Bordeaux Study Guide Flashcards
What is the largest AOC in France?
Bordeaux AOP
What percentage of wine made in Bordeaux is red?
90% (10% white)
What is the average retail price of Bordeaux AOP or Bordeaux Superieur AOP?
$20
What is the average price retail of the first growth wines and others in their orbit of quality and distinction?
$1500 and up
What are Bordeaux’s top wines known for?
Their ability to be elegant while still possessing concentrated, powerful flavors
Why are Bordeaux wines, both red and white almost always blends of two or more varieties?
Blending is used to achieve complex flavors. Plus growing multiple varieties that ripen at different times is a practical way of spreading the agricultural risk in Bordeaux’s sometimes difficult maritime climate.
How many appellations are in Bordeaux?
Approximately 60
How much larger is Bordeaux compared to Napa? Burgundy?
Six times larger than Napa
Four times larger than Burgundy
What are the three major rivers of Bordeaux?
Gironde Estuary
Dordogne (Right Bank)
Garonne (Left Bank)
What ocean current is responsible for the mitigation of Bordeaux’s climate?
Gulf Stream
What risks does the maritime climate and the pine forests of Bordeaux mitigate?
Storms, severe cold snaps, and potentially devastating frosts.
What does Muscadelle contribute to Bordeaux white wines?
Light floral character
What does Semillon provide for Bordeaux white blends?
Weight, depth and waxy character and, with age, a honied character. Provides nice foil for the pungent character of Sauvignon Blanc. Main grape for Sauternes as its thin skins are great for botrytis
What does Cabernet Franc contribute to Bordeaux red blends?
Aromatic intensity and notes of violets and spices.
What does Cabernet Sauvignon provide to Bordeaux red blends?
Structure and framework
What does Merlot contribute to Bordeaux Blends?
Round and supple, contributes flesh to Cabernet’s Structure. Gives wines an expansive mid-palate
What does Petit Verdot contribute to Bordeaux blends?
Vivid color, flavor intensity, and tannin
What is paramount in regards to great Bordeaux vineyards? What are the best soils to facilitate this?
Good drainage.
Gravel and stone like limestone
What soil type can pose the most problems in Bordeaux? Why?
Clay because
doesn’t drain water as well
stays cool in the spring delaying the vine’s bud break and slows the start of ripening
What is necessary in vineyards with higher proportions of clay to produce good wine?
More warm weather
Why is Merlot better suited to clay soils?
Because of its slightly less tannic structure to begin with, and because it tends to ripen early.
Also the cool soil delays the vigor of an otherwise vigorous Merlot grape
Red Bordeaux by law must be made of one or more of six red grapes. What are they?
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec Merlot Carmenère
What is the most planted red grape of Bordeaux? Second most planted? Third most?
Merlot (Approximately 60% of total plantings) Cabernet Sauvignon (approximately 20%) Cabernet Franc (approximately 10%)
What key component in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot contribute to Bordeaux’s longevity? Why?
Tannin
It is a natural preservative
What grape is the father of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère?
Cabernet Franc
Malbec is a crossing of what two grapes?
Prunelard x Magdeleine Noire des Charentes
What are the nine grapes permitted for Bordeaux blanc wines?
Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Muscadelle Ugni Blanc Colombard Merlot Blanc Sauvignon Gris Alvarinho Liliorila
What two neighbors are considered the best Semillon-dominant dry whites of Graves?
La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc
Haut-Brion Blanc
Who is the mother of Muscadelle? Is it related to Muscat?
Gouais Blanc
Not related to Muscat of any kind
What do the terms château, cuverie, and chai mean in Bordeaux?
Château refers to a building attached to vineyards.
Cuverie refers to the building the wine will be made in
Chai refers to the cellar where it will be stored and aged
How are the classifications of Bordeaux most interestingly dissimilar to Burgundy?
Classification is attached to the estate in Bordeaux but not in Burgundy where it is to delimited land not to be expanded or collapsed from proximal land acquisition.
How many chateaux were classified in the 1855 classification?
61
What is the classification of Château d’Yquem?
Premier Cru Supérieur Classé
When were the vineyards of Sauternes and Barsac classified?
1855
When were the vineyards of Graves classified? Revised? How is it different than the 1855 classifications?
1953 (revised in 1959)
Chateaux were not ranked. All were given title Grand Cru Classé
When were the chateaux of St.-Émilion classified? How is this classification unique?
1954
Subjected to revision (every 10 years)
What is the hierarchy of the St.-Émilion classification?
