Bourdeaux - Red Wines Flashcards
What type of climate is Bordeaux?
Moderate maritime.
What contributes to the warming of Bordeaux?
the Gulf Stream - warming ocean current
What negative impacts does Bordeaux’s proximity to the Atlantic bring?
High levels of rainfall and humidity
What protects Bordeaux from the worst of Atlantic storms?
Landes Forest and sand dunes.
Potential negative impacts of rainfall Bordeaux?
Disrupts flowering and fruit set
Diluted fruit at harvest
What has brought consistency and healthier grapes to the region?
Canopy management. Specifically, trellising and Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)
What does VSP aid with in Bordeaux?
Sunlight and ripening
(No need to worry about sunburn)
Air circulation and limiting fungal disease = less need to spray chemicals and if needed, more effective spraying
Mechanical harvesting
What does Botrytis Cinerea (grey rot) lead to in black grapes? (Negative)
Colour loss,
What are the two main types of mildew and what are they treated with?
Powdery Mildew - sulphur-based spray
Downy Mildew - Bordeaux mixture (copper-based)
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon focused?
Haut-Medoc
Graves (pessac-Leognan)
and to a lesser extent, Bas-Medoc
What type of soil does Cab Sauv need to reliably ripen?
Gravel
Where is Cabernet Franc most important? Where else is it relevant?
Saint Emilion and Pomerol
Relevant in Medoc and Graves
What character does Cabernet Franc have when unripe?
Herbaceous and stalky
How does Cab Franc compare to Cab Sauv in terms of body and tannin?
Lower body and tannin
What type of soils does Cabernet Franc thrive in?
Well-drained, warm soil
What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?
Merlot
Where is Merlot particularly important?
Saint-Emilion and Pomerol (Right Bank)
What are the characteristics of “international style” Merlot? (colour, flavour, tannin, maturation)
Intense purple colour, concentrated blackberry and plum, soft velvet tannin. Often aged in new, toasty oak
What is the second style in which Merlot is made?
grapes are harvested earlier. medium body and alcohol, higher acid, fresh red fruit character with some vegetal, leafy aromas.
What does Merlot add to Bordeaux blends?
Smooth texture and juicy plum
What is avoided during fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Extractive cap management and high temperature (particularly towards the end of fermentation)
Would you employ post-fermentation maceration with Cab Sauv? Why?
Yes
To encourage gentle extraction of tannin and to soften existing tannins
Would you use post-fermentation maceration with Merlot? Why?
Yes
Extract colour and flavour
Which grape buds and ripens earlier, Cab Sauv or Merlot?
Merlot
Generally Haut-Medoc Cabernet exhibits what aromas and tannins when young?
Cedar and blackcurrant leaf
Grippy tannins
Name the fourth, more minor black grape of Bordeaux
Petite Verdot
Petite Verdot only ripens in some vintages, which ones?
Hot ones
What does Petite Verdot add to a blend?
Tannin, colour and spicy notes
How does the appellation ‘Bordeaux Superieur’ compare to generic Bordeaux?
Stricter rules and higher ABV
Early drinking, medium bodied red with hints of cedar describes which appellation?
Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur
What is Clairet?
Longer maceration rose
What soils are most common in Bas-Medoc? What grape is most common?
Clay with gravel outcrops
Merlot
Main smaller appellations/communes within the Haut Medoc?
St. Estephe
Paulliac
St. Julien
Margaux
Blackcurrant fruit complemented by cedar notes from oak with long-ageing potential describes wine from…
Haut-Medoc and communes
What is the most highly rated area in Graves?
Pessac-Leognan
What is the main black grape in Pessac-Leognan?
Cabernet Sauvignon
How do wines from Pessac-Leognan compare with those of Haut-Medoc?
Lighter, more fragrant
Wines from Graves (outside Pessac-Leognan) are heavier in what?
Merlot (and are less concentrated and complex than wines from Pessac-Leognan)
What is the main soil type in Pessac-Legonan?
Gravel
What are the four appellations that have agreed to share the name, ‘Cotes de Bordeaux’?
Francs
Cadillac
Blaye
Castillon
What style of wine is made in Cote de Bordeaux appellations?
Early-drinking
Excellent value
Merlot-based
How often does reclassification happen in Saint Emilion?
At least every 10 years
What are the four chateaux classifications in Saint Emilion?
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru classe
Saint-Emilion Premier Gand Cru classe B
Saint-Emilion Premier Gand Cru classe A
3 grapes of the Right Bank in order of prevalence?
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Break Saint-Emilion into it’s three parts.
Plateau
S S-E facing escarpment
Base of Escarpment
What grapes are grown on the Saint-Emilion plateau? How?
Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Gravel and limestone soils
Describe best wines from Saint-Emilion (tannin, flavour). How do these compare to Left Bank reds?
Medium-High tannins
Complex red berry and Plum
Evolving to Tobacco and Cedar
Wines are Soft with a rich mouthfeel in comparison to Left Bank
How do wines from Pomerol compare to those of Saint-Emilion
Similar in quality and price
Richer and with spicier blackberry notes
What year was the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce approached to create a list of best Medoc reds and Sauternes whites?
1855
What are cru classe wines?
Wines from a Chateaux that was selected in 1855 as one of the best. Geographical boundaries can shift and quality is not tested
What is the classification ‘cru bourgeois’ awarded to?
Individual wines from a specific vintage (wines must be submitted each year)
Where are all the cru classe chateaux in Graves?
Pessac-Leognan
