Bordeaux - Overview and Geography

Question 1

When was the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine created?

Answer 1

1935
Created to delimit and enforce France’s appellation system

Question 2

How much volume does Bordeaux make?

Answer 2

Nearly 111,500 hectares
Second largest area after Languedoc
Largest AOC/AOP region

Question 3

When did wine production start in Bordeaux?

Answer 3

4th century AD - near Garonne

Question 4

Who provided framework for the Medoc wine region?

Answer 4

The Dutch - created complex series of drainage channels making it suitable for viticulture in the mid-1600s

Question 5

When was Bordeaux ruled by England?

Answer 5

1152-1453 AD

Question 6

What are courtiers?

Answer 6

Brokers of wine
Powerful force in the Medoc - supplied chateaux with financial backing while gaining total control over the actual wine trade

Question 7

How did Bordeaux have an advantage on international distribution?

Answer 7

Pre-existing English thirst for claret
Dutch trade market was thriving
Proximity to the Atlantic/trade was huge for the region

Question 8

What are en primeur sales?

Answer 8

Started by the courtiers
Yearly offering of Bordeaux wine as futures

Question 9

Talk about Bordeaux wine region today

Answer 9

Great disparity between estates that have power/money/influence and those that don’t.
Great chateau will have architectural grandeur, wine tech, terroir, experience and expanse. Smaller ones will not and seem a lot more rustic/behind.

Question 10

What does a typical Bordeaux chateau produce?

Answer 10

A single Grand Vin from the estate comprised of fruit from estate vineyards.
Some produce a red and white.
Some produce a less expensive “second wine” from fruit inappropriate for a Grand Vin.

Question 11

What is the climate in Bordeaux?

Answer 11

Mostly maritime - Atlantic and Gironde estuary acting as moderating influences. Protects from winter freezes and spring frost.
Short winters, damp spring and high temp summers.
More continental towards St. Emillion and Pomerol

Question 12

What protects the vineyards from high winds in Bordeaux?

Answer 12

Coastal pine forests in the Medoc. Protects from harsh west and northwest winds.

Question 13

What are problems in Bordeaux around wetness/humidity?

Answer 13

Wet spring and humidity of the region can result in severe mold and rot. Autumn humidity = great for sweet wines. Colder years, gray rot can come and destroy fruit.

Question 14

What is applied to the vineyards to avoid fungal problems in Bordeaux?

Answer 14

The Bordeaux mixture: lime, sulfate and water

Question 15

How are dry white wines labeled in Bordeaux?

Answer 15

Sec

Question 16

Bordeaux AOP Overview

Answer 16

Wines may be red, white, rose or clairet. Base level quality

Question 17

Describe clairet wines

Answer 17

Darker, more aromatic style of Rose that evokes the original wines shipped to England in the Middle Ages

Question 18

What are the six red grapes allowed in Bordeaux?

Answer 18

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere

Question 19

What is assemblage?

Answer 19

Blend

Question 20

Describe Merlot in Bordeaux

Answer 20

• Most widely planted
• Earliest to ripen
• Prefers clay-based soils to delay natural vigor
• Fleshy, juicy texture
• Dominates the Right Bank

Question 21

Describe Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux

Answer 21

• Prefers well-drained gravel; allows the root system to dig deeply and slight water stress adds to concentration
• Gives wine structure, power and longevity
• Highly pigmented/tannic
• Left Bank dominates (2/3 of blend)

Question 22

Describe Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux

Answer 22

• Likes limestone-based soils; promotes acidity and freshness
• Imparts herbal spice and red fruit
• Dominates more on the Right Bank

Question 23

Describe blends on the Right Bank

Answer 23

Typically…
3/4 Merlot
1/4 Cabernet Franc

Question 24

Describe blends on the Left Bank

Answer 24

Typically…
2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon
1/3 Merlot

Question 25

Describe Petit Verdot in Bordeaux

Answer 25

• Last grape to ripen
• Occasionally added to Left Bank in small quantities for color, depth, and perfume
• Non-existent on Right Bank

Question 26

Describe Malbec in Bordeaux

Answer 26

• Known as Pressac on the Right Bank
• Performs like Merlot in the blend
• Infrequently encountered

Question 27

Describe Carmenere in Bordeaux

Answer 27

Virtually extinct

Question 28

Which white grapes are allowed in Bordeaux AOP?

Answer 28

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris

Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, Colombard - restricted to 30% max

Question 29

Describe Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux

Answer 29

• High acidity, pungency and citrus
• Often leavened with Semillon and rounded with oak
• Best wines achieve creamy, waxy texture while emitting aromas of honey/beeswax

Question 30

Describe Muscadelle in Bordeaux

Answer 30

• Added sparingly to white blends
• Intense floral character can overtake wine’s balance

Question 31

Describe red wine oak aging in Bordeaux

Answer 31

Top chateaus will often age its red wines up to two years in barriques (225 liters). Large percent new each vintage.

Question 32

Describe white wine aging in Bordeaux

Answer 32

• From a top Graves site, will be aged in new oak
• Best whites spend 12-16 months in barrel

Question 33

Describe Bordeaux Superieur AOP

Answer 33

Red and off-dry whites with higher minimum alcohol content

Question 34

Describe Cremant de Bordeaux AOP

Answer 34

Traditional method sparkling wines