Bordeaux Pt 10 - Libournais & Cotes Flashcards
What is the name of the principal city on the right side of the Dordogne and its vineyards?
Libourne.
The vineyards are known as the Libournais.
What are the predominant grapes in Libournais wines?
Most blends are Merlot and Cab. Franc with a little Cab. Sauvignon if soils allow.
What character does the high concentration of Merlot in the right bank blend give compared to left bank wines?
The wines are silken in texture and less powerfully structured than their left bank counterparts.
How many AOCs in the Libournais? What is their styles?
There are 10 and they are all red only.
What are the primary grapes of the Libournais?
(P) Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot (Malbec);
(S) Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Which grapes are authorised for all Libournais AOCs except one?
All six of the red grapes may be used.
Which AOC in Libournais restricts the grapes varieties?
Pomerol allows five Primary grapes:
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cot. Carmenere is not allowed.
Which four AOCs lie close to the Isle River?
Fronsac, Canon Fronsac, Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol.
When was Fronsac and Canon Fronsac AOC awarded?
Fronsac - 1937;
Canon Fronsac - 1939.
Which two AOCs lie on the right bank of the Isle River?
Fronsac and Canon Fronsac. The latter lies within Fronsac on the banks of the Dordogne.
What is the character of the wines of Fronsac and Canon Fronsac?
Red fruits and black pepper
How and why do the grapes of Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol express themselves in the wine?
Merlot and Cab.Franc express heady aromas and rich textures. This is due to the iron-rich soils found here.
Describe the wines of Pomerol?
Soft, velvety and generous.
How do the wines of Lalande de Pomerol differ from those of Pomerol?
Tend to be less aromatic, less structured and more bright berry fruit.
How many AOCs in St Emilion?
There are six with two sharing the same zone of production. There are four satellites.
Which two AOC in St Emilion share the same zone of production?
St Emilion AOC ;
St Emilion Grand Cru AOC.
When was St Emilion AOC awarded? St Emilion Grand Cru AOC?
St Emilion AOC - 1936;
St Emilion Grand Cru AOC - 1954
How does a wine move from St. Emilion AOC to St Emilion GC status?
Lower yield; higher minimum ABV; Bottled at the Chateau; Two tastings - before and after mandatory 1-year ageing.
What are the production % for St Emilion and St Emilion GC?
St Emilion GC production is 3 times that of St Emilion AOC.
What are the soils of St Emilion?
Mostly limestone and clay. There are pockets of sand along the river.
Where are the exceptions to the main soils of St Emilion?
There are two “ islands” of Pomerol soil within St Emilion - Chateau Figeac and Chateau Cheval Blanc are located here.
How does the variety of soils influence the character of the wines of St Emilion?
If grown on:
Limestone - high acidity and polished tannins;
Sand - Fruit-forward;
Iron-rich (Pomerol style) - velvet tannins and hints of walnut and prune.
What are the St Emilion satellites and when were they awarded?
Lussac-St-Emilion AOC;
Montagne-St-Emilion AOC;
Puisseguin St Emilion;
Saint-Georges-St-Emilion AOc.
All awarded 1936.
When was Cotes de Bordeaux AOC awarded ? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded in 2009 for red only.
Red: (P) Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot;
(S) Petit Verdot, Carmenere
What are the location and soils of the Bordeaux Cotes?
Mostly on the right bank and facing southwest. They slope to the rivers or estuary. Soils are principally clay and limestone.
What are the main grapes in the blends of the Cotes de Bordeaux AOC?
Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
How many DGCs in Cotes de Bordeaux AOC?
5
Where can the grapes for Cotes de Bordeaux AOC wine be sourced from?
Any of its five DGCs.
When was Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux DGC awarded? Styles? Primary Grapes?
Awarded 2009 for dry white and red.
White (P) Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle.
Red (P) Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot
What is the main style produced in Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux DGC? Grapes?
60% white, 40% red. It produces 3% of all Bordeaux dry white wine. Reds are Merlot-based blends.
When was Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC awarded? Grapes?
Awarded 2009 for red.
Red (P) Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot
What is the main style produced in Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC? Grapes?
Red, Merlot dominant but with significant Cab. Sauvignon, due to presence of some gravel.
What are the soils of Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Clay and Limestone with pockets of gravel. Hence the use of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Where is Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux DGC located?
On the right side of the Garonne.
When was Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC awarded? Grapes?
Awarded 2009 for red.
Red (P) Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot
Where is Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC located? What are the soils?
On the right bank of the Dordogne, just east of St Emilion. Its soils are mainly clay.
What is the main grape in Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Merlot is 70-80% of the blends.
When was Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC awarded? Style? Grapes?
Awarded 2009 for dry white, red, sweet white.
White (P) Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle.
Red (P) Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot
Where is Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC located? What are the soils?
North of Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux. Mainly limestone.
What grapes are in the red blend of Francs Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Merlot-dominant with significant Cab.Franc. The vast majority of production is red.
When was Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DGC awarded? Style? Grapes?
Awarded 2016 for dry white, red, semi-sweet and sweet white.
White (P) Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle.
Red (P) Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Cot
Where is Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DGC located?
Unlike most it is located on the left bank of the Dordogne and faces east.
What is production in Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux DGC?
Mostly red with some white in a wide range of sweetness levels.
When was Blaye AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded 1936 for red only.
Merlot, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon and Côt.
Why does Blaye have a diversity of vine varieties planted? Which is most widely planted?
Due to soils of gravel, sand, clay and limestone. Merlot is most planted.
What is the blend rule in Blaye AOC.
Must be at least 50% Merlot, Cab. Franc and/or Cab. Sauvignon.
Which AOC on the right bank of Bordeaux has three recognised names?
Bourg/Côtes de Bourg/Bourgeois AOC.
When was Bourg AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
In 1936 dry white and red.
White- Sauv. Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle, Colombard.
Red - Merlot, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon, Côt.
What are the dominant red and white grape plantings in Bourg AOC?
Merlot - 65% of red;
Sauvignon Blanc - 40% of white.
