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WSET 3 (2nd Edition) > Chap 13: Bordeaux > Flashcards

Chap 13: Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

What kind of climate does Bordeaux have?
* Cool, moderate, warm
* Continental, Maritime, Mediterranean

A

Moderate maritime

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2
Q

What is a major climatic influence in Bordeax and what impact does it have on the growing season?

A

The Gulf Stream (a warming ocean current) extends the the growing season in Bordeaux: spring frosts are rarely a problem and grape ripening can continue well into October.

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3
Q

How late can grape-ripening continue in Bordeaux?

Why?

A

Into October

The warming ocean current (the gulf stream) extends growing season

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4
Q

What potential weather hazard is rarely a problem in Bordeaux? Why?

A

Spring frosts

The warming effect of the Gulf Stream

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5
Q

Other than the Gulf Stream, what climatic effect does proximity to the Atlantic have on Bordeaux?

A

High levels of rainfall and humidity

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6
Q

What protects vineyards from the worst of the Atlantic storms?

A

The Landes forest and coastal sand dunes that lie to the west of the region.

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7
Q

What risks to the harvest does the common rainfall promote in Bordeaux?

A
  • Disruption of flowering and fruit set
  • Promote rot
  • Dilute flavours at harvest
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8
Q

How do top producers reduce vintage variation in Bordeaux?

A

By rejecting unhealthy and unripe grapes

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9
Q

What impacts have the warming climate and changes in canopy management technique had on the harvest?

A
  • Healthier Grapes
  • A decline in the use of sprays
  • Rise in the levels of sugar and flavor development in the grapes by harvest time
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10
Q

What is a common feature of almost all white and red wines from Bordeaux and why ?

A

Most are produced from a blend of grapes.

The variabiability in weather (particularly rainfall), means it is risky to rely too much on one varietal. The different varietals permitted in Bordeaux flower and ripen at different times, meaning one bad rain storm is unlikely to ruin the entire crop.

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11
Q

Which are the four main black grapes of Bordeaux?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Petit Verdot

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12
Q

Where are the 2 places in Bordeaux that Cabernet Sauvignon dominates?

A

The Haut-Médoc & Graves

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13
Q

Why are Cabernet’s main regions of Bordeaux the only areas in which it can reliably ripen?

A

Their high stone/gravel content means the soils here are warm and well drained and can aid the ripening of the late-ripening of Cab. Sauv., even in the coolest, wettest sites and years

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14
Q

What percentage of the blend can Cabernet account for in the finest wines its main areas of Bordeaux?

A

3/4 (3 quarters)

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15
Q

Where in Bordeaux is Cabernet Franc most widely grown?

A

Saint-Émilion

To a lesser extent, in the Médoc and the Graves

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16
Q

What kind of wines does Cab Franc produce in Bordeaux?
* Body
* Tannin
* Flavors when unripe vs. ripe

A

Produces wines with less body and tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon

When unrip can have herbaceous and stalky flavours

When ripe, adds Vibrant fruit and floral notes to the blend

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17
Q

What kind of soils does Cabernet Franc prefer?

A

Well drained, warm soils

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18
Q

What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

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19
Q

In which Bordeaux wines is Merlot most important?

A

The premium wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol

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20
Q

Why are Saint-Émilion and Pomerol good for growing Merlot as opposed to Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Merlot can successfully grow on the cooler, clay based soils here where Cabernet would struggle

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21
Q

Which Bordeaux grape is predominant in the cheaper high volume wines? Why?

A

Merlot, because it is the softest in flavour

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22
Q

Which Bordeaux grape can only ripen fully in very hot vintages?

A

Petit Verdot

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23
Q

What kind of wines does Petit Verdot produce?

A

A very deep-coloured, tannic wine that ages slowly

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24
Q

What does Petit-Verdot add to a blend in a wine from Bordeaux?

A

Never plays more than a minor role in a blend, where it is used mainly to add tannin, colour and some spicy notes

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25
Q

Which winemaking vessels are used in Bordeaux?

A

All (there is little agreement in Bordeaux as to which fermentation vessels produce the best wines)

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26
Q

**When **are most wines blended in Bordeaux? What is the other possible practice in Bordeaux?

A

The Spring following the vintage, but some winemakers prefer to keep their parcels of wine separate until the end of maturation.

