D3 | France Flashcards
Climate & Weather of Bordeaux
- Moderate climate
- Atlantic cools the region
- Left bank is protected by the big pine tree forest (Landes)
- Climate change had led to hot and dry summers with insufficient rain
Describe the soil of The Left Bank
Gravel and stony soils
Gravel drains well, CS based
Soil of The Right Bank
More clay
Less well-draining
Merlot based
Early budding
Mid ripening
Susceptible to:
Coulore
Drought
Botrytis bunch rot
Style:
Ripe plum
Red fruits
Low tannin
Who am I?
Merlot
Late budding
Small-berried, thick skinned
High tannin content, concentrated wines
Prone to:
Fungal diseases
Ripens late, needs warmer soils
Black fruit, spice, tomato leaf, high tannin
Who am I?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Early budding Coulore Mid ripening Needs strict canopy manag. Winter hardy, suited to cooler climates
Red fruit, black fruit, leafy, high acidity
Who am I?
Cabernet Franc
Early budding
Ripens late
Failure to ripen in cooler years
Black fruit, spice, green high tannin
Who am I?
Petit Verdot
Mid ripening
Noble rot
High yields
Often blended with SB
Ripe stone fruit, med acidity
Who am I?
Sémillon
Suitable for cool climate Early ripening Vigorous Canopy manag. Susceptible to powdery mildew Botrytis bunch rot
High acidity, grape fruit, green fruit, tropical
Who am I?
Sauvignon Blanc
Planting density for top estates in Bordeaux?
10.000 v/ha
Training method in Bordeaux?
Head trained, replacement cane pruned.
Explain Flavescence Dorée
A Phytoplasma disease of the vine which is spread by insects. No cure, only prevention. Kills young vines and makes old vines uneconomical
Left Bank pruning method
Double Guyot
Right Bank pruning method
Single Guyot
What are 3 big differences of making red wine for ageing than making red wine for early drinking in Bordeaux?
- Lower ferment temp for early drinking
- less skin contact for early drinking (5-7 days)
- barrique ageing for ageing wine
- stst or oak chips for early drinking style
