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D3 Region Overviews > France - Bordeaux Appellations > Flashcards

France - Bordeaux Appellations Flashcards

1
Q

What is an overview of varieties and percentages of each permitted in each appellation?

A

Most regulations state which varieties are permitted but not the proportions. E.g. Pauillac and Pomerol allow the same varieties (6) but in reality have higher Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot respectively.

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2
Q

Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superior AOC
-Total area covered
-Total yields of each AOC + colour
-Total wine production as % of Bordeaux
-Main predominant variety for reds
-Typical profile of red wine
-Predominant variety for white
-Typical profile of white wine
-Typical quality and price

A

-Both cover the entire region
-Bordeaux AOC: Whites 67hL/ha, Rosés 62hL/ha, reds 60hL/ha resulting in wines of low flavour concentration.
Bordeaux Superieur AOC 59hL/ha.
-50%
-Merlot
-Medium intensity red fruit, high acidity, medium (+) tannins, medium body, medium alcohol
-Increasingly, Sauvignon Blanc
-Medium intensity gooseberry and lemon, medium body, high acidity and medium alcohol.
-Acceptable - good and inexpensive - mid

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3
Q

Where are the appellations Médoc and Haut Médoc AOC located, what styles of wine can they produce, what are their max yields, and what is the earliest the wines can be released for consumption?

A

On the left bank of the Gironde, north of the city of Bordeaux.
Reds only.
55hL/ha.
Mid-June of the year after harvest.

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4
Q

Where does Médoc AOC encompass, and what are it’s proportions of plantings?

A

The northern end of the Right Bank.
Planted nearly equally of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

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5
Q

Where does Haut-Médoc encompass and which 4 famous left bank communes does it host?

A

The area closest to Bordeaux city.
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux.

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6
Q

What soils can be found in the Haut-Médoc, and what are the proportion of plantings?

A

Warm, gravelly sites planted to Cab Sauv (50%) and Merlot (44%)

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7
Q

What price and quality levels to wines from Médoc and Haut-Médoc come in?

A

As they are large areas, they come in a wide range.

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8
Q

Where are the four famous sub-appellations of the Haut-Médoc adjacent to, how does this affect grape growing, and what soils do they offer?

A

The Gironde estuary, which moderates the climate and offers a high proportion of gravelly soils enabling Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen.

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9
Q

What styles of wine are made in the four famous sub-appellations of the Haut-Médoc, and what are maximum yields?

A

Reds only.
57hL/ha.

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10
Q

What do wines typically taste like from the four famous sub-appellations of the Haut-Médoc, and what is typical quality and price?

A

Pronounced intensity blackcurrant, green bell pepper (especially in cooler years) and red plum, often with vanilla and cedar from oak. Medium-high alcohol, high tannins and medium + body.
Very good - outstanding and premium - super premium.

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11
Q

What is the distinguishable factor of Saint-Estèphe compared to the other 3?

A

Its the most northerly and the coolest as it’s the closest to the Atlantic Ocean.
It also has the highest proportion of Merlot planted at 40% as it can ripen successfully here.

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12
Q

What are the soil types in Saint-Estèphe?

A

Clay soils are predominant away from the estuary, and are planted to Merlot. These soils have proven advantageous for water retention in recent hot, dry summers.
Gravel banks are situated closer to the estuary and planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (making up 50% of total plantings)

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13
Q

What are typical wine styles of Saint-Estèphe, and why do they have this reputation?

A

Rustic wines that need many years in bottle to soften tannins, due to the marginally cooler climate.
Some wines are softer and more accessible, especially when coming from warmer gravelly sites, or when theres a higher proportion of Merlot.

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14
Q

Are there any First or second growths, or Cru Borgeois in Saint-Estèphe?

A

No First Growths, some second growth, many Cru Bourgeois.

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15
Q

What is the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in Pauillac?

A

62%, often on the gravel banks close to the estuary enabling it to ripen fully.

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16
Q

What is typical Cabernet Sauvignon proportions in the top estates of Pauillac, what style of wine does this result in?

A

70-80%, resulting in wines of high concentration and great longevity.

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17
Q

What is the typical style of wine from Pauillac?

A

The most structured of the Left Bank, with high tannins and high acidity giving it capacity for long ageing.

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18
Q

How many first growths are in Pauillac, and what is the proportion of production of cru classé wine?

A

3.
The highest proportion at 85% of production, followed closely by Saint-Julien.

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19
Q

What are the soil types of Saint-Julien?

A

Homogenous gravel.

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20
Q

What is the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and cru classé production in Saint-Julien?

A

High for both.

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21
Q

How is Saint-Julien stylistically regarded?

