Bordeaux Pt 8 - Medoc & Graves Flashcards
What are the sub-regions of Bordeaux?
Medoc;
Graves;
Sauternais;
Entre-deux-Mers;
Libournais;
Cotes.
Where are Medoc vineyards located?
In a narrow swathe of land along the Left-Bank of the Gironde Estuary north of the city of Bordeaux.
What are the soils of Medoc?
Mainly gravel mounds atop limestone.
What is the local climate of Medoc?
Maritime moderated by the effects of the Gironde and the Atlantic.
Name the eight AOCs of Medoc?
Medoc; Haut-Medoc;Saint-Estephe;Pauillac; Saint-Julien; Margaux; Listrac-Medoc; Moulis-en-Medoc/Moulis.
What is the style and grapes of the Medoc AOCs?
All are RED style.
Grapes are :
(P) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot;
(S) Cabernet Franc; Petit Verdot; Cot, Carmenere.
When were AOCs awarded in Medoc?
1936 - Medoc; Haut-Medoc;Saint-Estephe;Pauillac; Saint-Julien;
1938 - Moulis-en-Medoc/Moulis;
1954 - Margaux;
1957 - Listrac-Medoc.
Where is Medoc AOC located?
In the north of the Medoc peninsula.
Why does Merlot dominate plantings in the Medoc AOC?
It is more clay and limestone than gravel here which is suited to Merlot.
How much of the Medoc Peninsula production is here?
40% of the entire Peninsula production.
Where is Haut-Medoc AOC located?
In the southern 2/3rds of the Medoc Peninsula. It runs for 36 ml/60km. There are a number of mesoclimates.
What are the soils of Haut-Medoc?
Gravel atop limestone.
Where are most of the Cru Bourgeois located?
In Medoc and Haut-Medoc AOCs.
Where are the majority of the 1855 Chateaux located?
In four communes of the Medoc - Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estephe, Saint-Julien.
Why is there a higher % of Merlot in the Saint-Estephe blends?
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.
What does Merlot add to the blend in Saint-Estephe?
It softens what would otherwise be a hard, tannic wine ( which is due to the climatic conditions).
Which AOC in Medoc has more classified growths than any other?
Pauillac AOC has 17.
What is the soil of Pauillac?
Gravelly soil with excellent natural drainage.
Describe the blends of Pauillac?
Cabernet Sauvignon dominant with fully ripened grapes. They are powerful, structured with great ageability and dusty cocoa aroma.
Which AOC is regarded as the most “Californian” of the Medoc?
Saint-Julien AOC.
Describe the wine of Saint-Julien AOC?
Cabernet Sauvignon dominates and expresses itself as cherry and chocolate.
What is the soil of Saint-Julien?
Gravel mounds over subsoils of clay, marl, gravel and iron-pan.
Which AOC wines are regarded as the most delicate, perfumed and elegant of the Medoc wines?
Margaux.
What is the soil of Margaux?
Gravels which vary in size and composition. There is more sand in the subsoil, which is quick to warm but not very water-retentive.
Which two communes are further inland in Medoc?
Listrac and Moulis. They are more cooler.
What are the soils of Listrac?
Soils have more clay, sands and limestone.
What is the character of Listrac wines?
They are Merlot dominant. They are heavier and denser than other AOCs and less fragrant. They benefit from a few years cellaring.
Describe the wines of Moulis?
They are Merlot based and full bodied and benefit from cellaring.
What are the soils of Moulis?
Varied with subsoils containing a higher content of clay and marls.
Where is Graves located?
South of Bordeaux and stretches 36 ml/60 km southeast towards Langon.
Where were the first vineyards planted in Bordeaux?
Graves which is taken from the French for gravel.
What are the AOCs of Graves?
Graves AOC - awarded 1937;
Graves Superieures AOC - awarded 1937;
Pessac-Leognan AOC - awarded 1987.
Which forest lies west of the Graves vineyards?
Les Landes
What are the soils of Graves?
Mainly gravel mounds on the left bank of the Garonne River. In Cerons they begin to mix with clay, marl, limestone and sand.
What are the styles of the AOCs of Graves and Pessac-Leognan?
Both are red and dry white.
What are the grapes of the AOCs of Graves and Pessac-Leognan?
White: (P) Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle;
Red: (P) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.
What is the style and grapes of Graves Superieure AOC?
Semi-sweet white ONLY.
White: (P) Semillon, Sauvugnon Blanc, Muscadelle;
How are grapes chosen for the Graves Superieure wines?
They are grapes which are concentrated with Noble Rot or passillerage.
What grapes are used in the red and white wines of Graves AOC?
Red blends based on Cabernet Sauvignon.
White based on Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.(oaked or non-oaked)
What % production of Graves AOC is red?
85%
When did Pessac-Leognan get its AOC status?
It was originally part of Graves AOC until it became stand-alone in 1987.
Describe the red wines produced in Pessac-Leognan?
Noteworthy Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds from grapes grown on deep gravel soils. Many have a hint of clove.
What grapes are used in the white wines produced in Pessac-Leognan? Describe them?
Based on Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. May often see oak. Their crisp acidity keeps them ageing gracefully for a decade or two.
