FWS Bordeaux Flashcards
What is the largest AOC vineyard area in France?
Bordeaux
Bordeaux has the largest AOC vineyard area in France.
What is the geographical size of Bordeaux?
100x125km
This area is four times the size of Bourgogne.
Where is the Left Bank of Bordeaux located?
From the Médoc Peninsula south to the Graves-Sauternes area
Where is the Right Bank of Bordeaux located?
Southeast from Blaye to Castillon
What is Entre-deux-Mers?
The area between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers
How did the Dutch influence the Médoc Peninsula?
They drained the Médoc Peninsula in the 1600s for vineyard land.
What economic ties does Bordeaux have with England?
For 300 years, Bordeaux was England’s vineyard.
What are the three ‘Golden Ages’ of Bordeaux?
1) 1100s: Marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet
2) 1700s: Expansion of the wine market
3) 1982: Robert Parker launched ‘Wine Advocate’
What are the major waterways of Bordeaux?
Dordogne, Garonne, Isle, Ciron
What is the significance of the Dordogne river for grape growing?
It is tidal, warm and sunny which influences grape quality.
What types of soils are found on the Right Bank of Bordeaux?
Cool clay and limestone soils
What types of soils are found on the Left Bank of Bordeaux?
Warm gravel and sand soils
What is the general climate of Bordeaux?
Maritime climate, warmed by the Gulf Stream, protected by Les Landes
What are the climate threats faced by Bordeaux?
Too much rain, humidity, frost, hail
What is passerillage in sweet wine production?
Twisting grape stalks to stop sap flow and desiccate berries.
What are the types of sweet wines produced in Bordeaux?
Moelleux, Doux, Liquoreux
What effect does botrytis have on grapes?
Reduces sugar content by 1/3 and increases extract due to water loss.
What are the major red grapes of Bordeaux?
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
What are the major white grapes of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
What is the Bordeaux AOC?
A large region-wide appellation for various wine types
What distinguishes Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
Stricter production standards, lower maximum yield, higher minimum alcohol.
What is the en primeur system?
Wine sold prior to its normal time, impacting pricing.
What does ‘grand vin’ refer to?
The top wine or primary product of a Château.
What is the primary grape planted in Médoc AOC?
Merlot
What is unique about the Pomerol AOC?
It has iron-rich soils.
Describe the climate of the Sauternais region.
The damp mist created by the Ciron River promotes Botrytis cinerea.
What wine dominates the Entre-deux-Mers AOC?
Produces 25% of the dry white wines of Bordeaux, all wines must be a blend.
What has caused changes in the red Bordeaux blend over time?
Global warming affecting grape ripening.
What are the primary grape varieties used in Bordeaux wine production?
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle
Merlot dominates the red wines, while whites are produced from Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, and Sémillon.
How has the red Bordeaux blend evolved due to global warming?
Petit Verdot ripens better; Merlot has higher alcohol levels, so may need to be reduced in the blend; 4 new red varieties have been approved since 2021
These changes aim to adapt to climate change.
What was the 1855 classification system?
This ranked top Châteaux from first to fifth growths to guide wine prices; included 87 Châteaux
Which wines were omitted from the 1855 classification system?
Right Bank wines and dry whites.
What are the categories of the Cru Bourgeois classification system?
Categories include Crus Bourgeois, Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs, and Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels.
What is the Graves classification system?
Established in 1953, revised in 1959; ranks wines within Pessac-Léognan AOC
Wines are entitled to ‘Grand Cru Classé de Graves’ status.
What is unique in Bordeaux about the Graves classification system?
It is the only Bordeaux classification that ranks wines, not estates
How did the 1855 classification system become famous?
After being showcased at the Universal Exhibition in Paris
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What changes occurred in the Cru Bourgeois classification system?
1932 recognized 444 estates; 2003 identified 247 estates; cancelled in 2007; 2010 established annual quality procedure; 2020 revised to rank 249 Châteaux
What are the categories of the Cru Bourgeois classification system?
Crus Bourgeois, Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs, and Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels.
When was the Saint-Émilion classification established and when is it reviewed?
Established in 1955, reviewed every 10 years
The most recent revision was in 2022.
How is the Saint-Émilion classification structured?
85 Châteaux are ranked into 2 Premiers Grands Crus Classés A, 12 Premiers Grands Crus Classés B, and 71 Grands Crus Classés
The most recent revision was in 2022.
What are the regulations for the Cru Artisan designation?
They must be boutique wineries of quality that are responsible for their red wine production from vineyard to barrel to bottle.
This designation emphasizes quality and accountability.
What are Petits Châteaux?
Unranked Châteaux
They do not have an official classification.
What is Saignée in winemaking?
A portion of juice is ‘bled off’ from red wine fermentation after a short maceration to produce rosé wine
The remaining juice continues to ferment into red wine.
Who is Emilie Peynaud?
Professor of Oenology at University of Bordeaux; encouraged use of fruit from young vine stocks under a second label
She was influential in modern winemaking practices.
Bordeaux map
