut Brion. La Tour Haut Brion (in Talence, classified for red only) is now used for the second wine of La Mission Haut Brion – La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion.
What two classified estates of St Emilion lie on the gravel mounds on the western side of the appellation?
Cheval Blanc & Figeac
Classify me: Château Leoville Las Cases
1855, 2eme St. Julien
Classify me: Château Cantemerle
1855, 5eme Haut Medoc
What two properties, which had never been classified before, emerged on the 2012 St Emilion Classification as Premier Grand Cru Classe B?
La Mondotte and Valandraud
Classify me: Château Beychevelle
1855, 4eme St. Julien
Classify me: Château Doisy-Vedrines
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Barsac)
What first growth has a plot of vines in St-Estephe?
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, called “La Caillava”
Classify me: Château Olivier
1959 Graves, red and white
Second Wine: Lynch Bages
Echo de Lynch Bages (as of 2008)
What is the first vintage for La Mondotte Le Pin Valandraud
La Mondotte - 1996 Le Pin - 1979 Valandraud - 1991
Classify me: Château Pichon-Longueville
1855, 2eme Paulliac
Classify me: Château Couhins-Lurton
1959 Graves, white only
Second Wine: Grand-Puy-Lacoste
Lacoste-Borie
When does the practice of en primeur tastings date back to?
1840s – negociants who didn’t buy in abonnements or sur souche would taste in the Spring.
Name the fifth growths of Margaux.
du Tertre and Dauzac
Classify me: Château Ferriere
1855, 3eme Margaux
Classify me: Château Beau-Sejour Becot
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B
Classify me: Château Marquis de Terme
1855, 4eme Margaux
What style of wine is Cotes de Bordeaux (if no subzone designate)?
Rouge only
Which classification could you find in the Medoc?
- Classification of 1855 - Cru Bourgeois - Cru Artisan
Which is the southernmost communes of production for Margaux?
Arsac.
Classify me: Château de Fieuzal
1959 Graves, red only
What was the first estate-bottled vintage of Mouton-Rothschild and who designed the label?
1924; Jean Carlu
In what AOP would you find Chateau Valandraud?
St. Emilion
What is routinely the most expensive second wine in Bordeaux?
Carruades de Lafite
Where is Chateau Chasse-Spleen?
Moulis-en-Medoc
Second Wine: Leoville Barton
La Reserve de Leoville Barton
What was the first vintage of Le Petit Lion de Leoville-las-Cases? Before that, what was the second wine of Leoville-las-Cases?
The first vintage of Le Petit Lion was 2007. Before that, Leoville-las-Cases did not have a second wine. Many incorrectly think of Clos du Marquis (first vintage 1902) as Leoville’s second wine, but Clos du Marquis always came from a separate plot of land further inland from the vines destined for the grand vin, so technically cannot be considered a second wine.
What style of wine is made in the Graves Superieure AOP?
Only sweet wine.
Name two synonyms for Cabernet Franc.
Bouchet (Bordeaux), Breton (Loire)
What is Cabernet Franc known as in Pomerol?
Bouchet
Classify me: Château d’Issan
1855, 3eme Margaux
Name three vintages in the 20th century in which d’Yquem was not produced.
1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992, 2012
Classify me: Château Rabaud-Promis
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Bommes)
What three tiers were created in the 2003 version of Cru Bourgeois?
Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Cru Bourgeois Superieur, and Cru Bourgeois
Classify me: Château Prieure-Lichine
1855, 4eme Margaux
Classify me: Château Canon
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B
Usually Yquem declassifies and sells to the negoce part of its production - in certain exceptional vintages, they bottle 100% of it - give 2 of these vintages
1967, 1976, 1989, 1990
Which AOP in Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
St.Émilion
Classify me: Château la Mondotte
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B (promoted in 2012)
Describe how the Gironde Estuary affects the climate of Bordeaux.
The Gironde Estuary takes the moderating influences of the Atlantic and the Gulf Stream and brings them inland
Name five third growths of Margaux.
There are 10: Kirwan, d’Issan, Giscours, Malescot Saint-Exupery, Boyd-Cantenac, Cantenac Brown, Palmer, Desmirail, Ferriere, Marquis d’Alesme Becker
Classify me: Château d’Arche
1855 Sauternes, 2eme Cru (Sauternes)
Which commune has the most classified growths?
Margaux with 21
Classify me: Château Belair-Monagne
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe B
Classify me: Château Pedesclaux
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Second Wine: Château Haut Brion (red)
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (as of 2007)
Before 1998, what was the second wine of Chateau Palmer?
Reserve de General
Second Wine: Langoa-Barton
Lady Langoa
What is the cepage of Petrus?
