Chapter 12-Introduction to France Flashcards
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Moderate Maritime Climate
What warming influence impacts Bordeaux?
The Gulf Stream
What impact does the Atlantic Ocean have on Bordeaux?
Rainfall and humidity
What protects Bordeaux vineyards from the worst of the Atlantic storms?
Landes Forest and coastal sand dunes to the west of the region
What are the 4 dominating black varieties of Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Petit Verdot
What is top quality Bordeaux aged in?
Small oak barriques of 225 litres
What is the most important variety for sweet wine in Bordeaux?
Sémillon
What is the style of Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?
Wines with citrus and green fruit aromas
What are the characteristics of the Muscadelle grape?
Grapey, floral character, plays a supporting role in sweet and dry wine production
What are the generic appellations for Bordeaux?
Boudreaux and Bordeaux Superieur?
What is the difference between Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur?
Bordeaux Supérieur requires a higher level of alcohol in the final wine
What are the characteristics of a red Bordeaux/ Bordeaux Supérieur?
Medium bodied wine with ripe red and black fruit, some cedar notes from oak
What are the soils of the Medoc?
Predominantly clay, but outcrops of Gravel
What typifies the wines of the Bas-Medoc vs those in the south?
Higher proportion of merlot, more early drinking
Name the 4 smaller appellations (communes) in the Haut Medoc from North to South
Saint Estèphe
Pauillac
Saint-Julian
Margaux
What characterises the communes within the Haut-Medoc area?
High percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Core of blackcurrant fruit, cedar notes from oak. Grippy tannins when young, long ageing potential.
What is the most highly rated area of the Graves?
Pessac Leognan
What are the soils of the Pessac Lèognan?
Gravelley, suited to cab sav
What is the difference between finest wines of the Haut Medoc and Pessac Lèognan wines?
Pessac Lèognan lighter in body and more fragrant
what wines are made in the Graves?
Less concentrated and complex, higher proportion of merlot
What grape are Right Bank Bordeaux blends dominated by?
Merlot
Cabernet Franc to a lesser extent
What are the two principal appellations of Right Bank Bordeaux?
Saint Émillion
Pomerol
Within Saint Emillion there are three distinct groups of vineyards on differing soils. What characterises the vineyards on a plateau to the north and west of the Saint emillion town?
Warm, well drained gravel and limestone soils encourage Cabernet Franc and sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon
Within Saint Emillion there are three distinct groups of vineyards on differing soils. What characterises the vineyards on the escarpment to the south east?
Medium to high tannins but compared with more structured wines of left bank, softer mouthfeel, complex red berry and plum aromas. Develop tobacco and cedar notes as they evolve.
Within Saint Emillion there are three distinct groups of vineyards on differing soils. What characterises the sandy soils at the foot of the escarpment?
Lighter bodied, less prestigious
What characterises pomerol wines?
Richer with a spicier blackberry fruit character
What characterises the wines from the Cotes de Bordeaux?
Merlot based
Early drinking
What appellations are able to put their names in front of cote de Bordeaux?
Blaye
Cadillac
Castillon
Francs
What is the name of the appellation located between the Rivers Garonne and Dordogne?
Entre- Deux Mers
What is produced in Entre Deux-Mers?
White wines
What characterises the white wines of Graves and Pessac Léognan?
Sauvignon Blanc
Unoaked style
What is Pessac Lèognan the home of?
Dry whites. Premium blends of Sauvignon Blanc and semillon. Matured/fernented partly in new oak. Med-full body, toasty oak flavours
Where are the top sweet Bordeaux appellations located?
On the banks of the Garonne and its tributary the Ciron
Why are the rivers of the Garonne/Ciron the top sweet wine appellations of Bordeaux?
Rivers create ideal misty autumn conditions for noble rot to develop on fully ripened grapes
What is needed in years where there is little noble rot?
Passerillage
Where do the best sweet wines of Bordeaux come from?
Sauternes, lies on the West Bank of the Garonne
What does AOC mean?
Appellation d’origine contrôlée.
What does Vin de Pays mean?
French for protected geographical indication
What is IGP?
French for IGP
What does the labelling term Vin de France mean?
Wines without a GI are termed Vin de France
What are cru classés?
Bordeaux 1855 classification listing best red wines of the Medoc and white wines of Sauternes
What is does the classification cru bourgeois mean?
Later introduced for other chateaux after 1855 classification. Cru Bourgeois only awarded to wines Ina specific vintage rather than chateau itself
What prestigious village lies within Sauternes?
Barsac
What wines dominate in Sauternes and Barsac and why?
Semillion because of thick skin and susceptibility to botrysis
What grapes are used in Sauternes and Barsac wines?
Sémillion
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
What does Sauvignon Blanc add to a Sauternes?
Refreshing acidity and fruity aromas
What does Muscadelle add to Sauternes?
Exotic perfume
What do the best wines of Sauternes demonstrate?
High alcohol Sweet Balanced by high acidity Apricot and citrus peek of noble rot Toast and vanilla from oak fermentation/maturation
