Bordeaux Pt 8 - Medoc & Graves

Question 1

What are the sub-regions of Bordeaux?

Answer 1

Medoc;
Graves;
Sauternais;
Entre-deux-Mers;
Libournais;
Cotes.

Question 2

Where are Medoc vineyards located?

Answer 2

In a narrow swathe of land along the Left-Bank of the Gironde Estuary north of the city of Bordeaux.

Question 3

What are the soils of Medoc?

Answer 3

Mainly gravel mounds atop limestone.

Question 4

What is the local climate of Medoc?

Answer 4

Maritime moderated by the effects of the Gironde and the Atlantic.

Question 5

Name the eight AOCs of Medoc?

Answer 5

Medoc; Haut-Medoc;Saint-Estephe;Pauillac; Saint-Julien; Margaux; Listrac-Medoc; Moulis-en-Medoc/Moulis.

Question 6

What is the style and grapes of the Medoc AOCs?

Answer 6

All are RED style.
Grapes are :
(P) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot;
(S) Cabernet Franc; Petit Verdot; Cot, Carmenere.

Question 7

When were AOCs awarded in Medoc?

Answer 7

1936 - Medoc; Haut-Medoc;Saint-Estephe;Pauillac; Saint-Julien;
1938 - Moulis-en-Medoc/Moulis;
1954 - Margaux;
1957 - Listrac-Medoc.

Question 8

Where is Medoc AOC located?

Answer 8

In the north of the Medoc peninsula.

Question 9

Why does Merlot dominate plantings in the Medoc AOC?

Answer 9

It is more clay and limestone than gravel here which is suited to Merlot.

Question 10

How much of the Medoc Peninsula production is here?

Answer 10

40% of the entire Peninsula production.

Question 11

Where is Haut-Medoc AOC located?

Answer 11

In the southern 2/3rds of the Medoc Peninsula. It runs for 36 ml/60km. There are a number of mesoclimates.

Question 12

What are the soils of Haut-Medoc?

Answer 12

Gravel atop limestone.

Question 13

Where are most of the Cru Bourgeois located?

Answer 13

In Medoc and Haut-Medoc AOCs.

Question 14

Where are the majority of the 1855 Chateaux located?

Answer 14

In four communes of the Medoc - Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estephe, Saint-Julien.

Question 15

Why is there a higher % of Merlot in the Saint-Estephe blends?

Answer 15

Although Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, there is a higher % of Merlot due to the greater % of clay than in the southern AOCs.It is also a little windier and cooler.

Question 16

What does Merlot add to the blend in Saint-Estephe?

Answer 16

It softens what would otherwise be a hard, tannic wine ( which is due to the climatic conditions).

Question 17

Which AOC in Medoc has more classified growths than any other?

Answer 17

Pauillac AOC has 17.

Question 18

What is the soil of Pauillac?

Answer 18

Gravelly soil with excellent natural drainage.

Question 19

Describe the blends of Pauillac?

Answer 19

Cabernet Sauvignon dominant with fully ripened grapes. They are powerful, structured with great ageability and dusty cocoa aroma.

Question 20

Which AOC is regarded as the most “Californian” of the Medoc?

Answer 20

Saint-Julien AOC.

Question 21

Describe the wine of Saint-Julien AOC?

Answer 21

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates and expresses itself as cherry and chocolate.

Question 22

What is the soil of Saint-Julien?

Answer 22

Gravel mounds over subsoils of clay, marl, gravel and iron-pan.

Question 23

Which AOC wines are regarded as the most delicate, perfumed and elegant of the Medoc wines?

Answer 23

Margaux.

Question 24

What is the soil of Margaux?

Answer 24

Gravels which vary in size and composition. There is more sand in the subsoil, which is quick to warm but not very water-retentive.

Question 25

Which two communes are further inland in Medoc?

Answer 25

Listrac and Moulis. They are more cooler.

Question 26

What are the soils of Listrac?

Answer 26

Soils have more clay, sands and limestone.

Question 27

What is the character of Listrac wines?

Answer 27

They are Merlot dominant. They are heavier and denser than other AOCs and less fragrant. They benefit from a few years cellaring.

Question 28

Describe the wines of Moulis?

Answer 28

They are Merlot based and full bodied and benefit from cellaring.

Question 29

What are the soils of Moulis?

Answer 29

Varied with subsoils containing a higher content of clay and marls.

Question 30

Where is Graves located?

Answer 30

South of Bordeaux and stretches 36 ml/60 km southeast towards Langon.

Question 31

Where were the first vineyards planted in Bordeaux?

Answer 31

Graves which is taken from the French for gravel.

Question 32

What are the AOCs of Graves?

Answer 32

Graves AOC - awarded 1937;
Graves Superieures AOC - awarded 1937;
Pessac-Leognan AOC - awarded 1987.

Question 33

Which forest lies west of the Graves vineyards?

Answer 33

Les Landes

Question 34

What are the soils of Graves?

Answer 34

Mainly gravel mounds on the left bank of the Garonne River. In Cerons they begin to mix with clay, marl, limestone and sand.

Question 35

What are the styles of the AOCs of Graves and Pessac-Leognan?

Answer 35

Both are red and dry white.

Question 36

What are the grapes of the AOCs of Graves and Pessac-Leognan?

Answer 36

White: (P) Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle;
Red: (P) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

Question 37

What is the style and grapes of Graves Superieure AOC?

Answer 37

Semi-sweet white ONLY.
White: (P) Semillon, Sauvugnon Blanc, Muscadelle;

Question 38

How are grapes chosen for the Graves Superieure wines?

Answer 38

They are grapes which are concentrated with Noble Rot or passillerage.

Question 39

What grapes are used in the red and white wines of Graves AOC?

Answer 39

Red blends based on Cabernet Sauvignon.
White based on Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.(oaked or non-oaked)

Question 40

What % production of Graves AOC is red?

Answer 40

85%

Question 41

When did Pessac-Leognan get its AOC status?

Answer 41

It was originally part of Graves AOC until it became stand-alone in 1987.

Question 42

Describe the red wines produced in Pessac-Leognan?

Answer 42

Noteworthy Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds from grapes grown on deep gravel soils. Many have a hint of clove.

Question 43

What grapes are used in the white wines produced in Pessac-Leognan? Describe them?

Answer 43

Based on Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. May often see oak. Their crisp acidity keeps them ageing gracefully for a decade or two.