Usually 100% Merlot, with a bit of Cab Franc sometimes.
Classify me: Château Margaux
1855, 1eme Margaux
Classify me: Château Laville-Haut-Brion
1959 Graves, white only (final vintage 2008)
What styles of wine are made in Graves Superieurs AOP?
White wine only (SB, SG, Sem, & Muscadelle) with at least 34 g/L RS. Min. must weight 221 g/L, min. potential alcohol 13.5% (12% acquired).
Classify me: Château Carbonnieux
1959 Graves, red and white
What is the appellation of Chateau Lafleur?
Pomerol
Name from north to south the six communal appellations of the Medoc.
St. Estephe, Paulliac, St Julien, Listrac, Moulis, Margaux,
Classify me: Château Montrose
1855, 2eme St. Estephe
What two rivers provide the northern and southern borders of Pomerol?
N – Barbanne S – Taillas
Are there different must weight requirements for the major left bank communes vs. St Emilion & Pomerol?
Yes, but just for Merlot. Both are 180 g/L for all the grapes except Merlot. On the left bank, Merlot is required to be harvested at 189 g/L and for St Emilion and Pomerol, at 194 g/L.
What are the best vintages for white Pessac Leognan in the 1990’s.
1990, 1993, 1994
What is France’s largest appellation?
Bordeaux
What conditions usually constitute a poor vintage in Sauternes/Barsac?
Most truly horrible vintages are caused by rains at harvest. Because the botrytized grapes are somewhat vulnerable, rains cause them to become severely diluted.
In what AOP would you find Vieux-Chateau-Certan?
Pomerol
What is the commune for Château Pape-Clément?
Pessac
What style of wine is made in Cotes de Bordeaux-Castillon?
Dry red wine only.
Name three estates that are fully converted to bio-dynamics in Bordeaux.
Climens (Barsac), Durfort-Vivens (Margaux), Pontet-Canet (Paulliac), Gombarde-Guillot (Pomerol), Mazeyres (Pomerol), Fonroque (Pomerol), Clos Puy Arnaud (Castillon)
There was one judge at the Judgment of Paris tasting that represented a property from Bordeaux. His wine was not in the tasting. Who was this and what property did he represent?
The owner of Château Giscours, Pierre Tari, was there. At the time of the tasting he also served as the President of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux.
What are the classified growths of Cantenac?
Brane-Cantenac (2eme) Kirwan (3eme) d’Issan (3eme) Boyd-Cantenac (3eme) Cantenac-Brown (3eme) Palmer (3eme) Pouget (4eme) Prieure-Lichine (4eme)
What is the min ABV and yields for Graves?
Blanc: 10.5/58 hl/ha Rouge: 11/55 hl/ha
Classify me: Château Haut-Bages Liberal
1855, 5eme Pauillac
What style of wine is allowed for Bordeaux Superieure AOP and what is the minimum alcohol level?
Only red (min. 11%) and sweet whites (min. 17 g/L RS, 12% min. alcohol)
What is the local name of the springs delimitating the communes and flowing to the Dordogne?
Jalle
Second Wine: Château Margaux
Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux
Name the three properties in Graves that are only classified as Cru Classé for dry white wine.
Châteaux Couhins, Couhins-Lurton, and Laville-Haut-Brion
Name five fifth growths of Paulliac.
There are 12: Pontet-Canet, Batailly, Haut-Batailley, Grand Puy Lacoste, Grand Puy Ducasse, Lynch Bages, Lynch Moussas, d’Armhailac, Haut-Bages-Liberal, Pedesclaux, Clerc Milon, Croizet-Bages
What is the name of Leoville Poyferré’s second label in 2002 and 2003 that is now an independent label that they own?
Chateau Moulin Riche
What other properties does Mouton-Rothschild own?
d’Armhailac and Clerc-Milon
Which grape is the most planted in Sauternes?
Semillon, 75%
Name the fourth growths of St-Julien.
Saint-Pierre, Branaire Ducru, Talbot, Beychevelle
Classify me: Château Croizet Bages
1855, 5eme Pauillac
Name three fungal diseases that Cabernet Sauvignon is susceptible to.
Eutypa Dieback, Esca, Powdery Mildew
What first growths bookend the appellation of Paulliac?
Lafite in the north and Latour in the south
Why is it less common to see wines released under the Cerons AOP than Sauternes and Barsac?
Cerons has less desirable climate for sweet wine – it doesn’t get the level of botrytis that Barsac and Sauternes do because it doesn’t interact with the Ciron tributary of the Garonne. Additionally (and importantly!!) Cerons can release wines under the Graves AOP, while Sauternes and Barsac can’t. And with the difficulty of selling sweet wine (and the relatively strong name recognition of the Graves AOP), it makes much more sense for producers in Cerons to make dry wines and release them as Graves AOP.
