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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > FR: Bordeaux > Flashcards

FR: Bordeaux Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

Best Vintages of RB Bordeaux 2000-2020

A

2005
2009
2010
2015
2016
2018

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2
Q

3rd Growths Haut Medoc

A

La Lagune

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3
Q

Communes of Lalande de Pomerol

A

Lalande de Pomerol
Néac

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4
Q

List 3 Garagiste Producers

A

Le Pin
Valandraud
Le Dome
La Mondotte

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5
Q

Name 5 St-Émilion Classé B Producers

A

Clos Fourtet
La Gaffelière
La Mondotte
Ch Canon
Beauséjour
Beau-Séjour Bécot

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6
Q

Pomerol Communes of Production

A

Libourne
Pomerol

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7
Q

Pomerol Soil Types

A

Sand, Clay, Gravel
Subsoil of iron pan and rich clay (crasse de fer)

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8
Q

St Emilion- soil types in Côtes vs Graves

A

Côtes are hillside, steep limestone
Graves: gravelly limestone plateau

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9
Q

St Emilion satellite appellations? Which is smallest? Largest?

A

St George 200 ha plantings
Lussac 1440 ha
Puisseguin 745 ha
Montagne 1600 ha

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10
Q

Synonym for Cabernet Franc in Pomerol?

A

Bouchet

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11
Q

crasse de fer

A

Soil type in Pomerol; iron pan and rich clay subsoil

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12
Q

What is significant about the soil type at Petrus?

A

Clay rises very close to surface, great for Merlot

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13
Q

St-Émilion Classification

A

1954, published 1955, then again in 1969, 1986, 1996, 2006, 2012, and 2022

2006 revision caused drama - 2009 compromise to keep promoted château promoted, and ignore demotions

2022 classification - Ausone and Cheval Blanc withdrew in 2021, Angelus did not reapply in 2022

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14
Q

Who withdrew from St-Émilion Premiers Grand Crus Classé and when?

A

Angelus - will not reapply 2022
Ausone and Cheval Blanc - withdrew 2021

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15
Q

What is the cépage of Château Figeac’s Grand Vin?

A

43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc

Notable: right bank wine with majority CS

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16
Q

From the 2022 Classification of St Émilion, who are the Classé A producers?

A

Pavie
Figeac (elevated 2022)

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17
Q

Which river goes through the right bank of bordeaux?

A

Dordogne

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18
Q

What is St-Émilion Grand Cru AOP?

A

Appellation, not classification. Additional .5% alcohol (11.5% vs St Emilio’s min 11%) and longer elevage

** All Grand Cru Classé wines must meet these requirements

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19
Q

4th Growths Haut Medoc

A

La Tour Carnet

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20
Q

List the communes of Pessac Léognan

A

Pessac
Léognan
Cadaujac
Canejan
Gradignan
Martillac
Mérignac
Saint-Médard d’Eyrans
Talence
Villenave d’Ornon

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21
Q

What are boulbenes?

A

soil: mix of sand, gravel and light clay found in Graves

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22
Q

Sauternes AOC

A

Communes: Sauternes, Barsac, Fargues, Preignac, Bommes

Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon

Minimum Potential Alcohol: 15% (12% acquired)
Minimum Must Weight: 221 g/l
Minimum Residual Sugar: 45 g/l

Harvest Method: botrytis-affected grapes must be hand-harvested in successive tries

Élevage: The wines may not be released until June 30 of the year following the harvest

Maximum Yield (Rendement de Base): 25 hl/ha

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23
Q

Synonym for Malbec on the right bank?

A

Pressac

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24
Q

Côtes de Bordeaux subzones?

A

Francs
Castillon
Blaye
Cadillac
Sainte Foy

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25
Q

Entre Deux Mers sweet wine appellations?

A

Loupiac
Ste-Croix-du-Mont
Cadillac

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26
Q

2010 Bordeaux Vintage

A

99 - best in last 20 years at least

Wet spring, but hot and dry summer. Heat concentrated the grapes, cool nights and autumn rains kept the wines balanced and fresh. slightly more tannic than 2009

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27
Q

Worst Bordeaux vintages 2003 to present

A

2004 - large crop. round, but nice tannin

2007 - difficult- lots of rain, not enough sun, mildew

2008 - similar to 07, but late warm temps helped. top wines ok

2011 - nothing special (after 09 and 10 were great), higher alcohol.

