Bordeaux: Key Growing Regions Flashcards
Which properties are first growths according to the 1855 Bordeaux classification? Name the appellation in which each is found.
Ch. Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac Ch. Latour, Pauillac Ch. Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac Ch. Margaux, Margaux Ch. Haut Brion, Pessac, Graves
In Sauternes, which two bodies of water meet promoting morning mists (ideal for promoting noble rot)?
The cold Ciron river and the warmer Garonne River
Can Barsac be labelled as Sauternes?
Yes
Give a typical tasting note for Sauternes or Barsac. Note the varieties in the blend.
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle Pronounced intensity Citrus peel, honey, tropical fruit (mango), vanilla Sweet Medium to medium (+) acidity Full bodied High alcohol Very good to outstanding Mid-priced to super premium
Name 3 sweet wine appellations in Bordeaux other than Barsac and Sauternes.
Saint-Croix-du-Mont AOC
Loupiac AOC
Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
Wines from these appellations may be botrytis infected or late harvest.
What is the maximum yield for Saint-Croix-du-Mont AOC and Loupiac AOC? What sort of wines are made in these two appellations?
40hl/ha Sweet wines (botrytised and / or late harvest)
What is the maximum yield for Côte de Bordeaux AOC red wines?
What is the maximum yield for Côte de Bordeaux AOC red wines if a village name is appended?
55hl/ha
52hl/ha if a village name is appended
What colour is Côtes de Bordeaux AOC?
Red or white wines can be made.
Which four villages may append their name to Côte de Bordeaux AOC on the label?
Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
Francs Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
Are Côtes de Bordeaux AOC villages found on the left or right bank?
Right bank
What are the first and second most planted grapes in Pomerol AOC?
Merlot (80%), followed by Cabernet Franc
What is the maximum yield for Pomerol AOC?
49hl/ha
What colour wines can be produced in Pomerol AOC?
Red only
Explain the classification system in Pomerol AOC
There isn’t one! Although there are many top estates here e.g. Petrus, Ch. Lafleur and Le Pin…
Wines from here are highly regarded and fetch super premium prices.
Give a typical tasting note for Pomerol AOC wines.
Pronounced instensity Red and black plum, vanilla, clove Medium (+) to high acidity Medium (+) to high tannins Full body High alcohol Very good to outstanding Premium to super premium
The best wines can age for many years in bottle
What colour wines are produced in St. Emilion AOC?
Only red
What is the maximum yield for St. Emilion AOC?
53hl/ha
What is the minimum maturation time for St. Emilion AOC?
6 months
What is the maximum yield for St. Emilion Grand Cru?
46hl/ha
What is the minimum maturation time for St. Emilion Grand Cru?
20 months
Give a typical tasting note for St. Emilion AOC wines.
Pronounced intensity Red and black plum, vanilla, clove Medium (+) to high acidity Medium (+) to high tannins Full body High alcohol
The best wines can age for many years in bottle. There is a great range of quality from simple wines made for early drinking through to top Grand Cru Classé wines that are comparable to the first growths of th 1855 classification.
What are the first and second most planted grapes in St. Emilion AOC?
Merlot (60%) followed by Cabernet Franc
Name the two largest St. Emilion Satellites
Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC
Lussac-Saint-Emilion AOC
What is the maximum yield for Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC and Lussac-Saint-Emilion AOC?
53hl/ha (same as St. Emilion AOC)
What is the minimum maturation period for Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC and Lussac-Saint-Emilion AOC?
6 months (same as St. Emilion AOC)
What colour wines are Entre Deux Mers AOC?
White only (reds from the same area are labelled Bordeaux AOC)
What is the maximum yield for Entre Deux Mers AOC?
65hl/ha
What is the quality and price of wines from Entre Deux Mers AOC?
Acceptable to good, inexpensive to mid-priced. Wines can be light in intensity.
What colour wines can be produced in Pessac-Léognan AOC?
Red and white
Pessac-Léognan AOC is a sub region within which other region?
Graves AOC
Which first growth estate from the 1855 classification can be found in Pessac-Léognan AOC?
Ch. Haut Brion
What are the maximum yields for wines from Pessac-Léognan AOC?
54hl/ha for both red and white
Give a typical tasting note for a white wine from Pessac-Léognan AOC, noting the grape varietals used.