Premiers Grands Crus Classés at the top divided between A and B levels
Grands Crus Classés below these
Grand Cru below that
How many chateaux were classified in the Graves classification?
16
When was Mouton promoted to first growth?
1973
How does the selling of en primeur (futures) work in Bordeaux?
Chateaux set opening prices for the wines produced each year and during the spring of the year following harvest the wines go on sale for the opening amounts.
The wines will not be delivered for another two, three years or more until they’re finished aging.
What’s the advantage for chateaux for en primeur? Consumers?
Chateaux get instant cash flow and the consumer gets the wines at a much better price (but not always) than if they would’ve waited until the wine’s release.
What famous Château stopped selling en primeur in 2012?
Château Latour
What are the two Grand Cru Classés A of St.-Emilion?
Pavie
Figeac
What are the 14 Grand Cru Classés B of Saint-Emilion?
Beau-Séjour Becot Beauséjour Bélair-Monange (Belair until '08) Canon Canon-la-Gaffelière La Gaffelière Figeac Clos Fourtet
Lacris-Ducasse La Mondotte Pavie-Macquin Troplong-Mondot Trottevieille Valandraud
What are 5 St.-Emilion Grand Cru Classés?
Bellevue Fleur-Cardinale Quinalt l'Enclos Pavie-Decesse La Tour Figeac
When was the classification for Cru Artisans defined? When it was formally approved?
Defined in 2002
Approved in 2006
What are 5 Cru Artisan producers located in the major communes of the Médoc that contain the classified growths of the Medoc?
Béhèré (Pauillac) Capdet (St.-Julien) de Bigos (Margaux) Gassies du Vieux Bourg (Margaux) La Peyre (St.-Estephe)
How often is the Crus Bourgeois list updated? By who?
Every year by the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
What are the two large appellations of the Haut-Médoc?
Médoc (Bas)
Haut-Médoc
How do the soils of Listrac and Moulis differ from the rest of the Médoc? What wines does this produce?
The soils are heavier and less well draining giving wines that are less refined and more roughly textured
In what century did the Dutch engineers drain the Haut-Médoc? When were the most prestigious Châteaux vineyards established including Lafite, Latour, and Mouton?
17th century (1600s)
Vineyards established during the 17th century and early 18th century (1600s and early 1700s)
What is the largest commune of the Médoc?
Margaux
Which commune of the Médoc is home to the lightest and most gravelly soils there?
Margaux
How are the best wines from Margaux described?
Like an iron fist in a velvet glove
A combination of power with delicacy, soaring elegance, and refinement
What is the smallest of the major communes of the Médoc and home to the highest percentage of classified growths relative to the rest produced there? What’s the %?
St.-Julien
95% of wine produced here is from chateaux classified in 1855
Which two Leoville estates are said to broach First Growth Status in good years?
Leoville-Las Cases
Leoville-Poyferré
What are the best wines in St.-Julien known for?
Precision and refinement, similar to Margaux
How many classified Châteaux does Pauillac boast?
18 of the 61
Despite its border with St.-Estephe, Lafite is known for its remarkable elegance. What is this due to?
The band of Limestone which it grows on.
What commune in the Haut-Medoc is know for wines produced from more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon? Why is this the case?
St.-Estephe
More clay in the soil.
Good Bordeaux should age for how long before being ready?
8-10 years or more
The best soils of Graves are composed of what?
Gravel, sand, and quartz
Where in Bordeaux do most Châteaux make both red and white wine?
Graves
What region in Bordeaux was first to be internationally recognized? When was this?
Graves
Casks of wine were shipped from here to England in the 12th century (1100s)
When was Pessac-Léognan established?
1987
Which first growth of the 1855 Classification is known for having the highest % of both Merlot and Cabernet Franc?
Haut-Brion
as much as 45% Merlot and up to 20% Cab Franc
What is considered the perfect pairing for white bordeaux?
Icy cold, briny oysters caught off Bordeaux’s Atlantic coast
What are considered the top three Pessac-Léognan whites?
La Mission Haut-Brion
Haut-Brion
Domaine de Chevalier
What are the five communes of sweet wine production for Sauternes?
Sauternes Barsac Bommes Fargues Preignac
How much larger is Sauternes than Barsac?
Four times larger
The balance of what three taste components are recipes for great Sauternes?
Sugar
Acidity
Alcohol
What is Botrytis cinerea known as in France?
Pourriture Noble (Noble Rot)
Why is semillon a good candidate for Botrytis?