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27
Q

Which blending practices are most common among leading Chateaux in Bordeaux?

A

Making second and sometimes third wines with blends that may not be suitable for the ‘grand vin’ and some wine may even be sold to a negociant.

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28
Q

How is the top quality red in Bordeaux aged? What may some of the finest chateaux do?

A

In small oak 225 litre barriques.

The finest chateaux may even put all the wine in new casks.

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29
Q

How is oak used by lesser properties and for generic Bordeaux wines?

A

Lesser properties may use a smaller proportion of new casks and generic bordeaux wines are unlikely to see Oak at all.

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30
Q

What is the most important variety for sweet wines in Bordeaux?

A

Semillon

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31
Q

What is blended with Sémillon in the premium dry white wines of Pessac-Léognan and Graves? What Semillon’s role in these blends?

A

Sauvignon Blanc is blended with semillon. The semillon adds body to the blend.

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32
Q

What aromas do Sauvignon Blanc based wines produce in Bordeaux?

A

Citrus and green fruit

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33
Q

What is the one exception to the rule of all Bordeaux being blends?

A

Sauvignon Blanc varietal dry wines

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34
Q

What is the role of Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux blends?

A

It adds high acidity

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35
Q

What is the importance of Sauvignon Blanc in sweet wines of Bordeaux?

A

It adds a necessary acidity

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36
Q

What flavours does Muscadelle have?

A

Pronounced grapey, floral flavour

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37
Q

What role does Muscadelle play in Bordeaux?

A

It plays an important role in sweet and dry white wines of Bordeaux (it makes up a small percentage of the blend)

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38
Q

What is the general style of lower-end dry whites in Bordeaux?

A

Fresh and fruity

Some show hints of oak

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39
Q

How are less expensive dry Bordeaux whites generally vinified?

A

Fermented in temperature controlled, inert vessels with minimal further ageing, but some show toasty hints of oak.

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40
Q

How are premium dry whites generally vinified in Bordeaux?

A

Frequently fermented and matured in new oak barrels

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41
Q

What is distinctive about the premium dry whites of Bordeaux?

A

They have a richness and concentrated nutty flavour overlaying the fruit

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42
Q

How are many of the great sweet wines of Bordeaux made?

A

From fruit that has been infected with noble rot that is fermented and matured in new oak barrels for up to 3 years

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43
Q

What geographic feature divides the vineyards of Bordeaux into three areas?

A

Dordogne and Garonne rivers to form the Gironde Estuary and divide the Bordeaux vineyards into three broad areads.

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44
Q

How are the three areas categorized? What villages do they encompass?

A

West and South of the Gironde/Garonne = Médoc, Graves & Sauternes = The Left Bank

Most of the area between the Dordogne and the Garonne = Entre-Deux-Mers

Pricinpal districts to the North and East of the Gironde and Dordogne = St Emilion & Pomerol = The Right Bank

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45
Q

What are the principal districts comprising the right bank?

A

St Emilion & Pomerol

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46
Q

What are the principal districts comprising the left bank?

A

Médoc, Graves & Sauternes

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47
Q

How many appellations are there in Bordeaux?

A

More than fifty

48
Q

Explain what Bordeaux Classification system is ranking

A

It ranks the individual Estates/Chateaux NOT the individual vineyards

49
Q

What prompted the creation of the 1855 classification?

A

On the occasion of the Paris Universal Exhibition, the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce was approached to produce an official list of their best red wines from Médoc and white wines from Sauternes

50
Q

What term is used for Chateaux in the 1855 classification?

A

Cru classés

51
Q

How many ranks are in the 1855 Médoc classification?

Which Chateaux are in the top rank?

A

Five Ranks.

The top rank consists of:
* Chateaux Lafite Rothschild
* Latour
* Margaux
* Mouton Rothschild
* Chateau Haut-Brion from Graves

52
Q

How many ranks are in the 1855 classification for Sauternes?

Which Chateaux occupy the top rank?

A

Three Ranks

The top rank consists of:
* Chateau d’Yquem

53
Q

What is Cru Bourgeois? Why was it created and how does it work?

A

A classification invented for chateaux not included in the 1855 classification. They are classified into 3 tiers, ascending in prestige:
* Cru Bourgeois
* Cru Bourgeois Superieur
* Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

The classification is reviewed every 5 years.

