France/ Bordeaux, Burgandy, Dourdogne, Beaujolais and Alsace Flashcards
What are the three GI’s in France?
PDO and PGI and Vin de France
What are the terms for PDO in France?
AOP (Appellation d’origine protegee and AC/AOC (Appellation d’origine controlee)
What is the term for a French PGI wine?
IGP (Indication geographique protogee)
What is the largest appellation region in France?
Bordeaux
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Moderate Maritime
What is the effect of the Gulf Stream on Bordeaux?
warming ocean current extends the growing season, spring frosts rarely a problem and ripening can continue into october
What is the downside of the proximity to the Atlantic in Bordeaux?
High levels of rainfall and high humidity
What is a hazard in Bordeaux due to the high rainfall and humidity liklihood?
Vintage variation
Why are blends common in Bordeaux?
different varietals used ripen and flower at different times therefore the weather hazards can be minimized by not losing an entire crop of one varietal, minimizes risks
What are the four black varieties most commonly used in Bordeaux?
Cab Sauv, Cab franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot
What are three very important Cabernet Sauvignon regions in Bordeaux?
Haut-Medoc, Bas-Medoc and the Graves
Why are Haut-Medoc, Bas-Medoc and the Graves the only regions where Cabernet Sauvignon can reliably ripen?
High stone/gravel content of the soils raises vineyard temperatures
Does Cab Franc have more body and more tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon or less body and tannin?
Less
What three areas is Cabernet Franc widely used in Bordeaux?
Saint-Emillion, the Medoc and Graves
What is the most widely planted varietal in Bordeaux?
Merlot
What part of Bordeaux is Merlot most important?
Saint-Emillion and Pommerol
Why is Saint-Emillion and Pommerol well-suited for Merlot?
It can successfully grow in these cooler clay soils. Cabernet would struggle to ripen there.
What grape is predominant in Bordeaux’s high volume inexpensive wines and wine?
Merlot and because of its softness
Which is the black grape that never plays more than a minor role in Bordeaux blends?
Petit Verdot
When do most winemakers blend their wine?
In the spring following the vintage
How is premium bordeaux aged?
small new oak barriques of 225 litres
How is inexpensive bordeaux aged?
Usually does not see oak
What are three main white varietals in Bordeaux?
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle
What two varietals are blended to make dry white wines of Pessac-Leognan and Graves?
Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
What varietal produces the sweet wine of Bordeaux due to its ability to produce noble rot?
Semillon
What white Bordeaux wine has a grapey, floral flavor and is used as supporting role in both sweet and dry wines?
Muscadelle
How are premium dry whites from Pessac-Leognan and graves produced?
Frequently fermented and matured in new oak barrels giving them a richness and and concentrated nuttiness
Which is the one Bordeaux classification system that coordinates with the appellation system?
Saint-Emillion
Do the Bordeaux classifications rank the vineyards or the chateauxs?
The Chateaux (estates)
What is the 1855 Classification?
When the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce produced a list of its best red wines from Medoc and white wines from Sauternes
What are the Chateaux that are listed in the 1855 classification referred to as?
Cru Classe
What are the five ranks in the Medoc in the 1855 Classification?
Chateaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild and Chateaux Haut-Brion from Graves
How many ranks are there in Sauternes from the 1855 Classification?
Three ranks, Chateau d’Yquem is number one
The classification name for the other Chateaux in the Medoc not listed in the top five are called what?
Cru Bourgeois
In Graves (Pessac-Leognan) what is the classification called?
No list but called Cru Classe
What is the classification in Saint-Emillion?
(St. Emillion Grand Cru,) Within that classification lowest to highest is St. Emillion Grand Cru Classe, St. Emillion Premier Grand Cru Classe (split into A and B, with A being the highest)
What two rivers come together to form the Gironde?
The Dordogne and the Garonne Rivers
What encompasses the left bank?
Medoc, Graves and Sauternes
What is the area between the Dordogne and the Garonne rivers called?
Entre-deux-mers
What two regions make up the right bank?
Saint-Emillion and Pommerol
What are the two generic appellations of Bordeaux?
Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur
What are the four communes with some of the best chateaux in Haut-Medoc?
Saint-Estephe, Paulliac, Saint-Julien and Margaux
The wines from Haut-Medoc are made with predominately Cabernet Sauvignon and taste like what?
Core of black currant fruit complemented by cedar notes from oak, grippy tannins when young, long agening potential
Bas-medoc (Medoc) has more clay in its soil therefore has a higher percentage of what varietal?
Merlot
What are the soils like in Pessac-Leognan?
gravel and well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon
How do the red wines from Pessac-Leognan compare to the red wines of Haut-medoc?
a little lighter in body and more fragrant
Which is the larger of the two regions on the right bank?
Saint-Emillion
What are the soils like in Saint-Emillion?
There are three distinct groups of vineyards with three very different soils
How are the most premium wines from Saint-Emillion different from the left bank wines?
less structured, soft and rich mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas
How do the wines of Pomerol compare to those of Saint-Emillion?
