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WSET Level 3 - Advanced > France - Bordeaux > Flashcards

France - Bordeaux Flashcards

1
Q

What natural geographic barrier lies to the west of Bordeaux?

A

The Landes Forest.

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2
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Maritime.

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3
Q

What are the two main rivers of Bordeaux?

A

Dordogne and Garonne.

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4
Q

What are the most common viticultural issues that Bordeaux deals with?

A
  1. Fungal disease (precipitation/fog)

2. Ripeness Variation (different varietals ripen at different stages)

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5
Q

How many varietals are permitted in Bordeaux?

A

13

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6
Q

What are the varietals permitted to be grown in Bordeaux?

A

WHITE: Sauvignon Blanc (and Gris), Semillon, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, Colombard

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

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7
Q

Which three of the permitted red varietals make up 99% of the red grape vineyards in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

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8
Q

What soil type does Cabernet Sauvignon grow best in?

A

Warm, well-drained soils (gravel). Late-ripening.

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9
Q

Where is a majority of the Cab. Franc vines grown in Bordeaux?

A

St-Emilion (with some in Medoc/Graves)

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10
Q

What soil type does Cabernet Franc grow best in?

A

Warm, well-drained soils.

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11
Q

Which red varietal is the most widely grown in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot

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12
Q

What does Merlot add to a blend?

A

Softness, Richness, and Body

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13
Q

What does Cabernet Sauvignon add to a blend?

A

Aromatics, Structure, and Color

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14
Q

What does Petit Verdot add to a blend?

A

Tannin, Color, and Exotic Spice

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15
Q

Does Petit Verdot age slowly?

A

Oui, chef.

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16
Q

Which white varietal is the most widely planted in Bordeaux?

A

Sémillon

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17
Q

What are the basic characteristics of dry Sémillon wines?

A
  • Golden Color
  • Full Body
  • Affinity for oak
  • Ages well
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18
Q

What are the distinctive notes of Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux?

A

Herbaceous, Grassy, and Elderflower (used in many single-varietal wines)

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19
Q

Where is Sauvignon Gris particularly popular?

A

Graves

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20
Q

What is the most common vessel for élévage in the fine wines of Bordeaux?

A

Barriques (225L)

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21
Q

Premier wines from Pessac-Leognan are usually fermented and aged in what type of vessel?

A

New Oak (adds richness and nuttiness to the fruit)

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22
Q

List the 6 commune AOP’s in the Haut-Medoc:

A

Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, St-Julien, Margaux, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis (Last two are further inland)

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23
Q

What are the three main AOPs on the Right Bank?

A

St-Emilion, Pomerol, Fronsac/Canon-Fronsac (and each of their satellites)

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24
Q

What are the generic appellations for Red, Rosé, and White wines in Bordeaux?

A

White: Bordeaux AC
Rosé: Bordeaux Rosé AC, Bordeaux Clairet AC
Red: Bordeaux AC, Bordeaux Supérior AC

