Chapters 13-16 Bordeaux, The Dordogne & SW France, Burgundy and Beaujolais Flashcards
What are the main black grape varieties in Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Petit Verdot
What are the 3 main white grape varieties in Bordeaux?
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Bordeaux has a moderate maritime climate
The climate of Bordeaux is affected by which ocean current?
How does this current affect the climate?
The climate of Bordeaux is affected by the gulf stream.
It is a warm ocean current which moderates temperatures
How does the Atlantic ocean impact on the climate of Bordeaux?
It brings high levels of rainfall and humidity
The Bordeaux vineyards are protected from the worst of the Atlantic storms by what?
Coastal sand dunes
Landes forest
List 3 ways in which rainfall throughout the year can have a negative impact in Bordeaux
- Disrupt flowering and fruit set
- Promote rot
- Dilute flavours in the grapes at harvest
What technique has resulted in healthier grapes and a marked rise in the levels of sugar and flavour development at harvest time?
Changes in canopy management techniques
In Bordeaux, how many grape varieties are permitted under the appellation regulations?
13
Which Bordeaux grape variety?
Herbaceous or stalky flavours when unripe.
Vibrant fruit and floral notes when ripe.
Cabernet Franc
Which grape variety is the most widely planted in Bordeaux?
Merlot
Which Bordeaux grape variety?
Ripens fully only in very hot years.
Produces a very deep coloured, tannic wine.
Ages slowly
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is added in small quantities to a Bordeaux blend to add what characteristics?
- Tannin
- Colour
- Spicy notes
Top quality red Bordeaux is aged in what?
225 litre small oak barriques
What is the most important variety for sweet wines in Bordeaux?
Why?
Sémillon
Sémillon has thin skins and an affinity for noble rot
What aromas characterise a Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc?
Citrus and green fruit aromas
Which grape variety is the one exception to the generalisation that all Bordeaux wines are blends?
Sauvignon Blanc
In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc adds what characteristic to blended wines?
Higher acidity
Where in Bordeaux, is Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blended to form premium dry white wines?
Pessac-Léognan
Graves
Which Bordeaux grape variety?
Pronounced grapey, floral flavour
Important supporting role in sweet and dry wine production
Only makes up a small percentage of any blend
Muscadelle
What are flavour characteristics of Muscadelle?
Grapey, floral flavours
The best sweet wines of Bordeaux are matured in new oak barrels for up to how long?
Up to 3 years
Name the 2 rivers in Bordeaux
Garonne
Dordogne
What is the name of the estuary found in Bordeaux?
Gironde
Name major bodies of water that affect the climate of Bordeaux
Atlantic Ocean
Gironde Estuary
Garonne River
Dordogne River
Besides bodies of water, name 2 geographical items that affect the climate of Bordeaux
Gulf stream influence
Landes forest on west coast
What is another name for Bordeaux red wine?
Claret
Name the 4 smaller appellations within Haut-Médoc with the highest reputation
From North to South
Saint-Estèphe
Pauillac
Saint-Julien
Margaux
What is the type of soil in Bas-Médoc?
Clay with outcrops of gravel
What is the name and year of the classification in which the chateaux of Bordeaux were rated?
Bordeaux classification of 1855
What was classified in the Bordeaux classification of 1855?
How are they referred to?
Chateaux
Crus classés
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 refers to the best red wines from where?
How many ranks were the châteaux divided into?
Médoc
In the Médoc the châteaux were divided into 5 ranks
According to the 1855 classification, list the 5 top ranked red wine producing châteaux
Châteaux Lafite Rothschild Latour Margaux Mouton Rothschild Château Haut-Brion
Which of the 5 top ranked red wine producing châteaux is not found in Médoc?
Where is it located?
Châteaux Haut-Brion
Graves