2012 - challenging, wet, late year with mid summer heat. short window for harvest between autumn rains. Merlot did best

2013 - “universally poor” cool start, wet finish. some late summer heat helped. lots of disease pressure

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28
Q

St-Émilion plateau

A

to the west is the St Martin plateau, where the leading estates are concentrated, dotted around the town of St Emilion itself.

To the east is the St Christophe plateau, extending eastwards towards the limit of the appellation and on into Castillon

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29
Q

St-Émilion soil types

A

Plateau - limestone with clay

slopes - limestone with clay

bottom of slopes- gravel, sand, clay

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30
Q

Name 3 key brokerage houses in bordeaux

A

Balaresque, Les Grands Crus, Barre-Touton, Bureau Ripert, Blanch- Lestapis, Tastet-Lawton, Leveque, Bureau Lillet, Cheval Quancard.

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31
Q

Explain the 3 tier sales system in Bordeaux

A

La Place de Bordeaux: three tiered sales system. Also conducts en premier sales

  1. Chateaux - make the wines
  2. Courtiers - are experts, negotiate prices, and facilitate the sale to Negotiants, who sell the wine.
  3. Negotiants - pay a 2% fee to the courtiers.

A classified chateau will work with 2-3 brokers, and up to 40-50 negotiants. The 15-20% margin is paid by the buyer.

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32
Q

Name 3 Cru Bourgeos - Bourgeois Exceptionnel wines

A

Malleret, Belle-Vue, Le Bosq

also: d’Arsac, Lilian Ladouys, Le Crock, Lestage, d’Agassac, Arnauld, Cambon La Pelouse, Charmail, Malescasse, Taillan, Paveil de Luze

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33
Q

What is Bordeaux mixture and what is it used for?

A

Mix of lime, copper sulfate, and water.used to avoid fungal problems

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34
Q

What kind of climate does St-Emilion and Pomerol have? What are the major hazards of the spring season here?

A

Continental with short winters and damp springs.

Frost which can lead to coulure and millerandage effectively reducing yields; excessive rain can result in severe problems with mold and rot.

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35
Q

What is the last grape to ripen in Bordeaux and what does it contribute to the blend?

A

Petit Verdot

Used in minute quantities typically on the Left Bank for color, depth, and exotic perfume. Essentially nonexistent on the Right Bank. Performs similarly to Merlot in a blend.

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36
Q

Which red grapes are allowed in bordeaux wines?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère

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37
Q

What styles of wines are made in all of the Médoc appellations?

A

all are red wine only

Medoc + Haut Medoc + SPSLMM

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38
Q

What is the maximum yield (rendement de baze) of Pauillac, Margaux, St. Estephe and St Julien?

A

57 hl/ ha

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39
Q

What styles of wine are made in Fronsac and Canon Fronsac?

A

both red only from bdx varietals.

typically 80-100% Merlot

40
Q

St Emilion communes of production

A

Libourne, Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Saint-Émilion, Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, Saint-Pey-d’Armens, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Vignonet

41
Q

St-Émilion Grand Cru

A

3 quality levels:
- Grand Cru - not related to classification- just higher abv and lower yields
- Grand Cru Classé - classification
- Premier Grand Cru Classé A & B - classification

min abv 11.5% (St Emilion is 11%)

lower yields: 46 hl/ha (St Emilion is 53)

longer élévage: may not be released before May 15 of the second year following the harvest (St-Émilion 4/15 year following harvest)

42
Q

Of the left bank AOPs - which have the longest aging?

A

Most may release Jun 15 year after harvest

Listrac: Sept 15
Margaux: age until Jun 1( not bottled until June), released Sept 1

43
Q

List the AOPs of Graves

A

Cerons
Barsac
Sauternes
Graves
Graves Superieurs
Pessac Leognan

44
Q

Barsac AOP - grapes and styles?

A

same as Sauternes, may label as Sauternes.

Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon.

Min 45 g/l RS. 25 hl/ha

45
Q

Cerons AOP - grapes and styles?

A

same as Sauternes

Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon.

Min 45 g/l RS.

but 40 hl/ha

46
Q

Graves AOP - grapes and styles?

A

dry whites from: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle

dry reds from bordeaux varieties

47
Q

Graves Supérieures AOP - grapes and styles?

A

sweet white from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle

min 34 g/l rs

48
Q

Pessac Leognan AOP - grapes and styles?

A

dry whites from: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle

dry reds from bordeaux varieties

49
Q

Côtes de Bordeaux - grapes and styles made?

A

all subzones make red wine - merlot dominated blends

Blaye, Francs, and Sainte-Foy may make white as well. Blaye - dry white only
Francs, Saint Foy - dry and sweet

50
Q

Côtes de Bourg AOP - grapes and styles

A

dry white and red from bdx varieties.

white allows Colombard

51
Q

Blaye AOP - grapes and styles

A

red only from bdx grapes

Blaye may make white under Côtes de Bdx AOP

52
Q

Cadillac AOP - grapes and styles

A

sweet whites from Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon

min 51 g/l

Cadillac may make red and dry white under Côtes de Bdx AOP

53
Q

Côtes de Blaye grapes and styles

A

Blanc Sec: 60-90% combined Colombard and Ugni Blanc; plus Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Sémillon

54
Q

Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire- grapes and styles

A

dry - sweet white from bdx varieties

55
Q

Entre deux Mers AOP - grapes and styles

A

Blanc sec

Principal Varieties: Min. 70% combined Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, and Sémillon

Accessory Varieties: Colombard, and Ugni Blanc

56
Q

Graves de Vayres AOP - grapes and styles

A

dry red and white from bdx varieties

white allows Merlot blanc

(Entre deux Mers)

57
Q

Loupiac AOP - grapes and styles

A

sweet whites from Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon

min 45 g/l

58
Q

Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux - grapes and styles

A

sweet whites from Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon

min 34 g/l

59
Q

Ste Croix du Mont - grapes and styles

A

sweet whites from Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon

min 45 g/l

60
Q

Bordeaux AOP - styles of wine made?

A

White, white “Haut Benauge”
Rose
Claret
Red

61
Q

Bordeaux Superieur AOP - styles made?

A

whites: min 17 g/l RS

dry reds

62
Q

Crémant de Bordeaux - grapes allowed?

A

all bordeaux varietals!

Vin Mousseux Blanc:
Principal Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cot, Petit Verdot, Carmenère, Muscadelle, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris
Accessory Varieties: Max. 30% combined Colombard, Merlot Blanc, and Ugni Blanc
Vin Mousseux Rosé: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cot, Petit Verdot, Carmenère

note: no chard/ PN etc

63
Q

Name four 1855 Classified Chateaux marketed under the Haut Médoc appellation

A

La Lagune - 3rd Growth, Ludon
Château Belgrave- 5th Growth, St.-Laurent
Château Camensac- 5th Growth, St.-Laurent
Château Cantemerle- 5th Growth, Macau

64
Q

2021 Bordeaux Vintage

A

second smallest crop in a century. severe spring frost, mid-summer rains. long, cool, damp growing season.

Merlot had rot problems

Alcohol levels were back down to about 13% and some chaptalisation and concentration were employed for the first time in many years

65
Q

2020 Bordeaux Vintage

A

spring rain = mildew pressure
summer was hot and dry, then cool damp weather meant an early harvest for cabernet. Merlot was harvested at an ideal time though.

JR: not enough acid

66
Q

2019 Bordeaux Vintage

A

summer was extremely hot and dry
wines had lots of tannin

67
Q

2018 Bordeaux Vintage

A

A year of extremes with a very wet winter and spring, very damaging hail in some areas, severe downy mildew threats in most

summer was hot and dry

dense, tannic wines with slightly elevated alcohol, slightly lowered acidity

68
Q

2017 Bordeaux Vintage

A

Frost! lowest yields in 25 years. Merlot suffered from rains that diluted the grapes before harvest

69
Q

2016 Bordeaux Vintage

A

very good vintage. very wet spring then very dry summer - Cabernet did really well

good vintage for both left and right bank

70
Q

2015 Bordeaux Vintage

A

pretty good vintage, a little more tannic than 2016.