Pomerol wines tend to be richer, spicier and have a blackberry fruit character
What Bordeaux region can only produce white wines?
Entre-deux-mers
Can Graves and Pessac-Leognan produce red or white wines?
both
Where are the best sweet wines grown in Bordeaux and what grapes are used?
Sauternes and using the Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle
Where is Sauternes located?
The west bank of the Garonne
Why is Sauternes well suited for noble rot?
The rivers create the ideal misty autumn conditions for noble rot
Where is the Dordogne region located?
To the east of the vineyards of Entre-deux-mers
How is the climate in the Dordogne different than the climate in Bordeaux?
It is very similar but has less moderating maritime influence
What is the major appellation in the Dordogne and what varietals are used?
Bergerac and red and white wines using the same Bordeaux varieties
What is Monzbazillac?
It is an appellation in the Dordogne that is known for value sweet wines from noble rot grapes using Semilon and Sauvignon Blanc
Where is Cahors and what is the most important varietal used?
East of Bordeaux and Malbec is the main grape
What is climate of Burgundy?
Ranges from cool continental in North (Chablis) to moderate continental in South
What are the weather hazards that exists in Burgundy?
Rain frequently disrupts both flowering in early summer and harvest in the fall; spring frosts (Chablis); and summer hailstorms
Why is the frequent rainfall in Burgundy a hazard especially to Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir is very susceptible to Noble Rot which comes easily with the wet growing season
What is the most important factor in determining quality level in the appellation hierarchy of Burgandy?
vineyard location
Why are the premier cru or grand cru mid-slope locations most desirable?
They are less prone to frost
What is another benefit of the premier location of south or southeast facing exposure?
Offers protection from the prevailing westerly winds
What is the soil like in Burgandy?
Very varied
What is the soil like on the Burgundy hillsides?
Tend to be shallower with better drainage
What are the other two grape varieties grown in Burgundy apart from Pinot and Chardonnay?
Aligote and Gamay
Where are the most important plantings of Pinot Noir in Burgandy?
Cote D’Or
What is the classic flavor profile of Burgundy Pinot Noir?
Red fruit flavors in youth and evolving into earth, game and mushroom
What is the general winemaking like for Pinot in Burgundy?
Wide range of winemaking styles, whole bunches is becoming more popular, 16 to 18 months in barrel is normal for premium wines and premium also get new oak
What is the split production of Pinot Noir vs. Chardonnay in Burgandy?
25% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay
Describe the three styles of Chardonnay in Burgundy?
steely, high-acid in Chablis; complex and expressive in Cote D’or; full-bodied and riper-fruited wines in Macon
What is the general winemaking like for Chardonnay in Burgundy?
barrel fermentation, barrel ageing (6-9 months), MLF and use of the lees
Why do you not see too much aligote or Gamay (other than Beaujolais) in Burgundy?
The better sites that can produce high quality aligote or gamay are reserved for Chardonnay and Pinot
Tell me about the Chablis region?
Chablis is a village appellation in the valley of the river Serein, nothern-most part of Burgandy.
Where are the best vineyards of Chablis planted?
On the slopes that are south-facing
What are the lesser vineyards of Chablis classified as?
Petit Chablis
What is the major climatic problem of Chablis?
Frost
Where is the basic village level of Chablis planted?
North-facing slopes or flatter land
Petit Chablis and Chablis are different than Chablis premier cru and Grand Cru how?
Petit Chablis and Chablis can be very austere with high acid and green fruit, the premium wines on hillside sites show riper, more concentrated fruit, more body but still balance by high acidity
Do premier producers in Chablis age their wine in oak?
Depends on the producer. Sometimes they do age in old oak but some prefer stainless or concrete
What is the mountain range that runs down the westside of the Cote D’or?
Massif Central
What is favorable about the location of the Massif Central?
It provides favorable east and south-east facing hillsides vineyard locations
What are the two sections that make up the Cote D’Or?
Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune
Where are all of the red grand crus except one located?
Cote de Nuits
Where are all of the white grand crus except one located?
Cote de Beaune
What is the hierarchy of Burgundy appellations?
Regional appellations, Commune Appellations and Single Vineyard Appellations (Premier Crus and Grands Crus)
What are the two most generic of the Burgundy regional appellations?
Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc
What is another term used for the “commune” appellations of Burgundy?
Village
What are two examples of commune appellations in Burgundy?
Chablis or Gevrey-Chambertin
How many premier crus and Grands Crus are in Burgundy?
600 premier crus (10% of production), 33 grand crus (1% of production)
Where are the Grand Cru vineyards located in Burgandy?
All in Cote D’or and one in Chablis
Name the villages of the Cote de Nuits?
Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanee and Nuits Saint-Georges
Name the important villages in the Cote de Beaune?
Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet
What are three most premium villages for white wine in Burgundy?
Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet
Where is the Cote Chalonnaise and what type of wine does it produce?