54
Q

How are the wines of Graves (Pessac-Leognan) classified? How does this classification system work?

A

They are classified within parallel, but separate lists for red and white wines. There is no ranking, all wines may simply call themselves ‘Cru Classés’.

55
Q

In Graves, where are all of the Cru Classés located?

A

All the Cru Classés now lie in the limits of Pessac-Leognan, an appelation created after the Graves classification was drawn up.

56
Q

How are the best wines classified in Saint-Émilion?

A

Within a separate appellation, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. There is a separate classification within this appellation of the best Châteaux

57
Q

What is the lower classification within Saint-Émilion Grand Cru?

A

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

58
Q

What is the higher classification within Saint-Émilion?

A

Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Subdivided into A and B

59
Q

How often are Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé reconsidered?

A

At least once every ten years

60
Q

What are the generic appellations of Bordeaux?

A

Bordeaux

Bordeaux Supérieur

61
Q

What differentiates Bordeaux Supérieur?

A

Slightly stricter appellation rules

A higher required minimum level of alcohol

62
Q

How are generic white Bordeaux labelled? Rosé?

A

White = Bordeaux

Rose = Bordeaux Rosé or Bordeaux Clairet

63
Q

Why are basic Bordeaux improving?

A

Export focused producers are having to compete with similarly priced wines from other parts of the world

64
Q

Describe the best Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines
* Age Potential
* Body
* Flavors/Aromas

A

Early drinking

Medium bodied

Ripe red and black fruit

Occasional cedar notes from oak

65
Q

Describe the cheaper Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines
* Body
* Tannins

A

Lighter bodied with more astringent tannins than the better wines.

66
Q

How does the best Bordeaux Rosé taste?

A

Fresh and fruity

67
Q

How is Bordeaux Clairet different than a typical Rose and why is this?

A

It is deeper in colour and fuller in body, as it undergoes a longer maceration than a typical rose.

68
Q

White Bordeaux is increasingly dominated by which varietal and what flavour character does it display?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and shows a vibrant grassy character

69
Q

Describe the location of the city of Bordeaux

A

South of the Médoc

North of Graves

70
Q

What’s the northernmost part of the Médoc called?

A

The Bas-Médoc

71
Q

How are wines of the Bas-Médoc labelled?

A

Médoc

72
Q

What is the soil/ground like in the Bas-Médoc?

A

Predominantly clay with outcrops of gravel

73
Q

What is usually the higher proportion of the Bas-Médoc blends, than those just to the south? What style are the wines?

A

Merlot

Easy drinking

74
Q

What are the smaller appellations within the Haut-Médoc called?

A

Communes

75
Q

What are the highest reputation communes in Haut-Médoc called (from north to south)?

A

Saint-Estèphe

Pauillac

Saint-Julien

Margaux

76
Q

Describe the varietal ratios in the best commune appellations of Haut-Médoc

A

They have a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend

77
Q

Describe the flavour profile of commune appellation wines from Haut-Médoc

A

Generally display a core of Blackcurrant fruit complemented by cedar notes from oak

They can have grippy tannins when young and often have a long ageing potential

78
Q

Where is the most highly rated area in Graves and what is it called?

A

Immediately south of Bordeaux lies Pessac-Léognan

79
Q

What are soils like in Pessac-Léognan?

A

Gravelly

80
Q

What is the most suitable grape for Pessac soils?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

81
Q

How do Pessac reds compare with those of the Haut-Médoc?

A

Usually lighter in body and more fragrant than the finest wines of Haut Medoc

82
Q

How do wines of Graves compare with those of Pessac?

A

Similar, but less concentrated and complex and usually with a higher proportion of Merlot.

83
Q

Which variety dominates blends of the right bank?

A

Merlot

84
Q

Which is the second dominant variety of the right bank?

A

Cabernet Franc

85
Q

Which is the larger of the two appellations in Bordeaux’s right bank?

A

Saint-Émilion

86
Q

How many groups of distinct vineyards are there in Saint-Émilion?

A

Three

87
Q

Where is the first group of Saint-Émilion vineyards? Describe it (location, aspect/topography, soil, plantings)

A

To the north and west of the town of Saint-Émilion

On a plateau, with warm, well drained gravel and limestone soils encourage the inclusion of Cab Franc and occasionally some Cab Sauvignon

88
Q

Where is the second group of Saint-Émilion vineyards? Describe it (location and soil).

