France - Bordeaux

Question 1

Where is Bordeaux located, and what is its climate.

Answer 1

• Located in south-west France, close to Atlantic Ocean.
• Traversed by the river Garonne and Dordogne, which merge to form the Gironde estuary.
• Left bank is partially protected from Atlantic storms by the Landes pine forests. (where this is less of a feature, cooler)
• Climate is moderate-maritime.

Question 2

What are the climatic features and hazards of the area?

Answer 2

• Rainfall avg. 950mm/year, marked variation from year to year and time when it falls. Big vintage variation.
• Rain at flowering -> poor fruit set.
• Rain through growing season -> increased disease pressure.
• Rain at or following version -> unripe fruit and fungal disease.
• Rain at harvest -> diluted grapes.
• Maritime features less pronounced in Right bank.
• Frost can rarely be an issue.
• Hail has been an issue in the last decade.

Question 3

What are Bordeaux’s main geographical features?

Answer 3

• The Atlantic ocean acts as cooling influence, very obvious in the Left bank, less so in the Right bank, although still present.
• The Gironde estuary has a moderating influence on the climate and often protects vines from frost.
• The Landes pine forest as a shield from cool air from the Atlantic.

Question 4

What soils are typical in the Left bank? Pros and cons.

Answer 4

• Mostly deposits of gravel and stony soils, carried from the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Gravel can be mixed with clay or sand.
  Some pockets of clay, esp. in St. Estephe.
• These gravel mounds are called Croupes.
  Pros:
• Fast draining, necessary as Left bank is prone to storms and showers.
• Heat retention, pebbles and stones retain and release warmth gradually, aiding ripening.
  Cons:
• In recent, hotter years gravel soils have put vines at risk of drought stress.

Question 5

What are ‘croupes’?

Answer 5

Gravel mounds typical of the Left Bank. All of the best estates’ vineyards are planted on these gravel mounds.