71
Q

2014 Bordeaux Vintage

A

decent vintage, long growing season. wines have elevated acidity

72
Q

2013 Bordeaux Vintage

A

universally poor. uneven ripening and dilution. rot forced relatively early picking. Margaux worst of left bank. Pomerol, St. Estephe and St Julien were best

73
Q

2012 Bordeaux Vintage

A

uneven crop, disease pressure, October rains forced an early harvest. Merlot less affected

74
Q

2011 Bordeaux Vintage

A

decent / normal after two exceptional years. lower alcohol, slightly reduced yields

75
Q

2009 Bordeaux Vintage

A

great vintage- long warm summer with cool nights. slightly less tannic than 2010

76
Q

2008 Bordeaux Vintage

A

just ok. Damp, gray growing season led to disease pressure; Indian summer in September saved the vintage. Wines are fresh rather than dense, with sometimes crisp acidity

top wines from top producers are good

77
Q

2007 Bordeaux Vintage

A

pretty rough- mildew, lack of sun, too much rain.

78
Q

2005 Bordeaux Vintage

A

fantastic / perfect vintage

79
Q

d’Yquem skipped vintages

A

1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992, 2012

80
Q

2020 Sauternes Vintage

A

not great- hail early in season reduced yields, dry second half hampered botrytis production

Climens did not bottle

81
Q

What creates morning fog in Sauternes?

A

as the air temperature drops closer to the dew point, the air can no longer hold more water, and it turns to fog/ mist

The dew point is the temperature the air needs to be cooled to in order to achieve a relative humidity (RH) of 100%. At this point the air cannot hold more water in the gas form. If the air were to be cooled even more, water vapor would have to come out of the atmosphere in the liquid form, usually as fog or precipitation.

82
Q

first vintage of Y?

A

1959- first time d’Yquem made Y

83
Q

When was Graves classified?

A

first in 1953, then again in 1959. it has not been revised since

only one level, no hierarchy. chateau are classified by the color of wine produced

84
Q

Bordeaux must weights - red wines

A

generally min 180 g/l

left bank- merlot min 189 g/l
right bank- merlot min 194 g/l

85
Q

left bank max yields

A

Haut Médoc AOP: 55 hl/ha
density: min 6500 vines/ ha

St. Éstephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux: 57 hl/ha
density: min 7000 vines / ha

86
Q

When did chateau bottling become required in Bordeaux?

A

1972

87
Q

When did phylloxera arrive in Bordeaux?

A

around 1869

88
Q

Which producer opted out of en primeur in 2012?

A

Latour

Angelus and Ausone have also held back more wine for themselves

89
Q

société civile

A

used in bordeaux to avoid properties being divided amongst heirs when a property owner dies - eliminates the actual transfer of property by creating shares in a real estate-owning company

many just sell the property though

Ch Lafleur, Cheval Blanc are examples

90
Q

vine training in Sauternes?

A

cordon-training produces smaller berries that attract botrytis; Guyot cane-training produces slightly larger berries that tend to develop grey rot instead

91
Q

1974 d’Yquem

A

Château d’Yquem famously conducted 11 tries over ten weeks in 1974, only to reject the final wine

92
Q

2012 Sauternes

A

terrible. warm March, then rainy April/May- mildew and rot problems. long dry stretch dried out grapes. autumn rains brought grey rot but no botrytis

d’Yquem, Ch. de Fargues, Suduiraut, Raymond Lafon didn’t bottle this vintage

93
Q

Trie de nettoyage

A

pre-harvest removal of junk vineyard, checkin for uneven ripening, insect damage, black rot

94
Q

Sauternes soils

A

sand, clay, gravel

95
Q

Biturica

A

ancestor grape to both CF and Carmenere, and first important grape of Bordeaux

96
Q

100% Merlot Wines Bdx

A

Petrus
Le Pin

97
Q
A

Master Sommelier Theory 2025 (58 decks)

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