Bordeaux Reds

Question 1

Most red Bordeaux grapes are destemmed and crushed before fermentation.
True or false?

Answer 1

True dis

Question 2

Red wine fermentation temperature range?

Answer 2

20c to 32c

Question 3

Colour, flavour and tannin extraction during fermentation can be controlled by… (2)

Answer 3

1. Controlling the temperature of fermentation. Tannins are more soluble at higher temperatures.
2. Working the cap less towards to end of fermentation in terms of duration and frequency.

Question 4

2nd and subsequent pressings, the wine becomes…

Answer 4

Deeper in colour and higher in tannin.

Useful for adjustments during blending.

Question 5

Bordeaux benefits from the warming effects of which ocean current?

Answer 5

The Gulf Stream

Question 6

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the Haut-Medoc, Bas-Medoc and Graves. What terroir feature enables the fruit to ripen?

Answer 6

The stoney, gravelly soil which absorbs solar radiation.

Question 7

Bordeaux. 
Cabernet Franc vs Cabernet Sauvignon
1. Which is the most tannic?
2. Which has the greater body?
3. Which grapes prefers well drained, warm soils

Answer 7

1. Cab Sauvignon
2. Cab Sauvignon
3. Both

Question 8

What does Cabernet Franc lend to a Bordeaux blend?

Answer 8

When ripe…

Vibrant fruit and floral notes.

Question 9

Merlot is used mostly in which Bordeax areas? (2)

Answer 9

St-Émilion

Pomerol

Question 10

Describe the terroir Merlot prefers in Bordeaux?

Answer 10

Cooler, clay soils

Question 11

Merlot’s softness means it is predominate in cheap and cheerful or premium Bordeaux wines?

Answer 11

Both

Question 12

Petit Verdot likes what sort of climate in Bordeaux?

Answer 12

Hot, to fully ripen

Question 13

What does Petit Verdot bring to a Bordeaux blend? (4)

Answer 13

1. Deep colour
2. Tannin
3. Ageing potential
4. Spice notes

Question 14

Why might a top Bordeaux producer do 2nd or 3rd wines?

Answer 14

They don’t come up to scratch for a Grand Vin,

and if that ain’t good enough it gets flogged to a négotiant

Question 15

The classification of Saint-Émilion differs from the rest of Bordeaux how…

Answer 15

The classification is part of the appellation. In Bordeaux, the cru clasé is not.

Question 16

Describe the St-Émilion Grand Cru appellation’s classification

Answer 16

Appelation is Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Classification:
Grand Cru Classé

Above that: Premier Grand Cru Classé
Which has A (the best) and B (almost the best)

Question 17

Northern most part of Medoc is aka…

Answer 17

Bas-Medoc.

Just Medoc really

Question 18

Medoc soil is predominantly what…

and thus which grape predominates.

Answer 18

1. Clay, but with outcrops of gravel

2. Merlot

Question 19

The Haut-Medoc starts from which appellation (or commune)

Answer 19

Saint-Estèphe

Question 20

Name the four best communes in the Haut-Medoc

Answer 20

St. Estephe
Pauillac
St.Julien
Margaux

Question 21

Haut Medoc red wine style

Answer 21

Blackcurrant fruit
Cedar notes
Grippy tannins when young
(Ageing potential)

Question 22

Pessac-Léognan’s terroir?

Compared to Haut Médoc wines?

Answer 22

Similar to Haut-Médoc. Gravelly.

Lighter body and more fragrant

Question 23

Graves red compared to Pessec-Leognan?

Answer 23

Less concentration and complexity

More Merlot

Question 24

Three distinct groups of Right Bank wines?

Terroir and grapes for each.

Answer 24

1. A plateau to the N and W of the town.
   Warm, well drained gravel and limestone
   Good for Cab Franc and sometimes Cab Sauv,
2. An escarpment to the S and E.
   Clay limestone soils.
   The most prestigious wines come from here
3. The foothills of the escarpment
   Lighter bodied, less prestigious

Question 25

Compare best St.Émilion to Haut-Medoc

Answer 25

``` Medium to high tannins Less structure Softer, richer mouthfeel Complex red berry and plum Tobacco and cedar as they age. ```

Question 26

Bordeaux Vins de garage (not needed for L3 btw) are what

Answer 26

(Not for L3) | Right bank appelations of very ripe wines made in tiny quantities by garagiste.

Question 27

Côtes de Bordeaux... ?

Answer 27

A group of lesser known appellations surrounding Saint-Émilion. Merlot based. Easy drinking

Question 28

Name four grape varietals in Bordeaux and their role within the blend

Answer 28

Merlot: Body and soft mouthfeel. Ripe red berry fruits and plums Cabernet Sauvignon: Structure, blackcurrent, dark plums, dark fruit and cedar. high acidity and high tannin enable this to age. Cabernet Franc: Vibrant red fruit, red currants, red plums and floral notes Petit Verdot: Minor role. Adds tannin, deep colour, spice and ageing potential

Question 29

Name the top five Left Bank Grand Cru Clasée Chateaux

Answer 29

``` Saint-Estephe Saint-Julian Margaux Pauillac Sauternes ```

Question 30

The Saint-Emilion Classification system heirarchy

Answer 30

``` Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe B Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion Grand Cru ? Tba ```

Question 31

What does Merlot bring to a Bordeaux blend?

Answer 31

Body, softer mouthfeel, ripe red berry fruits: raspberry, cherry, plum.