Classify me: Château La Tour Blanche
1855 Sauternes, 1eme Cru (Bommes)
Classify me: Château d’Yquem
1855 Sauternes, Premier Cru Superieur (Sauternes)
What was the first vintage of Ygrec?
The first year for d’Yquem’s dry white wine was 1959
Classify me: Château Dauzac
1855, 5eme Margaux
Name the fourth growths of Margaux.
Prieure-Lichine, Pouget, and Marquis de Term
Name the third growths of St-Julien.
Langoa-Barton and Lagrange
Classify me: Château Camensac
1855, 5eme Haut Medoc
Classify me: Château Lagrange
1855, 3eme St. Julien
Why is Petite Verdot used in Bordeaux?
Contributes substance, structure, and color to a blend
When was Pessac-Leognan created as an appellation?
1987
What was the best vintage of the 70s in Bordeaux?
Out of a string of rather limp vintages in the 70s, 1978 was the best.
Second Wine: Gruaud Larose
Both Sarget de Gruaud-Larose and Larose de Gruaud
What is Aile d’Argent?
White wine of Mouton-Rothschild
What appellation surrounds Cadillac, Loupiac, and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont? What style of wine is made there?
Premiers Cotes de Bordeaux; Sweet white wine (min. 34 g/L RS)
Most of the major communes of the Médoc received their AOC status in the 1930’s. Which prominent Commune received its status well after this?
Margaux became an AOP in 1954.
What are the 4 satellite appellations of St-Emilion?
St-Georges, Montagne, Puisseguin, Lussac
What three appellations for sweet wine lie opposite Barsac and Sauternes on the other side of the Garonne?
Cadillac, Loupiac, and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
What three Chateaux were split off from what was once one large estate known as Beychevelle?
Beychevelle, Brainare-Ducru, and Ducru-Beaucaillou
Second Wine: Château Latour
Les Forts de Latour
What is “calcaire a asteries”?
Hard limestone of the right bank, named for the billions of of fossilized starfish within it.
Classify me: Château Cantenac Brown
1855, 3eme Margaux
To what process do the terms pourri plein and pourri roti apply?
Grapes becoming botrytized. “Full rotten” vs. “Roasted rotten”
Where is Château Pape-Clément?
Pessac-Léognan
In its early years, what classified growth of Graves was known as Chateau Pontac?
Chateau Haut-Brion
Name an example of the following: - 100% Semillon Sauternes - Semillon dominated dry white - 100% SB Bordeaux Blanc - 100% SB Sauternes
- Ch. Climens - La Mission Haut Brion & Ch. Haut Brion - Pavillon Blanc (Margaux) - L’Extravagant (Doisy Daene)
Classify me: Château Cheval-Blanc
1955 St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe A
Can Entre-deux-Mers AOP be varietal wines?
NO. Must be a combination of at least two principal grapes (SB, SG, Sem, Musc). Accessory varieties (Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Mauzac & Merlot Blanc) may not account for more than 30% of the blend.
Classify me: Château Leoville Poyferre
1855, 2eme St. Julien
Classify me: Château Durfort-Vivens
1855, 2eme Margaux
What are the vineyard plantings at Chateau Haut-Brion? La Mission Haut Brion? Pape Clement? Smith-Haut-Lafitte?
Haut Brion: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc La Mission Haut Brion: 46% Cab, 46% Merlot, 8% Cab Franc Pape Clement: 60% Cab, 40% Merlot Smith-Haut-Lafitte: 55% Cab, 35% Merlot, 9% Cab Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
What is the name of the specific type of gravel found in Graves?
Gunzian gravel (from the Gunzian era).
What right bank Chateaux are the following figures associated with? Christian Moueix Jacques Thienpont Alain Vauthier Pierre Lurton
Christian Moueix – Petrus (and Trotanoy) Jacques Thienpont – Le Pin Alain Vauthier – Ausone Pierre Lurton – Cheval Blanc
For Sauternes, what is the minimum must weight? Minimum RS in finished wine?
must weight: 221 g/L finished wine: 45 g/L
All of the wines from Bordeaux were the same vintage in the Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976 except for one. What was the primary vintage, and what was the wine from a different vintage and what was that vintage while you’re at it?
- The exception was Château Léoville Las Cases 1971
Describe how the Gironde Estuary affects the climate of Bordeaux.
The Gironde Estuary takes the moderating influences of the Atlantic and the Gulf Stream and brings them inland
Name three Chateaux of Moulis?
