Bordeaux Grapes etc Flashcards
Memorize
What is a drainage characteristic of the Left Bank soil of Bordeaux?
Faster drainage due to gravel soil
This results in drier conditions where roots must go deep to access water.
How does gravelly soil affect wine from the Left Bank?
Holds heat and impacts ripening
This contributes to the production of leaner wines with higher acid levels and more tannins.
What is the predominant grape variety on the Right Bank of Bordeaux?
Merlot
Merlot prefers the clay soil of the Right Bank, unlike Cabernet Sauvignon, which is more common on the Left Bank.
Why do Merlot grapes typically have higher alcohol levels?
They contain more sugar
This is in comparison to Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc.
What is ‘En Primeur’ in the context of wine?
A means by which rare wine is sold in a future market
Buyers taste the barrel juice and offer to buy future bottles at a present value price.
Which Bordeaux regions are noted for having great properties but are not classified?
Listrac and Moulis
Despite their quality, these regions do not have official classification.
What is Botrytis and why is it significant in winemaking?
A grey mould fungus that dehydrates grapes
It concentrates sugars but is beneficial only if grapes are already ripe.
What happens if Botrytis grows on immature grapes?
It destroys the grape
This results in a loss for the winemaker.
What does the designation ‘Grand Cru’ signify in St. Emilion?
Reflects appellation without indicating quality
Note - look at email for better explanation
It must contain the word ‘Classe’ to be classified as quality.
What is a distinguishing feature of Fronsac wines?
As a right bank wine, it contains a lot of Merlot with a 16% alcohol content
This high alcohol content is a key characteristic.
What effect does exposure to oxygen have on wine color?
Tends to be darker in color
Oxygen exposure during the winemaking process influences color intensity.
What are primary questions for aromas for a wine in development
Are the flavours: 1. delicate or intense 2. simple or complex 3. generic or well-defined 4. fresh or cooked 5 under-ripe or over-ripe
What are secondary aromas for a wine in development
Yeast - lees or autolysis - biscuit, bread, toast, pastry, broche, cheese
don’t forget oak (secondary as well) vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cedar
what are signs of oxidation in a developing wine (tertiary aroma)
almond, walnut, chocolate, coffee, toffee, caramel
Climate- maritime - ocean warming influence (warmer but wetter than Burgundy)
wetter - more rot (not good for reds). Less extreme seasons temps
Why are bordeaux varietals in vintage less pronounced than in burgundy
Bordeaux blended - later varietals can be used
Bordeaux grapes - What is left banks make up?
70% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot
What white grapes are used for left Bank winemaking?
white grapes
Semillon, Sauv Blanc,
What is the soil makeup of Medoc?
gravel, iron-pan - Great drainage, best vineyards on highest slopes near water on gravel
What is the soil of right bank Emilion
Gravel over limestone & clay/sand. Wines are soft because of clay & sand
what are soils of margaux
shallow - pepply gravel over deep gravel. Some limestone. Vineyards on low-lying plateau
How are Margaux grapes picked and fermented
All grapes destalked. Macerations 15-25 days and oak aging for 18 to 24 months
What is the difference between fermentation and maceration?
Fermentation is a biological process produced by yeast, and maceration is a physicochemical process for extracting anthocyanins and tannins to obtain the colour and structure typical of red wine.
What is process for making Listrac & Moulis
stainless steel with some oak aging.
What renowned wine comes from Graves & Pessoc (hint- added to 1st Crew late)
Chateau Haut-Brion - rest of other 14 chateauxs have no classification and are Cru Classe wines? (it is left bank)
What region does Sauterne come from?
Sauternais Graves - so do other similar wines - Barsac and Ceron (grapes - Semilion, Sauv Blanc and Muscadelle
what is one of the best Sauturnes
Chateau d’Yquem (1855 1st and 2nd Growth status)
Where is region Libournais and what it type of wine is it known for
It is a right bank bordeaux renowned for St. Emilion reds, Pomerol, and Fronsac
When were right bank St. Emilion wines classified
Only in 1958 (expected to re-classify every 10 years, but it has been spotty. There are now Class A and Class B
What is soil of St. Emilion
complex & varied - clay/sand or clay/gravel or gravel/sand or iron-pan/gravel
How are St. Emilion wines made?
Vin de Presse - first press only. Then, skin maceration for 2-4 weeks and then oak aging between 15-22 months
What is the first press of wine called?
the first press fraction is essentially the “free-run” fraction since the grapes berries are only first being broken and releasing juice as the press cycle begins. Free run and press fraction juice have a number of differences. “The free run is definitely a little softer,” says Rafanelli. “It’s really the purest expression of the wine.”
What is climate of right bank St. Emilion?
Less maritime than left - warmer summers and colder winters. More rain in spring but less in summer and winter
what are the characteristics of St. Emilion wine
Silky, savoury - mocha, coffee, spice - Cab Franc & Merlot dominant
What is difference between Pomerol & St. Emilion wines
difference between silk & velvet. both are smooth but texture is very different.
How is Pomerol made?
vin de presse is earlier than usually done. Also it is matured with free-run wine
see note in email that explains this better
Look at labels in materials
check your chat gpt answer
Why are left-bank wines “leaner”
They have high acid content and more tannins