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25
What usually differentiates Rosé from Clairet?
Clairet has a longer maceration time, therefore a deeper color and more body.
26
What are the broad stroke characteristics of quality wine coming from the Haut-Médoc and Pessac-Léognan?
- Very Structured - High Tannin/Acid - Toasted Oak - Black Currant
27
What is the main soil type of the Bas-Medoc?
Clay and Gravel
28
Where is the Bas-Medoc?
North of Saint-Estèphe (less protected by the Landes)
29
T or F: All of the Chateaux in Passac-Léognan are Cru Classé?
True
30
What does Graves have in common with the right bank?
Usually a higher percentage of Merlot, and mature more quickly (though not as fast as most R banks)
31
What part of Saint-Emilion has most of the Grand Cru Classé Chateaux?
South/East
32
What is the predominant soil type in the South/East of St-Emilion?
Clay and Limestone.
33
What is the predominant soil type in the North/West of St.-Emilion?
Gravel and Limestone.
34
What are some common tasting notes for wines from St-Emilion?
Med-High Tannins Soft Mouthfeel Berry Fruit, Plum Tobacco and Cedar with age
35
Name the town at the epicenter of the right bank premium wines.
Libourne
36
Name the two Chateaux that have the most famous reputation in Pomerol.
Ch. Pétrus and Ch. LePin
37
What are some common tasting notes for wines from Pomerol?
Rich Spicy Blackberry
38
Describe 'Garagiste'/'Vins de Garage'.
``` Tiny Production Low Yield Concentrated wiens High Alcohol/Body Medium Acid; Soft Tannins Dark Berry, Spice, Oak: Meaty/Toasty ```
39
Name the four satellites which can add their name BEFORE St.-Emilion.
Lussac Montagne Puisseguin Saint-Georges
40
Name the singular satellite which can add its name BEFORE Pomerol.
Lalande de Pomerol
41
Where is Fronsac/Canon-Fronsac located?
West of Libourne
42
What is the dominant varietal in Fronsac/Canon-Fronsac?
Merlot (stylistically similar to famous appellations)
43
Name the four appellations which can add their name in front of Côtes de Bordeaux, and where they are located.
Blaye (largest and most northern) Cadillac Francs (to the East of St.Emilion Satellites) Castillon (to the East of St. Emilion, South of Francs)
44
What is the main varietal in the DRY white wines of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc
45
What are the notable AOCs of DRY whites from Bordeaux?
Pessac-Léognan (all Cru Classé, generally caked) Graves (sandier soils, unoaked) Entre-deux-Mers (sandier soils, unoaked) [Médoc and Sauternes also make dry whites]
46
Define Passerillage.
Grapes that have begun to shrivel on the vine, resulting in a concentration of sugars.
47
What do each of the three varietals bring to Sauternes?
Sémillon - waxy and richness Sauvignon Blanc - backbone (acidity), fresh fruit Muscadelle - exotic perfume/fruit
48
What are the common characteristics of Sauternes?
``` Percentage aged in New Oak High Alcohol/Acidity Luscious sweetness Orange Marmelade Candied Ginger Honey Vanilla Apricot ```
49
Name the satellites of Sauternes.
Cérons Loupiac St-Croix-du-Mont Premièrs Côtes de Bordeaux
50
How do the wines from the Sauternes satellites compare to Sauternes itself?
Similar style Less complex - lower cost Low volume Less scrupulous picking at harvest
51
Where did the 1855 Classification revealing occur?
Paris Universal Exhibition
52
Which Chateau is the only to be promoted from 2nd to 1st growth? In what year?
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1973
53
What is the motto of Baron Philippe de Rothschild?
“Premier je suis. Second je fus. Mouton ne change.” (First I am. Second I was. Mouton doesn’t change.)
54
How many chateaux are in the classification of 1855 (originally and present day)?
78 (57 red, 21 white); 88 (61 red, 27 white) This is due to the division and multiplication of classed chateaux over the decades.
55
When was the Cru Bourgeois established?
1932
56
Does a Chateau have to reapply every year for the Cru Bourgeois classification?
YES
57
Name the three ranks of Sauternes from the 1855 classification.
seconds crus, premiers crus, and premier cru supérieur
58
Which Chateau is the only Premier Cru Supérieur?
Ch. d'Yquem
59
When were the wines of the Graves classified?
1959
60
Do all of the Cru Classé wines lie within Pessac-Léognan?
YES
61
Name the two classifications for appellation of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.
Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé (upper tier) | Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
62
Describe the breakdown of the Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé.
Two Categories: A - Ch. Cheval-Blanc and Ch. Ausone B - everyone else
63
When was the classification of Saint-Emilion? and how often are they re-classified?
1955; every 10 years
64
Name the four first growths of the Médoc and in which commune they are located.
``` Ch. Lafite (Pauillac) Ch. Mouton (Pauillac) Ch. Latour (Pauillac) Ch. Margaux (Margaux) Ch. Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan [Graves]) ```
65
Describe the job of a courtier in La Place de Bordeaux.
Essentially a broker who arranges the sales between Producers and Négociants. They take 2% of the sale price as a commission.
66
What is a Négociant?
A Merchant who purchases juice from a grower, then labels, markets, and sells the finished wine.
67
What are En Primeur Sales?
These are advanced sales of a vintage before the wines are released (usually in about 2 years). The wines are released in a number of Tranches, with the price going up after each Tranche finishing with the 1st Tranche, which is the most limited. (Some stock bought in a matter of hours/days based on acclaim.)
68
Name the estuary that is created by the Dordogne and Garonne rivers.
Gironde Estuary

WSET Level 3 - Advanced (9 decks)

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