Ch. Chasse-Spleen, Ch. Maucaillou, Ch. Poujeaux
The Grand Enclos, or l’Enclos is the source of what famous classified growth’s grand vin?
Latour
What Paulliac estate owns a 4.5 ha plot in St Estephe called “La Caillava” that contributes to its grand vin?
Lafite-Rothschild
Why is Cabernet Franc more susceptible to coulure than Cabernet Sauvignon?
Because it buds and ripens earlier
Can you make rosé in any of the Graves appellations?
No, the only two appellations in all of Bordeaux for rosé are Cremant and general AOC Bordeaux
What was the scoring criteria for Grand Cru Classe/Premier Grand Cru Classe for the St Emilion classification of 2012?
50% tasting of 10 vintages/30% tasting of 15 vintages 20%/30% analysis of topography and soil 10%/5% analysis of viticulture and winemaking 20%/35% reputation of the estate
What are the Premier Cru Classe estates of Barsac?
Chateau Coutet and Chateau Climens
What is the largest AOC in France?
Bordeaux AOP
What percentage of wine made in Bordeaux is red?
90% (10% white)
What is the average retail price of Bordeaux AOP or Bordeaux Superieur AOP?
$20
What is the average price retail of the first growth wines and others in their orbit of quality and distinction?
$1500 and up
What are Bordeaux’s top wines known for?
Their ability to be elegant while still possessing concentrated, powerful flavors
Why are Bordeaux wines, both red and white almost always blends of two or more varieties?
Blending is used to achieve complex flavors. Plus growing multiple varieties that ripen at different times is a practical way of spreading the agricultural risk in Bordeaux’s sometimes difficult maritime climate.
How many appellations are in Bordeaux?
Approximately 60
How much larger is Bordeaux compared to Napa? Burgundy?
Six times larger than Napa Four times larger than Burgundy
What are the three major rivers of Bordeaux?
Gironde Estuary Dordogne (Right Bank) Garonne (Left Bank)
What ocean current is responsible for the mitigation of Bordeaux’s climate?
Gulf Stream
What risks does the maritime climate and the pine forests of Bordeaux mitigate?
Storms, severe cold snaps, and potentially devastating frosts.
What does Muscadelle contribute to Bordeaux white wines?
Light floral character
What does Semillon provide for Bordeaux white blends?
Weight, depth and waxy character and, with age, a honied character. Provides nice foil for the pungent character of Sauvignon Blanc. Main grape for Sauternes as its thin skins are great for botrytis
What does Cabernet Franc contribute to Bordeaux red blends?
Aromatic intensity and notes of violets and spices.
What does Cabernet Sauvignon provide to Bordeaux red blends?
Structure and framework
What does Merlot contribute to Bordeaux Blends?
Round and supple, contributes flesh to Cabernet’s Structure. Gives wines an expansive mid-palate
What does Petit Verdot contribute to Bordeaux blends?
Vivid color, flavor intensity, and tannin
What is paramount in regards to great Bordeaux vineyards? What are the best soils to facilitate this?
Good drainage. Gravel and stone like limestone
What soil type can pose the most problems in Bordeaux? Why?
Clay because doesn’t drain water as well stays cool in the spring delaying the vine’s bud break and slows the start of ripening
What is necessary in vineyards with higher proportions of clay to produce good wine?
More warm weather
Why is Merlot better suited to clay soils?
Because of its slightly less tannic structure to begin with, and because it tends to ripen early. Also the cool soil delays the vigor of an otherwise vigorous Merlot grape
Red Bordeaux by law must be made of one or more of six red grapes. What are they?
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec Merlot Carmenère
What is the most planted red grape of Bordeaux? Second most planted? Third most?
Merlot (Approximately 60% of total plantings) Cabernet Sauvignon (approximately 20%) Cabernet Franc (approximately 10%)
What key component in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot contribute to Bordeaux’s longevity? Why?
Tannin It is a natural preservative
What grape is the father of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère?
Cabernet Franc
Malbec is a crossing of what two grapes?
Prunelard x Magdeleine Noire des Charentes
What are the seven grapes permitted for Bordeaux blanc wines?
Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Muscadelle Ugni Blanc Colombard Merlot Blanc Sauvignon Gris
What two neighbors are considered the best Semillon-dominant dry whites of Graves?
La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc Haut-Brion Blanc
Who is the mother of Muscadelle? Is it related to Muscat?
Gouais Blanc Not related to Muscat of any kind
What do the terms château, cuverie, and chai mean in Bordeaux?
Château refers to a building attached to vineyards. Cuverie refers to the building the wine will be made in Chai refers to the cellar where it will be stored and aged
How are the classifications of Bordeaux most interestingly dissimilar to Burgundy?