Typically a Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc blend
Pronounced aromas of gooseberry, lemon and grapefruit with vanilla and clove notes from new oak
Medium (+) body
Medium (+) to high acidity
Medium to high alcohol
Very good to outstanding
Premium to super premium in price
What are the maximum yields for white wines from Graves AOC?
What are the maximum yields for red wines from Graves AOC?
58hl/ha for whites
55hl/ha for reds
Is there more white wine or red wine made in Graves AOC?
More red (85% of production)
What type of wines are made in Graves Superieur AOC?
Sweet wines made from botrytised or late harvest grapes
What is the maximum yield for Graves Superieur AOC?
40hl/ha
What colour wine is produced in Moulis AOC and Listrac Medoc AOC?
Red only
What are the maximum yields for Moulis AOC and Listrac Medoc AOC?
57hl/ha
Red wines only
Describe price and quality of wines from Moulis AOC and Listrac Medoc AOC.
Good to very good, mid to premium priced
Are Moulis AOC and Listrac Medoc AOC found on the left or right bank? Describe why the land here is not as sought after as in more prestigious nearby appellations.
Left bank.
These appellations are further from the Gironde than the most prestigious left bank appellations, receiving less moderating influence. They also have less gravel in the soils.
How many first growth estates are there in Margaux AOC, and what are they called?
There is only one.
Ch. Margaux
What is the maximum yield for wines from Margaux AOC?
57hl/ha
Describe what type of soils you might find in Margaux AOC.
Stony, gravelly, free-draining soils
Of the four prestigious left bank communes, is Margaux positioned more northerly or more southerly? How does this influence when harvest takes place?
Margaux is the most southerly of the four
Grapes often ripen earlier here than in the other four appellations, which can be advantageous when rain threatens
How are Margaux AOC wines often described?
Perfumed with silky tannins
What is the dominant grape variety in Margaux AOC?
Cabernet Sauvignon, although it has a higher proportion of Merlot than the other prestigious left bank communes
How many first growth estates are there in St. Julien AOC, and what are they called?
There aren’t any! It does however have 5 second growths.
What is the dominant grape variety in St. Julien AOC?
It has a very high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon
How are St. Julien AOC wines often described in comparison to the other top communes?
Stylistically, it is considered the mid point between the powerful structure of Pauillac and the finesse of Margaux
Describe what type of soils you might find in St. Julien AOC.
It has very homogeneous gravel soils
How many first growth estates are there in Pauillac AOC, and what are they called?
Three out of the five first growths are found in Pauillac.
Ch. Lafite Rothschild
Ch. Mouton Rothschild
Ch. Latour
What is the maximum yield for wines from St. Julien AOC?
57hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for wines from Pauillac AOC?
57hl/ha
How are Pauillac AOC wines often described in comparison to the other top communes?
Wines are regarded as some of the most structured on the left bank, and many estates will use a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Wines have high tannins and high acidity, meaning that they are capable of ageing for long periods of time.
Where is most of the Cabernet Sauvignon in Pauillac AOC planted?
On gravel banks close to the estuary - this means that Cabernet Sauvignon here will ripen fully in most years.
What is the maximum yield for wines from St. Estephe AOC?
57hl/ha
Of the four prestigious left bank communes, is St. Estephe AOC positioned more northerly or more southerly?
It is the most northerly of the four communes, and also the coolest (it is the closest to the Atlantic Ocean)
Describe what type of soils you might find in St. Estephe AOC and where they are found. How does this affect the grapes grown there?
Clay soils away from the estuary are planted to Merlot (40% of plantings).
Gravel soils closer to the estuary are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (50% of plantings)
How many first growth estates are there in St. Estephe AOC, and what are they called?
There aren’t any! It does however have second growths and a large number of Cru Bourgeois.
How are St. Estephe AOC wines often described in comparison to the other top communes?
Cooler climate
Wines are more rustic
Need more time in bottle to soften their tannins
Some wines are softer and more accessible, especially from the warmer gravel soils or if there is more Merlot included in the blend.
Where are the Médoc AOC and Haut Médoc AOC appellations found?
On the left bank of the Gironde, north of the city of Bordeaux
What colour is the wine from Médoc AOC and Haut Médoc AOC?