Large clusters of thin-skinned grapes with high sugar content
The convergence of what two rivers create the ideal mists for Botrytis in Sauternes and Barsac? What must follow these early morning mists?
Ciron River
Garonne River
Warm afternoons otherwise the Noble Rot becomes rot.
What makes for a good growing season for Sauternes?
Good warm growing season so the grapes have ample sugar. Followed by the proper balance of moisture, dryness, and warmth.
Dry end to the growing season so that rot and mildew don’t destroy the crop.
How much longer is a fermentation of Sauternes compared to non-botrytised white wine?
It takes up to 1 year due to the concentration of sugar in the must compared to 2 weeks for most non-botrytised wine.
Yeast die usually when the abv in a fermenting must reaches 15%. Why do some Sauternes and Barsac stop at 13% abv? Which is more preferred for a high quality finished product?
Some stop at 13% as the fungus in combo with the alcohol can kill the yeast. This is more desirable as it creates much more balance at the lower alcohol level.
In Sauternes and Barsac, the finesse and complexity of the wine produced there is directly related to what?
How thoroughly and uniformly the Botrytis takes hold in the vineyard
What flavors does Botrytis add to a wine?
Ginger, Saffron, Clementine, Sweet Corn, and Mushrooms
For how long is Sauternes and/or Barsac aged following fermentation?
2 years
How long should a great Sauternes be cellared before being open?
5-10 years or more
Can age for well over 30-50 years
Y, G, and R are all dry white wines made from top Sauternes Producers. Who are the producers of each?
Château d’Yquem (Y)
Château Guiraud (G)
Château Rieussec (R)
How do dry whites from Sauternes differ from Pessac-Léognan and the rest of Graves?
They’re invariably made from mostly Semillon and are very full-bodied, bolder, and thicker textured with often higher alcohol.
Which famous Bordeaux estate is known for having the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc relative to the others on both sides of the Gironde? What grape comprises the rest of the blend
Cheval Blanc
Merlot (55% or more most often)
What soil type is found in higher proportion in St.-Emilion than elsewhere in Bordeaux?
Limestone
How are the best Pomerol described?
As having Bordeaux’s most harmonic convergence of intensity and elegance.
Christian Moueix owns which famous Pomerol Château? What’s the name of his famous Napa estate?
Pétrus
Dominus (Napa)
What are 8 top Pomerol producers?
Pétrus Le Pin Lafleur La Fleur de Gay L'Évangile La Conseillante Certain de May Trotanoy
What are the two top wines of Moulis-en-Médoc? Top wine of Listrac?
Château Chasse-Spleen and Château Poujeaux in Moulis
Château Forcas-Hosten in Listrac
What style of wine is produced under the AOC Entre-Deux-Mers? Why?
White wine only
The reds produced here are often lower in quality compared to the whites
Red wine produced in the Entre-Deux-Mers region carries one of which two AOC on its label?
Bordeaux AOP
Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
What are 5 top producers in the Entre-Deux-Mers region?
Château Bonnet Château de Camarsac Château Nordique la Gravière Château Peyrebon Château Turcaud
In relation to Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, where are Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac? What are the two dominant grapes here?
Just north and slightly west
Merlot and Cabernet Franc with some Cab Sauvignon
What are two top producers of Fronsac?
Château Vieille-Cure
Château Dalem
What four “Côtes” may use the broader Côtes de Bordeaux AOC if they prefer? Since when? What’s the leading grape variety here?
Côtes de Bourg
Côtes de Castillon
Côtes de Francs
Premières Côtes de Blaye
Since 2008
Merlot is the leading grape variety.
What is the appellation for the following:
Château Puygueraud
Château Roc de Cambes
Château Les Jonqueyres
Château de Francs
Château Puygueraud (Côtes de Francs)
Château Roc de Cambes (Côtes de Bourg)
Château Les Jonqueyres (Côtes de Blay)
Château de Francs (Côtes de Francs)
Bordeaux accounts for what % of France’s total area under vine?
14%
What is the biggest difference between Bordeaux’s maritime climate and Southern France’s mediterranean climate?
lack of a dry season in Bordeaux
Which region of Bordeaux experiences more annual rainfall than any other major wine producing region in France?
Médoc
What are Bordeaux’s driest months traditionally?
July and August
What is the source of the Gulf Stream’s warm current?
The Caribbean
Technically Bordeaux is not considered a marginal climate for grape growing, but what makes the climate produce variation from year to year?
cold and wet fall weather which can spell trouble for late ripening grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot
What classification is Bordeaux on the winkler scale?