Classification is attached to the estate in Bordeaux but not in Burgundy where it is to delimited land not to be expanded or collapsed from proximal land acquisition.
How many chateaux were classified in the 1855 classification?
61
What is the classification of Château d’Yquem?
Premier Cru Supérieur Classé
When were the vineyards of Sauternes and Barsac classified?
1855
When were the vineyards of Graves classified? Revised? How is it different than the 1855 classifications?
1953 (revised in 1959) Chateaux were not ranked. All were given title Grand Cru Classé
When were the chateaux of St.-Émilion classified? How is this classification unique?
1954 Subjected to revision (every 10 years)
What is the hierarchy of the St.-Émilion classification?
Premiers Grands Crus Classés at the top divided between A and B levels Grands Crus Classés below these Grand Cru below that
How many chateaux were classified in the Graves classification?
16
When was Mouton promoted to first growth?
1973
How does the selling of en primeur (futures) work in Bordeaux?
Chateaux set opening prices for the wines produced each year and during the spring of the year following harvest the wines go on sale for the opening amounts. The wines will not be delivered for another two, three years or more until they’re finished aging.
What’s the advantage for chateaux for en primeur? Consumers?
Chateaux get instant cash flow and the consumer gets the wines at a much better price (but not always) than if they would’ve waited until the wine’s release.
What famous Château stopped selling en primeur in 2012?
Château Latour
What are the four Grand Cru Classés A of St.-Emilion?
Pavie Angelus Ausone Cheval Blanc
What are the 14 Grand Cru Classés B of Saint-Emilion?
Beau-Séjour Becot Beauséjour Bélair-Monange (Belair until ‘08) Canon Canon-la-Gaffelière La Gaffelière Figeac Clos Fourtet Lacris-Ducasse La Mondotte Pavie-Macquin Troplong-Mondot Trottevieille Valandraud
What are 5 St.-Emilion Grand Cru Classés?
Bellevue Fleur-Cardinale Quinalt l’Enclos Pavie-Decesse La Tour Figeac
When was the classification for Cru Artisans defined? When it was formally approved?
Defined in 2002 Approved in 2006
What are 5 Cru Artisan producers located in the major communes of the Médoc that contain the classified growths of the Medoc?
Béhèré (Pauillac) Capdet (St.-Julien) de Bigos (Margaux) Gassies du Vieux Bourg (Margaux) La Peyre (St.-Estephe)
How often is the Crus Bourgeois list updated? By who?
Every year by the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
What are the two large appellations of the Haut-Médoc?
Médoc (Bas) Haut-Médoc
How do the soils of Listrac and Moulis differ from the rest of the Médoc? What wines does this produce?
The soils are heavier and less well draining giving wines that are less refined and more roughly textured
In what century did the Dutch engineers drain the Haut-Médoc? When were the most prestigious Châteaux vineyards established including Lafite, Latour, and Mouton?
17th century (1600s) Vineyards established during the 17th century and early 18th century (1600s and early 1700s)
What is the largest commune of the Médoc?
Margaux
Which commune of the Médoc is home to the lightest and most gravelly soils there?
Margaux
How are the best wines from Margaux described?
Like an iron fist in a velvet glove A combination of power with delicacy, soaring elegance, and refinement
What is the smallest of the major communes of the Médoc and home to the highest percentage of classified growths relative to the rest produced there? What’s the %?
St.-Julien 95% of wine produced here is from chateaux classified in 1855
Which two Leoville estates are said to broach First Growth Status in good years?
Leoville-Las Cases Leoville-Poyferré
What are the best wines in St.-Julien known for?
Precision and refinement, similar to Margaux
How many classified Châteaux does Pauillac boast?
18 of the 61
Despite its border with St.-Estephe, Lafite is known for its remarkable elegance. What is this due to?
The band of Limestone which it grows on.
What commune in the Haut-Medoc is know for wines produced from more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon? Why is this the case?
St.-Estephe More clay in the soil.
Good Bordeaux should age for how long before being ready?
8-10 years or more
The best soils of Graves are composed of what?
Gravel, sand, and quartz
Where in Bordeaux do most Châteaux make both red and white wine?
Graves
What region in Bordeaux was first to be internationally recognized? When was this?
Graves Casks of wine were shipped from here to England in the 12th century (1100s)
When was Pessac-Léognan established?
1987
Which first growth of the 1855 Classification is known for having the highest % of both Merlot and Cabernet Franc?
Haut-Brion as much as 45% Merlot and up to 20% Cab Franc
What is considered the perfect pairing for white bordeaux?
