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WSET Level 3 - Advanced > France - Bordeaux > Flashcards

France - Bordeaux Flashcards

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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
Q

What usually differentiates Rosé from Clairet?

A

Clairet has a longer maceration time, therefore a deeper color and more body.

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26
Q

What are the broad stroke characteristics of quality wine coming from the Haut-Médoc and Pessac-Léognan?

A
  • Very Structured
  • High Tannin/Acid
  • Toasted Oak
  • Black Currant
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27
Q

What is the main soil type of the Bas-Medoc?

A

Clay and Gravel

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28
Q

Where is the Bas-Medoc?

A

North of Saint-Estèphe (less protected by the Landes)

29
Q

T or F: All of the Chateaux in Passac-Léognan are Cru Classé?

A

True

30
Q

What does Graves have in common with the right bank?

A

Usually a higher percentage of Merlot, and mature more quickly (though not as fast as most R banks)

31
Q

What part of Saint-Emilion has most of the Grand Cru Classé Chateaux?

A

South/East

32
Q

What is the predominant soil type in the South/East of St-Emilion?

A

Clay and Limestone.

33
Q

What is the predominant soil type in the North/West of St.-Emilion?

A

Gravel and Limestone.

34
Q

What are some common tasting notes for wines from St-Emilion?

A

Med-High Tannins
Soft Mouthfeel
Berry Fruit, Plum
Tobacco and Cedar with age

35
Q

Name the town at the epicenter of the right bank premium wines.

A

Libourne

36
Q

Name the two Chateaux that have the most famous reputation in Pomerol.

A

Ch. Pétrus and Ch. LePin

37
Q

What are some common tasting notes for wines from Pomerol?

A

Rich
Spicy
Blackberry

38
Q

Describe ‘Garagiste’/’Vins de Garage’.

A 
Tiny Production
Low Yield
Concentrated wiens
High Alcohol/Body
Medium Acid; Soft Tannins
Dark Berry, Spice, Oak: Meaty/Toasty
39
Q

Name the four satellites which can add their name BEFORE St.-Emilion.

A

Lussac
Montagne
Puisseguin
Saint-Georges

40
Q

Name the singular satellite which can add its name BEFORE Pomerol.

A

Lalande de Pomerol

41
Q

Where is Fronsac/Canon-Fronsac located?

A

West of Libourne

42
Q

What is the dominant varietal in Fronsac/Canon-Fronsac?

A

Merlot (stylistically similar to famous appellations)

43
Q

Name the four appellations which can add their name in front of Côtes de Bordeaux, and where they are located.

A

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
Q

What is the main varietal in the DRY white wines of Bordeaux?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

45
Q

What are the notable AOCs of DRY whites from Bordeaux?

A

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
Q

Define Passerillage.

A

Grapes that have begun to shrivel on the vine, resulting in a concentration of sugars.

47
Q

What do each of the three varietals bring to Sauternes?

A

Sémillon - waxy and richness
Sauvignon Blanc - backbone (acidity), fresh fruit
Muscadelle - exotic perfume/fruit

48
Q

What are the common characteristics of Sauternes?

A 
Percentage aged in New Oak
High Alcohol/Acidity
Luscious sweetness
Orange Marmelade
Candied Ginger
Honey
Vanilla
Apricot
49
Q

Name the satellites of Sauternes.

A

Cérons
Loupiac
St-Croix-du-Mont
Premièrs Côtes de Bordeaux

50
Q

How do the wines from the Sauternes satellites compare to Sauternes itself?

A

Similar style
Less complex - lower cost
Low volume
Less scrupulous picking at harvest

51
Q

Where did the 1855 Classification revealing occur?

A

Paris Universal Exhibition

52
Q

Which Chateau is the only to be promoted from 2nd to 1st growth? In what year?

A

Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1973

53
Q

What is the motto of Baron Philippe de Rothschild?

A

“Premier je suis. Second je fus. Mouton ne change.” (First I am. Second I was. Mouton doesn’t change.)

54
Q

How many chateaux are in the classification of 1855 (originally and present day)?

A

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
Q

When was the Cru Bourgeois established?

A

1932

56
Q

Does a Chateau have to reapply every year for the Cru Bourgeois classification?

A

YES

57
Q

Name the three ranks of Sauternes from the 1855 classification.

A

seconds crus, premiers crus, and premier cru supérieur

58
Q

Which Chateau is the only Premier Cru Supérieur?

A

Ch. d’Yquem

59
Q

When were the wines of the Graves classified?

A

1959

60
Q

Do all of the Cru Classé wines lie within Pessac-Léognan?

A

YES

61
Q

Name the two classifications for appellation of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.

A

Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé (upper tier)

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé

62
Q

Describe the breakdown of the Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé.

A

Two Categories:
A - Ch. Cheval-Blanc and Ch. Ausone
B - everyone else

63
Q

When was the classification of Saint-Emilion? and how often are they re-classified?

A

1955; every 10 years

64
Q

Name the four first growths of the Médoc and in which commune they are located.

A 
Ch. Lafite (Pauillac)
Ch. Mouton (Pauillac)
Ch. Latour (Pauillac)
Ch. Margaux (Margaux)
Ch. Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan [Graves])
65
Q

Describe the job of a courtier in La Place de Bordeaux.

A

Essentially a broker who arranges the sales between Producers and Négociants. They take 2% of the sale price as a commission.

66
Q

What is a Négociant?

A

A Merchant who purchases juice from a grower, then labels, markets, and sells the finished wine.

67
Q

What are En Primeur Sales?

A

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
Q

Name the estuary that is created by the Dordogne and Garonne rivers.

A

Gironde Estuary

WSET Level 3 - Advanced (9 decks)

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