Region II
How is Bordeaux most different from Napa and most vineyards on the west coast?
It does not experience a sizable diurnal shift
Following what year did Bordeaux see a sizable increase in the number of Merlot plantings?
Following 1956 which saw a devastating winter lay waist to many Bordeaux vines.
What is Bordeaux’s most planted white grape?
Sémillon
Why does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer gravel to clay?
The soils are warmer and better draining which aids in the ripening of the late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon.
Which two main red BDX grapes are half-sibblins sharing Magdeleine Noire des Charentes as a parent?
Merlot and Malbec
What is the other name for pyrazine?
2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine
Which of the BDX red grapes is not known for presence of pyrazines in wine?
Malbec
How does Merlot compare to Cabernet Sauvignon physiologically? Biggest disadvantage comparatively speaking?
Ripens earlier, thinner skins, less susceptible to wood-rotting diseases, and can live longer.
Accumulates sugar quickly and in warm climates can give wines with very high alcohol levels.
Between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which resists rot better? Why?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cab has thicker skins
What does Cabernet Franc add to wines of the Right Bank?
Acidity and aromatics to Merlot
What was Malbec previously called in Bordeaux?
Pressac Noir
What grape that is a mutation and genetically identical to Sauvignon Blanc is permitted in Graves whites?
Sauvignon Gris
What are the three regional appellations in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux AOP
Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
Crémant de Bordeaux AOP
What is the name of the natural wine producer owned and run by Jean-Pierre and Pascal Amoreau petitioning for AOP status for their Merlot-dominant wines? What are the two red wines they make?
What is their current AOP?
Château Le Puy
Emilien
Barthelemy (rarer single vineyard bottle)
Côtes de Bordeaux/Côtes de Francs
What is the best rosé in Bordeaux called? How is it most commonly produced?
Clairet
Saignée
What style of wine is permitted for Bordeaux AOP? Bordeaux Supérieur AOP?
Bordeaux AOP
red, white (sec, off-dry, and medium sweet), rosé, and clairet
Bordeaux Supérieur AOP
Red and medium sweet whites
How long must Crémant de Bordeaux age on its lees?
9 months
What is the Vin de Pays (IGP) of Bordeaux?
Atlantique IGP
How many departments does the Atlantique IGP span? What are they?
5 departments
Gironde Charente Charente-Maritime Dordogne Lot-et-Garonne (western Part)
Where are producers making IGP Atlantique more commonly located?
Outside of Bordeaux in Bergerac, Duras, or Cognac
The marriage of which two nobles gave way to English influence in Bordeaux?
Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II
For how long did England rule Bordeaux?
300 years from 1154-1453
What battle resulted in Bordeaux reverting back to the French control?
Battle of Castillon in 1453
Though the 1855 Classification is set in stone there exists another classification that is updated annually and based on current trading price. What is it called? As of 2015 what wines have ascended to first growth status? Second?
Liv-Ex Classification (London International Vintners Exchange)
La Mission Haut-Brion is First Growth
Palmer, Lynch-Bages, and Pontet-Canet have ascended to the second tier.
What is the motto at Mouton?
“Premier je suis. Second je fus. Mouton ne change”
First I am. Second I was. Mouton doesn’t change
What three diseases brought from America plagued Bordeaux in the second half of the 19th century?
Oidium/Powdery Mildew (1852)
Phylloxera (1869)
Pernospera/Downy Mildew (1880s)
In 2011 what was the fourth most planted grape in Bordeaux?
Villard Noir, a hybrid grape
What spelled the decline for Malbec and Carmenère in Bordeaux?
Their difficulty to graft following Phylloxera
Who was the first Châteaux to begin estate bottling? When was this?
1924
Practice did not become widespread until the 1960s.
In what year did Château bottling become compulsory for classified estates in the Médoc?
1972
Prior to 2008 Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux was permitted to make red wine. Now it makes exclusively medium sweet white. What AOP replaced it for red wine production in 2008?
Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux
When was IGP Atlantique created?
2006
How many bottles of wine are produced from one barrique (225L) barrel?
300 bottles or 25 cases
What are the two prototypes respectively in St.-Emilion and Pomerol for the garagiste or micro cuvée movement?
Valandraud (St.-Emilion) Le Pin (Pomerol)
How many cases annually do most garagiste producers make?
A few hundered
Why has quality in Bordeaux improved creating the illusion that more recent vintages have been consistently better?