A

A mid way point between the powerful structure of Pauillac and the finesse of Margaux.

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22
Q

How many First and second growths does Saint-Julien have?

A

No First Growths, five second growths.

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23
Q

How many First Growths, and what is the production of cru classé in Margaux?

A

One, and a high proportion.

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24
Q

What is the prodominent variety in Margaux, and how does this compare to the other 3?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, although slightly lower in comparison with a higher proportion of Merlot.

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25
Q

What are the soil types of Margaux, and typically when do grapes ripen? Why, and when is this am advantage?

A

Stony, gravelly soils.
They ripen a few days earlier when compared to say, Pauillac and 7-10 days earlier than the northern Médoc due to being slightly more southerly and the warm soils.
This is an advantage in cool years or if rain threatens.

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26
Q

What is a disadvantage to the soils of Margaux?

A

The clay seams mean some soils require extra drainage, adding to required investment.

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27
Q

What wine styles are typical of Margaux?

A

Perfumed wines with silky tannins.

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28
Q

Where are Listrac-Médoc and Moulis AOC located? How does this influence climate?

A

Further from the river than the four single commune appellations of the Left Bank, resulting in less benefit from the moderating influence of the estuary.

29
Q

What are the soil types of Listrac-Médoc and Moulis AOC?

A

Less gravel in the soils, also resulting in cooler sites.

30
Q

How do regulations change for Listrac-Médoc and Moulis AOC compared to the four single commune appellations?

A

They can release wine for consumption slightly earlier, but otherwise AOC requirements are the same.

31
Q

What are typical wine styles and quality of Listrac-Médoc and Moulis AOC?

A

Good to very good, mid to premium priced.

32
Q

Where does Graves AOC encompass and what are the maximum yields for white and red?

A

Stretches from the city of Bordeaux southwards.
58hL/ha for white.
55hL/ha for red.

33
Q

What is the percentage of red production in Graves?

A

85%

34
Q

What is the typical price and quality of wine from Graves?

A

Acceptable to good, and inexpensive to mid-price.

35
Q

What style of wine can be produced in Graves Supérieures, and what are max yields?

A

Late harvest and/or botrytis-affected sweet wines.
40hL/ha (higher than Sauternes)

36
Q

What area does Pessac-Léognan AOC encompass?

A

It includes some of the southern suburbs of the city of Bordeaux and is a sub-region within Graves AOC

37
Q

What are the soil types and climatic influences of Pessac-Léognan AOC?

A

Gravel soils, and benefits from the moderating effect of the Garonne, like the top communes of the Médoc.

38
Q

What are the typical wine styles of Pessac-Léognan AOC, what is the red and white split, and what are the yields for both?

A

High quality, often barrel fermented and aged whites, and high quality reds.
80/20 red/white.
54hL/ha for red and white.

39
Q

Does Pessac-Léognan AOC contain any first growths or cru classé?

A

One first growth, and all the cru classé wines of the Graves classification.

40
Q

What are the typical styles of white wines from Pessac-Léognan AOC, and what is their reputation?

A

Typically a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion with pronounced aromas of gooseberry, lemon and grapefruit with oak notes.
They have medium + body, medium +-high acidity and medium - high alcohol.
Typically very good to outstanding and premium to super premium.
It has the reputation of the best white wines of Bordeaux.

41
Q

What are the typical styles of red wines from Pessac-Léognan AOC?

A

Similar in style and price to the four prestigious Médoc sub-appellations.

42
Q

What area does Entre-deux-Mers AOC encompass, how large is it, and what styles of wine are produced?

A

The area inbetween the rivers Dordogne and Garonne and is the second largest appellation in terms of hectares (although much smaller than Bordeaux AOC).
Produces only white wines.

43
Q

What are red wines from Entre-deux-Mers AOC labelled as?

A

Bordeaux or Bordeaux-Supérieur.

44
Q

What are maximum yields of Entre-deux-Mers AOC?

A

65hL/ha, resulting in wines of light flavour intensity.

45
Q

What is the typical quality and price of wines from Entre-deux-Mers AOC?

A

Acceptable to good, inexpensive to mid-priced.

46
Q

What is the Right Bank characterised by?

A

Many small estates (some as small as 1ha) and the dominance of Merlot (which does well on the cool, clay soils), followed by Cabernet Franc and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon.

47
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Saint-Emilion AOC and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC, what area do they cover, and what are their max yields and minimum maturation times?

A

Red wine only.
They cover the same area but the difference is in yields and maturation:
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC is 46hL/ha and 20 months minimum.
Saint-Emilion AOC is 53hL/ha and 6 months minimum.

48
Q

What are the predominant varieties in Saint-Emilion AOC and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC?

