France - Bordeaux - Right Bank Flashcards
# Right Bank (Bordeaux) AOPs
10
Right Bank size (hectares)
12,400
Bordeaux Right Bank AOPs wine color
Red
Geographical differences between the Left Bank and the Right Bank in Bordeaux
The Left Bank tends to be fairly flat. The Right Bank has more rolling hills and raised plateaus.
Climate differences between the Left Bank and the Right Bank in Bordeaux
The Right Bank tends to be drier and has greater temperature swings from summer to winter
General soil type of the Right Bank (Bordeaux)
Typically cool clay and calcareous clay. Saint-Émilion and Pomerol has gravel
General encépagement of the Right Bank of Bordeaux
70% Merlot
30% Cabernet Franc
Saint-Émilion AOPs
Saint-Émilion AOP
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP
When was Saint-Émilion AOP established?
1936
When was Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP established?
1954
Main differences between Saint-Émilion AOP and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP wines must:
Be estate-bottled
Have lower maximum yields
Have longer élevage
Distinction between the labels Saint-Émilion Grand Cru and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru indicates an appellation while Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé indicates a classified producer within that appellation
How often are Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé wines reassessed?
Every 10 years
Assessment criteria used for Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP wines
Soil analysis, Topography, Viticultural and winemaking techniques
The estate´s reputation
Tasting with the previous 10 vintages
Number of Saint-Émillion Premier Cru Classé A wines
2
Saint-Émillion Premier Cru Classé A wines
Chateau Figeac (from 2022)
Chateau Pavie
Number of Saint-Émillion Grand Cru Classé wines
71
Are the entirety of Saint-Émillion Grand Cru AOP estates included in the classification
No
Smallest ‘village’ appellation in Bordeaux
Pomerol
Describe Pomerol soil composition
Terraced layers of sand, gravel, and clay
Lower elevations are primarily sand. Gravel content increases as one moves up the plateau. Surface gravels are a blend of clay and ‘crasse de fer’
Describe ‘Crasse de fer’ in Pomerol
Iron-rich sand deposits that form part of the surface gravel
What percentage of Pomerol’s total vineyard area is Merlot?
About 70%
What makes Chateau Pétrus’ vineyard soil composition unique?
It is the only vineyard in Pomerol situated entirely on the deep blue clay of Pomerol’s highest point. This soil is considered the best in Pomerol
What percentage of Pomerol’s total vineyard area is Cabernet Franc?
Approximately 25%
What percentage of Pomerol’s total vineyard area is Cabernet Sauvignon?
Approximately 5%
Best chateau in Pomerol
Château Pétrus
Vieux Château Certan
Château Lafleur
Château L’Evangile
Château Trotanoy
Château Clinet
Château Le Pin
Château La Conseillante
Château Petit Village
Predominant grape in St-Emilion
Merlot
Number of communes in St-Emilion AOP
8
Classification levels in St-Emilion
Premier Grand Cru Classé A
Premier Grand Cru Classé B
Grand Cru Classé
Grand Cru
Describe the Union des Producteurs de St-Emilion
Growers cooperative that produces some good quality wine
In what years was the St-Emilion classification revised?
- 1955 (established)
- 1958 (first completed)
- 1969
- 1985
- 1996
- 2006 (later annulled)
- 2012
- 2022
Bourg and Blaye location in Bordeaux
North of the Right Bank and across the Gironde from the Médoc
When was Bourg AOP established?
1936 (for red wines only)
When were white wines authorized for production under Bourg AOP?
1941
Best château in Bourg
Château Roc de Cambes