It is south of the Cote D’Or but it is higher altitude so ripening is less reliable. Wines are lighter, mature earlier and less prestigious than Cote d’Or
What are the two grapes produce in Cote Chalonannaise?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What is the most widely planted grape from the Maconnais?
Chardonnay
What style of white wines are in Maconnais?
fresh apple, citrus fruit, medium acidity and medium to full body, creaminess from MLF, reds are light and fruity
What wines are produced in Beaujolais?
Can be red, white or rose but mostly dominated by Gamay
What is the beaujolais climate well-suited for?
Early budding and ripening grapes such as Gamay
Why are the granite soils in parts of Beaujolais where the best wines are grown?
They are low in nutrients
Why do the low nutrient granite soils create good wines?
The lack of nutrients limits the yields therefore concentrated the grape flavors
What is the flavor profile of a gamay grape?
fragrant with raspberry and cherry fruit, med tannin and body
What are the three appellations of Beaujolais?
Beaujolais, Beaujolais Village and Beaujolais, Crus
How is beaujolais produced?
Mainly carbonic maturation and semi-carbonic maturation
What is the advantage that Beaujolais Village and Beaujolais Crus have?
Located in the NW of the region they are found on the rolling hills and granite soils
How many Beaujolais Village sites are there?
39
What is common with Beaujolais Village winemaking?
They are often a blend of many different vineyard sites
How many beaujolais Crus are there?
10
What are the names of the four largest Beaujolais crus?
Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie and Moulin-A-Vent
Which two Beaujolais crus produce lighter more perfumed wines?
Brouilly and Fleurie
What is different about Beaujolais Cru wines?
high fruit concentration and higher level of tannins mean they can age
What winemaking goes into Beaujolais Cru wines?
crushed-fruit fermentation, oak ageing possible, some do use semi-carbonic
What makes Alsace unusual for a french wine region?
most of its wines are varietally labeled
What wines are made in Alsace?
Aromatic white grape varieties in dry, off-dry and sweet styles, some red wine is made as well
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool to moderate continental
What are the mountains in Alsace that shelter the vineyards from the prevailing westerly, rain-bearing winds?
The Vosges Mountains
What ensures that the grapes in Alsace achieve high levels of sugar ripeness?
few clouds, sunny summers and dry autumns
Where are the premier vineyards located in Alsace?
On the steepest slopes, east and south east facing
Where are the lesser vineyards grown in the Alsace?
on the plain between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine
What is commonly grown in the lesser vineyards on the plains of Alsace?
grapes used for the Cremant d’Alsace
What is the local Alsace sparkling wine called?
Cremant d’Alsace
What is the soil like in Alsace?
It varies greatly due to a dramatic geological history, resulting in geological complexity that contributes to the variety of styles
How are the vines trained in Alsace that are located on the slopes?
Vines are trained low to benefit from radiated heat, and rows oriented to maximize sun exposure
How are the vines trained in Alsace that are located on the flat plains?
trained high to minimize the risk of frost
In what climates are organic and biodynamic most likely to be used?
sunny, dry climates, low disease pressure
What are the two principal appellations for still wines in Alsace?
Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru
What are the two additional classification systems for Alsace?
Vendanges Tardives and Selection de grains nobles
Describe the characteristics of the Alsace Appellation?
majority of region’s production, most wines made from single grape variety and it is labeled as such,
Describe the characteristics of the Alsace Grand Cru?
Wines must be produced from a single noble variety (Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, Muscat and Pinos Gris), label must state name of vineyard, vintage and varietal
What are the two wines that minimum sugar levels must be met?
Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
Which of the two sweet Alsace wines must be sweeter?
Selection de Grains Nobles
What are the four noble grapes?
Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Muscat and Pinot Gris
In Alsace, the noble grapes can only be used in which wines?
The VT, SGN (selection de grains nobles) and Grand Cru
What is the winemaking style in Alsace?
Most of grapes are aromatic so attention is on retaining the flavours and aromas of the grapes, neutral oak or steel, no MLF, ready to drink on release but also capable of ageing
In what region is there no official requirement to indicate the level of sweetness of a wine?
Alsace
What are the characteristics of an Alsace Riesling?
medium to full-bodied, dry with medium alcohol, high acidity, citrus and steely stone-fruit characteristics
Do Alsace Riesling or German Riesling have more floral character?
Germany
Describe the aromatics of a Gewurtztraminer?
pungent, spicy aroma, lychees, roses and sweet baking spices
What color is Gewurztraminer and why?
Gold due to grape color having a light pink tinge
What are the characteristics of a Gewurtztraminer?
Full-body, rich, oily texture, low to med acidity and high alcohol
Characteristics of the best Pinot Gris?
Rich, full-bodied and high in alcohol, more acidity than Gewurztraminer, similar color,
What is flavor profile of Alsace Pinot Gris?
pronounced with fresh and dried fruits and a honey character
What is the only black grape permitted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
How is Alsace Pinot Noir different than Burgundian Pinot Noir?
Lack the weight and concentration of of Burgundian Pinot, light and fruity