Icy cold, briny oysters caught off Bordeaux’s Atlantic coast
What are considered the top three Pessac-Léognan whites?
La Mission Haut-Brion Haut-Brion Domaine de Chevalier
What are the five communes of sweet wine production for Sauternes?
Sauternes Barsac Bommes Fargues Preignac
How much larger is Sauternes than Barsac?
Four times larger
The balance of what three taste components are recipes for great Sauternes?
Sugar Acidity Alcohol
What is Botrytis cinerea known as in France?
Pourriture Noble (Noble Rot)
Why is semillon a good candidate for Botrytis?
Large clusters of thin-skinned grapes with high sugar content
The convergence of what two rivers create the ideal mists for Botrytis in Sauternes and Barsac? What must follow these early morning mists?
Ciron River Garonne River Warm afternoons otherwise the Noble Rot becomes rot.
What makes for a good growing season for Sauternes?
Good warm growing season so the grapes have ample sugar. Followed by the proper balance of moisture, dryness, and warmth. Dry end to the growing season so that rot and mildew don’t destroy the crop.
How much longer is a fermentation of Sauternes compared to non-botrytised white wine?
It takes up to 1 year due to the concentration of sugar in the must compared to 2 weeks for most non-botrytised wine.
Yeast die usually when the abv in a fermenting must reaches 15%. Why do some Sauternes and Barsac stop at 13% abv? Which is more preferred for a high quality finished product?
Some stop at 13% as the fungus in combo with the alcohol can kill the yeast. This is more desirable as it creates much more balance at the lower alcohol level.
In Sauternes and Barsac, the finesse and complexity of the wine produced there is directly related to what?
How thoroughly and uniformly the Botrytis takes hold in the vineyard
What flavors does Botrytis add to a wine?
Ginger, Saffron, Clementine, Sweet Corn, and Mushrooms
For how long is Sauternes and/or Barsac aged following fermentation?
2 years
How long should a great Sauternes be cellared before being open?
5-10 years or more Can age for well over 30-50 years
Y, G, and R are all dry white wines made from top Sauternes Producers. Who are the producers of each?
Château d’Yquem (Y) Château Guiraud (G) Château Rieussec (R)
How do dry whites from Sauternes differ from Pessac-Léognan and the rest of Graves?
They’re invariably made from mostly Semillon and are very full-bodied, bolder, and thicker textured with often higher alcohol.
Which famous Bordeaux estate is known for having the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc relative to the others on both sides of the Gironde? What grape comprises the rest of the blend
Cheval Blanc Merlot (55% or more most often)
What soil type is found in higher proportion in St.-Emilion than elsewhere in Bordeaux?
Limestone
How are the best Pomerol described?
As having Bordeaux’s most harmonic convergence of intensity and elegance.
Christian Moueix owns which famous Pomerol Château? What’s the name of his famous Napa estate?
Pétrus Dominus (Napa)
What are 8 top Pomerol producers?
Pétrus Le Pin Lafleur La Fleur de Gay L’Évangile La Conseillante Certain de May Trotanoy
What are the two top wines of Moulis-en-Médoc? Top wine of Listrac?
Château Chasse-Spleen and Château Poujeaux in Moulis Château Forcas-Hosten in Listrac
What style of wine is produced under the AOC Entre-Deux-Mers? Why?
White wine only The reds produced here are often lower in quality compared to the whites
Red wine produced in the Entre-Deux-Mers region carries one of which two AOC on its label?
Bordeaux AOP Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
What are 5 top producers in the Entre-Deux-Mers region?
Château Bonnet Château de Camarsac Château Nordique la Gravière Château Peyrebon Château Turcaud
In relation to Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, where are Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac? What are the two dominant grapes here?
Just north and slightly west Merlot and Cabernet Franc with some Cab Sauvignon
What are two top producers of Fronsac?
Château Vieille-Cure Château Dalem
What four “Côtes” may use the broader Côtes de Bordeaux AOC if they prefer? Since when? What’s the leading grape variety here?
Côtes de Bourg Côtes de Castillon Côtes de Francs Premières Côtes de Blaye Since 2008 Merlot is the leading grape variety.
What is the appellation for the following: Château Puygueraud Château Roc de Cambes Château Les Jonqueyres Château de Francs
Château Puygueraud (Côtes de Francs) Château Roc de Cambes (Côtes de Bourg) Château Les Jonqueyres (Côtes de Blay) Château de Francs (Côtes de Francs)
Bordeaux accounts for what % of France’s total area under vine?
14%
What is the biggest difference between Bordeaux’s maritime climate and Southern France’s mediterranean climate?
lack of a dry season in Bordeaux
Which region of Bordeaux experiences more annual rainfall than any other major wine producing region in France?