A

Merlot (60%) followed by Cabernet Franc.

49
Q

What is the typical profile of wines from Saint-Emilion AOC and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC?

A

They range from simple wines made for early drinking right through to top Grand Cru Classé wines comparable in quality to the First Growths.
The top wines typically have pronounced red and black plum fruit with noticeable vanilla and clove new oak, a full body, high alcohol and medium + - high acidity and tannins. Because of this the best can age in bottle for decades.

50
Q

What are the Saint-Émilion satellites, what are their production rules, and what are the largest two?

A

The name given to 4 AOCs close to Saint-Émilion but further away from the Dordogne.
They have similar production rules to Saint-Émilion AOC.
The two largest are Montagne Saint-Émilion AOC and Lussac-Saint-Émilion AOC.

51
Q

How large is Pomerol AOC, what are the permitted styles, and what are the predominant varieties?

A

A small, prestigious appellation for reds only.
Merlot is predominant (~80%) followed by Cabernet Franc.

52
Q

What is the classification system in Pomerol AOC?

A

There isn’t one, but there are many top estates.

53
Q

What is the typical quality, price and style of Pomerol AOC?

A

Very good-outstanding and premium-super premium.
Pronounced red and black plum, noticeable oak, full body, high alcohol and medium + to high tannins and acidity meaning the best can age for many years in bottle.

54
Q

Why do the top wines of Pomerol AOC fetch some of the highest prices in the world?

A

Partly because of the small size of the estates (Petrus has <12ha compared to 80-100ha of the Left Bank first growths) and consequently because of the small production.

55
Q

What are the maximum yields of Pomerol AOC?

A

49hL/ha

56
Q

What is the large satellite appellation of Pomerol AOC, and what is the key difference?

A

Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC, it allows slightly higher yields.

57
Q

Where does Cotes de Bordeaux AOC lie, when was it created, and what styles of wine can be produced?

A

On the Right Bank, to the west of Saint-Émilion.
Created in 2009 for red and white wines.

58
Q

What else can appear on the label of wines from Cotes de Bordeaux AOC, and what does this change in production terms?

A

The name of the commune, for example Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs Cotes de Bordeaux AOC.
Yields, it decreased from 55hL/ha to 52hL/ha if the name of the commune appears on the label.

59
Q

What is a similar appellation to Côtes de Bordeaux that doesn’t fall under its umbrella?

A

Côtes de Bourg AOC

60
Q

What is the predominant variety of Côtes de Bourg AOC, and what others are there?

A

Merlot, but this appellation has a focus on Malbec with 10% of area under vine planted to it, the highest out of anywhere in Bordeaux.

61
Q

What is the profile of wines from Côtes de Bourg AOC?

A

Similar in style and price to Médoc AOC.

62
Q

Where are Sauternes and Barsac AOC located, and what varieties are planted?

A

The southern part of Graves.
Semillion (80% of plantings), Sauvignon Blanc and tiny amounts of Muscadelle.

63
Q

Why are Sauternes and Barsac AOC suitable for botrytis affected sweet wine production?

A

The meeting of the cold Ciron River with the warmer Garonne produces morning mist. In ideal situations this mist is burnt off by midday and the sunshine dries the grapes to prevent spread of grey rot.p

64
Q

Out of Sauternes and Barsac AOC, which is larger? How does this affect labelling?

A

Sauternes, it is the largest sweet appellation in Bordeaux, encompasses Barsac and accounts for 50% of production.
As a result, wines from the commune of Barsac can be labelled as Sauternes or Barsac AOC.

65
Q

What are max yields in Sauternes and Barsac AOC, but what do they actually usually reach?

A

25hL/ha but usually much lower yields are required to ensure grapes are fully ripe before noble rot develops.

66
Q

What is the typical quality, price and style of wines from Sauternes and Barsac AOC?

A

Very good to outstanding, premium to super premium.
Pronounced aromas of citrus peel, honey, tropical fruit with vanilla from oak. Theyre full bodied, with high alcohol, medium - medium + acidity and sweet.

67
Q

What has demand been for Sauternes in the past 30 years? How has this changed production?

A

They’ve faced a crisis due to lack of demand. As a result many producers have started to produce dry wines to generate income.

68
Q

What are other noteable sweet appellation of Bordeaux, where are they based, what are their max yields, how can they be produced and what is their typical quality and price?

A

Sainte-Croix-du-Mont AOC, Loupiac AOC (both 40hL/ha) and Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOC (45hL/ha).
On both banks of the Garonne.
Can be botrytis affected or late harvest.
Good to very good, inexpensive to mid priced.

D3 Region Overviews (35 decks)

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