Stricter pruning throughout the year, higher trellising, more careful canopy management, and much more cautious use of agrochemicals
Which Cru Bourgeois in the Médoc is under the same ownership as Leoville-Las Cases?
Château Potensac (Jean-Hubert Delon)
When was the Cru Bourgeois’s last revision? Annulment? Reinstatement?
2003 (Revised)
2007 (Annulled)
2010 (Reintroduced)
What were the 9 Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels in the 2003 Revision? Which are the only 3 that still use the Cru Bourgeois designation following reinstatement in 2010?
All preceded by “Château”
Chasse-Spleen (Moulis) Poujeaux (Moulis) Haut-Marbuzet (St.-Estephe) * Les Ormes de Pez (St.-Estephe) de Pez (St.-Estephe) Phélan Ségur (St.-Estephe)* Siran (Margaux) Labégorce Zédé (Margaux)* Potensac (Médoc)
Which 6 producers of the 9 Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels from the 2003 revision chose to unite as a group and remain outside of the reinstated 2010 Crus Bourgeois? What name do they call themselves?
Chasse-Spleen Poujeaux Potensac Siran de Pez Les Ormes de Pez
“Les Exceptionnels”
What are 5 producers classified as Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs in the 2003 revision?
Greysac Beaumont Clarke d'Arche d'Arsac
Why do vineyards further downstream approaching St.-Estephe fair better in hotter vintages like 2003 and 2010?
The soil is less well-draining and contains less gravel and more water retentive soils like clay
How do wines in the northern Haut-Modoc differ from the middle and southern sectors?
More acidic and sturdy, mouth filling, but less aromatic
What vineyard is directly across the Jalle du Breuil from Château Lafite?
Cos d’Estournel
How are the wines of St.-Estephe described?
strong, sturdy wines, with a dark color that are long-lived
Château de Pez and Château Pichon Baron Comtesse de Lalande are owned by what Champagne house?
Louis Roederer
Château Meney is between what two Châteaux? What about Château Haut-Marbuzet?
Meyney is between Calon-Ségur and Montrose
Haut-Marbuzet is between Montrose and Cos d’Estournel
What are the wines produced from Haut-Marbuzet described as?
Seductive and oaky
Château Sociando-Mallet has been known to beat first growths in blind tastings. Where is it located?
To the north of St.-Estephe in the commune of St.-Seurin-de-Cadourne
What commune is the northern boundary of the Haut-Médoc?
St.-Seurin
What two Châteaux occupy the highest elevations in Pauillac?
Mouton and Pontet-Canet
Lafite is known for elegance and Latour is known for brooding structure. What’s paradoxical about this?
Lafite borders St.-Estephe where the wines are more traditionally structured
Latour borders St.-Julien where the wines are softer and known for more elegance.
The second label of Latour is priced similarly to most second growths. What is the second label called?
Les Forts de Latour
How is Mouton described?
Opulent, strong, dark, flavor rich, and exotic
When was Le Petit Mouton first introduced?
1997
Who owns the most successful brand in Bordeaux? What is it called?
Baron Philippe Rothschild (Mouton)
Called Mouton Cadet
The best wines of Pauillac should be cellared for how many years before enjoyed?
Between 10-20 years
Which wine is known for its rich spiciness and is often called a Mouton for not-quite millionaires?
Château Lynch-Bages
What “Super Second” is the largest Cru Classé in the Médoc and neighbor of Mouton?
Pontet-Canet
Who owns d’Armailhac and Clerc Milon?
Mouton
Who owns Duhart-Milon?
The Rothschilds of Lafite
What are the three top Crus Bourgeois of Pauillac?
Pibran
Fonbadet
Haut-Bages Monpelou
What is the name of the local cooperative of Pauillac?
La Rose-Pauillac
Where are the gravel croupes deepest?
Pauillac
What is the name of the top unclassified Château near Beychevelle in St.-Julien?
Château Gloria
Wines of St.-Julien are described as what?
Middle ground between Pauillac and Margaux. Round and gentle with age.
Suntory owns which St.-Julien classed growth?
Château Lagrange
What are the three classified growths of St.-Laurent? What major commune are they near? What growth are each?
La Tour Carnet (3rd)
Bellegrave (5th)
Camensac (5th)
What are the top two Cru Bourgeois of St.-Julien?
du Glana
Moulin de la Rose
What are the top two Listrac producers?
Fourcas-Hosten
Fourcas-Dupré
What is the top producer of Cussac?
Château Beaumont