Médoc
What are Bordeaux’s driest months traditionally?
July and August
What is the source of the Gulf Stream’s warm current?
The Caribbean
Technically Bordeaux is not considered a marginal climate for grape growing, but what makes the climate produce variation from year to year?
cold and wet fall weather which can spell trouble for late ripening grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot
What classification is Bordeaux on the winkler scale?
Region II
How is Bordeaux most different from Napa and most vineyards on the west coast?
It does not experience a sizable diurnal shift
Following what year did Bordeaux see a sizable increase in the number of Merlot plantings?
Following 1956 which saw a devastating winter lay waist to many Bordeaux vines.
What is Bordeaux’s most planted white grape?
Sémillon
Why does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer gravel to clay?
The soils are warmer and better draining which aids in the ripening of the late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon.
Which two main red BDX grapes are half-sibblins sharing Magdeleine Noire des Charentes as a parent?
Merlot and Malbec
What is the other name for pyrazine?
2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine
Which of the BDX red grapes is not known for presence of pyrazines in wine?
Malbec
How does Merlot compare to Cabernet Sauvignon physiologically? Biggest disadvantage comparatively speaking?
Ripens earlier, thinner skins, less susceptible to wood-rotting diseases, and can live longer. Accumulates sugar quickly and in warm climates can give wines with very high alcohol levels.
Between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which resists rot better? Why?
Cabernet Sauvignon Cab has thicker skins
What does Cabernet Franc add to wines of the Right Bank?
Acidity and aromatics to Merlot
What was Malbec previously called in Bordeaux?
Pressac Noir
What grape that is a mutation and genetically identical to Sauvignon Blanc is permitted in Graves whites?
Sauvignon Gris
What are the three regional appellations in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux AOP Bordeaux Supérieur AOP Crémant de Bordeaux AOP
What is the name of the natural wine producer owned and run by Jean-Pierre and Pascal Amoreau petitioning for AOP status for their Merlot-dominant wines? What are the two red wines they make? What is their current AOP?
Château Le Puy Emilien Barthelemy (rarer single vineyard bottle) Côtes de Bordeaux/Côtes de Francs
What is the best rosé in Bordeaux called? How is it most commonly produced?
Clairet Saignée
What style of wine is permitted for Bordeaux AOP? Bordeaux Supérieur AOP?
Bordeaux AOP red, white (sec, off-dry, and medium sweet), rosé, and clairet Bordeaux Supérieur AOP Red and medium sweet whites
How long must Crémant de Bordeaux age on its lees?
9 months
What is the Vin de Pays (IGP) of Bordeaux?
Atlantique IGP
How many departments does the Atlantique IGP span? What are they?
5 departments Gironde Charente Charente-Maritime Dordogne Lot-et-Garonne (western Part)
Where are producers making IGP Atlantique more commonly located?
Outside of Bordeaux in Bergerac, Duras, or Cognac
The marriage of which two nobles gave way to English influence in Bordeaux?
Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II
For how long did England rule Bordeaux?
300 years from 1154-1453
What battle resulted in Bordeaux reverting back to the French control?
Battle of Castillon in 1453
Though the 1855 Classification is set in stone there exists another classification that is updated annually and based on current trading price. What is it called? As of 2015 what wines have ascended to first growth status? Second?
Liv-Ex Classification (London International Vintners Exchange) La Mission Haut-Brion is First Growth Palmer, Lynch-Bages, and Pontet-Canet have ascended to the second tier.
What is the motto at Mouton?
“Premier je suis. Second je fus. Mouton ne change” (First I am. Second I was. Mouton doesn’t change)
What three diseases brought from America plagued Bordeaux in the second half of the 19th century?
Oidium/Powdery Mildew (1852) Phylloxera (1869) Pernospera/Downy Mildew (1880s)
In 2011 what was the fourth most planted grape in Bordeaux?
Villard Noir, a hybrid grape
What spelled the decline for Malbec and Carmenère in Bordeaux?
Their difficulty to graft following Phylloxera
Who was the first Châteaux to begin estate bottling? When was this?
1924 Practice did not become widespread until the 1960s.
In what year did Château bottling become compulsory for classified estates in the Médoc?
1972
Prior to 2008 Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux was permitted to make red wine. Now it makes exclusively medium sweet white. What AOP replaced it for red wine production in 2008?
Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux
When was IGP Atlantique created?
2006
How many bottles of wine are produced from one barrique (225L) barrel?
300 bottles or 25 cases
What are the two prototypes respectively in St.-Emilion and Pomerol for the garagiste or micro cuvée movement?