A

On the escarpment to the south and east of the region with clay limestone soils

89
Q

Where do the most prestigious wines of Saint-Émilion come from?

A

The first two regions

90
Q

Describe the most prestigious wines of Saint-Émilion (tannnins, texture, aromas/flavors)

A
  • Medium to high tannins
  • When compared to the wines of the left bank they have a soft and rich texture with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas and develop tobacco and cedar notes with evolution
91
Q
  • Where is the third group of Saint-Émilion vineyards? (Location and Soil type)
  • What quality of wine is produced?
  • How much body do these wines tend to have?
A
  • Third group encompasses the vineyards on sandy soils at the foot of the escarpment
  • Usually a source of lighter bodied, less prestigious wines.
92
Q

Describe wines of Pomerol

A

Richer than those of Saint-Émilion with a spicier blackberry fruit character

93
Q

What winemaking movement was previously associated with the right bank?

A

The appearance of full-bodied, very ripe wines in small quantities, from small plots of land, with no expense spared in the vineyard or the winery.

94
Q

What were the original terms for the breakout wines/winemakers of the right bank?

A

Vins de garage (to describe the wines) and Garagistes (to describe the winemaker)

95
Q

While examples of vins de garage can still be found, many producers have moved away from this style and are aiming instead for greater ____?

A

Freshness

96
Q

What is Côtes de Bordeaux?

A

A group of lesser known red wine appelations, surrounding Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, that have agreed to share this name.

97
Q

Which appellations can append their names to the beginning of Côtes de Bordeaux?

A
  • Cadillac
  • Blaye
  • Castillon
  • Francs
98
Q

What style of wines are Côtes de Bordeaux? (age potential, principle variety, cost)

A

Early drinking, merlot based wines and excellent value for money

99
Q

Name a group of producers who have chosen not to join Côtes de Bordeaux

A

Côtes de Bourg

100
Q

Which Bordeaux appellation can only produce white wines?

A

Entre-Deux-Mers

101
Q

How must red wines be named if they are from Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

With a generic appellation name

102
Q

What wines may Graves and Pessac-Léognan produce?

A

Red and white

103
Q

Describe the white wines of Graves and Entre-Deux-Mers
(Varietal, oak?)

A

Tend to be made from unoaked Sauvignon Blanc

104
Q

Where are many of the very best dry whites of Bordeaux made?

A

Pessac-Léognan

105
Q

Where may some white wines be eligible for Cru Classé status in Bordeaux?

A

Pessac-Léognan

106
Q

Describe the best white wines of Pessac and how they are vinified

A

They tend to be blends of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc Usually fermented and/or matured at least partly in new oak Medium to full body Toasty oak flavours

107
Q

Can whites be made in Médoc and Sauternes?

A

Yes, but with a generic Bordeaux appellation

108
Q

Where are the top sweet wine appellations of Bordeaux located?

A

Grouped on the banks of the Garonne and its tributary (Ciron)

109
Q

Why is the proximity of water important for vinification of sweet wine in Bordeaux?

A

The rivers create the ideal misty Autumn conditions for noble rot to develop on fully ripened grapes

110
Q

What is needed to help concentrate sugars in sweet Bordeaux in years where there is little noble rot

A

Passerillage

111
Q

Where do the best sweet wines of Bordeaux come from?

A

Sauternes

112
Q

Where is Sauternes?

A

The West Bank of the Garonne

113
Q

Where is the village of Barsac?

A

Within Sauternes

114
Q

Which appellation must Barsac producers use?

A

Either Barsac or Sauternes

115
Q

Which grape variety dominates in Sauternes? Why?

A

Sémillon

Because of its thin skin and consequential susceptibility to Botrytis

116
Q

What other varieties may be added to a blend of Semillion, to produce a sweet wine? What do these varieties provide to the blend?

A
  • Sauvignon Blanc - supplies refreshing acidity and fruity aromas
  • Muscadelle - where used, adds exotic perfume
117
Q

Describe the best sweet wines of Sauternes:
* Alcohol
* Sweetness
* Acidity
* Aromas/Flavors

A
  • High in alcohol
  • Sweet, but balanced with high acidity
  • Apricot and citrus peel aromas of noble rot
  • Toast and vanilla from oak fermentation and/or maturation

WSET 3 (2nd Edition) (15 decks)

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