Ch 13 Flashcards
where is Barsac
village in sautern
-west bank of Geronne
what grapes are in Sauternes
Semillon –> donminates –> botrytis
Sauv blanc–> acidity and fruity aroma
Muscadelle–> exotic perfume
sweet, high alcohol, high acidity
apricot and citrus peal
where would you find premium dry white wine in Bordeaux
Entre deux mer and Graves
Pessac Leognan–>
Medoc and Sauternes
what premium dry white wine would you find in Entre deux mer and Graves
here ______ you would find premium Sauv Blanc unoaked
what premium dry white wine would you find in Pessac Leognan
here ___ you would fine premium
- cru classe status eligible wines
- sauv blanc blended with Semillon
- fermented and or matured in new oak
what premium dry white wine would you find in Medoc and Sauternes
these wines must be sold under the generic Bordeaux name
Cotes de bordeaux
Merlot based, easy drinking wine the name is shared with these appellations: -Blaye -Cadillac -Castillon -Francs
describe pomerol region?
region has a high reputation for rich wine w/ spice
blackberry fruit character
describe the region Saint- Emilion
merlot, Right bank, lesser cab franc
- has 3 distinct vineyards on different soils
1) NORTHWEST–> plateasu warm, well drained gravel and limestone, Franc, occasionally Cab Sauv
2) S E ESCORPMENT–> clay and limestone, met to high tannin structure, red berry, plum
3) FOOT OF ESCORPMENT–> sandy, soil, lt body, less prestigious
describe Graves
South of Bordeaux
- south of Pessac-Leognan
- makes wine lighter body, more fragrant than Haut Medoc
- less concentrates and complex than Pessac-Leognan
describe Pessac-Leognan
- Just south of Bordeaux
- most highly rated are in Graves
- soil - gravely
- cab Sauv
- lighter in body and more fragrant than Haut Medoc
- premium wines
what are the 4 communes of Haut medoc
-saint -estephe
saint julien
pauillac
margaux
describe the characteristics of wines that come from Haut Medoc
wine have high percentage of cab in blend
- displays black current fruit, cedar, grippy current fruit, cedar, grippy tannin when young
- potential for long ageing
what are the sub regions of Medoc
1) BAS MEDOC- northern region
- soil is clay and gravel
- blends have high portion of merlot
2) HAUT MEDOC- southern region
- has 4 smaller communes
- high percentage of Cab in blend
describe the generic Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superior appellations
RED-mainly red labelled
-second slightly stricter and higher ABV
ROSE labelled Rose or Clariet= longer maceration than typical rose
-WHITE -Sauv Blanc- vibrant grassy character
3 regions of Bordeux
Left bank of Garonne= Medoc, Graves, Sauternes
Right bank of Dordogne= Pomerol, Saint Emillion
Entre deux Mers
characteristics of premium white Bordeaux blends
from Pessac-Leognan
- frequently fermented and matured in new oak
- richness and concentrated, nutty, overlaying the fruit
- greatest sweet, noble rot- best examples -new oak for up to 3 years
characteristics of lower end white wine in Bordeaux
fresh and fruity
- controlled temp fermentation in inert vessels
- minimal further ageing
- some show toasty hints of oak
describe Bordeaux muscadelle
- Pronounced grape floral flavor
- important for sweet and dry
- makes up only small perentage of blend
describe Bordeaux sauv blanc
citrus and green fruit aromas
- used increasingly for dry
- important sweet blend for high acidity
describe Bordeaux semillon
can have noble rot
- most important variety for sweet wine
- blend with savu blanc for premium
Dry in Pessac-Leognan and Graves
name important white grapes in Bordaux
Semillion
Sauv Blanc
Muscadelle
Bordeaux wine makers premium wine blending choices?
- varied due to style made and resources
- oak vats, steel, concrete
- ___ mostly is done Spring following vintage
- grand vin best wine
- top quality aged in barriques 225 L
- new casks- finest Chateaus
- small portion new casks-lesser prestigious
- generic Bordeaux- no oak age
Bordeaux PV dominates where?
accounts for only a small planting
- ripens only in hot years
- deep color and tannic role
- adds some spicy notes
Bordeaux merlot dominates where
Saint Emillion
Pomerol
- can grow in cool clay soils
- softness
- predominant large volume inexpensive wine
Bordeaux Cab Franc- dominates where
Saint Emillion
- Medoc
- Graves
- herbaceous or stalking flavors when unripe
- ripe is vibrant fruit and flora
- prefers well drained soil
Bordeaux cab sauv dominates where
Haut Medoc
Bas Bedoc
Graves
- high stone / gravel
- content in soil raises the temp of the ground
- 3/4 of the blend in the finest wines
describe the climate of Bordeaux
- Moderate maritime that benefits from the effects of the gulf stream
- frost rarely a problem
- long growing season
- high rainfall and humidity
What vineyard management techniques are considered in Bordeaux
- there is vintage variation from year to year
- canopy management important for healthy grapes and to help rise sugar levels at harvest
Saint Emillion’s classification system
Right bank commune on the Dordogne
-classification system is incorporated into the Appellation system
_____ , grand cru, premire grand cru
-appears on the label in full
appllation of graves
left bank, dry wine, Gargonne
- Pessac-Leognan, Cru Classe, (for red and white)
- a chateau may have Cru classe status for red and not for white
- all chateau with Cru Classe status are in Pessac Leognan
Sauternes Appellation
left bank of Garonne- Sweet white wines
1855 Classification 3 levels noted on label
Cru
Classe
No classification system smaller than commune in Medoc, so a 2 classification system was created
classification system is independent of appellation system
1) 1855 classification system stated on label grand Cru classes
2) Cru Bourgeios –> awarded to individual wines v/ chateaus
- awarded every year by submission
appellation vs. chateau
under the 1855 classification
Appellation is applied to the grapes
Classification is applied to Chateau
Appellation of Medoc
left bank of Gironde
2 large Appellation- Medoc and Haut Medoc
4 communes (red wine only) Saint Estephe Paulillac Saint -Julien -Margaux
Bordeaux or Bordeau Superior Appellation
large appellation that can be from anywhere in the region
-typically inexpensive, easy drinking wine
Bordeaux Classification
system lie outside the appellation system
-with exception of Saint Emillon
ranks individual estates= chateau and is more like a brand name