Valandraud (St.-Emilion) Le Pin (Pomerol)
How many cases annually do most garagiste producers make?
A few hundered
Why has quality in Bordeaux improved creating the illusion that more recent vintages have been consistently better?
Stricter pruning throughout the year, higher trellising, more careful canopy management, and much more cautious use of agrochemicals
Which Cru Bourgeois in the Médoc is under the same ownership as Leoville-Las Cases?
Château Potensac (Jean-Hubert Delon)
When was the Cru Bourgeois’s last revision? Annulment? Reinstatement?
2003 (Revised) 2007 (Annulled) 2010 (Reintroduced)
What were the 9 Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels in the 2003 Revision? Which are the only 3 that still use the Cru Bourgeois designation following reinstatement in 2010?
All preceded by “Château” Chasse-Spleen (Moulis) Poujeaux (Moulis) Haut-Marbuzet (St.-Estephe) * Les Ormes de Pez (St.-Estephe) de Pez (St.-Estephe) Phélan Ségur (St.-Estephe)* Siran (Margaux) Labégorce Zédé (Margaux)* Potensac (Médoc)
Which 6 producers of the 9 Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels from the 2003 revision chose to unite as a group and remain outside of the reinstated 2010 Crus Bourgeois? What name do they call themselves?
Chasse-Spleen Poujeaux Potensac Siran de Pez Les Ormes de Pez “Les Exceptionnels”
What are 5 producers classified as Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs in the 2003 revision?
Greysac Beaumont Clarke d’Arche d’Arsac
Why do vineyards further downstream approaching St.-Estephe fair better in hotter vintages like 2003 and 2010?
The soil is less well-draining and contains less gravel and more water retentive soils like clay
How do wines in the northern Haut-Modoc differ from the middle and southern sectors?
More acidic and sturdy, mouth filling, but less aromatic
What vineyard is directly across the Jalle du Breuil from Château Lafite?
Cos d’Estournel
How are the wines of St.-Estephe described?
strong, sturdy wines, with a dark color that are long-lived
Château de Pez and Château Pichon Baron Comtesse de Lalande are owned by what Champagne house?
Louis Roederer
Château Meney is between what two Châteaux? What about Château Haut-Marbuzet?
Meyney is between Calon-Ségur and Montrose Haut-Marbuzet is between Montrose and Cos d’Estournel
What are the wines produced from Haut-Marbuzet described as?
Seductive and oaky
Château Sociando-Mallet has been known to beat first growths in blind tastings. Where is it located?
To the north of St.-Estephe in the commune of St.-Seurin-de-Cadourne
What commune is the northern boundary of the Haut-Médoc?
St.-Seurin
What two Châteaux occupy the highest elevations in Pauillac?
Mouton and Pontet-Canet
Lafite is known for elegance and Latour is known for brooding structure. What’s paradoxical about this?
Lafite borders St.-Estephe where the wines are more traditionally structured Latour borders St.-Julien where the wines are softer and known for more elegance.
The second label of Latour is priced similarly to most second growths. What is the second label called?
Les Forts de Latour
How is Mouton described?
Opulent, strong, dark, flavor rich, and exotic
When was Le Petit Mouton first introduced?
1997
Who owns the most successful brand in Bordeaux? What is it called?
Baron Philippe Rothschild (Mouton) Called Mouton Cadet
The best wines of Pauillac should be cellared for how many years before enjoyed?
Between 10-20 years
Which wine is known for its rich spiciness and is often called a Mouton for not-quite millionaires?
Château Lynch-Bages
What “Super Second” is the largest Cru Classé in the Médoc and neighbor of Mouton?
Pontet-Canet
Who owns d’Armailhac and Clerc Milon?
Mouton
Who owns Duhart-Milon?
The Rothschilds of Lafite
What are the three top Crus Bourgeois of Pauillac?
Pibran Fonbadet Haut-Bages Monpelou
What is the name of the local cooperative of Pauillac?
La Rose-Pauillac
Where are the gravel croupes deepest?
Pauillac
What is the name of the top unclassified Château near Beychevelle in St.-Julien?
Château Gloria
Wines of St.-Julien are described as what?
Middle ground between Pauillac and Margaux. Round and gentle with age.
Suntory owns which St.-Julien classed growth?
Château Lagrange
What are the three classified growths of St.-Laurent? What major commune are they near? What growth are each?
La Tour Carnet (3rd) Bellegrave (5th) Camensac (5th)
What are the top two Cru Bourgeois of St.-Julien?
du Glana Moulin de la Rose
What are the top two Listrac producers?
Fourcas-Hosten Fourcas-Dupré
What is the top producer of Cussac?
Château Beaumont