Red only
What is the maximum yield for wines from Médoc AOC and Haut Médoc AOC?
55hl/ha
When can wines from Médoc AOC and Haut Médoc AOC be sold for consumption?
Mid-June the year following the harvest
Name the four prestigious communes found in Haut Médoc AOC from north to south.
St. Estephe
Pauillac
St. Julien
Margaux
Give a typical tasting note for wines from the four prestigious left bank communes, noting which grape you would expect to dominate the blend.
Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon Pronounced intensity Blackcurrant, green bell pepper (especially in cooler vintages), red plum fruit, vanilla, cedar High acidity High tannins Medium (+) to full bodied Medium to high alcohol Very good to outstanding Premium to super premium in price
Which is more northerly, Médoc AOC or Haut Médoc AOC?
Médoc AOC
What is the maximum yield for Bordeaux AOC white?
65hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for Bordeaux AOC red?
60hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for Bordeaux AOC rose?
62hl/ha
Which grape would you expect to dominate a Bordeaux AOC red wine?
Merlot
Which grape would you expect to dominate a Bordeaux AOC white wine?
Sauvignon Blanc
What is the maximum yield for Bordeaux Superieur AOC red?
59hl/ha
Describe the key similarities between Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC red wines. What is the key difference?
Both reds are typically made from Merlot
Both are generic appellations covering the whole regions
The key difference is that permitted yields for Bordeaux AOC are higher (60hl/ha) than Bordeaux Superieur AOC (59hl/ha).
Give a typical tasting note for Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC red wines, noting which grape variety you would expect to dominate.
Predominantly Merlot. Medium intensity red fruit High acidity Medium (+) tannins Medium body Medium alcohol Acceptable to good quality Inexpensive to mid priced
Give a typical tasting note for Bordeaux AOC white wines, noting which grape variety you would expect to dominate.
Predominantly Sauvignon Blanc Medium intensity gooseberry and lemon fruit High acidity Medium body Medium alcohol Acceptable to good quality Inexpensive to mid priced
What was the 1855 classification based on? Quality or price of the wines?
Price
Which subregions of Bordeaux does the 1855 classification include? How many tiers are there?
The classification includes 60 leading properties from the Médoc and one from Graves. There are five tiers.
How are Sauternes estates classified?
There are first and second growth Sauternes estates.
Ch. d’Yquem has a special category of its own, Premier Cru Superieur
How much wine from the Médoc is classified as Cru Classé?
Around a quarter - this shows that there is excellent quality from this part of Bordeaux
When was the Graves Classification established and what were its criteria? How is the classification divided up?
1959
The Graves established a list based on pricing, fame and quality as judged by a tasting.
It is a simple list with no sub divisions and can be for red or white wines
Why can the St. Emilion classification be confusing?
St. Emilion Grand Cru AOC is an appellation, rather than a classification, which can lead to confusion. Not all St. Emilion Grand Cru AOC wines are classified.
When does the St. Emilion classification date back to? How often is it revised
1955 - it is revised every 10 years
How are wines judged for the St. Emilion classification? (5)
Terroir
Methods of production
Reputation
Commercial considerations
Blind tasting of at least ten vintages.
How many tiers are there for the St. Emilion Classification?
3
Premier Grand Cru A
Premier Grand Cru B
Grand Cru Classé
Describe the Cru Bourgeois du Médoc classification in comparison to Cru Classé wines - is it superior or inferior?
Inferior; although a level below cru classé, it is still a mark of quality
What are the three tiers of quality that châteaux can be awarded in the Cru Bourgeois du Médoc classification?
How many years will the classification last before revision?
Cru Bourgeois
Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
5 years
How would you typically describe the climate in Bordeaux?
Moderate Maritime
What kind of weather would you expect in a good year in Bordeaux?
Gentle heat through the growing season
Sufficient rainfall for growth and ripening
Relatively warm, dry autumns for steady, complete ripening
What affect can rain have in wetter years?
Flowering
Veraison
Rot
Harvest
Hail is also a threat - widespread and unpredictable
Explain the influence of gravel soils on the left bank.
They are free draining and aid heat retention, which is well suited to late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon
Explain the influence of clay soils on the right bank
Clay is good at retaining water and is well suited to Merlot, which will more readily ripen in cooler conditions
